Part One
Melaka has all the components of a captivating destination, from its beautiful colonial architecture, endless history, multicultural heritage, and family-friendly attractions to memorable cuisine.
Whether you are in pursuit of a family-fun day packed with adventure or a relaxing solo stroll through the UNESCO World Heritage City’s historical attractions there are plenty of activities in Melaka for everyone.
The Bruneian, along with several representatives from other local media representatives and travel agents, recently participated in a Familiarisation Trip to experience the various facets of the historic Malaysian state.
The three-day trip which was an invitation from Tourism Malaysia Brunei and Tourism Melaka includes visits to some family-fun and heritage sites in the vibrant city such as A’Famosa Resort, Melaka River Cruise, The Stadthuys, Dinosaur Encounter and many more.
A Fun-filled Family adventure at the A’Famosa Resort
On the first day, the tour’s first pitstop was at the renowned A’Famosa Resort.
Set perfectly within Alor Gajah, surrounded by the picturesque view of the rolling hills and lush countryside, the A’Famosa Resort is an ideal destination for families, offering fun for all ages.
Named after the well-known 16th-century Portuguese fortress built in Melaka, the all-inclusive resort is a 30 min drive from the UNESCO World Heritage site.
The resort sprawls across 1,300 acres of land, complete with a variety of family-fun attractions and fulfilling experiences including a water theme park, a safari wonderland, an Old West Cowboy-themed town, a golf course, a shopping outlet, a resort hotel and several blocks of condo-hotels and villas.
When we first arrived at the resort, our first destination was to take a drive on the wild side at the A’Famosa Safari Wonderland.
The A’Famosa Safari Wonderland combines the characteristics of a zoo and a safari park. Whether you are looking to enjoy a relaxing cruise along the river to the ‘Monkey Island’ or saddle up on a camel’s back — there is an adventure for everyone.
The park is home to more than 100 species of animals from all around the world. From gentle graceful giraffes to the majestic Malayan tigers, we had the opportunity to witness the furry, finned, feathered and scaly friends in their natural habitat from the safety of our safari truck.
The safari route is split into several stations where you will drive through different habitats including the high tower station, submarine station and big cat station.
During our visit, we also had the opportunity to meet Abang the Hippo and its family up close and feed them their favourite foods, lettuce and witness a group of elephants swaying in unison to the upbeat music at the animal show.
Our next stop was the A’Famosa Water Theme Park, where we had the chance to make a splash at one of the largest water theme parks in Malaysia.
The gigantic park features more than 10 attractions. Among the rides and activities available in the park are a wave pool, a relaxing sandy beach, a kid-friendly playground, and fast-paced rides like the Family raft, Hulala, Wahaha and many more.
For the daredevils, the park also features one of the tallest, longest and widest slides in Southeast Asia dubbed the Ice Cream. The slide stretches 20.8 meters high, guaranteed to offer nothing short of a rush.
Further into our tour, we also had a chance to shop and wander around the Freeport A’Famosa Outlet.
The shopping outlet is a trendy destination featuring more than 80 fashion brands such as ELLE, Guy Laroche, Puma outlet, Sembonia, Levi’s, Carlo Rino and many more.
Moreover, we also caught a glimpse of the world’s first Coach Airways, the latest air travel-themed boutique which will feature a pop-up café and limited-edition travel collection.
We concluded our final activity of the day with a tour of the A’Famosa Condo Hotels and Villas.
Our home away from home for the night was a charming A’Famosa Villa which features four bedrooms, spacious living facilities and a personal private swimming pool.
During our stay, the room is quite spacious and inviting. The Interiors are rooted in nostalgia, with a mid-century modern touch.
One of the most memorable aspects of the villa is the outdoor space and poolside which were designed with privacy and gatherings in mind.
The Villa can comfortably fit up to eight guests making it a great destination for a family holiday or for a group of friends.
In addition to that, the Wi-Fi, TV, and fully-equipped kitchen makes the Villa a convenient and comfortable experience.
Overall, A’Famosa Resort wins over families with its action-packed activities and all-inclusive package.
Unwind and recharge at the Orchard Wellness and Health Resort
After our stay at the A’Famosa Resort, our next destination was the Orchard Wellness and Health Resort.
This tranquil resort sits on 128 acres of lush greenery and a huge tropical fruit farm with more than 400 types of tropical fruits.
During our visit, we got a chance to tour the resort’s facilities and learn more about the wellness programs available.
At the wellness resort, guests can relish in the resort’s various in-house activities and facilities including, spa treatments, yoga retreats, canopy walk, orchard trail hike, and tea salon, among others.
Not only that, wellness seekers will also appreciate the Himalayan crystal salt room which is the first of its kind in Malaysia.
During our visit to the wellness resort, we also had a close-up look at the stingless bee hive structure and tasted the original honey which gives off a tangy, sweet, and sour flavour with a unique earthy tone.
Moreover, we also learned that the stingless bees enjoy feeding on Mexican creeper or Antigonon Leptopus (Bunga Air Mata Pengantin), which is often found blooming near the farm.
An Immersive Experience at the Encore Melaka Theatre
After touring around the Orchard resort, our next stop we arrived at the Encore Melaka Theatre, located in the Impression City district, overlooking the spectacular panorama of the Straits of Melaka.
The Encore Melaka Theatre opened its doors in 2018. The spectacular building, designed by the Beijing Institute of Architectural Design, seats more than 2,000 people on a one-of-a-kind 360-degree rotating platform.
Anyone that has ever visited state-of-the-art theatre knows it is hard to not take notice of the remarkable architecture which features both a contemporary and an avant-garde design.
We had a chance to learn about the backstage of the theatre which is equipped with cutting-edge technology, including multiple built-in hydraulics stages, a high-tech audio system and 3D mapping projection equipment.
From the moment the curtain rose, the lines between reality and fantasy blurred, as if we were transported to new worlds of the story.
Altogether, the Encore Melaka Theatre tour has been quite an eye-opening and immersive sensory experience.
All in all, Melaka has plenty fun-filled activities and adventures to look for. In the next part of our Melaka trip, we will share with you more of the state’s worth-visiting places and mesmerising sights. Stay tuned!
THE BRUNEIAN | MELAKA
