Reproduction of a Portuguese Galleon at the Melaka Maritime Museum
As I walk along the Sungei Melaka and also further and further away from the historical center of Melaka, this borders on the newer reclaimed land at the mouth of the Sungei Melaka. Traders from centuries ago would be lost if they happen to land here in this time. However, these time traveling traders will find something very familiar sitting right at the mouth of the Sungei Melaka. It is a full scale reproduction of a Portuguese galleon.
Observation Tower at Melaka
The galleon actually houses a museum for the Melaka Maritime Museum. Although the galleon is indeed quite impressive, I think it is just part of the tourism effort of the Melaka authorities. No doubt that the galleon was reproduced with great care, but some thing about it reeks of inauthenticity. Probably the fact that it wasn’t supposed to be there further enhances that feeling. It would have been nice to see the galleon docked outside the river mouth itself. I have seen drawings of the Port of Melaka with a large number galleons anchored just offshore, now that would have been impressive.
View of the Galleon From Behind
I didn’t really bothered entering the Museum itself. There is an entrance fee to see the galleon, although if you really only wanted to see the galleon, just standing outside would be sufficient. If you don’t want to pay the entrance fee, just walk a few meters down the main entrance, there is an “alternative” entrace. I actually saw two ladies go up the barrier, they didn’t look like they were from Melaka, and into the museum grounds, apparently the museum entrance fee doesn’t pay for security.
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