And The Nick Name Of The Founder Of Malacca Is.....

Had the good fortune of meeting up with an old friend of mine, one who has done Malacca proud. He is none other that Dato' Dr 'Dino' Sharma. Though coming from humble beginnings from a family of 11 (he used to joked that it was a complete football team), he has done pretty well in life and now heads World Wildlife Fund Malaysia.

Interestingly enough, he does have a passion for history although better known as the 'man' attuned with nature and animals. As usual, he came dressed in his trademark Malaysianized Indiana Jones outfit comprising a pair of durable slacks, a sleeveless multipurpose jacket atop a t-shirt and a olive-green army cap to hide his long wavy hair. (Far from looking like the Indy played by Harrison Ford, he resembles more to me like a cross between Jesus and John Lennon in glasses).

Anyway, we met up with Jason Yoong of the Maritime Archeology Museum which occupies a tiny section at the Youth and Art Museum located less than 50 meters from the 17th Century Dutch Stadhuys. True to his calling, Jason gave a pretty fascinating discourse on the history of coins and money in Malacca.

We later proceeded to view the ongoing excavation and restoration work being carried out on the ruins of the Dutch era Middleburg bastion that was added unto the 16th Century Portuguese A Famosa Fort. Four human skeletons, dating to cicra 1450CE, were discovered during excavation work with one of them displayed at the Youth and Art Museum. We later headed back to the practically deserted museum about 100 meters away to view the skeleton before ending the day by having some wantan mee in Ujong Pasir.

Besides Malacca's fascinating history (including having a good laugh at the short form name of the founder of Malacca), we talked about climate change and family. I suppose that's the other common ground we share....that at the end of the day.... family does come first above it all.

To None I Wish Ill But To All I Wish Peace and Love