MELAKA: The haze that hit Melaka with an Air Pollutant Index (API) of 222 has become an ‘eyesore’ for of tourists visiting this state today.
Mei Xiuying, 29, an amateur photographer from Guangzhou, China, said she was sad because her plan to take pictures of the beautiful Melaka was hindered due to the haze.
She said she tried several methods to photograph several sites in Melaka but the haze kept appearing in the background of her pictures.
“I’ve been to the historical site (at Bandar Hilir) this morning to take pictures. The pictures for the near focus were still good but I am having problems with taking pictures for the wide and far focus because the background is very blurry.
“I also tried to take pictures of the ships and scenery at the Straits of Melaka and this mosque (Masjid Selat) but to no avail because of this haze. I couldn’t see the ships and buildings from here,” he told Bernama at Masjid Selat, Pulau Melaka here today.
The Department of Environment’s website at http://apims.doe.gov.my showed API readings of 203 for Melaka City at 7am, and API readings at 1pm worsened to 224.
Hairul Azihan Othman, 41, a local tourist from Batu Gajah, Kinta, Perak said he and his family’s eyes were sore and watery because of the haze when visiting the historical site at Bandar Hilir here.
“At first, we didn’t know the API had reached very unhealthy readings this morning so we just wore our masks and went for a walk to visit the A’ Farmosa and several museums here. But my two children complained that their eyes felt sore and after a while, our throats felt itchy too.
“My wife quickly gave us plain water to clean our eyes and drink to clear our throats. Luckily I have lozenges and eye drops with me,” the food businessman told Bernama at Bandar Hilir here.
He said the haze will affect their three-day family vacation here starting yesterday to focus on indoor tourist attractions like visiting the museum, exhibitions and shopping malls.
Daphene Bailey, 72, a retired teacher from Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England said she felt disappointed the haze had prevented her from going to several outdoor tourist attractions like the St Paul Hill at Bandar Hilir here but was very grateful to Malaysians who were concerned about her health.
“I’ve been in Malaysia since last week and I have so many Malaysians asking about my health because of this haze. They also offered me bottled plain water and lozenges. I’m overwhelmed by the gestures but even though I’m an elderly person, I will stop at nothing to see these beautiful sites.
“I hope the haze will clear a bit soon, this evening or tomorrow because I can’t wait to climb this hill and see the St Paul’s Church at the top,” she said at the bottom of the hill. - Bernama