Our first out-of-town trip in Malaysia as a family was in Melaka. It is a historical site near KL that deserves to be given attention. It shows a different aspect of Malaysia, its Portuguese influence, which shows Malaysia’s rich culture and history.
Our day trip was full pack with the historical sites Melaka has to offer. Here’s just a few of the places we went to:
Christ Church and Dutch Square Malacca
Located near Malacca’s Chinatown centre, it is one of the most popular sites in the area. It was swarming with tourists and locals alike. Right outside the church are colourful trishaws that you can pay to take you around the city.
Jonker Walk
This was where we had lunch. There’s a chicken rice restaurant located at the corner near the bridge which is a huge hit. The line is too long I don’t even understand why. Unfortunately we didn’t have a chance to try it as we were really just so hungry to wait in line for a long time and not to mention it was too hot that day. The street was full of people, we just decided to go anywhere not packed.
Jonker Street is the centre street of Chinatown. There are so many shops and restaurants in this street which is why people gather here. More than the shops, there are museums, temples, and mosques as well. A real display of the rich and colourful Malaysia.
A’Famosa
As they say, A’Fomosa used to sprawl across a hillside. Now what’s left of it, Porta de Santiago, is just a whitewashed gatehouse located downhill from St. Paul’s Church.
Malacca Proclamation of Independence Memorial
This is now a museum of the early history of the Malay Sultanate. The elegant Dutch colonial mansion used to be the social centre of British colonial Melaka.
Mini Malaysia & Mini Asean Cultural Village
This is one of my favourite sites in Melaka. It is a one of kind theme park that showcases 13 traditional houses that represent a state in Malaysia. Each of the houses create a picture of the how the local people back in the days lived. I read from amazingmelaka.com that artisans from each states were hired to make sure that they remain loyal to the authenticity of the craftsmanship.
Interestingly, we also got to try their own version of the toy top and it’s amazing that they apparently have several different kinds.
Melaka Maritime Museum
From the outside, the museum looks like a ship. In fact, it is a replica of a Portuguese ship that sank off the coast on its way to Portugal, Flor de la Mar. It’s said to have been carrying loot plundered from Malacca.
Melaka River Cruise
And THIS is my most favorite experience in Melaka. The boat which seats about 10 passengers took us cruising to see old warehouses (godowns), interesting mangrove stands, churches, and villages. It’s a lovely and relaxing way to see the historic city. To know more about the river cruise, visit their website, http://melakarivercruise.com.
It’s really interesting to be exposed to different cultures and different places. I just cannot help but compare it to how Manila is now. It’s such a shame that we are not doing a good job in taking care of our beautiful country. I really wish we can still do something about air pollution and our drainage system.
xoxo,
Nice
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