Malacca (Melaka) City

I hadn’t planned on visiting Malacca (Melaka in Malay), but Anna was headed there, and Sally and I decided to join in.

From Kuala Lumpur, it was a 2-hour trip to reach Melaka - a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2008, recognised for its layered colonial history as one of Southeast Asia’s great trading ports.

The Portuguese arrived in 1511 and built the A Famosa fort, of which only the Porta de Santiago gate still stands. The Dutch followed in the 17th century, leaving behind the striking red Stadthuys and Christ Church. The British came after that.

The sights had the advantage of being rather central and easy to reach on foot. That is, after we had taken a Grab into the town centre. 15 minutes of Modern Talking blasted through the car speakers - didn’t know they were a thing in Malaysia - I was rather happy to leave the car!

We went to a church and a temple - not exactly something I’m interested in. I prefer something scenic and natural that tickles my lens - camera, not eye!

There was a church on a hilltop, however - St. Paul’s Church, a 16th-century Portuguese structure sitting just above the old A Famosa gate - that was more of a ruin than an actively used building.

A singer with a guitar had made use of the building’s structure, which facilitates a lovely natural hall. He surprised me with his voice - a genuinely good singer with a unique rasp, great timbre, and a certain grain to his tone that the space only amplified. The added acoustics made for a genuinely nice few moments up on that HOT hill in the unforgiving midday sun.

We walked back to the popular Jonker Street where we tried a dessert that came highly recommended and was a novelty for all of us: Cendol. Shaved ice with molasses, red beans and glibbery green pandan jelly made from rice flour.
It was a surprise just how yummy this dessert was!

After exploring Melaka, we headed back to Kuala Lumpur. While it had been recommended to enjoy the Venice of the East at night as well, I was absolutely content having only spent 6 hours there.

We arrived back in KL past 8pm and had to take a Grab back to the hostel. Finding your way to Grab-approved pickup locations is a bit of a science in Malaysia. Everywhere else I’ve been so far, there were signs making it unmistakably clear where to go. That’s a little annoying, especially with luggage involved.

We had a late dinner at Da Bao - Bao Bun Burgers - mine with mutton and red cabbage. I also finally tried Sarsaparilla - I’d seen it in Australia quite a lot but never got around to it. Verdict: tastes like cough medicine, which I think I actually found kinda yummy - only really sweet, and therefore probably not a frequent contender for my refreshment.Read more