Blogs from Melaka, Malaysia, Asia - page 19

was gestern nicht erwaehnung fand, jedoch ansich nicht so unwichtig ist, ist ein bisschen geschichtliches, weil dadurch der grund unseres aufenthalts erklaert werden kann. zunaechst sei ueber melakka gesagt, dass es ab dem 15. jahrhundert ein wichtiger handelsposten war (unter anderem fuer gewuerze), so wichtig, dass die portugiesen hier im 16. jahrhundert ein fort, errichteten. 1641 waren sie auch schon wieder weg, nachdem die niederlaender die stadt belagert hatten. 1795 waren die briten am zug. ausserdem kamen im 15 jahrhundert chinesische siedler, die hier malaien heirateten und als baba-nonya bekannt sind. gestern abend musste noch am medan portugis, ein ort in melakka wo vermehrt nachkommen der portugiesen leben, die dortige fusionkueche gekostet sein. der indische taxifahrer schimpft ueber singapur, idiotische amerikaner, die ihr hab und gut in taschen mitnehmen, und stellt fe... read more

Melaka was our last destination in Malaysia and just a year ago was designated an UNESCO World Heritage site and today is awash with a plethora of museums and quirky little side streets to provide a couple of days of relaxed amusement. In its heyday in the Middle Ages, it was a major port, it's prime location meant it was commandeered by the Dutch, the Portugese and the English at various times and their influences are evident in the town's architecture. Hand in hand with the historic buildings comes the enormous shopping centres that befit a nation apparently obsessed with shopping. Melaka, even though a city, retains a small town charm with friendly locals providing a warm welcome. ... read more

Photos of Melaka and KL - 2009... read more

Friday, May 15th We got up early to pack and grab breakfast because we had to catch the local bus to Kuala Lumpur at 8am. From there we'd take another bus to Melaka, two hours to the south. We thoroughly enjoyed our time in the Cameron Highlands. The memory of these cool and beautiful hills will stay with us a lifetime. We're loving Malaysia. The abundance of Indian food might have something to do with it, and for vegetarian Talita it's wonderful to have options for a change (after three months of eating veg-rice and veg-noodle she needed something different). Ferdi's not complaining either. The food is just sooo good (maybe a bit too good, by the look of our bellies). The local bus was really nice, it even had assigned seats. This was new to ... read more

After our wild adventures in Borneo we flew to Johor Bahru on the mainland. We only transited through this city so we didn't get to see much. It is a crowded but clean city and bus stations are full of touts. We have finally got some experience in handling touts at the bus station. We took our time walking down all ticket counters which are all packed together where the counters are literally a small hole in the wall. Took us a few minutes to find the suitable departure time to Melaka and of course touts always try to charge us double but they didn't get us this time. When we arrived in Melaka we were greeted by friendly and non pushy people handing out fliers for hotels. One owner of a new hotel handed us ... read more