Blogs from Melaka, Malaysia, Asia - page 35

From Singapore, I negotiated my first bus trip to Melaka, which my Lonely Planet described as "sultry", i.e. incredibly sweaty! It's a really well preserved town which has seen a lot of "invasions" over the years, but maybe a little too touristy. I went to the People's museum, which was quite good and I pottered about Chinatown, where I sampled Chicken Rice Balls, which I think is local to the area. Stayed in the Kancil Guest House, which is a converted Chinese townhouse run by a guy called Daod and his pal Charlie - both of whom really like a good, long chat! Daod has travelled all over the place and taught me lots about Hinudism. Anyway...aside from some of my laundry disappearing from the line, I really liked it - v chilled out and lots ... read more

25 June 2006 Tourist traps around Malacca The Swiss guys we met in told us that Mini-Malaysia and the butterfly/bird/monkey/reptile park were worth the trip, so we decided to spend the day as proper camera-toting tourists. We managed to get about twenty metres from the guesthouse when we encountered a reasonably sized crowd and traditional band, all waiting expectantly. The crowd had reached critical mass (the point at which the crowd alone attracts curious passersby and tourists who join the crowd because there must be something worth looking at) so of course we joined it. There was a Chinese temple dedicated to some dead guy who had played some important role in history, including discovering Australia in the fifteenth century, 300 years before Captain Cook discovered it in English. Apparently the Prime Minister was due any ... read more

i really liked melaka but can't be bothered to write much of a blog today so here's a list of the things i did... walked around lovely china town. ate lots of nice food BBQ night then ladies night in x-tracts with free drinks (not convinced there was any vodka in the drinks tho!) met up with steve (my 2nd cousin's brother in law) cold flared up again cos of rubbish air con in hotel ... read more

Selamat Detang everyone Welcome to Malaysia, its early days and we are right on the tourist trail, and so far everyone has been very friendly and helpful. After a very long trip traveling the relatively short distance from the city of Singapore to Melaka in Malaysia, the time being taken by having to queue to get through customs!! Arriving in the historic town of Melaka, we found a very clean and friendly place to stay called Trekkers Lodge, the staff very friendly and helpful, towels are provided but no top sheet, this has to be hired separately!! (we live and learn). Although we’d read up about Melaka before arriving, it didn’t prepared us for the history of the place and it's been fascinating as well as a gourmets delight, well perhaps not quite, but the food ... read more

Melaka is the first settlement in Malaysia dating back to the 1500's. It has an old european town feel to it, largely due to the fact that the Dutch were the first ones here. It also happens to be the hottest place we have been in quite sometime, even compared to the beach. At least there we had the ocean to cool off in! Even still we have been outside a fair bit just walking around town. Last night we attempted to go to a sounds and light show without realizing that it was a holiday here sowe will try again tonite. Instead we went to China town and perused the markets and had a bite to eat. It's a good thing my pack is full, no more purchases! But this China town does not even ... read more