Malaka (Malacca) City, Malaysia

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MELAKA (MALACCA) HERITAGE CITY, MELAKA, MALAYSIA. Saturday 25 February, 2012.

This morning we were off quite early to take the motorway down to Melaka (or Malacca if you spell it the English way). The City of Melaka is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located on the Straits of Melaka. It has been occupied and controlled by the Portugese, Dutch and the British among others throughout its interesting history. All have left their mark on the city.

We arrived and found our way to China Town fairly easily. We cruised around for a while wondering where we could park when we stumbled on a car park at the top of Jonker Street for just 3 RM (60p) for the whole day. Our next stroke of luck was to bump into an Ozzie couple who told us how to get to the Dutch Quarter and also where we could find the Tourist Information Office. This saved us a lot of aimless wandering.

We headed straight to the Tourist Office in the Dutch Quarter. This took us down the famous Jonker Street which was looking amazing as it was still adorned with all the Chinese New Year decorations. Jonker Street, literally translated as 'Second Class Gentlemen' in Dutch, was historically the residence of servants servicing the houses of the affluent families in Heeren Street. Today it is a great place to bargain for antiques, shop for mementos and craft items and also to have a Chinese meal.

At the end of Jonker Street we crossed the Melaka River and entered the Dutch Quarter. We made straight for the tourist office and obtained a map of the Old Town. This included details of the Melaka Dutch Heritage Trail which we followed on foot from beginning to end. The trail included the Old Fort, the ruins of St Paul's Church, the Dutch Cemetery, Dutch Square, Christ Church, and the Museum of Architecture, amongst other sites. After a break for a Jaz Beer (local) we continued to meander through the streets and along the river bank in the sunshine.

It was now time for lunch, and we had been advised by our neighbour Maria from back home that we should try the Nyonya Cuisine, which is specific to Melaka. We found a place at the top of Jonker Street and had a bucket of beers and Nyonya Laksa. This was a delicious soup with noodles, prawns and lots of unidentifiable goodies. Still it was lovely.

After lunch we took a cruise along the River Melaka before returning to the hotel. We ate again at our local Chinese Restoran. We both agreed that this was our best day yet.

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Comments

[Tony]

weather
Some of that weather is starting to arrive here at last :)

[Wendy]

Better than a daily newspaper!!
Hiya.....Love the blog, have looked exactly where you are on the map which is very useful. Can't wait to find out what you are doing tomorrow.....it all looks really interesting and different....yours in L'Escala W x

[Wendy]

Better than a daily newspaper!!
Hiya.....Love the blog, have looked exactly where you are on the map which is very useful. Can't wait to find out what you are doing tomorrow.....it all looks really interesting and different....yours in L'Escala W x

[EdwinAng]

Malacca (Melaka) Travel Tips
Hi guys~ if you all want to getting more information about Malacca, here is a useful link [url=www.melaka3.com][b]Melaka[/b][/url] for you all.=) You all also can find them on facebook page [url=www.facebook.com/melaka3][b]Melaka3 Fans page[/b][/url].

[puvana]

execellent
I like Malacca. The place will recall me all the history that i learned in school time. this blog gave me more information related to the building including the foods(Malaysian). Abroad people who like to visit Malacca this is will be the best blog to refer. they have explain in detail about Malacca. Moreover, the best part this blog is about giving the scenario of certain situation for example during festival. it is very well done.

[puvana pannerselvan]

Awasome blog.
I like Malacca. The place will recall me all the history that I learned in school time. This blog gave me more information related to the building including the foods(Malaysian). Abroad people who like to visit Malacca this is will be the best blog to refer. They have explained in detail about Malacca. The picture itself shows the whole scenario of Malacca.