MALACCA ON VESAK DAY

Christ Church

The once elusive backpacking trip to Malacca (Melaka) finally came to life. It took us almost a year to make up our minds not because it's hard to reach in there but merely it's the other way around. Blame it on the mañana habit. Out of the 7 housemates, 3 of us pushed through the plan to make use of the Vesak holiday. Vesak Day is a holy day observed traditionally by the Buddhists. The goal? No holiday must gone to waste. Thanks to the technology nowadays, it help us become more spontaneous from deciding. It was the afternoon before the day of travel when we started mobile mingling or shall I say conferencing at the world famous instant messaging called Whatsapp messenger.

Rickshaw on flowers

It usually begins with a key topic progressing in a non-sense bashing, trash-talking and humor and sometimes only sometimes end up with an ounce of sense. That's where the Malacca excursion kicks off. Immediately we agreed, hit the booking online and research the prominent attractions for our itinerary. The only thing that worries me is that, I will surely miss the Cotto-Mayweather fight on Sunday. I rarely pray for the cause of the athletes but only for this that I wanted to put end on Mayweather's madness. D'you feel me? Mayweather should fall on Cotto's hands for I doubt there could be Mayweather-Pacquaio fight even in the farthest future.

Christ Church

Anyway, the experience is worth the trade from any global events during the duration of the latter. All those things I could watch all over the replays in the e-world. Back to Malacca, Malacca is a city of Malaysia that is under the UNESCO World Heritage of the United Nation and it showcases the richness of its history that is evident on the numbers of heritage sites. Going there from Singapore will only take you 3.5 hours by land travel. On arrival, we bring with us our handful of printed google maps and crashed out the listed attractions in our list one down to the last. First on our list is the Christ Church. Built in 1753 to commemorate a century of Dutch rule in Malacca, it is one of the most visited heritage sites in the city. Ruins of St. Paul's Church, the ruins are gazetted as an old monument and historical site under an Antiquities Act. Porta De Santiago (A Famosa) is a Portuguese fortress, it is among the oldest surviving European architectural remains in Asia.  Melaka River Park, this waterway which was once used as a trade and commerce center for the Melaka Malay Sultanate, is now a simple reminder of its bountiful past where you pass by river warehouses. Stadthuys, this pink town hall and governor's residence, believed to be the oldest Dutch building in the East. Maritime Museum & Naval Museum, built in 1990 the Maritime Museum is home to dated props including maps, scale model ships, weaponry and nautical-related accessories and relics that chronicle Malacca's history. Jonker Street, Malacca's version of Chinatown and it is where the night life and trade of antique goods, street foods and beerhouses are accessible. Baba Nyonya Heritage Museum, this Peranakan townhouse is arranged to look like a typical 19th century Baba Nyonya residence and displays the style of Victorian and Dutch-style Chinese hardwood furniture. Due to the lack of luxury of time, we did not manage to visit all the places in our list. We still have Cheng Hoon Teng Temple, St. Peter's Church, 17th century Dutch tombstones and Sultan's well left unchecked in our list. But that doesn't matter because there's always and will be next times.

Memorial Pengysitiharan Kemerdekaan



Porta De Santiago (A Famosa)

Flower decorated Rickshaw or Trishaw

Outside the Ruins of St. Paul's Church

Inside the Ruins of St. Paul's Church

St. Paul's Church

Sultanate Water Wheel

Melaka River

Melaka River Cruise

The Defence of Malacca

Christ Church Melaka

Christ Church

Christ Church

Muzium Samudera

Mall

Boutique Hotels

Mari-Mari Guesthouse - This is where we stayed overnight. It is very cheap but very cozy
and clean. Indeed a backpacker's haven with a touch of a home.

she's insane. lol.

Melaka River at Night

Jonker Street Junction

Jonker Street Foods

Chicken Rice Balls

Syrup glazed fruits on sticks

Siomai

Chopsticks

Baba Nyonya Heritage Museum

Casa de Rio

Sultanate Water Wheel at night

For Bookings Online (Bus and Accomodation):

http://www.singaporemalaysiabus.com/

http://www.agoda.com/

For more information:

http://www.melaka.net/

http://www.malacca.ws/

http://www.melakamalaysiatravel.com/
http://www.amazingmelaka.com/