Melaka
Melaka, or more commonly known outside of Malaysia as Malacca, is a short two and a half hour drive south of the capital Kuala Lumpur, home to giant lizards and old Portuguese monuments the township is steeped in history.
Recognised in 2008 as a UNESCO World Heritage site of cultural importance, the area is home to more than 25 museums.
Tourism products in the area revolve around its history of Portuguese conquest and the defensive structure set up by them in a bid to contain their power over the city against the Dutch, with sites such as the A Famosa and the Christ Church just some of the sites recognised as locations of cultural significance.
A newly launched product is the river cruise, taking 45 minutes the jaunt will take travellers on a leisurely trip through the city and is available for day or night journeys. Travellers can also take the cruise as a water taxi from one end of the city to the other.
The best way to see most of the historical sites of Melaka is done on foot, with most of the historical buildings and areas like the Red Square, St Paul’s Church and the reconstruction of the Sultan’s Palace all within walking distance. Bring a map to make sure you’re on the right track, and be prepared for the noon-day heat as even local Malaysians are wary of the muggy climate in this area.
Main streets Jonker and Heeren see antique stores and gift shops crammed on narrow roads reminiscent of laneways, with the houses on both sides appearing narrow and small from the street, but contstantly surprising one with how big they are on the inside due to the length of the buildings. I’m told that this is because back under Dutch control, taxes were placed on the width, not the area, of a building. Good to know that some things always stay constant, and that tax evasion hasn’t changed through the ages.
Much of Melaka’s growth can be attributed to its original inhabitants the Babas and Nyonyas, or the Straits born Chinese, and there are parts of the township which are hold a distinct Chinese flair. For a peak into what life was like for the lucky few in the upper class back then, the Baba and Nyonya Peranakan Museum is a must-see. A note of reference, the site is closed every day between noon and 1pm for the operators to have lunch.
Finally to wind up a long day, stay overnight or have a Nyonya meal at the Hotel Puri. A boutique hotel featuring 50 rooms, the building which stretches over three residences has been welcoming guests since 1876. The ancestral home of a local Nyonya descendant, this boutique hotel still gently whispers of the elegance and opulence that it once would have boasted of.
Text courtesy of Etravelblackboard