July 25, 2013 Journey from KL-Melaka
Homer and I checked out from Hotel Sentral right after breakfast and went to KL Sentral. From KL Sentral we took the KLIA transit and got off at Bandaw Tasik Selatan station. We stode passed the escalator and the corridors of Terminal Bersapadu Selatan (TBS) trying to catch the next available trip to Melaka. It was good to know that we did not queue that long since it was too early. We were able to get a 930AM trip via Ekspress Delima from the ticketing counter with us selecting our seat numbers. The ticket amounted to RM9 each. Well that was cheap.
TBS terminal wasn't your normal bus terminal. Once you have your ticket, show it to the guards on the escalator that leads to the departure hall. At the departure hall, you will have to wait for your bus to arrive at the designated boarding gate. Wasn't that as organized like an airport?
Soon the bus came and we queued for our tickets to be scanned by an inspector at the boarding gates. The trip to Melaka from KL was around 2hours with one stop over to use the toilet. During the trip, we droved passed towering apartments, palm oil tree plantations and mountain sides as we traversed the expressway.
Soon the bus came and we queued for our tickets to be scanned by an inspector at the boarding gates. The trip to Melaka from KL was around 2hours with one stop over to use the toilet. During the trip, we droved passed towering apartments, palm oil tree plantations and mountain sides as we traversed the expressway.
Soon we arrived at Melaka Sentral. First thing we did was to locate the information and ask for the bus going to the city proper. We were told to get to the other side of the terminal and look for gate 17 where the buses going to the center were located.
We found the bus, almost full of passengers. It was already a standing situation for most us. Travelling with us were a group of Koreans and Europeans and a few locals. Some of which had maps and cameras on their hands. I'm not alone in exploring the city for the first time,I thought. The bus conductor had a difficulty of going around to get our fares. I told the conductor that we'll be getting off at Jonker so I paid RM3.20 for two persons. We got off though near the bridge at Little India where crossed to the other side of the river. There we were at the city already taking photos of everything nice.
Melaka is a world heritage site city declared by UNESCO. It was once occupied by the Portuguese and Dutch as their influences can see on the architecture of the buildings at the city center.
We found the bus, almost full of passengers. It was already a standing situation for most us. Travelling with us were a group of Koreans and Europeans and a few locals. Some of which had maps and cameras on their hands. I'm not alone in exploring the city for the first time,I thought. The bus conductor had a difficulty of going around to get our fares. I told the conductor that we'll be getting off at Jonker so I paid RM3.20 for two persons. We got off though near the bridge at Little India where crossed to the other side of the river. There we were at the city already taking photos of everything nice.
Melaka is a world heritage site city declared by UNESCO. It was once occupied by the Portuguese and Dutch as their influences can see on the architecture of the buildings at the city center.
We made a left turn on the second block after the bridge and found our way to Jalan Takang Emas. We were searching for homestays or inns where we could spend the night. Somewhere near the Cheng Ho Museum, we saw inns and inquired. We tried asking one if they had vacancy for overnight stay and the old Chinese receptionist said yes. He even said we might as well checked the room. The rate was RM66. Not bad for two separate beds, hot and cold shower, cable TV and AC room. Wifi was available at the reception only. We didn't have second thoughts by then cause we were tired and hungry so we checked in at Harmony Lodge. What mattered was we had a place to stay for the night and had a good shower later. We left our things in our room and off we go to Jonker Street which is just a stone throw away.
Jonker Street is the center street of Chinatown in Melaka. The length of it was lined up with restaurants and shops selling clothes, souvenirs and artworks.
Here are some photos along Jonker St.
Here are some photos along Jonker St.
Lunch at Jonker88
It was already lunch and we found this restaurant along Jonker St. We entered the Jonker88 which is a museum restaurant. At the entrance, you have to queue and pay as you order. After your food is prepared, you get it and go to the dining hall inside. The place was really full that time and we had to share tables with a young Chinese couple. There were antique wares adorning the walls of the restaurant.
For our lunch, we tried a nyonya cuisine which is currylike food with coconut milk. Just don't order for the spicy ones though for they are really spicy. The store had a their own version of halo-halo of which I find it colorfully bland. I will still go for the Pinoy version, our version.
For our lunch, we tried a nyonya cuisine which is currylike food with coconut milk. Just don't order for the spicy ones though for they are really spicy. The store had a their own version of halo-halo of which I find it colorfully bland. I will still go for the Pinoy version, our version.
The Other Side
We tried exploring the other street and we found more shops and temples. It may had been a hot day but we were tireless as we admire the architecture around us while aiming our cameras at different angles.
Soon we found our way on the river side which gave us another perspective. We saw the Malacca Fort with canons, ferry carrying passengers for a nice river tour, and more of the city structures.
The Red Square
Crossing the bridge away from Jonker street lead us to the Red Square. It was named as such because of the terracotta red old Dutch buildings around. A mini wind mill stood by just before the bridge leading to Chinatown from the Red Square. The Red Square or Dutch Square is a good starting point of visiting the old part of the city. There were plenty of tourists and locals alike snapping great photos in the square during our visit.
From here the Stadhuys, the Christ Church, Tan Beng Swee clock Tower and the Queen Victoria fountain can be found.
From here the Stadhuys, the Christ Church, Tan Beng Swee clock Tower and the Queen Victoria fountain can be found.
The square is the starting point for the colorful trishaw rides.
One of the colonial buildings at the square is the Stadthuys which used to be the official residence of the Dutch governors. Recent times, it was already converted to several museums. Renovation was also evident during our visit.
Malaysia's oldest Protestant church also lies within the square which dates back to 1753.
Malaysia's oldest Protestant church also lies within the square which dates back to 1753.
A marble fountain stood in front of the church. It was constructed in 1904 in honor of Queen Victoria Regina.
Near the Tourist information Center is the Middleburg Bastion complete with a turret and cannons. The fortress is of Portuguese built but it was fortified during the Dutch regime with defenses to prevent naval forces from entering the city. This defense structure is part of the A Famosa, a Portuguese fortress.
A mural of the legend of Melaka can be found nearby.
There was an excavation site across the street where the Fredrick Hendrick Bastion used to stand. This is just one of the defensive walls of the the Malacca Fort during it's time.
A walk along Jalan Kota will lead to the Melaka Islamic Museum, Mleaka Umno Museum, Museum of Architecture, Bastion House, Proclamation of Independence Memorial and Porta de Santiago. The Porta de Santiago is a small gate house , which is the only remaining part of the A Famosa fortress.
By the Hill
Beside the Porta de Santiago is the Istana Kesultanan Melayu Melaka. Istana is a Malay word for palace. This place is a replica of an old Malay palace. There is just an entrance fee to this area but the architecture is great.
A walk above a hill leads to the Dutch graveyard just below a church ruin.
Located atop the hill is the St. Paul Church ruins. The church wall is still intact. A lot of epitaphs can be found inside the ruins. What's famous about this ruin is that, it is said that it served as a temporary resting place for St. Francis Xavier before he was taken to his final resting place in Goa. His temporary burial site now is surrounded with iron grills.
Check out the other photos from the hill.
Back to the Quayside
With our plan to cover Melaka in one day, we felt tireless in walking around. From the hill, we went down back to the quayside for more stories.
The Melaka Malay Sutanate Water Mill stood south of the Middleburg Bation. It looks old but it was construction completed on 2008. The structure draws a lot of tourist.
The Melaka Malay Sutanate Water Mill stood south of the Middleburg Bation. It looks old but it was construction completed on 2008. The structure draws a lot of tourist.
A walk further south is the Melaka Maritime Museum. The notable part of this museum is that it is a replica of the Flor La Mar galleon ship. We were not able to check this one since it was Ramadan month and the museum closed early for the staff to attend prayer time.
Check out the gallery of photos from the quayside.
Walking towards the northern end of the red-colored buildings was the welcome sign of Melaka.
Just across the street is the Catholic church of St. Francis Xavier built in 1859. It's a surprise to know that a Catholic church still serves mass on a Moslem dominated country.
At Pulau Melaka
From the Red Square, we rode a cab for a hefty RM25 going to the man mand eisland of Pulau Melaka. During our flight from Cambodia to Kuala Lumpur, there was this article I read regarding the mosques of Malaysia. Included in the list was Melaka Straights mosque. Lucky us, Melaka is on our itinerary.
The cab may be expensive but the mosque's architecture is magnificent. The mosque is built on above sea water which make it look like its floating when water level is high. From the plate marker, the mosque is built facing the Melaka Straits on 1.8 hectare land. It was officially opened on November 24, 2006.
The sun sun was fastly setting down and i'd love to take a photo of the area during sundown. It was Ramadan month and the mosque grounds had a after prayer set up. Unfortunately, we had to leave the grounds for some courtesy. I found a way under the pine trees near the beach and found a spot to take a photo of mosque. I really had to convince Homer that we wait for the moment. I really had to take the photo from then or never. Soon the sky came into colors. Time check: 7PM.
The Long Walk
It may be 7PM and the sun was still about to set in Melaka. Unlike here in the Philippines, by then it's already dark.
There was no cab nor trishaws to ride back so we gad to walk around 6 kilometers back to the center. We had two short stops just to rest our aching feet. Then we found our way to the Makota Parade Mall where we had a good rest and dinner.
There was no cab nor trishaws to ride back so we gad to walk around 6 kilometers back to the center. We had two short stops just to rest our aching feet. Then we found our way to the Makota Parade Mall where we had a good rest and dinner.
Melaka by Night
At the Mall, we could have taken the available cab but we decided to walk since from there the center is no loner far. we had a 10minute walk passing through the Maritime Museum, the quayside and the Red Square. Melaka by night is so vibrant with all the artificial lights around. The river side is teeming with colors. Even the already colorful trishaws came alive at night.
Party Time
The night was still young and we decided to drop by the Hard Rock Cafe for some ice cold beer. Nice place but I paid RM22 for a bottle of Asahi beer. I finished 3 bottles though. I just did not convert to Philippine Peso so as not to remorse on the luxury I just spent. This was just once so why not enjoy my trip. We left by 11PM for us to rest for tomorrow would be another city south, Johor Bahru.
July 26, 2013 Leaving Melaka
Since Chen Ho cafe opens at 830AM where we were to have breakfast, we spent the early morning by the riverside watching the bikers of the day. Soon we had our breakfast, got our things and walked towards the end of the street where we found the bus stop. At Melaka Sentral we boarded a bus going to Larkin Sentral in Johor Bahru.
We explored much of Melaka in one day. We left the city with so much of its history and culture. I came, I saw, and I took great pictures in Melaka.
Travel has a way of stretching the mind. The stretch comes not from travel's immediate rewards, the inevitable myriad new sights, smells and sounds, but with experiencing firsthand how others do differently what we believed to be the right and only way.
- Ralph Crawshaw
- Ralph Crawshaw