A day in Melaka

 Big circular windows for neighbourhood gossips...

 Admiral sailed from China to Malacca

Built in 1928 

 River cruise

Chicken rice balls

Melaka, an old trading port in past, sits quietly in the south of Peninsular Malaysia.  Recently declared as a Unesco world heritage site, which is actually a good thing, there are developments to cater to an increasing rate of tourists.  A place so steeped in history where one travelled back in time, to see and touch antiques which are abundantly found.  To those who can afford these pieces, these will be yours to have and behold. 

We went around Jonker Walk and spent a whole day there.  So much to see with so little time.  Shops selling cheongsams, chopsticks that were detailed family surnames with chinese characters, antique shops where we saw a Manchu robe on the wall.  We stumbled upon the Admiral Cheng Ho Museum.  A well known traveller in his days, he came to Melaka on official trips from China.  There was a Chinese princess, Han Li Po, married into Melaka royalty and from here, sparked the beginning of the Baba and Nyonya heritage.  (The people from China married the local Malays).  

Baba Nyonya food is very distinct on its own, being revolved by the influence of Chinese and Malay cooking.  As such, a lot of spices are involved.  Not to be missed food are the Chicken rice balls (basically Hainanese chicken rice but rice comes in balls) and the durian cendol.  There are other shops too to cater for the foreign visitors who may not so adventurous in palate.  

Try the river cruise  (RM10.00 per person).  It is about half an hour's journey.  I happened to see an old folk sitting outside  her home which is just by the river.  And she looked so relaxed.

Melaka, a melting pot of Portugese, Chinese, Malay, Dutch influence that to describe her is just beyond words.