Sunday, December 21, 2008

Cuti-Cuti Malaysia - Malacca City Chapter



The residents of Danau Kaseh had a quiet weekend playing tourist in the City of Malacca. We decided to use up the voucher for a free night stay in Equatorial Hotel & had a fun and relaxing time winding down..

The city of Malacca has changed tremendously in the past 5 years. It had recently been awarded the World Heritage City status by the United Nations. This is a huge honour for Malacca and the City deserves this honour. 

As you walk along the streets in the City, you will observe that it is very clean everywhere. The City Council has done a great job keeping the City free of rubbish. Shrubs and plants are kept well-trimmed and flowers are blooming at every corner. If you go on the observation tower called the Menara Taming Sari, you will see the City in all its glory & the sight is wonderful!

The view from our balcony - the Sultanate Palace

Malacca is where Malaysia started. Being a Malaccan, I am very proud of this. If you are a tourist in Malacca, you must visit the Sultanate Palace where you will learn about the history of Malacca dating back more than 600 years ago. The City is a melting pot of many cultures as Malacca was once the meeting point of traders from the East and West, from China to Europe.

Eye on Malaysia by the Straits of Malacca

The City recently acquired the Eye On Malaysia which is a huge ferris wheel placed by the sea. We didn't have the chance to go on the Eye this time, but made a promise to go on it one day soon :-)

The delectable Malacca River

Get the Cruise with Bernard as the Guide! He's amazing!

One of the things that you must do while in Malacca is the River Cruise. We went on the cruise this time and it was glorious! You must take the boat with a guide called Bernard. He is a wealth of information! He can tell you the details about each and every building along the river, when they were built, what they were used for, how much did each window cost and who was the owner! He would tell you about the bridges along the river & the history behind each bridge. He would also relate to you amusing stories about people who have used the river throughout history. The kids thoroughly enjoyed the river cruise. If you wish to go on the cruise, just go over to the Clock Tower near Stadhuys. There is a post office near the Clock Tower; the river cruise can be taken right across the street from the post office. 

Menara Taming Sari

You cannot miss the Trishaw Ride!

Evening Scene

The evening scene of the City is stunning. There are lights dripping from trees and lined along building facades. The best way to enjoy this is by a trishaw ride. It is an experience not to be missed. I love trishaw rides! You will learn many things from the trishaw rider, about the history of Malacca and the wonders of the City - but most of all, you will learn about perseverance. Its tough cycling the trishaw with 2 people riding in the trishaw, especially uphill! But they do it every single day, to put bread on the table. I had a good chat with the trishaw rider that night - I had a shock to learn that she is my age! Her eldest son is already 20. It seems surreal.. I quietly said a prayer of thanks to Allah for crossing my path with the lady trishaw rider. It was such a humbling experience..

Malacca City is a great place to be (^_^) 

No comments: