Travel Report Melaka, Malaysia

Travel Report Melaka (Malacca)

Melaka, Malaysia
 

 
Coming from Tioman we reached Malacca at the West-Coast of Malaysia after quite a long bus ride.
Because Ary had read about the Babas and Nyonyas and about their excellent way to cook, we decided to stay in a "Baba Huys", ... right in the middle of Chinatown, ... right in the middle of pulsing life.
 

Above the Baba House Entrance

 
Already in 15th century Melaka had been one of the biggest trading harbours in South-East Asia.
Trading with China, India, Thailand and Indonesia made this city wealthy, but also attractive from conquerors from Europe. Portuguese, French, English and Dutch fought for centuries about this city.
 

"Christchurch" and "Stadthuys"
 

Ary in front of Christchurch
 

Old Windmill
 

Until today you can see in Malacca's historical centre the dominating Dutch influence. The "Stadthuys" (1645) with its clock tower and the "Christchurch" are famous relics of those times.

Porta de Santiago had once been the entrance gate to the -later destroyed- Fort A' Formosa (1512) and it shows the Portuguese occupation as well as St. Paul's Church from 1521.

Malacca Impressions
 

In "Chinatown" it is always busy and interesting with lots of overflowing antique-shops and old Chinese temples in narrow streets.

Everything seems to be old fashioned and belonging to long past times and long lost fantasies. But lots of tourists from all over the world come here and love the scenery...

Baba House
 

Gerhard in an Indian Restaurant

Load night markets, ....
musicians on narrow roads, ....
waving, colourful lampions at the temples, ....
a refreshing drink between small outdoor grills in a humid, warm night, ...
a strange taste and smell fills up the air ...
yeah, ...
the descendants of the first immigrant generation of Chinese, the Babas and Nyonyas follow their traditions of their famous cuisine till these days.

 
A boat-trip on Melaka-River, - a dirty river with just a little depth - offers interesting views of old houses built on wooden pales and of the Malacca people's the life on their river. This brown and stinky waterway winds through the city and under low bridges with lots of traffic.
 

Malacca River

 
Today Malacca is not such an important trading place as in former times. With huge efforts people try to reactivate that famous trading tradition and to take part in Malaysia's booming economy. New shopping-centres, homes and apartment complexes are a modern enrichment for Melaka. But they do not create that individual and charming atmosphere of those ancient Chinese quarters.
 

Melaka River

Melaka River

 
At the bus station outside the city's centre we were waiting for our bus back to Singapore. We decided to spend more time in that place this time.