Day One
Here are videos of our ride. :)
Later that evening after dinner, we planted ourselves at the Bucket Bar (http://www.facebook.com/BucketBarMelaka), had a few beers and watched many cars drive through downtown Melaka. It was a crowded weekend so we enjoyed the emptiness of the bar and the wall art.
We heard our hotel had a "Filipino Band" playing (direct quote from the billboard) so we decided to check them out and have one more night cap. We found a comfy couch in the hotel lounge and watched this guy have the time of his life. He was more entertaining than the "Filipino Band." Thanks Melaka for giving us such a cultural experience.
Last Friday we had another public holiday called Hari Raya Haji (http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/singapore/hari-raya-haji), which allowed us to have a three-day weekend. To spend our time we took a trip to Melaka, Malaysia. We heard good things about the city from friends of ours. It was also Tony's birthday on October 17th so that gave us another reason to go. Our mode of transportation this time was by bus. The cost was about $50 U.S. roundtrip and we arrived in Melaka after 5 hours. Usually the trip takes about 4 hours. However, being that Hari Raya Haji was a Muslim holiday and Malaysia being predominantly a Muslim country, there were many people on the road which caused traffic. It was our first time to take a bus to another country (let alone anywhere outside a city) so we were excited for the journey.
After two immigration check-point stations and the stamping of our passport we arrived in Melaka. Melaka is a UNESCO world heritage city with a rich history. It was first conquered by Portuguese settlers in 1511. Then in 1641 the Dutch defeated the Portuguese and took captive of the city. In 1826 the British took control under the Anglo-Dutch Treaty of 1824. The European colonization remained apparent in the city within its landscape and architecture.
Here's a video of the karaoke singer:
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| Tony Chillin' |
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| Asian Photo Pose |
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| Inside the Bus |
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| Crossing the Bridge to Malaysia |
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| Roadside Landscape |
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| Palm Tree Plantation |
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| Inside the Bus Rest Stop |
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| Malaysian Pay Phone |
We arrived close to the evening. So after checking into our hotel, we took a quick dip in the pool and headed out to Melaka's main drag of Jonker Street located in Chinatown. Every Friday and Saturday night the street turned into a night market. After walking around in the overly crowded street we turned the corner to a quieter street and had dinner at the Geographer's Cafe (http://www.geographer.com.my/ListProduct.asp?subject=Home). We were very tired and hot from being out so we hitched a Trishaw back to our hotel. (no it wasn't invented by me). It was a very fun and entertaining ride!
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| Dragon at the entrance of Chinatown |
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| At the start of Jonker Street |
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| Karaoke Night in the middle of the quad |
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| We picked this one because of the lively driver. |
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| Colorful Trishaws |
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| Discotheque on wheels! |
Here are videos of our ride. :)
Day 2
Since we had a full day, we wanted to check out the historical sites of Melaka. Due to the scorching heat (it surprisingly felt hotter than Singapore), we only saw a few of them and spent more time relaxing and sitting at a cafe along the river. The downtown area is where the older and charming buildings are located. However, right next to our hotel were two huge malls and a gigantic movie theater. It was such a contrast. Maybe Singapore had some influence in getting these built. :) We still enjoyed ourselves admiring the murals painted on the Riverwalk and the variety of animated Trishaws.
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| Enjoying the ride! |
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| So many different styles |
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| Bat-Trishaw |
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| Main Square |
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| There was a wedding happening. |
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| River Boat Tour |
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| Taking a break from the heat |
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| River View |
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| Bar across the river |
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| Doesn't it look like Europe? |
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| Our Cafe |
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| Floating Door |
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| Remnant of the past |
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| Another Catholic church in a Muslim country |
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| The old Melaka Fort |
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| Assortment of animals |
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| Start of our river walk |
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| Such artists! |
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| The Malaysia public transportation system |
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| Pretty mural art |
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| We'd like to live in that building. |
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| Quaint little cafe across the street |
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| As colorful as his Trishaw |
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| The Pink Crew |
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| In front of A'Famosa |
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| Ta-da! |
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| Pretty gardens on the hilltop |
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| We paid a visit to a replica of the Sultan's Palace. |
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| The Sultan's Meeting Room |
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| I didn't know Michael Jackson paid a visit (see right)! |
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| Colorful Palm Trees |
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| The Sultan's Garden |
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| Careful where you walk! |
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| Sultans of the Past |
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| The Whitest Flower |
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| Heritage City |
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| Dutch Graveyard |
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| Another cool mural |
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| How to toast in multiple languages |
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| What happens when you... |
We heard our hotel had a "Filipino Band" playing (direct quote from the billboard) so we decided to check them out and have one more night cap. We found a comfy couch in the hotel lounge and watched this guy have the time of his life. He was more entertaining than the "Filipino Band." Thanks Melaka for giving us such a cultural experience.
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