Christ Church and The Clock Tower

Having a trip to Malaysia will not be complete without a trip to the country’s most historical culture capital.  Melaka recently awarded UNESCO World Heritage Site is ideal for travellers that wanted a short gateaway.

Exploring Melaka by wandering the old streets is an unforgettable experience by itself, there are few attractions that you have to see.  First is the visit to the Menara Taming Sari the revolving tower that allows travellers to have a complete panoramic view of the World Heritage City.

Time to feast on Melaka’s famous delicacies!  Stop for chendol or nyonya laksa and other specialities like the chicken rice balls at Hoe Kee Restaurant along Jonker Street (Jalan Hang Jebat).  After your scrumptious meal at the chicken rice shop, next try your shopping, dessert and all sorts of goodies at the Jonker Street.

After all the heavy meals and snacks it is time to explore Christ Church.  The bright red building has become an icon for Malaysia’s heritage.  If you fancy learning more about Baba Nyonya heritage make a stop at The Baba & Nyonya Heritage Museum. It provides an interesting insight into the country’s history and it is an excellent educational trip too.

Finally, don’t forget to bring home some goodies for your family and friends.

I enjoyed the rides and you should too.

Why not get adventurous, just relax and have a casually ride on the local trishaw, with a small fee; it will take you on a hourly ride through the historical spots.

Find out more here: Trishaw Ride In Melaka

Cincalok in bottles.

You want to travel like the locals, then you must eat like locals too.  In Melaka, you will need to try cincalok or buy some local produced cincalok home.

So, what exactly is cincalok?

Some call it cencaluk depending on individual slang as long as the locals know what you need and want.  Cincalok is a local food that made of fermented shrimps.  It is usually served as a dipper together with some red chilli, sliced shallots and some lime juice.

The little shrimp is often called udang geragau and is in pinkish colour.  If you eat the cincalok directly without adding in other ingredients, it will taste very salty.

Mixture of cincalok with chilli, shallots and lime juice.

18th century church, Christ Church Melaka

For the little adventurous traveller, you ask the big question: is this a happening city or a back in time museum town? The answer is yes and Melaka a small city with virtually all its sights clustered in just a few square kilometres, Melaka is a place that you can get to know well intimately short time. Melaka is a busy city for tourist and locals so making plan for your trip is advisable.

Here are few MUST GO places when you are in Melaka.

Day One

Cockles by the drain at Tong Bee Stall
Organic Vegetarian Food at Roots Cottage
Indian chendol by the graveyard
Trishaw ride around the town
Explore the 18th century church, you can join in the service too
Light and Sound
Baba Nyonya Heritage Museum

Well, I am not saying that you can miss other places of interest or other yummylicious food, just that if your trip is “really” short then those are the stuff that you should not miss out.

Day Two

Start out with a local dimsum or maybe cappuccino and croissant at the nearest shopping mall like Dataran Pahlawan and Mahkota Parade.  Your shopping paradise should start from here.

Late evening, you shall continue your shopping marathon at the famous Jonker Street.  You can find fashionable handbags, clothes, shoes, handmade souvenior and antiques too.

Tired of walking?  Just chill out by the roadside stall for a bowl of chendol or sugar cane.

Day Three

If you’ve missed any big sights on Day One, now’s the time.

For lunch, try one of the best local chicken rice ball at Hoe Kee Restaurant and before waving goodbye, remember to grab some local baked pineapple tarts and durian puffs.

Hot or Rainy day tips

In Melaka, whether it is hot or rainy season, you should prepare a foldable umbrella because you will be expecting to walk a lot while exploring the amazing town. Melaka is famous for their local eateries and you can find it everywhere.  A restaurant, cafe or roadside stall, hot or rain for sure you will find a place for shelter.