Rollin' On The River... Malaysia: Malacca River!

Malacca was a must for me during my time in Malaysia, there was something about a certain Dutch built church that I wanted to see! The Malacca Straits had a lot to answer for, I wanted to know more! Poh San Teng Temple and a traditional Malay house kicked started my day, making up for the long drive from Kuala Lumpur! I learned about a certain meeting of martial cultures. 

Waking up at some ungodly hour wasn't a mood for me but that Malacca day trip from Kuala Lumpur had to be done! Meeting my guide and driver before sunrise was the first order of the day, also a photographer joined us from a travel company who would be taking photos of my destination and some of me! I hadn't slept well because the bed in my hotel room wasn't up to scratch but as my minibus neared Malacca, a nap was had to help me sustain the day ahead. Stopping first at 'Poh San Teng Temple' was something of a random stop, I was still half asleep but wanted to know more. It was clear to see that this temple held a certain Chinese connection, a Mainland tour group had descended upon the temple with much to find out. Located at the foot of 'Bukit China', this temple had been built next to 'The Malacca Warrior Memorial' and 'Hang Li Poh's Well'. I enjoyed that brief visit to the temple because it commemorated 'Zheng He', the eunuch of the Ming Dynasty who had sailed down to Malaysia. He was well travelled! 

General Zheng He became the Chinese ambassador of Malacca, acting as a lasting legacy the temple had been crafted from Chinese materials and labour! Moving onwards my minibus stopped at the side of a nearby road, after getting out of the minibus I was able to see a 'traditional wooden Malay style house. That completely wooden made house looked very authentic and didn't match the nearby style of houses, there was something special about it. I was told the house had been built off the ground on purpose and the style kept the residence cool during the summer months. Another place of worship? Yes, something of a major religious change was about to present itself. 'St. Peter's Church' was of a Catholic nature and represented Malacca's period of Portuguese rule. Known as the oldest functioning Catholic church in Malaysia, something told me that Portugal would be one of the themes present in Malacca. That whitewashed church impressed me, sure the statue of Maria looked statuesque! To the river, M! 

Arriving into Malacca's historic centre was a whole mood and then some, it felt correct to finally be in that Malaysian 'World Heritage Site' after all of the planning and waiting. I got to see the 'Flor de la Mar' from the corner of my eye, I knew that the Dutch and British had spent time in Malacca but I was finding out fast that the Portuguese had tried their best to claim this coastal trading point for their own damn selves. Only a replica, I was about to find out that the original ship had met its peril in the Indian Ocean by sinking during November 1511. Heading towards the river would be the first part of that inner Malacca visit, the itinerary wouldn't allow for any mistakes and that was just fine with me! I needed some coffee because I was feeling proper tired, Malacca didn't allow me a caffeine fix but she kept me on my toes nevertheless! Malacca had so far impressed me, it was bizarre that all of the administrative buildings had been pushed out of the city to make way for this tourist mecca! Get me on that river! Sure, it was nice to be guided!

A vital trade route during the height of the 'Malacca Sultanate', Malacca's own 'river' runs right through into the legendary Malacca Straits. Boarding my river cruise along that waterway allowed me to see something very 'European looking', I sensed a certain Colonial influence. An important passage for trade in the late 16th century by European and Asian merchants, I was impressed by those winding waters. I felt lucky to have an uninterrupted view of that Malacca River, honestly speaking I loved what I saw! After being so very tired that morning, the breeze from that fast moving river cruise had me feeling fresh! The feel of Malacca River felt very new, with many renovated bars and restaurants, it felt very much like the river had reclaimed Malacca's appeal as a tourist destination. The speed of that boat allowed that river cruise to clip past as Malacca's new look riverside area passed me by, those tourists needed to take several seats! Sure, the river looked mighty fine but time wasn't going to stop for me! So, Jonker's next! 

Walking along Jonker Street allowed me to see the long line of Dutch-looking buildings with a certain style of roofs. By that time in the day I was feeling majorly hungry and those cravings needed to be satisfied! I wasn't joking! The rain threatened to pour down, that it did try but thankfully we only had to take refuge underneath a covered area within 'Cheng Hoon Teng Temple' for a little bit. It was a real religious contrast because located next door from that Buddhist temple was a mosque! I tried to read the Mandarin writing in the temple but it was mainly strokes made in Traditional Chinese! Lunch was served in the form of noodles and fried chicken at Jonker Street's very own 'Peranakan Place'. My guide offered me the chance to have something fancy or budget conscience to eat, of course I chose the money saving option! No complaints were made about the food and better still I tried a cooling dessert called 'Cendol'. I was ready to see a rather grand-looking house museum, paying home to those mixed marriages. 

Malacca's 'Baba & Nyonya Heritage Museum' was about to school me good and proper! Owned by a very special Peranakan family, this heritage town house amazed me with its eclectic design. Perfect blends of Chinese, Malay and Western styles were presented to me, the craftsmanship of that 18th century crafted former family home amazed me. With the expansion of Malacca's prowess as an international trading post, it was crucial that Chinese merchants settled and found mainly Malay wives who would cook fusion food and uphold familiar customs for those yet to be born children. It was remarkable to hear that the Malay wives would cater to their merchant Chinese husbands, those men should've cooked their own food if they wanted it to taste a certain way! The spy hatch from the first floor impressed me, the solid wooden staircase served nothing but opulence. You know the table above impressed me much and more! I wanted to live in that period feature house, it was elegant yet fancy! Sure, Malacca taught me a lot! Yes!

Now, I was more than ready to visit 'Christ Church' because that red 'Anglican' house of worship first caught my eye when I searched for Malacca in the first place. Built in 1753, Christ Church in Melaka stands to be the oldest functioning 'Protestant church' in the whole of Malaysia! Placed to change the game, as the Dutch pushed the Portuguese out of Malacca, this church was the catalyst to transform the main religion from Roman Catholicism to a Protestant flex. Originally painted white, in 1911 the church was painted red like the adjacent 'Stadthuys' were. Known as 'benedenkerk' in Dutch as 'bottom of the hill' in English, it was said that Christ Church was a much needed addition for the Dutch because the Portuguese built 'Church of Saint Paul' wasn't cutting the mustard anymore. The Dutchies weren't impressed! Christ Church from the inside was plainly decorated with a simple altar, things looked original with a certain European formality present. Keeping things Dutch, I wanted to check out the 'Stadthuys' next door! Quick!

Known in English as 'city hall', the Dutch built these former governing buildings in 1650. Located within Red Square, this official looking building ushered me into a very interesting museum, I had a lot to learn! The exhibits were very interesting, such information took things back to Malacca's pre-Colonial beginnings before any European powers had made their mark. Taking a few steps further upwards allowed me to see a rather grand courtyard, I imagined the Dutch governors and their families taking space with the rest of Malacca firmly not invited. Climbing up to the top of 'St. Paul's Hill' allowed me to see one mighty fine view over to the Straits of Malacca, those warehouse looking buildings looked very much those I had walked past in Amsterdam! Those tankers signified that Malacca still stands strong, maybe in a different way but the energy gave off that essence still! Concluding with a snatched view of 'A Famosa' it was time to head back to Kuala Lumpur. Malacca was worth every single mile travelled! Tea time? 

Malacca Is A Must! 

Desperately Seeking Adventure