Malaysia : Highlights of our Family Trip @ Malacca

It was a huge challenge going from Genting to Malacca, first thing are the ginormous luggages that we have (I had 2 extra bags full of used clothes that I am sending home and my sister has a HUGE bag as well) and on top of that are our usual luggages for the trip. 

We got to the newish and spacious bus station, Terminal Bersepadu Selatan (TBS) in Bandar just right in time for a late lunch. Quite straightforward, lined up to get our tickets from one of the bus companies then went down to look for the specific departure gate (just like in the airports).

The bus ride to Malacca is just less than 3hours and in a very comfortable 2+1 bus. Since it was past 5pm already when we arrived, we opted not to go out anymore and just order for in room dining. We had again another fantastic hotel -- The Pines Hotel,  with really attentive staff and huge rooms with fabulous views!

The view of the night skyline of Malacca from our hotel room

Exploring Malacca

The historical town of Malacca is the cultural hub of Malaysia and has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this is where you will find vestiges of its colonial past, with remnants of its British, Dutch, and Portuguese heritage together with that of the immigrant Chinese "Baba Nyonya" culture intermixing with the traditional Malay culture.

Its very easy to navigate the whole town by foot (as we used to when we came here a couple of years back but with my parents this time we really had to take it slowly). Or you can opt to ride in the colorful tri-shaws that line the fountain area.

We started at the main square and first went to the 263-year old Christ Church, a defining structure made with red clay stone and built by the Dutch during their occupation of Malacca. 

Just across it is the Stadthuys, another Dutch colonial heritage building that was built between 1641 to 1660 making it at least 375 years old! It has now been converted to a museum showcasing Malacca's history. 

Right across the bridge over the Melaka River from Stadthuys is Malacca's Chinatown and the Baba Nyonya heritage enclave of Jonker Walk/Street. It is famous for its night markets although even during the day the whole place was swarming with locals and tourists. 

You really have to try the chicken rice balls at any of these local dining places

Aside from the old houses and shops, one of the must-visit places in the Jonker area is the Cheng Hoon Teng Temple. Built in 1646, it is the country's oldest traditional Chinese temple. 

The street outside the temple.....I wish we could have stayed longer and browsed some shops

Just a few steps away is the Kampung Kling Mosque. I would have wanted to visit the Baba Nyonya Heritage Museum once again but my father wants to go back to the hotel and when I urged on for one last place to visit, he asked what is the place about and when I said it the local immigrant Chinese heritage museum he said he doesn't want (because China is claiming the Scarborough Shoal and other islands in the Philippine territory within the West Philippine Sea, oh sya lets be political hahaha) and so off we went.

We headed off to the riverfront area to cool off a bit before going back to the hotel for a short break. They have really tidied this up since my last visit.

We were a bit too late in the afternoon when we came out to once again explore Malacca. We just had a glimpse of the Melaka Sultanate Palace before it closed down for the day. Too bad, my father would have enjoyed the historical tour.

Just right beside the palace is the A'Famosa Fort, built in 1511 only this lone gate called the Porta de Santiago remained from the original structure. The fort used to house the entire Portuguese administration, with hospitals, churches, army quarters, and even residences.

We rounded up the day with my mom's birthday dinner at Sushi King and her birthday cake at the hotel.

the stack of plates says it all hahahahaha