Memories of Melaka

We were last here 26 years ago - needless to say both us and Melaka have changed quite a bit. I think it's fair to say Melaka looks better now than it did 26 years ago, and not sure I can say the same for us!

The city is unrecognisable - the river was dredged and widened, all the shophouses were cleaned up; lots of museums have opened up and there is a delightful promenade around the river - great for an evening tipple. The old city looks very European, in the best possible way.

Perfect spot for a tipple or two

We are staying at a very cute 13 room boutique hotel with an equally cute name -  The GingerFlower Hotel. The rooms are a bit on the small side and the bathroom is very close to the bedroom (not very romantic) - I make Richie put on the telly for some privacy - not that I need to, as I'm so discrete - just ask him? The bed is a massive king and the rain shower is awesome.

Discrete transport?

The old city is quite lively at night, a few interesting bars and crazy trishaws that are decorated, out the kazoo and blaring a wide assortment of tunes. You have to smile each time they go past. My favourite had an enormous scorpion on the roof.


We've had lovely drinks by the river, stuffed ourselves with some really good and cheap Indian food - 50 cents for light, fluffy, sexy, nan breads - heaven on a stick!

Our favourite restaurant is a very cost effective (read cheap) Southern Indian restaurant - awesome Dosas, even more awesome mango lassies and the rotis left me speechless with pleasure! 

Best Indian food in Melaka

Foodie heaven

Been to nearly all the museums - so we are now full bottle

on the history of Melaka, the democratic processes of Melaka, how the Customs Service of Melaka worked up until the 1980's, we have a full overview of how the Governor of Melaka lived; we've been inside a Dutch trading ship from the 1600's and even visited the Islamic Museum and frightened ourselves reading about Shariah Law (bloody barbaric). Oh the joy of free time...

Melaka museums views:

Dutch ship

Old Dutch Church

Hmm fancy a job at Western Security?

Imams pulpit, Islamic Museum. The cats an atheist, obviously.

Giant slipper... you never know what valuable info you learn on a Melaka Museum crawl.

The massage chair - one too many museums Richie?

The massage chair was a revelation. Once you put your 1 MR in - it came alive! It grabbed you by the legs, so there was no escape and then proceeded to pummel you up and down your back. Lovely  - until it decided to give you a swift punch up the clacker, not once but 3 times!

Melaka is quite a peaceful place, apparently until the weekend that is - when it gets packed to the rafters with tourists driving up from Singapore (about 3 hours drive).

At the moment there are great hoards of Chinese (from China) tourists. They move in packs, wear matching outfits and are very loud (no judgement - they just are ..... Okay that's a lie, I am judging them). 

I think it's the pack behaviour that's hard to put up with - if they want something they just push past you. If they want to take photos - they just stop dead and snap away. 

Ooh matching outifts!

We have developed a new and very immature game - how many Chinese tourist photos, can we photobomb? They look at Richie in amazement - anything he does either shocks them into open mouth wonder or makes them crack up with laughter. Of course Richie plays up to it - there are boat rides up and down the river every 30 minutes -  so boat load of Chinese float past,  as we sit on the bank having drinks - with Richie either blowing kisses and waving at them - their faces are priceless!

Lastly my other favourite thing in Melaka is all the cheap massage places. We've had a massage every day and feel great. 

Richie after his many massages in Melaka - he looks 26 years younger!

So long Melaka, lets hope it's not another  26 years til we meet again.