Malacca Trip

At last, I've re-visit this historical old town with my incredible on Christmas eve for a 4 days 3 nights free and easy tour. I would say it was very enjoyable and fulfilling. Our previous trip 4 months ago was a bit too rush and never really got the chance to explore the beautiful town.

Maritime Museum

Of course, the well known Malacca Tourism haven Jalan Hang Jebat aka Jonker Walk is a must go. It is a street in Chinatown with many antiques and souvenir stores. On weekend nights, the whole street is closed (Fri 6pm-11pm, Sat/Sun 11am onwards) for traffic and turns into a lively night market bazaar. One of the main attraction is the happening Geographér Café 地理學家咖啡館. Remember the Hong Kong movie "Summer Holidays 夏日麼麼茶" staring popular actress/singer Sammi Cheng and Taiwanese actor/singer Richie Ren? It was filmed at this star Café. Packed with stories, live music and tasty healthy food, I wouldn't want to miss it. The chicken wings and Malacca coffee are superb. For local snacks and tidbits, go to this huge shop called San Shu Gong 三叔公. My favorites are Biskut Bertelur Masin老錢蛋黃酥 and Biskut Kai Chai 雞仔餅. I like the lovely packaging too. There is a self-run toy museum along the walk which I don't know the exact address, though if I'm not wrong, it is somewhere near the Kheng Chew Hui Kuan 馬六甲瓊州會館.

Geographér Café

Anyway, the main treasures are on streets surrounding the walk. Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lok (formerly Heeren St) and Jalan Hang Kasturi are the two highly recommended by me. Once you cross over Melaka River, you will see the colonial Heeren Guesthouse on your left. This was the guesthouse I intended to stay but unfortunately, it was fully booked throughout the festive seasons. Alas! (I ended up at Hotel Equatorial, which is considerably very convenient and close to the biggest shopping mall, Dataran Pahlawan 英雄廣場.  On top of that, our room no. 803 contains my incredible's most wanted feature -- bathtub.  So no complain here. ^_^ )  The shop Archipelago Island Crafts at ground floor does offer a comprehensive selection of handicrafts mostly from Indonesia, Thailand and of course from Malaysia as well. Some nice artworks by local artist DiDi can be found there. Further down the street is Joe's Design,  specializes in artisan handcrafted jewellery. The owner Joe Ng also opens Calanthe Art Cafe at adjacent street, a mere stone's throw away.

Heeren Guesthouse

This rubber chicken is very popular recently.  It first got my attention from the TV series CSI.  The story is about a famous yet very nasty comedy actress was murdered with a rubber chicken stucked in her throat. 

Joe's Design

Along Jalan Hang Kasturi are Lighthouse Curios antique store, Red Handicraft 剪紙人家, Gee's Original and lifestyle store Puri Padi. All worth a visit.

Lighthouse Curios

I bought these few postcards of nude girls.

Gee's Original

This cute little girl, age 4, is very shy and quiet. However,

when in front of camera, she will automatically pose for you. Isn't she adorable ?

Red Handicraft

Friendly Shopowner Ray Tan, who is wholeheartedly dedicated to

the project of preserving Chinese Folk Cultural Heritages

Handcrafted clay animals sourced from mainland china.

Calanthe Art Cafe - TV fish tank

Came across this colorful tattoo parlour while hanging around that area .....




Also saw an old man on work in front of his store.




To me, this trip was not only about eating, shopping and endulging. Meeting old and new friends are equally important. I got to meet up and hang out with old friends, Kiong Seng and Siew Lee that haven't seen each other for more than 10 years since our Rinjani trekking trip. And not forgetting our Rock Climbing guru, big sister 老姐, who was very productive during the past few years ..... Boom! 3 kids already. Oh! Mind. New friends are humorous chap Bert Tan, owner of Riverine Coffeehouse and Ray Tan of Red Handicraft.

Malacca, I will come back again.