Across the world: 2010 Melacca Trip

6th and 7th of June 2010

We set off at 8 from PJ so that we can have early lunch at Chong Wah for its hainanese chicken rice to avoid the queue. To my surprise, the queue was long when I reached the restaurant before 11am. It would be a regret to have a journey without the best food in town and finally we joined the queue. It took us around 45 minutes to be seated and another 10 minutes to have the food served. We also paid a visit at San Shu Gong, a shop opposite of Chong Wah which sells native foods such as biscuits.

Once I entered the shop, I could smell the aroma of the scrumptious waffles sold near to the entrance, which are only available during weekends. Selling only at the price of RM 1.50 each, I could not stand to buy one. The waffles are made in fish shape, with mixture of pandan and kaya spread stuffed into it. My mum commented that it was nothing much special, indeed it was, but I just like it. After that we headed back to Chong Wah for our lunch.

Cute dolls that can be seen in San Shu Gong

Jonker Street, Jalan Hang Jebat, 马六甲, MELAKA

06-281-3118

We were sitting just right beside the man chopping the chicken. From what have been observed, we thought that the chicken would be too soft. However, it turned out to be delicious. The rice balls were served in a plate of five.

We continued the journey with visiting the Stadthuys/Red Square, Christ Church, and Clock Tower which are all just located near to each other. You will reach by crossing the Melacca River from Chong Wah Restaurant.

Stadthuys:

It was built by the Dutch occupants in 1650 as the office of the Dutch Governor and Deputy Governor. It was supposed the oldest remainng Dutch historical building in the Orient and is now the home of a Museum of History and Ethonography. From wikipedia.

Christ Church:

When the Dutch took over Melaka from the hand of the Portuguese, they built several buildings for their own purposes. This church was built as a place of worship as they did not have any church for themselves apart from the small chapel built by Portuguese on St. Paul Hill.

Located at Jalan Gereja (or known as Church Street!), the church is painted in coral red with huge white cross at the middle.

It is the most distinguished one among adjacent buildings that are also painted in similar red colour. Surrounded by beautiful landscape with greeneries and flowers, you will probably feel like visiting a vintage church somewhere in Europe!

However, there is something unique and unusual that you might not be able to get in Europe but only in Melaka – the colourful decorated trishaw! In front of the church, there will always be striking trishaws lining up, offering the service to tour you around the town.

from http://www.malaysiavacationguide.com/christ-church.html

Clock tower:

The Tan Beng Swee Clock Tower is a clock tower in Malacca built by the third generation of a Chinese philantrophic millionaire family.

Although named after Tan Beng Swee, it was in fact built by his son Tan Jiak Kim, to fulfill his father's wish. Tan Beng Swee, was the son of Tan Kim Seng who donated both the bridge adjacent to the clocktower and land for the Chinese cemetery.

from http://www.asiaexplorers.com/malaysia/tanbengswee_clocktower.htm

pic: Taken at night

Melacca River:

Looking at the Melacca River from the bridge crossing over it reminded me of the similar view I saw in Venice.

pic: Little windmill that we saw while walking towards the bridge from the Christ Church.
This pic had been edited.

It was really killing to walk under the extreme sunlight. I was sweating and gradually getting burn on my arms. Nevertheless, we moved to the Baba and Nyonya private museum located at Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock.

On the way, we passed by the riverside and found out the water mill which I think was only for decoration as it wasn't functioning.

We reached the museum after few more minutes of walking. It was a nice place to explore, having the opportunity to be exposed to the house decoration of the Babas' families. The entrance fees is RM8.00. This museum was one of the shooting location for the Singaporean series, Little Nyonya 小娘惹

Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock, 48-50, 75200 Malacca-City (Baba Nyonya Heritage Museum)

Daily: 10am - 12.30pm, 2pm - 4.30pm

We then walked to Jonker88 for its signature dessert, Baba Chendol. I also tried their Gula Melaka Sago and it was too too sweet. The chendol however was not bad.

Jalan Hang Jebat (Jonker Street), Melaka

88, Jalan Hang Jebat,

75200 Melaka.

GPS: 2.195634, 102.247728

Tel: 019-397 5665

Patio is very common in almost every house (now have turned to shops) in Jonker Street. I guess it was for better ventilation in house during old days. And these patios differ the building there from the others, or even other historical buildings we can see elsewhere.

pic: Here is another patio we found out

pic: Buildings in Melacca at daytime

To avoid continuing the journey under the hot sun, we made our mind to check in to the Accordian Hotel located at Jalan Bendahara so that we could have a nice shower and rest before going for the satay celup at Capitol Restaurant, where there would be another long queue.

Before that, we grabbed some time to taste the satay babi at Xiang Ji Restaurant, which was just situated opposite of the place where we parked our car. It shocked us as we did not see any other customers. I started to worry for their quality. Since we were there, we just gave it a shot. Well, I won't recommend this for you as the satay was bit tasteless, lacking in the "barbecue smell".

50, Jalan Portugis, just off Jonker Street (Jalan Hang Jebat)

019- 6278868

The hotel was clean, tidy and fairy cheap which only costed us RM90 per room per night inclusive of light breakfast. I would like to give it four stars out of five for its value for money. The staff were kind and they showed consideration for the guests.

114A, Jalan Bendahara, Malacca 75100 Malaysia

Tel: +606 2821911

We spent 2 hours in the hotel and then we set off to Capitol Restaurant for our dinner. It was around 7pm. Nothing new, there was long queue again. This time, it took us at least one hour.

The satay celup was well worth a long queue for first timers. But definitely not for return customers if there would be a long queue.

41, Lorong Bukit Cina 75100 Melaka. Open at 5pm

We walked from Capitol Restaurant to the Jonker Street again for its night market. It was a lot more happening than the day time. I shot a lot of the streets and buildings with redish lights.

The next morning, we headed to A Famosa Fort. It is among the oldest surviving European architectural remains in Asia. The Porta de Santiago, a small gate house, is the only remaining part of the fortress still standing.

I have heard from my brother that the Mille Crepe Cakes from Nadeje Cafe are very nice but to my disappointment it was closed that day. It was really saddening to have no cake on my birthday.

The last item in my itinerary was Restaurant Nyonya Makko. It is famous for its Pong Teh Chicken, Ikan Goreng Cili Garam and Ayam Buah Kelok. However, we only tried two out of these three, their sambal lady finger and fish maw soup. I think The Wok at Kota Damansara serves better nyonya cuisine.

pic: I am lazy to upload one by one, lets show you all the food we had