Magical Malacca

Malacca (‘Melaka’ in Malay), most famous as the home of the big, bad pirates who plagued waters of the Straits of Malacca, is an interesting visit for the traveler looking for an adventure. 

We were two girls (just for effect's sake, we bought two huge hats to wear) who explored the numerous lanes and bylanes of beautiful Malacca, soaking in the beautiful atmosphere in every moment. Malacca was declared a UNESCO World heritage Site in 2008.

That's me with the hat!

Explore Malacca

The best way to see the city is on foot. Make it a point to venture through every doorway, into every little allay. Although, you may walk into people’s homes form time-to-time, Malacca will reward those with a ‘what lies around that corner?’ sense of curiosity. Clamber onto one of the city’s tuk-tuks (as a visitor, I insist you choose one with loud decorations, blaring music, flowers and flashing lights) for a crazy ride.

Much of your time in Malacca will centre on the river which winds through the city. Take a cruise down the river to get a glimpse of the city and its main buildings. Spend the evening relaxing in a charming cafe by the city or posing by the quant riverside homes and footbridges.

Heritage city

As you enter the heritage city, stop by the imposing brick-red wall which declares Malacca’s heritage status. A photograph against this wall serves as a nice I-visited-Malacca memento.

With my friend Vrisha - at the start of Malacca

The Baba and Nyonya Peranakan Museum, which housed an authentic heritage home, gives a fascinating account of the Peranakan culture and traditions. Step into the Cheng Hoon Teng Temple on Jalan Tokong, which is the oldest Chinese temple in Malaysia, for a moment of soul searching. The Christ Church makes for an interesting visit, as it whispers tales of colonial conflict.

Take the winding path up from the central square to St Paul’s Church. This fascinating structure is now crumbling, home to Dutch tombstones and tourist graffiti. However, the view of the city below with its rows of tiled roofs is magical. For a small sum, you can pose here with a “pirate” and his angry looking bird.

Jonker adventures

"Dubious females" alert!

Jonker Walk, lined with quaint shops selling all sorts of interesting ‘antiques,’ is nestled in the heart of Malacca. Do you fancy an unopened can of Coca Cola from 1972, or an ad for Anchor toothpaste from decades ago? Among the dust and rust, you will stumble across several fascinating — if not priceless treasures. In one dark shop, I chanced across a potion to help men “See the pitfalls of being enticed by dubious females.” Priceless! 

For someone who has never held an LP record before, the huge collection of records (to be bought at a steal) was very exciting. Be sure to check out shops selling wooden ships as well. This may be your one and only chance to own a fleet of handcrafted ships.

The Bullock Cart Bank on Jonker Walk

As the sun goes down, Jonker Walk is converted into a riotous, swinging market—known as the famous Night Bazaar. Vendors and visitors throng the area as tiny shops open up on the street. Look out for the Bullock Cart Bank, which sells stamps from exotic lands. 

If you fancy having your fortune told, do visit the local roadside palmist (of dubious authenticity, of course). Massage parlours (stick to the large, well identified ones if you don’t want a rude surprise) abound by the dozen. Foodies will have a great time eating various Malaccan street-side delicacies—right from fried potato fritters to ice kachang and fruits on sticks dipped in sinful chocolate.

Settle down at the Traveller Cafe (a tourist favourite) to savour the ambience under the starry sky. Do the salsa with a perfect stranger, or soak in the in-house band’s rendition U2 renditions. The mood is extremely relaxed, very happy, and slightly drunk—making it impossible not to have a fabulous time.

Offbeat options

Fancy flying a local fighter kite? Head to Kleblang Beach and test your kite-flying skills against the locals. If you are a tea drinker, head to the Yeetea House on Jalan Laksamana, which offers tea ceremony classes, as well as an exhaustive array of tea varieties. Ride the Eye on Melaka, a Ferris wheel styled on its more famous British counterpart, to get a birds-eye view of the city.

Spotted off Jonker Walk

For the best chicken rice ball in town, head to the red-bricked Famosa on the corner of Jonker Walk. You are guaranteed to find a long, winding queue of tourists waiting outside—but you are also guaranteed a meal worth the wait!

Article as published on Mumbai Mirror

Photographs © Mithila Mehta