A little intermezo about Malacca/ Melaka - Before the arrival of the first Sultan, Malacca was a fishing village inhabited by local Malays known as Orang Laut. Malacca was founded by Parameswara, also known as Iskandar Shah or Sri Majara, the last Raja of Singapura (present day Singapore) following a Majapahit attack in 1377. He found his way to Malacca around 1400 where he found a good port—it was accessible in all seasons and on the strategically located narrowest point of the Malacca Straits
Because of its strategic location, Malacca was an important stopping point for Zheng He's fleet. To enhance relations, Hang Li Po, according to local folklore a daughter of the Ming Emperor of China, arrived in Malacca, accompanied by 500 attendants, to marry Sultan Manshur Shah who reigned from 1456 until 1477. Her attendants married locals and settled mostly in Bukit Cina.
Portuguese, Dutch, British have ever control Malacca for the trade before. After the dissolution of this crown colony, Malacca and Penang became part of the Malayan Union in 1946, which later became the Federation of Malaya in 1948 and eventually Malaysia in 1963. (sources from Wiki)
Hmmmmm....It takes 2,5 hours from TBS and KLIA, Transnasional Bus company has several schedule to serve this route. At the time I take Transnasional, maybe it is more like Damri Company here. Price from TBS (Terminal Besepadu Selatan) to Melaka MYR 13,40 one way and from Melaka Sentral to KLIA MYR 24. Melaka has Indian Belt, Malay Belt (Kampong Morten) and China Town. All can be reached within walking distance through the path of Melaka River. There is also River Cruise along the Melaka River to view the old town.
For the culinary there is a famous satay house, a Satay Celup Capitol well known amongst travelers all over the world however it is not halal but anyway it is famous written everywhere in a reliable travel web. For eating here, we must line up standing almost an hour at everytime, so be patience, ok.
Jonker Street, The Red Square and further to north, to St. Paul hill, several museum until Dataran Pahlawan it can be reached by foot if you stay in the famous jonker street area such as jalan pantai, kampong hulu, etc. There is a replica Cheng Ho's ship as a museum it is built near the Melaka river. The Kampung Hulu's Mosque is known as the oldest Mosque in Melaka, it was inspired by Sumatran architect more than Arabic prototype. AHHH....so many things we can see here, I will be back again here to explore everything. For me it is an awesome city and unique, ;oaded with a history background and mixture of culture, well it is fit with my culutre vulture travel style. I have been here three times, what a magnet for me !!!
