Malacca in 2012 is not only a city, which lives
in his Portuguese, Dutch and British history. It's a modern city with a lot of
old colonial Dutch buildings, like the "Stadthuys", which was former
residence of the governor.
You can reach Malacca by car by driving the North-South Expressway. It's a
very good road and it takes only two hours to take you from Kuala Lumpur to
Malacca (look also at the site of the North-South
Expressway). Malacca has also a very up to date harbour with duty-free shops.
Although Kuala Lumpur International Airport is not far away. Malacca has his
own Airport (airstrip): Batu Berendam
Airport. That's the home of the Malaysian Flying Academie and is approximately
seven kilometres from the city centre.
Malacca became an industrious port in which the old Malacca river doesn't play
a part in it anymore. That was in the old days. The ships are now going for
the big port outside the city.
There are tall buildings nowadays. The old houses did make place for modern apartments.
There are air-conditioned shopping malls. Just outside the city are luxury
resort and hotels along the coastline of the Malacca Straits.
There's a lot to do in and near Malacca. There's a crocodile farm, Mini Asean,
the Malacca zoo, the Maritime Museum and many other attractions. "Formosa
Water World" is truly a tropical paradise to swim for the young and
the old ones. Near the city are golf courses for those, who love to play golf.
We went
several times to Malacca and every time it was very hot. We always had
one overnight stay, because there is much to see in Malacca. The
colonial part of Malacca, with its terracotta painted buildings, gives
an impression of the Dutch colonial period. The square in front of the
"Stadthuys" is the favourite spot of the just married couples.
A lot of wedding pictures are made here.
Jalan Hang Jebat (formerly known as Jonker Walk) is one of the best
places to hunt and bargain for antiques. Here you can find beautifully
carved cupboards and sideboards, the well-known hanging kerosene lamps
and chandeliers, which are left behind by the Dutch. Walking through Jonker Street is sheer joy even if you do not buy anything. The shop
fronts themselves are interesting.
After our visits to Malacca we always drove by car to Kuantan at the east coast,
the
Genting Highlands or we returned to
Kuala
Lumpur.
We were interested in the colonial history of Malacca. That's the reason
why we visited this town. The colonial buildings have been
kept perfectly in the original state. We walked a lot in the city and we
climbed St. Paul's Hill in the very hot sun, which is worth a visit.
You can stay in one of the hotels in the centre of the city. Mostly they
have an interesting special room rate, which is shown on a signboard
outside the hotel.
We had very convenient double room with breakfast, refrigerator and TV
for RM
100,- (all taxes included) in the Grand Continental.
The Grand Continental has a swimming pool on the roof.
Malacca is one of the thirteen States of Malaysia. It's ruled by a sultan. The
sultans of these 13 States choose among them every five years a new king. So
once upon a time....... there will be a sultan of Malacca, who becomes king of
Malaysia. The "Sultanate
Palace" is a nice place to visit.
