Melaka In Brief

Melaka ("Malacca") is a state on the south of the Malaysia peninsular. Aptly tagged "Where It All Began", Melaka is blessed with history since the 15th century and the historical artefacts are maintained in many display and living muzeums around the state. Some of the more prominent historical landmarks are A'Famosa Fort, Stadhuys, St Paul's Church, St John's Hill Fort, St Peter's Church and etc.

Melaka had certainly transformed from a "Sleepy Hollow" in the 80s to what it is today with lots of activities which would certainly keep a visitor busy. You don't find many bicycles on the road anymore as developments had injected into the change for use of motor vehicles. One can still find colorful and decorated trishaws on the road but nothing beats the original trishaws with it's rattan chair with a roof like a convertible car.

A visitor once remark that she would give a rain-check given a chance to ride in those gaily decorated trishaws with speakers blaring music which does not really infuse the short trips around Melaka town like before.

Souvenir hunters will find out that Melaka is a haven withthe many handicraft stalls in Dataran Pahlawan and around Maritime Muzeum selling various hand crafts.

Entertainment is not to be forgotten as Taman Melaka Raya which was once was part of the Straits of Malacca sea and was reclaimed with tons of sand extracted from the seabed to be developed into a business district. This area transforms into brightly lit entertainment outlets to cater the different type of party goers.

Visitors will not suffer from hunger in Melaka with the many tasty and affordable stalls and shops selling great local food. This is seriously "eat all you can" and still having sufficient funds for other interests. Chicken rice ball, cendol durian, fried oyster, satay with peanut sauce, "muaci", satay celup, mee rebus are some delicacies on top of the restaurants serving dishes ranging from Nyonya, Portuguese, Indian, Malay and also western. It's real yummy!

There are a number of hotels within Taman Melaka Raya which is certainly a strategic choice to stay due to its close proximity to the historical sites, entertainment outlets, Mahkota Parade shopping mall, Dataran Pahlawan Shopping Mall, Mahkota Specialist Centre and soon to complete, Melaka Tower. Some clean and affordable hotels in Taman Melaka Raya are;
(a) City Park Melaka Hotel,
(b) Fenix Inn and
(c) Queenspark (latest hotel).

Looking forward to share more secrets of Melaka and this is where it all begins to know more of Malaysia.