Wandering in Wonder in Melaka: Day 1
So I guess hitting 30 would really make you sentimental. Out of the blue, a few days before my birthday week, I had the urge to go on a solo travel. Then and there I booked a 2 days and 1 night trip to Melaka. With no itinerary or plans whatsoever (I only read through some blogs where to go and what to eat in Melaka), I told myself to just go wherever my feet leads me. It will be two days of spontaneity, wandering and just fun.
I took the 730 Starmart Express bus to Melaka. There were only four of us on the trip so the whole ride was rather ‘silent’. I slept through almost the entire ride.
Sunrise at Kallang River.
The whole trip took longer than I expected. We reached Melaka Sentral at around 1230, almost five hours, with one stop over at the 3rd hour. Melaka Sentral is still few kilometers away from the main tourist spots so I grabbed a quick lunch before heading to Gate 17 for another 15-20 minutes bus ride.
Bus ride from Melaka Sentral to Dutch Square costs RM2.
There were already a few tourists in Dutch Square when we arrived even amidst the scorching sun. When I got off the bus, I instantaneously loved Melaka. The red bricks and the red buildings were just sooo enchanting. It exudes a homey vibe. It felt like I was in Naga. Maybe because of its rich heritage just like Naga’s. I wouldn’t mind visiting Melaka over and over again sometime in the future.
Victoria Fountain at the heart of Dutch Square.
Christ Church, the oldest Protestant church in Malaysia.
Stadthuys, a replica of the former town hall.
Just across the street, you can see Melaka River already and just across the bridge would be the infamous Jonker Street. Jonker Street also known as Jonker Walk is where you can find souvenir shops, boutiques, quirky cafes, artsy buildings, temples and mosque.
Found a Sangkaya stall while strolling Jonker Street. I read about it in one blog so I gotta try their ice cream.
Sangkaya Signature Coconut Ice cream. It was delish, plus you can add on your toppings yourself so you could put as much as you want!
After strolling around Jonker Walk, I then headed to Rucksack Caratel to check in. It was just a few minutes walk from Dutch Square. Rucksack is a small hotel but OMG I could definitely live there. It’s so artsy fartsy. The interior of the entire hotel was so enchanting. I totally loved the garden view. Although their breakfast menu was so-so, all in all, I definitely enjoyed my stay at Rucksack. It was ranked #2 in Specialty Lodging by Tripadvisor.
Caravan Rooms at Rucksack Caratel
Common Area at Rucksack Caratel
I got a Deluxe King Garden View room. Its complete with everything, hair dryer, room slippers, small safe and all! I even loved the scent of their shampoo and bath gel!
After freshening up a bit, I headed out to St. Paul’s Hill, Dutch Graveyard, and A’Famosa.
St. Paul Church Ruins at the top of St. Paul Hill.
View on top of St. Paul’s Hill.
Selling pastel paintings inside St. Paul.
Also on the hill is Dutch Graveyard where some Dutch officers and British officials during the 17th century were buried. I didn’t dare go further in coz nobody went inside actually, I only got enchanted by a cat at the path walk. Haha.
Going down St Paul’s Hill.
A’Famosa, "The Famous" in Portuguese, is a Portuguese fortress during the 15th Century.
I didn’t know where I was heading to but I just walked and walked until I found these arrays of museums, train exhibits.
Train Exhibit at the middle of nowhere.
Muzium UMNO (United Malays National Organisation), a museum on history and Malaysian politics.
A few steps away is the Menara Taming Sari, the 360-view tower which I earlier saw at the top of St. Paul’s Hill. I wanted to go up but then my ringgit wasn’t enough coz I didn’t expect that Rucksack will ask for RM100 deposit (which of course they’ll give you back when you check out). I have only exchanged 50sgd which is equivalent to RM150 for this trip coz I intend to enjoy and soak more in the beauty of Melaka rather than shopping. There were no money changer in the building so I asked a kind lady where was the nearest money changer in the area. She told me to go to some place.
I tried to follow her directions but I couldn’t find any money changer until I found myself at the Melaka River Cruise port. This was so spontaneous indeed and since I was already there so why not take it! Ticket was only at RM15. The cruise was around 45minutes with a voice over explaining the history of the places. I loved how the walls were all painted with artsy murals.
The river cruise will take you around the Heritage City.
More murals along the river banks!
I so love this area called Kampung Morten. It doesn’t show much in this pic but its a village of traditional Malay houses. They were able to preserve the village through time. It looks like small houses on stilts, reminds of my great grandmother, Lola Minang’s house. We used to play there when I was very very little, like it’s one of my oldest memories.
I had just to take a snap of this old man on a bike. I was smiling to myself when I saw him. I know I am weird but even from afar he speaks to me loudly of contentment. He’s prolly on the way home or maybe just out for an afternoon exercise or what-have-yous. I could even imagine him whistling a song while cycling. To be content, joyful in what you have and have not, and have a peaceful heart, that’s what I pray, at the end of the day.
Even the birds speaks to me of never giving up and never leaving the people who’s dear to you! I thought she’d be flying away, but she just changed position. I know I am still a work in progress on this. As much as I am faithful, and even the enneagram categorized me as ‘The Loyalist’, I struggle on keeping my long distance relationships. (With the exception of my family of course, whose I am in contact with every single day). I am guilty of not being intentional in contacting my far far away friends. I miss them and I pray I’d be a better friend. Sorry na Ate Ace, Jek, Zaza, Zyra, Bhing, Ruth, Laopos JITS.
After the cruise I took a stroll in the river bank near Jonker area, discovering artsy alleys and snapping everything that amuses me.
Kota Melaka, The Malacca Port, remains of the gateway to the city.
Walkin’ round the river bank!
Kiehls Heritage Wall which looks like Hadji Lane the environmentalist version.
I love these trees, they’re all over Melaka! I saw it before at Boss Hotel after church. They are the literal representation of the bible verse ‘Set your minds on things above’. Hehe. I am always fascinated how all its branches are all facing up. Beautiful reminder!
I then went to Calanthe Art Café. This was one of the must go to cafes I read in one blog. Surely enough, the place was awesome. They served coffees named after the 13 states of Malaysia. I had Malacca coffee and Penang Laksa. It was soooo delicious, I totally dig it!
Calanthe Art Cafe, home of Malaysia’s 13 States’ Coffee
13 States’ Coffee, Calanthe Art Cafe
Artsy installations at Calanthe Art Cafe
And more installations! How innovative! Calanthe Art Cafe
Calanthe Laksa, their signature dish, this was suggested by their friendly waiter and OMG its the bomb! I so loved how its spicyness and thickness are just right, the flavor was on point and the curry wasn’t overpowering. I give it a five-stars! Oh the chili was good too!
Since I’m in Melaka of course I chose Melaka coffee. It was a bit weak for me tho, I want my coffee a bit stronger, but I enjoyed it still. Would love to try the rest of the states’ coffee on my next visit.
I walked around the area one last round, and then I headed to the mall to buy some chips and water. I was planning to watch movies that night but they were showing Insidious 3 on HBO so I just slept it off instead. Hahaha.
Day 1 was fun. I was initially scared that I would get lost because I was navigating without a map so I was actually proud of myself that I was able to get to the hotel without wifi or map. Hahaha. I realized too that no matter how you want to go solo or isolate yourself, you hafta interact with others. Since in the morning I was able to interact with everyone in the bus including the driver. Hehe. Its okay to talk to strangers, of course you have to be on your guard, but its actually fun to interact with random strangers. You get to know different kinds of people. One local I talked to even ask for a picture after our small talks.
Spontaneity is good too. Sometimes you don’t need plans, you just hafta go along where your feet leads you. Its God’s reminder that at the end of the day, its not our plans or our will that could be the best for us. But surely when we follow His leading, we could expect for the best!
P.S. Oh yeah, I found the money changer in Jonker Street. Tip: Have enough cash going around, it took me a while finding for the money changer. Hehe.
