In my 5-hour stay in Melaka, I opted to cross out just a few places that severely interests me, and as recommended by a good friend who went to the place. One of them is this art cafe famous for its cozy, rustic, eclectic ambience -- Baboon House.
The sun outside is frying my innocent subtropical skin. I know i should be used to this heat, given the weather in my country, but this one's so much different. It is hot in Malaysia. Caucasian tourists don't have any problem at all, walking leisurely under the intense UV swords of the sun. They like to have a tan, something they can brag about when coming back to their homeland.
I had to ask for directions from the muslim lady inside the tourist office. She was nice enough to point it outside the window. Turns out it was just the street across the river, probably a 3-minute walk? Beats me.
A mid-twenties blonde lady approached me as I enter the cafe. Being new to the place, she probably sensed that I needed some kind of assistance, and was kind enough to ask me for a seat. I presume that she was the owner - wearing only a faded blouse coupled with a DIY jeans.
"An artist, maybe." I thought.
"We have a couple of tables here at the back. How many seats do you need, my friend?"
"Oh, I'm alone. Just a seat will do."
"Okay, sure." and she smiled.
We skipped from chamber to chamber. The hallways adorned by paintings seem endless. Every room tends to open up to brighter, more spacious rooms, branching out into more passageways (okay i may be exaggerating, i think i only saw 3 or 4 different rooms) until I was led to this open courtyard claimed by different kinds of spatiphyllums and ferns. The air was cool, and the sound of trickling water from a spring beside the table is just what I needed after that walk outside. I sat there, and relaxed my feet for a bit, and ordered something to eat. The next few moments were history.
I felt the need to go inside after a couple of minutes so I sat down into one of the vacant seats (for two) along the wall. I know, I know. It sucks to explore alone, given the propensity to feel the regression brought about by, what else? --no one to share that moment with. But i learned to make ends meet, day after day. Thinking about it makes it worse, so there I sat open for a conversation, hoping someone might be "extrovert" enough to strike a small talk.
No.
Cats would be enough to converse to.
Or a dog, perhaps.
An asian man brought me some water and gave me the menu. I was expecting a traditional type of dish from them but I saw burgers. Not a problem, I thought. I can eat anything here anyway. A lot of friends told me that the food in Melaka is beyond comparison. I gotta try whatever they offer -- after all, the cozy ambience completes everything.
There was this spot that looked really enticing to sit on. I had to wait for these two to leave, so I can have it all by myself.
After they left, my strawberry smoothie is already half empty. I took the chance and scrambled unto one of those wrought iron chairs cushioned by a red pillow. The cool breeze from the opening on top passes through this oasis. It was a perfect spot indeed.
After a few moments, a rogue kitty dared violate my personal space. She purposely sat on one of the chairs I hold most dear. But given my natural inclination to anything feline, my heart raced. I need to keep this beast with me, I thought, even if only for this afternoon.
The food was beyond expectation. I didn't even think I would consume that big of a serving, but I guess expectations don't always line up with the circumstances. It was tasty, and I enjoyed it a lot.
Wrapping up and asking for the bill was not an easy task during that time. If only I could rent or buy the place for myself, I would have done so. But as a tourist, nothing would be more satisfying than bringing a lot of photos and mind bookmarks that you'll surely look back to, even from that brief stay.
