First is a series of views from the old town, China Town...
Saturday, 2 March 2013
The Melaka album - The First Looksi, February February 2013
The first hike around a few blocks....
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| On the Mud of Melaka |
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| Abode for a few Days |
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| Malaka Mud Flats |
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| Oops! |
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| Reclaimed Land |
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| Spinning Platform |
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| Across the rooftops of Melaka |
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| Land Reclomation |
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| Building Blocks |
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| Boat to Sumatra, Indonesia |
An Abortion in Melaka, March 2nd 2013
Mission Aborted but not Mission Impossible.
Today's mission is navigate the local bus network and end up at the Butterfly and Reptilian Centre, several kilometres out of town according to the tourist leaflet.They claim 30 species of Butterflies and the best in reptiles Malaysia has to offer, ok let's check it out. According to blogs on the internet, if the bus is missed, it's around 90 minutes for the next one, if at all. Waiting patiently then, just set back from the bus stand under the shade of a tree. There it is, I grab the bag and run waving at the driver, but to no avail. Bus number 17 sails past, half empty. Since I've already waited 30 minutes, I'm not really in the mood now to Wait for the next one, it won't be around again for another hour according to a local. Mission aborted but not mission impossible, not yet anyway, tomorrow then.
A tour of the town then, well the heritage part anyway. A town of two halves separated by the river - Chinese one side, everyone else the other. Melaka is a UNESCO heritage town and as such the residents are forced to keep it nice and clean, for the hoards of tourists making the journey here, almost like a pilgrimage - mainly from the China-Japan region, with a handful of westerners. This side of the river and it's museums, historic churches and remnants of what once was the town wall and quite well fortified with evidence of a cannon placement - i'm sure it's all original, looks authentic anyway.
Across the river, it's all Chinese, with their shop houses on Jonker Street, with quaint streets leading off - well, they would be quaint if it wasn't for the relentless traffic through the area. It's impossible to capture the old world quaintness without a car in the photograph, even worse a line of traffic, seems a permanent hazard around here if the enthusiastic tourist isn't careful about where they step.
So, the scene is one of traffic choked little streets, with the occasional quiet, and yes, quaint street, just about room for 2 cars to pass. I suspect rat running is a common practise around here! An art gallery, next door is an antique shop, then it's another 2 art and antiques business followed by an art cafe, and so it carries on like this for the most part of this heritage area. The usual tourist tack is available in all shapes and sizes - I suppose someone must be buying this stuff. surprisingly, most of these cafes are closed, opening just at weekends or later in the afternoon according to what's posted on the door anyway. If it wasn't for the traffic then this would be quite a place, something worth shouting about anyway, but still, an interesting hour or two taking in how clean and tidy the place is, and how those antiques will just have to wait until another time.
Back across the river, time to duck out of the heat and duck into some aircon. That's easily achieved, just locate the giant McDonald's sign and there is the entrance to a giant shopping mall, and Starbucks. Starbucks because there's always Wifi free with any coffee, a good place to chill out, absorb the Chinese vibe and wonder how these Chinese school kids can afford such luxury.
It's a town all things to all people, that's how I shall describe it. A cosmopolitan front with the old world charm waiting to be explored. Perhaps that's why Melaka works so well, judging by the hoards of tourists here. Tour groups by the hundreds, mostly Japanese, Koreans and of course Chinese I would guess is the makeup of this vibrant Melee of folk excited to be in Melaka, Malaysia.
Today's mission is navigate the local bus network and end up at the Butterfly and Reptilian Centre, several kilometres out of town according to the tourist leaflet.They claim 30 species of Butterflies and the best in reptiles Malaysia has to offer, ok let's check it out. According to blogs on the internet, if the bus is missed, it's around 90 minutes for the next one, if at all. Waiting patiently then, just set back from the bus stand under the shade of a tree. There it is, I grab the bag and run waving at the driver, but to no avail. Bus number 17 sails past, half empty. Since I've already waited 30 minutes, I'm not really in the mood now to Wait for the next one, it won't be around again for another hour according to a local. Mission aborted but not mission impossible, not yet anyway, tomorrow then.
A tour of the town then, well the heritage part anyway. A town of two halves separated by the river - Chinese one side, everyone else the other. Melaka is a UNESCO heritage town and as such the residents are forced to keep it nice and clean, for the hoards of tourists making the journey here, almost like a pilgrimage - mainly from the China-Japan region, with a handful of westerners. This side of the river and it's museums, historic churches and remnants of what once was the town wall and quite well fortified with evidence of a cannon placement - i'm sure it's all original, looks authentic anyway.
Across the river, it's all Chinese, with their shop houses on Jonker Street, with quaint streets leading off - well, they would be quaint if it wasn't for the relentless traffic through the area. It's impossible to capture the old world quaintness without a car in the photograph, even worse a line of traffic, seems a permanent hazard around here if the enthusiastic tourist isn't careful about where they step.
So, the scene is one of traffic choked little streets, with the occasional quiet, and yes, quaint street, just about room for 2 cars to pass. I suspect rat running is a common practise around here! An art gallery, next door is an antique shop, then it's another 2 art and antiques business followed by an art cafe, and so it carries on like this for the most part of this heritage area. The usual tourist tack is available in all shapes and sizes - I suppose someone must be buying this stuff. surprisingly, most of these cafes are closed, opening just at weekends or later in the afternoon according to what's posted on the door anyway. If it wasn't for the traffic then this would be quite a place, something worth shouting about anyway, but still, an interesting hour or two taking in how clean and tidy the place is, and how those antiques will just have to wait until another time.
Back across the river, time to duck out of the heat and duck into some aircon. That's easily achieved, just locate the giant McDonald's sign and there is the entrance to a giant shopping mall, and Starbucks. Starbucks because there's always Wifi free with any coffee, a good place to chill out, absorb the Chinese vibe and wonder how these Chinese school kids can afford such luxury.
It's a town all things to all people, that's how I shall describe it. A cosmopolitan front with the old world charm waiting to be explored. Perhaps that's why Melaka works so well, judging by the hoards of tourists here. Tour groups by the hundreds, mostly Japanese, Koreans and of course Chinese I would guess is the makeup of this vibrant Melee of folk excited to be in Melaka, Malaysia.
Freaky Backpackers Guesthouse, Melaka March 1st 2013
Base Camp 'Freak'
Bus 17 connects Sentral with the town according to prior research, backed up by station staff. Next, I need to find out where to get off the bus which could be a challenge since I dont have the address of the guesthouse, just a name - Backpackers Freak! Its quite a small town really, so I suppose it won't be too difficult to get off randomly and ask someone. 2 Danish girls are waiting for the same bus and who happen to be going to the same place and they have an address - I'm as good as there already!
22p for the 20 minute journey into Melaka town on bus 17 which is packed to the rafters, mostly locals and a smattering of tourists. Most seem to be getting off here, outside a huge church, landmark number one. There it is, just the otherside of this park, which, incidentally contains an old aeroplane, to be investigated later. Right now, formalities need to be completed at the 'Backpackers Freak Hostel' and let's just hope they have kept me a room. Yes they have thankfully, and it's quite a nice room too. A good fan, comfortable bed and enough space to swing a cat.
He's slightly built, middle aged, moderately tattooed and a couple of teeth missing - Sean, the boss,I would say is just slightly freaky. Actually quite a pleasant chap and very helpful giving advice on what to see, where to get this and that and a few rules are explained - not the place for British, Aussie, European and any other alcoholics, thankfully. A pretty good room then for 28RM per night, about £6. Got on the bus at 8.15am and it's now 5pm, I need to eat.
Eat, then orientation in that order. Sadly, though the first eating place on the Melaka skyline is a McDonald's, prominently situated in front of a shopping mall. No Gunk thank-you, just good local cuisine with local prices, search starts now. It's not long before a street cafe comes into view, just a block away actually. Islamic tends to dominate the food here, so rice and curry with some little pastry snack, similar to a samosa I suppose.
A quick orientation, round the block well, a few blocks since that's the street pattern here. Concrete blocks with streets intersecting one and other with a major flyover inbetween, but at least there is a little architectural style to these blocks, giving the place a degree of character. Quiet around these back streets, not the abundance of cafes experienced in Penang. Heading roughly towards the waterfront since Melaka was, maybe still is, a port of some importance in the past, but nothing around here but smelly mud, and plenty of construction. I would say looking around here that Melaka is expanding, out to sea!
Sun is setting over Melaka, well, over the mud flats. A flyover nearby should provide something of a vantage point since its in-part following the coastline. No beach, actually is pretty an inaccessible place right up to the waters edge with barriers and the edge itself is just blocks of granite stone. Perhaps this whole area is built on reclaimed land then. The flyover is a good place to get those sunset photos across the town and out to sea. The town is drenched in dark golden sunlight, also reflected on some storm clouds in the distance, actually not that far away, better head back to the base camp called 'Freak'.
Sean, the boss of Freak, or should that be 'The Freaky Boss', confirms my earlier supposition that this part of the town is built on reclaimed land and its expansion is still in progress.
Bus 17 connects Sentral with the town according to prior research, backed up by station staff. Next, I need to find out where to get off the bus which could be a challenge since I dont have the address of the guesthouse, just a name - Backpackers Freak! Its quite a small town really, so I suppose it won't be too difficult to get off randomly and ask someone. 2 Danish girls are waiting for the same bus and who happen to be going to the same place and they have an address - I'm as good as there already!
22p for the 20 minute journey into Melaka town on bus 17 which is packed to the rafters, mostly locals and a smattering of tourists. Most seem to be getting off here, outside a huge church, landmark number one. There it is, just the otherside of this park, which, incidentally contains an old aeroplane, to be investigated later. Right now, formalities need to be completed at the 'Backpackers Freak Hostel' and let's just hope they have kept me a room. Yes they have thankfully, and it's quite a nice room too. A good fan, comfortable bed and enough space to swing a cat.
He's slightly built, middle aged, moderately tattooed and a couple of teeth missing - Sean, the boss,I would say is just slightly freaky. Actually quite a pleasant chap and very helpful giving advice on what to see, where to get this and that and a few rules are explained - not the place for British, Aussie, European and any other alcoholics, thankfully. A pretty good room then for 28RM per night, about £6. Got on the bus at 8.15am and it's now 5pm, I need to eat.
Eat, then orientation in that order. Sadly, though the first eating place on the Melaka skyline is a McDonald's, prominently situated in front of a shopping mall. No Gunk thank-you, just good local cuisine with local prices, search starts now. It's not long before a street cafe comes into view, just a block away actually. Islamic tends to dominate the food here, so rice and curry with some little pastry snack, similar to a samosa I suppose.
A quick orientation, round the block well, a few blocks since that's the street pattern here. Concrete blocks with streets intersecting one and other with a major flyover inbetween, but at least there is a little architectural style to these blocks, giving the place a degree of character. Quiet around these back streets, not the abundance of cafes experienced in Penang. Heading roughly towards the waterfront since Melaka was, maybe still is, a port of some importance in the past, but nothing around here but smelly mud, and plenty of construction. I would say looking around here that Melaka is expanding, out to sea!
Sun is setting over Melaka, well, over the mud flats. A flyover nearby should provide something of a vantage point since its in-part following the coastline. No beach, actually is pretty an inaccessible place right up to the waters edge with barriers and the edge itself is just blocks of granite stone. Perhaps this whole area is built on reclaimed land then. The flyover is a good place to get those sunset photos across the town and out to sea. The town is drenched in dark golden sunlight, also reflected on some storm clouds in the distance, actually not that far away, better head back to the base camp called 'Freak'.
Sean, the boss of Freak, or should that be 'The Freaky Boss', confirms my earlier supposition that this part of the town is built on reclaimed land and its expansion is still in progress.
Friday, 1 March 2013
The Malaka Album - Inside Tesco, March 2013
Since I needed to buy some toiletries, and its right next door to Melaka Sentral, then this is a good opportunity to take a look at how Tesco in Malaysia compares to Tesco England. Bigger for starters, huge infact with outlet booths lining the entire length of the place, before even getting to any groceries. Many similarities to their British cousins, especially in layout, but plenty of variation in what's being sold, 4.7 Ringitt = 1 UK Pound. Toiletries, especially antiperspirants and toothpaste are around the same as British prices.
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| Giant Food Court |
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| Playground |
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| Thai, Japanese all the food you could ever want to eat in Tesco |
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| Giant Store |
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| Get your rice |
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| This UHT milk is pricey! |
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| Get youe Samsung Galaxy |
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| The Reductions Counter |
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| Fried Rice and Chicken Takeaway |
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| Get your Squiud Here |
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| Hmm which fish tonight.... |
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| Rice and Noodle Bar |
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| Gunk on Offer |
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| Independent booths in the Lobby |
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