Beauty in Simplicity — Malacca is definitely my type of city
“Our aim is to create a Malacca 2.0, a historical cultural city of Malaysia to strengthen their cultural norms and develop the city towards industrial revolution 4.0” — said my fellows in CIMB Young ASEAN Leaders 2018, working towards a sustainable, livable, digital smart Malacca city.
April 12, 2019, waking up at 4am, taking Grab from Kolej Ibu Zain, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia to Terminal Bersepadu Selatan (Bus Station) and riding bus for two hours and 15 minutes to Malacca city, Malaysia. Twelve hours in Malacca is one of the best trips I have been introduced to, and here’s why:
Porta de Santiago, known as A Famosa Fort, is one of the most well-known historical tourism sites in Malacca city, Malaysia. Walking toward the main entrance of A Famosa and continue climbing up the stairs for approximately 15 minutes, tourists can savor the view of another historical building, known as St. Paul’s Church.
Simple yet stunning, St. Paul’s is a historical church built in 1521, stands tall above the hill with its unique breath-breaking view and awe-inspiring souvenir displays. Just like my first flight to Malaysia in 2016, a sponsored trip resulted from achieving the first place in annual public speaking contest in my English school, this place never fails to impress me. Its beautiful hard-bricked, non-ceiling building, along with the unique sculptures displayed inside the whole graveyard, makes visitors curious about how this historical place was built up. The armless statue, standing tall gloriously at the main entrance to the church, welcoming all visitors to enjoy the scene and learning the history. If you take closer look into the picture, the Christ sign was designed above the bricked entrance, showing the belief in Christianity, in combination with armless statue at the main entrance.
Seems quiet, but the statue does not simply stand alone. If you walk down from the stair in front of the statue, you will be amazed with how exquisite souvenirs are neatly displayed; all depicts Malaysian culture of attire and landmark. One of the most interesting things around the church was the picturesque art masterpiece made by a man who sat around and drew the surrounding scene. Continue walking along the small pavement, tourists will get to Stadthuys, the oldest surviving Dutch building in the East, which is nearby the Christ Church Melaka built in 1753.
Christ Church Melaka is believed to be the most popular tourist attraction in Melacca city. Surrounded by several souvenir stores, tourists can enjoy the variety of T-shirts designed and written as “Made in Melaka”; hats, blouse, pants, bag and else — you name it. Around the area, you can simply find “I LOVE MELAKA” statue, the tall-standing clocks and parks; all in one Dutch Square, and cyclo couple ride which is designed for tourists; specifically couples, for Melaka sightseeing.
Although I have been talking mostly about churches and Dutch Square, Malacca city is actually more than that. Approximately 200 meters from the square, Melaka Folks Art Gallery is a free-entry gallery which contains marvelous paintings, most of which depicts the whole Malacca city and traditional costumes of Malaysians with head-scarf, Hijab. The painting of river with Chan Boon Cheng bridge exhibited in the museum reminded me of Pierre Auguste Renoir’s La Grenouillere masterpiece; one of my research during my freshman year in Arts, History and Design class regarding Impressionism Arts in western culture.
In today’s world, boats are upgraded to cruises, and tourists can definitely try Malacca river cruise which lasts for approximately 40 minutes.
What surprised me the most was the fact that the city is able to maintain its diversity of cultures, in which you can simply see China’s and Malaysia’s flags together and written as “Malaysia-China’s 45th Diplomatic Anniversary”.
We walked and walked, from one street to another, and scene is strikingly attractive and fabulous. We entered Chinese temples around town — Cheng Hoon Temple and Guan Ying Temple — and were introduced to many interesting Chinese traditional crafts, including but not limited to, Buddhist string of fortune, key chains and necklaces, and were gifted with stunning hand-laces which are believed to ensure safety and luck.
All pedestrian walks are filled with variety of shops which mostly sell authentic Chinese-Malaysian tastes. I have tried Durian Cendol in one shop in the afternoon, in which sellers are true Chinese who barely use a single word of English to customers; ABC Ice Kacang in an Indian-Malaysian cart — a cart in front of Dutch Square and open only in the afternoon — and Asam Laksa in one Chinese Restaurant for dinner. Speaking out of my utmost sincerity, this is the best Laksa I have ever tasted since I came to Malaysia.
It’s all night; the sky slowly began to lose its light and it’s time for night market to begin its mission. Asam Laksa that I tasted was sold in Jonker Street, well-known for night market and street foods, with the superb scenery. If you ever drop a visit at Malacca, it is highly recommended to wait until night time for Jonker Street Foods, especially Asam Laksa and Asam Pedas Ikan Pari with Rice — another food recommended by my Malaysian friend but I unfortunately did not have an opportunity to try.
Time passes, memories stay. Thank you my Thai, Filipino, Laos and Burmese friends — Namtan, Edmar, Kee, Ye Ye and Myat, for accompanying me throughout the trip.
[Side Note]: This article was retrieved from my previous blog website which was hacked. The content was all originally mine.
