Melaka October 2007

Melaka is one of the smallest states in Malaysia, and it has been listed as Unesco World Heritage Site in 2008. Melaka used to be one of the most important port in the world many years ago because of it's strategic location in the Straits of Melaka. It is the home to the early Malay Sultanates and the 'Peranakan' ( Chinese who married to Malays ) and it is rich with cultural heritage, proud traditions and the mixed ethnic community. During many years back Melaka had been colonized by the Portuguese, the Dutch and the British. For many years Melaka has always been one of the favorite destination for the international visitors and the locals too.

We love this picture and it always makes us smile by looking at it! That is me, my niece Liyana, my nephew Zikri and our little friend Juju the cheeky mouse! Without any hesitation wifey, me, my sister and her two lovely kids and my respectful brother in law hit the highway and drove straight to the historical state Melaka to travel back through time and learn a bit about it's history. It took about 2-3 hours drive from Kuala Lumpur to get there.

A Famosa fortress. Me try to absorb all the 'aura' of the surrounding area. The fortress was built by the Portuguese in 1511 and it is one of the oldest European architectures that still remains in Asia.

My sister and her lovely kids with me and Tine........

The infamous Melaka decorated 'trishaw' ( rickshaw )whatever people want to call it. it is fun and colorful. Love it!!!

This is a replica of one of the Portuguese ships in the 1500. I think it becomes a mini photo museum now.

The Christ Church Melaka is a Protestant church built by the Dutch around 1700. So colonial and kinda eerie because of it's red painted color.

This is an open Malaysian style food court consisting of many different type of small restaurants that served colorful, rich with flavor, delicious meals with very reasonable price. Most of the restaurants served authentic Malay, Chinese, Indian food. It is situated just 20 minutes drive from the center of Melaka Town.

Good food and nice view. It cannot be better than that!

Me and my sister bargaining the price of the fresh fishes that going to be serve on the dinner table.