Update 7 - Malacca

Malacca was founded by a fleeing prince from Sumatra in the 14th century, it developed into a major trading port for ships from India and China. As the Melaka Sultanate flourished, the Portuguese conquered Malacca in 1511. Later the Dutch took over in 1641 and then the British Empire ruled Malacca from 1824 with an interlude whilst the Japanese took control between 1942-46. The state finally obtained independence with the then "Malaya states" in 1957.

Malacca is situated roughly two-thirds of the way down the West coast, 168 km south of Kuala Lumpur and 245 km north of Singapore and commands a central position on the Straits of Malacca.

Malacca has a population of less than 1M comprising of Malays (57%), Chinese (32%), Indians, Kristang (with Portuguese ancestry) and Dutch Eurasians.

There were many Dutch tourists there when we visited and it certainly felt more Dutch in the town square where the buildings are ochre in colour, favoured by the Dutch at that time.

 

 

 Background info - click to enlarge

We left KL for Malacca at 9am and returned at 9pm. Once again David Marshal guided us and on this trip we were joined by 2 Indonesian Liverpool fans from Jakarta – I tried to convert them, but there was little hope as they had already been possessed. As soon as we broke free of KL, for the rest of the journey the motorway was lined with Palms, planted and farmed over the past 35 years for its products such as bio-fuels. It looked like a massive natural and exotic jungle – we also observed it when we flew in to KLIA.

Jungles of Enormous Palm tree farms

 

 As far as the eye can see - a very lucrative business!

 Coming into Malacca we stopped off at St. Peters church, the oldest Catholic Church in Malaysia built in 1710 and perfectly preserved

 

We visited the Kings Well - click to enlarge

 We had lunch in Restoran Peranakan

 

Customers spot the mirror configuration

We visited some Taoist & Buddhist temples, Mosques and churches! 
No room for a shopping centre here - let's hope it stays that way!

Chinese Temple - everything was shipped from China

We walked along Jonker St home of many antique shops where not unsurprisingly we found most of the Dutch tourists.

We walked around a replica ship of the Kapal Flor De La Mar

Some history - click to enlarge

Remains of Ancient Fortress of Malacca built by Alfonso D’Alboquerque and Him Named in 1511 

Independence Museum

It was a lot hotter in Melacca than KL, but we spent a great day there and it's a very well preserved historic town. If you happen to visit KL do not miss a visit here!