South East Asian Trips

Malacca is a quiet seaside city located on the West Coast of Peninsular Malaysia facing the Straits of Malacca, about 147 km from Kuala Lumpur. Malacca is a wonderful repository of its cultural heritage. Its colonial past is evident in its Portuguese architecture, where as on the streets, Chinese influence is most visible. Most of the businessmen here are Chinese. Over the centuries, the Chinese and local Malay cultures in Malacca intertwined, eventually producing a completely unique society-a mosaic of different cultures.

The city was so coveted by the European powers that the Portuguese writer Barbarosa wrote "Whoever is Lord in Malacca has his hand on the throat of Venice." It was a major port along the spice-route, and its harbor bristled with the sails and masts of Chinese junks and spice-laden vessels from all over the hemisphere. Because the city was originally built of wood, there are no crumbling and stately reminders of the power once wielded by the Malaccan Sultanate, but along shores of the Malacca River the scene has probably changed little.

Portuguese settlement Sloping rooftops of traditional Malay houses still hang over the water, and seem to call out sleepily from the past. The river side is a part of the city that seems to have defied the Portuguese, who captured the city in 1511 and occupied it for well over a century.

The Portuguese influence is visible in the city's architecture. As they did in other colonies, they taxed buildings relative to their width, a policy that accounts for the deceptively thin facades along the colonial streets. A building no more than twelve feet across can easily extend backwards two hundred feet, its hidden interior a linear succession of high-ceilinged rooms and courtyards.

On the streets themselves, however, it is the Chinese influence that is felt most. As they have done for hundreds of years, Chinese merchants advertise the wares inside their shop houses with bright red characters. Open air fruit, vegetable, and fish markets sing with cadences of people bargaining in Mandarin. On the edge of the city is the largest Chinese graveyard outside of China itself, a sprawling zone of fields, trees, and uterus-shaped tombstones. Because of the huge cemetery and the Cheng Hoon Teng Temple (the oldest Chinese temple in Malaysia) there is an entire industry in Malacca that produces goods exclusively for the dead - paper simulacra that families burn as offerings to their lost loved ones. Because the spirits need cash in the next world, piles of multi-colored currency with the word "Hell Note" hang on display in what seems like every other shop. If your ghosts like to travel, you can get them first class tickets on Hell Airlines or, if they are Wall Street types, cellular phones and computers. You can buy a dead person just about anything in Malacca.

Over the centuries, the Chinese and local Malay cultures in Malacca intertwined, eventually producing a completey unique society, the Baba-Nyona. This fascinating microculture reached its height around the turn-of-the-century, and Malacca's Baba-Nyonya Heritiage Museum preserves typical Baba-Nyona household.

History

Malacca rose from a humble fishing village to become a major center of the spice trade forming a vital link between the East and the West. The city was founded in 1400 AD by a fleeing Sumatra Prince, Parameswara. As Malacca was situated at strategically important place- midway along the straits that linked China to India and the Near East-it was perfectly positioned as a center for maritime trade. The city grew rapidly, and within fifty years it became a hub of international commerce, with a population of over 50,000. During this time Islam was introduced in the Malay Peninsula, arriving along with Gujarati traders in Western India.

When the European powers began their colonial quest, Malacca was one of the first cities that caught their attention. The Portuguese under the command of Alfonso de Albuquerque arrived first, taking the city after a sustained bombardment in 1511. The Portuguese were determined to control the East-West trade; so Malacca still retained its importance as a trade center until 1641 when the Portuguese surrendered Malacca to the Dutch. The Dutch who had a stronger foothold over the Indonesia archipelago swung the trade center over to Sumatra. In the meantime, Malacca's trade also declined due to the silting of its port. In 1795, Malacca was given to the British to prevent it form falling in the hands of the French, where the Netherlands was captured during the French Revolution. By the time British took over in 1824, the focus of the trade had shifted from Malacca to Singapore and Penang. Malacca however became the focal point again during the struggle for independence after the Japanese Occupation during the Second World War and the British Colonial period that followed. So when Malaya gained its independence in 1957 it was only fitting that the Declaration of Independence was proclaimed in Malacca, where it all began. In 1989, Malacca was declared as Malaysia's history city.

Climate

Malaysia has a tropical climate. The temperatures are more or less same throughout the year, in the vicinity of 26-27°C. The total rainfall is around 213 cm per year. Humidity is high throughout the year.

Best Time to Visit

The months of January and February have comparatively less rainfall than other months and hence it is the best time to visit Malacca.

Shopping

Malacca is famous for its antiques. Many artifacts and authentic antique items are available at more than 15 antique shops lining the busy streets of Jonker Street, affectionately known as the 'street of antiques' and is well known among the international antique collectors. The street is named Jalan Hang Jebat.

How to Reach Malacca

The airport in Malacca is about 9.5 km north of the town centre, at Batu Berendam, which can accommodate mainly smaller aircrafts.

Traveling by bus is the mode of transportation favored by most people as there are many bus companies making quite a few trips at different times to various destinations in Malaysia every day. It is comparatively cheap too.

If you intend to go by train, then the nearest station is Tampin, about 38 km to the north of Malacca.

Attractions

Baba Nyonya Heritage Museum

The Baba Nyonya Heritage Museum, at Nos.48 and 50, JalanTun Tan Cheng Lock, is the ancestral home of three generations of a Straits-born Chinese Baba family. The building is now converted into a stunning museum that preserves the unique legacy of the Babas.

The Babas combine Chinese and Malay culture, a result of marriages between early Chinese settlers and local Malay women. Over the years, a distinct culture called the Baba Nyonya or Peranakan culture emerged. Guided tours are between 10am-12.30pm and 2pm4pm.

Sound and Light Show

This multimedia show, presented at Padang Pahlwan, Bandar Hilir, brings Malacca's six hundred years of history to life in a vivid sound and light production. The hour-long show is presented at 8.30pm (Bahasa Melayu) and 10.30pm (English). Admission is RM5 for adults and RM3 for children.

Air Keroh Recreational Forest

Fifteen kilometers east of Malacca is Air Keroh, a vast tract of diverse tropical forest with excellent camping facilities, nature trails, and picnic spots. Visitors can lodge in cabins or enjoy a night in a treetop house.

The Malacca Zoo

The open-habitat zoo sprawls over 22 hectares and has been rated as one of the best in Malaysia. It is home to the rare and endangered Sumatran Rhinoceros as well as many other animals indigenous to Southeast Asia.

Reptile Park

Opposite the zoo is the Reptile Park, which houses most of the dozens of species of snakes to be found in Malaysia.

Mini Malaysia

The traditional houses at Mini Malaysia exemplify the architectural styles of each of the thirteen states of Malaysia. Each of the houses was constructed by a master builder and is furnished with elements characteristic of the culture of each state. Attractions include weekly cultural shows and traditional games.

Mini ASEAN

A unique theme park conceived as a summary of the prominent cultural elements of the countries that make up ASEAN (Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines and Brunei).

Butterfly Farm

One of the world's most comprehensive butterfly and insect farms, with well over two hundred local species, including the rare Raja Brooke and Birdwing butterflies. The farm also possesses an extensive collection of insect specimens.

Crocodile Farm

One of the largest crocodile farms in the country. There are more than a hundred species found here, including Albino and humpbacked crocodiles. The farm is landscaped to recreate the reptiles' natural environment. Exciting, suspenseful performances by the keepers and the crocodiles are held every Saturday.

Beaches and Islands around Malacca

Tanjong Kling: 15 km north of Malacca town.
Tanjung Bidara: 35 km north or Malacca town.
Pulau Besar: 4 km from Malacca. To get to the island, take a bus or a taxi to Umbai Jetty. Boats leave hourly to the island. Accommodation is available on the island.