Eat. Love. Live.: Melaka Travelogue (Part 1, Day 2)

Part 1: Stadhuys, Jonker Street, Literature Museum (Muzium Sastera), Democracy Government Museum (Muzium Pemerintahan Demokrasi) & Muzium Yang Di-Pertua Negeri
Day 2: Tuesday, 21st May 2013

Familiar? Yeah, it's the Stadhuys! Our first trip in the on a sunny morning. The Stadhuys also known as the Red Square is a historical structure built by the Dutch in the year 1650. It was built on the ruins of the Portuguese fort after the Dutch successfully colonized Malacca in the year 1641. The Dutch ruled for more than 300 years and this red building was the administrative centre of governments. It used to be the office of the Dutch governors and officers. Moreover, it displays the typical features of Dutch colonial architecture.

The taxi fare from Malacca Town to the Stadhuys can cost minimal RM7. However, the Panorama Bus ticket costs RM1.

Description of the Stadhuys outside of the building.

The Stadhuys is now a museum of history, ethnography and literature. Sadly, it is currently under renovation until Febuary 2014. However, I've been in the museum before. They had lots of interesting Dutch artifacts and statues.

The fountain near the red buildings.

The Stadhuys is located in Jalan Gereja, 75050 Melaka. This Dutch heritage is always packed with so many tourists from all over the world. It is one of the main top attractions and one of the most important historical buildings in Malacca.

This is called a trishaw. It is always decorated with colourful decorations and lights. There's loud music on it as well! You can always get on a trishaw ride in Malacca especially if you're nearby any historical buildings or even if you're at any top tourists attraction spots. There are always many trishaws around the Stadhuys area and it brings you to many places. The rental for the trishaw ride is about RM40.00 per hour. Make sure you get on a trishaw when you're visiting Malacca because it'll be a fun experience to explore the main sights of Malacca Town!

This is Christ Church Melaka completed in the year 1753. It is a Dutch heritage which was an 18th century protestant church. It is also has a complete Dutch architecture.

The details of church services

Map to get to Christ Church which is also beside Stadhuys.

Jonker Street is also located in the map.

After we walked around Stadhuys, we crossed a bridge and headed to Jonker Street. Jonker Street is a very famous and attractive Chinatown. It was originally the Chinese culture as well as the Baba Nyonya culture. The street is more happening during Friday, Saturday and Sunday at night because of the night bazaar. Most of things and food being sold are at a cheap and reasonable price. However, it is not quite busy during the day time. In addition, Jonker Street is lined with many souvenir shops and traditional restaurants. The local food here are worth trying! There are many kinds of food stalls and cafes along the way. For example, laksa, cendol and chicken rice ball.

The weather may be quite hot and sunny like how it was when we were there during the day time. So, don't forget to bring your umbrella, use your sunblock or maybe wear a hat! =) Jonker Street is a walking distance from the red buidings. You have to cross the road, walk pass a bridge ( you will see the Melaka River) and you're finally there! The taxi fare from the town itself to Jonker Street is minimal RM7 and the Panorama Bus ticket is only RM1.

We were entering in Jonker Street after crossing the bridge!

Jonker Street was famous before for selling all kinds of antiques materials. Even today, there are still many shops in Jonker that sells antiques. So, antique collectors, you know where to head to. =)

There are also many shops along the way that sells all kinds of souvenirs. You can buy souvenirs like handcraft materials and many others at a reasonable and negotiable price.

This is the Taman Warisan Dunia in Jonker. It is a park where you can take a rest after a long walk of exploring.

A picture of Malaccca's heritage in the park

We got hungry after a long walk. So we stopped by Geographer Cafe for lunch. The food here are at a reasonable price. There's western, italian and local food as well! Do not hesitate to try the food here. This cafe is usually very pack at night.

The inside of Geographer Cafe

Look at that! Isn't it mouth watering? The dish is called Nasi Goreng Kampung which means it is cooked with the Malay style of cooking. It is really spicy and yummy! This dish cost RM12.90.

Taste Better Cafe is located right on the opposite of Geographer Cafe. It has the best durian puffs you've ever tasted! (that is if you do eat durians) Many locals love to eat durians also known as the king of the fruits. It is very creamy and dark yellowish in colour. However, some people dislike this fruit because of the strong smell. The durian puffs has a really soft texture which melts in your mouth when you eat it. This cafe also sells yogurt puffs which has the similar texture as the durian puffs too.

Do you see the yummy durian and yogurt puffs? =) It costs RM2.00 for a piece and RM10.00 for 7 pieces. These puffs are worth trying! I bought 7 pieces and I really had a happy tummy after trying these puffs!

No regrets buying these puffs. I bought 3 yogurt puffs and 2 durian puffs! Yummy!

This is the big stage in Jonker Street. Many events are being held here on this stage especially on Friday, Saturday and Sunday night.

A chinese temple. It has a unique architecture from the Chinese culture.

The entrance of Jonker Walk from the other end.

I bought this hat in one of the souvenir shops. It's pretty isn't it? =)

I got this too! I'm not sure what it's called but it really brings back lots of memories from my childhood years! You have to press out the gum and blow it with the small yellow stick and it starts turning into a big bubble!

Map to get to Jonker Street in Jalan Hang Jebat.

After the long exploring in Jonker Street, we headed to St. Paul's hill. It is not easy to walk up to the top but it's a really good exercise! There are a few museums located on the hill. Not forgetting the ruins of St. Paul's Church and also the A'Famosa Fort.

We were walking up St. Paul's hill.

St. Paul's hill is located right beside of the Stadhuys building.

You can walk here when you're visiting Stadhuys since its a very nearby walking distance.

When we reached on top of the hill, we visited a few museums which are the Literature Museum (Muzium Sastera), Democracy Government Museum (Muzium Pemerintahan Demokrasi) and Governor's Museum (Muzium Yang Di-Pertua Negeri).

The ticket price for all three museums. Very cheap!

Firstly,we visited the Literature Museum (Muzium Sastera). It is located on St. Paul's hill beside the Stadhuys. The museum has interesting facts and records on the Malays history of writing as well as literature. It is open daily from 9am until 5.30pm. Adult price is RM5.00 whereas student and children price is RM2.00.

The museum exhibits many statues of the Malays during the olden days.

Many informative boards about people who wrote literature.

There are many traditional Malay literacy genres like "pantun", "sajak", "puisi" and "gurindam" exhibits in the museum.

Traditional Malay theater art which is known as "Wayang Kulit". These puppets are used in a traditional Malay shadow play about Malay fairytales or myths behind a translucent white cloth or paper.

The traditional musical instruments used by the Malays. Music and dance are a part of the Malaysian culture.

Information about the famous A. Samad Said who is a Malaysian poet and novelist. He had many achievements for literature.

The camera used way back then.

These are copies of original handwritten historical manuscript and research.

Group photo!

(the reason why we all were here is because this area of the building is the most coldest compared to the rest)

Me and my course mates! Foong See Hwa on my left and Sya Osman on my right! =)

The next museum we went to is the Democracy Government Museum (Muzium Pemerintahan Demokrasi). It is located opposite of the Literature Museum. The museum has lots of information and documentation regarding the past and present of Malaysia's democracy government. It is open daily from 9am to 5.30pm as well.

The Democracy Government Museum

The history of the tragedies that happened before and also about communism.

Words of wisdom from wise people.

These are the historical laws of Melaka.

Information on the history of brave Malay men who fought for their own state before Malaysia's independence day.

The pictures of all of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong from past to present.

These are called "keris" and it has a historical legacy. Commonly used by the Malays before.

After that, we went to the Governor's Museum (Muzium Yang Di-Pertua Negeri) which was located beside the Literature Museum. It is open daily from 9am to 5.30pm. The museum exhibits many collections of personal property of every Yang di-Pertua Negeri in Melaka.