Melaka, the historical city

Here, i' m not going to share the historical background of Malacca (coz my history subject is poor), but there are some important landmarks we must visit in Melaka. A'Famosa is one of them. A Famosa, is part of a fortress built encircling the base of St. Paul's hill by the Portuguese in 1511. The gate is called Porta de Santiago.

Another landmark is the oldest protestant church in Malaysia named Christ Church. It constructed in magnificent Dutch wooden architecture.

Nearby Christ Church is the Stadthuys which was built in 1650 with unique Dutch mansonry and architectural skills. The salmon colour building of Dutch architecture is believed to be the oldest Dutch building in the East (circa 1641 and 1660). Now, they operate it as Historical and Ethnography Museum.

Within the square, there are the Queen Victoria's fountain built in 1901 and the Melaka Clock Tower built in 1886. You can experience the trisaw adventure by hire a trisaw to tour around the Melacca city or some of the main tourist attractions. Model train in the park. Erm....i am strong enough to move the train by myself.
Enjoy a panoramic view from the 110m of Taming Sari tower. This tower was designed base on the lagendary of Taming Keris, and built by Swiss technology at the total cost of RM23mil. This fully air-conditioned observation cabin provides 360 degree view of the entire historical areas in Melaka city. It revolves as it rises from ground level to the top of the tower. Each viewing session would last 7 minutes. We are so excited when it revolves as it rises from ground level to the top of the tower. We saw Melacca straits, St.Paul's peaks, Stadhubys, Dataran Pahlawan and other heritage buildings clearly. Of course, we are also busy taking photos.Photo of Maritime Museum taken from Taming Sari Revolving cabin.

Hahaa...is time to talk about food.! My favourite topic.

Our first stop in Melaka, no other places than Hoe Kee Chicken Rice Shop. This shop is established in year 1962 and highly recommended by the locals and even featured on TV as "The Best Chicken Rice Shop". The chicken rice balls make in golf ball sized are cooked in butter and ginger to go with steamed chicken. The meat is tender and easy to chew.

I understand from an old lady, also the founder of the shop that they have to wake up around 3am everyday to prepare the ingredients. Instead of using machine, they use hands to make the rice balls while the rice is still hot.

Six of us ordered chicken rice balls, steamed chicken, mixed vegetable and drinks cost around RM50.20.

Besides the famous Melaka chicken rice, nyonya food is also in my "must eat" list. Nyonya food contains many of the traditional ingredients of Chinese food and Malay spices and herbs. Nyonya cooking is not only about the blending of pungent roots but also the long marinating of meats and seafood before it is cooked.

Chicken Pong Teh is cooked with preserved soy beans [Miso], dark soy sauce, sugar and other ingredients.

Otak-otak, a popular blend of fish, coconut milk, chilli paste, galangal, and herbs wrapped in a banana leaf.

After a long walk under the hot sun, it's time to get something icy to quench my thirst. This is it-- Cendol, a green jelly-like dessert, mix with smooth blended ice and melting brown sugar is one of the best desserts in Melaka.

You can find this famous shop at the Jonker Street. Now they even have the invented cendol with durian or manggo. Look at the menu below and select your preference. Price from RM4.00 onwards.

I have tried Baba Chendol, EPC Eight Precious Chendol and Baba Durian Chendol. I like gula melaka, so that the lady is kind to add on more for me. Yummy!... ...Besides Jonker Street, you can find Chendol in Tan Kim Hock center. This is a durian chendol. Malacca is well-known for its baba & nyonya style spicy cooking which normally gets served with rich coconut milk. Nyonya food is in a unique gastronomic realm all of it's own - with specific and subtle nuances of tastes and flavors. The food is tangy, aromatic, spicy and herbal.

The best nyonya food in town- Nyonya Makko Restaurant serves a wide varieties of baba-nyonya food. The price is reasonable.

Among the famous nyonya specialties are Ayam Pong Teh, Ayam Buah Keluak, Itik tim soup and Lemak Nenas Udang, steamed ladies fingers with sambal belacan etc. I forgot to snap a close shot of chicken Pong Teh.

(i) Lemak Nanas Udang (ii) Ayam Buah Keluak - a distinctive dish combining chicken pieces with nuts from the Pangium edule or kepayang tree to produce a rich sauce. Not forgetting the cendol, a kind a pandan flavoured jelly served in coconut milk and gula melaka (palm sugar). Yummy!..... i like it very much. Must eat!

Pic below : Tai Bak Ice -A Nyonya dessert in danger of extinction is like a sweet noodle made of rice, tapioca and wheat flour shaped comes in pink and white served with ice and light syrup.

Jonker Street is basically a flea market with a Malaccan Cultural flavor. There are many stalls and shops set up along the street of Hang Jebat which selling curios, antique, souvenirs and so on. There are also many events and cultural shows being held on the street during weekends.

Walking along the street, you will discover a lot of shops and stalls which selling souvenirs with reasonable price. If you are tire of walking, make a stop at Stall 88, quench your thirst with a bowl of Melaka Cendol.

Zheng He Tea House - It is a typical olden days Chinese house with an open air courtyard in the middle.

Pic below: Sotong bakar in Jonker street.

We saw this shop selling wooden boat. The price is reasoble. I bought 5 units for my event.
When the night dawn, the Jonker street gives a different feel. The main attraction is the unique lightings and decorations. At night, you will see some of the societies offered diferent entertainments to the elderly such as line dancing and karaoke.

Melaka is a good place for holiday!