With my mouth still burning from red chili crab for dinner and spicy nasi goreng for breakfast, I warned our driver that I may soon be breathing fire as we entered customs on our way into mainland Malaysia, the meeting point of the worlds of the West and East. Just a short drive from Singapore, we passed through customs like a well oiled machine and began our journey to Malacca, a historically important city on the Straits of Malacca. For centuries, dynasties battled for control of this port town, which is evident in the architectural and culinary influence of the Chinese, Indian, Portuguese, Dutch and British throughout the city today. We dropped our bags at the Renaissance Hotel, put on another necessary coat of deodorant and went on a self guided tour of the city. We passed by many hotel recommended restaurants, but instead opted for the Portuguese Settlement--where the locals go! As we stepped out of the cab, a group bombarded our taxi to lure us to dine at their seafood stall. Told by many that Seafood Stall #1 was the place to go, we bypassed the heavy talkers and found a table for 6. The only Europeans in the crowd off 200ish people, many onlookers enjoyed our efforts at ordering in the "you pick it, we'll cook it style". You literally go up and handpick the fish and crab you would like them to cook. Must have been good ones, as we devoured black pepper crab, fried noodles, fresh grilled fish, spicy vegetables and more! Yum and yum!
 |
| Pick your seafood :) |
 |
| Chinese New Year plate |
Anxious to learn more about the history of Malacca, a guide joined us on day two. It is evident that people from countries and religions all over the world have shared this land for centuries. We walked along "Harmony Street" where ancient mosques, temples and churches are within doors of one another. Jonker Street added the colonial character with quaint little shops and narrow alleys. Even government buildings and forts still stood from the Dutch and Portugueuse dating back 500 years. A trip to Malacca isn't complete without a trishaw ride through town. Quite possibly the coolest form of transportation worldwide, the trishaw is a bike taxi decorated with all the junk you could imagine, including techno music pumping at the highest possible volume out the back! What a sight. We finished our day at Bistro 11, enjoying a fusion of Indian and Malaysian cuisine, topped off with a festive Chinese New Year dish to ring in the year of the rabbit.
The following morning we said goodbye to Malacca and started our drive inland. Allowing us to see much more of this beautiful country, we drove through the Titiwangsa Mountains and into the Cameron Highlands. With a much cooler climate than humid Malacca, our main destination were the British influenced tea plantations. With the plantations carpeting the valley and snaking up the mountainside with a mysterious cloud sweeping in, my uncle Tim noted that it felt as if we were walking through a National Geographic article. After a tour of the production factories, we all sat to take in the scenery with a steaming hot cup of BOH tea :) After a long travel day, the comfort of our Cameron Highlands Resort Hotel bath robe was just what I needed.
The following morning we said goodbye to Malacca and started our drive inland. Allowing us to see much more of this beautiful country, we drove through the Titiwangsa Mountains and into the Cameron Highlands. With a much cooler climate than humid Malacca, our main destination were the British influenced tea plantations. With the plantations carpeting the valley and snaking up the mountainside with a mysterious cloud sweeping in, my uncle Tim noted that it felt as if we were walking through a National Geographic article. After a tour of the production factories, we all sat to take in the scenery with a steaming hot cup of BOH tea :) After a long travel day, the comfort of our Cameron Highlands Resort Hotel bath robe was just what I needed.
No comments:
Post a Comment