MALACCA (MELAKA) DAY TRIPPER

Welcome to Malacca (Melaka in Bahasa Malaysia), which was known as the "Sleepy Hollow" in the 1950's, 60's and perhaps even the 70's. Today, Malacca is no longer "sleepy" because of rapid economic development. I made a day trip there to show you what Malacca is like today.

Welcome to grid lock in Malacca, a sign of its current development. While taking photos here, I was able to move faster on foot than cars because of the fast-growing vehicle population. 

The biggest pair of clogs I have ever seen is found in Jonker Street, Malacca. 

Want to rent a snake or iguana for whatever? Approach this man near the Stadthuys. 

The surroundings of the Stadthuys have become a playground of sorts with people renting out their snakes or iguanas for tourists to have their photos taken with them. These female Caucasian tourists are thrilled by an albino python.  

This row of beautifully-decorated trishaws awaiting business at the Stadthuys - Malacca is the only place in Malaysia where I have seen trishaw-owners take so much effort to beautify their trishaws.  

Windmill to the World, perhaps symbolic of Malacca's opening up to the World and also to continuous development as Malaysia prospers.  

The Stadthuys, emblem of Dutch rule of Malacca in colonial days, now used for more touristy purposes 

What was office space to the former users of the Stadthuys is now used by such a stall-holder as this to sell stuff to tourists. 

This building houses the Malacca Maritime Museum. The entrance fees enables one to climb onto the replica galleon found within the museum compound as well as have access to the museum itself.

A good feel of the height of one of the three masts found on European galleons. 

A replica of a galleon at the Maritime Museum which the Europeans used to sail to Malacca and other parts of SE Asia. 

The Malacca River on which many Europeans sailed into Malacca in the pre-Colonial days from their galleons and other sailing ships.

The back of a row of pre-War buildings in Tan Cheng Lock Road currently used for chic shops and boutique hotels. The river in the foreground is the Malacca River. This area has tremendous potential for development into something similar to Singapore's Boat/Clarke Quays and Shanghai's Xin Tian Ti. 

Statue of a prancing lion, typical of those standing guard outside Buddhist/Taoist temples. This one is found at a temple opposite Cheng Hoon Teng. See following photos re Cheng Hoon Teng.

Found in the Jonker Street area is this temple, called Cheng Hoon Teng. It was built in 1646 and is the oldest working Buddhist temple in Malaysia, and possibly SE Asia, devoted to the Goddess of Mercy aka Kwan Yin in Buddhism or Taoism. Many people were there to worship and/or implore the Kwan Yin for blessings, good fortune, health, et al.

Devotion to the Kwan Yin aka the Goddess of Mercy is profound. Joss sticks are being offered at an outer altar table in Cheng Hoon Teng.

Devotees offering joss-sticks and flowers at another outer altar table of Cheng Hoon Teng.

Business is brisk for this noodles seller whose stall is strategically located opposite the temple.

St Francis Xavier Catholic Church set up in 1864 - by Catholic missionaries. Next door is the St Francis Xavier Catholic Centre. There are at least two more Catholic churches in Malacca, one of which is the St Paul's Church, of which the church main frame remains today and is no longer used for worship purposes.