Melaka Getaway: Celebrating Our Anniversary with Rich Heritage
Hi! I just realized that I've never shared about the beautiful cities of my country. Maybe I see it as my home instead of a "travel" place. Hehe. On our anniversary, we chose Melaka as our travel destination which was first time for my husband. We decided to explore entire Malaysia before resuming our adventures abroad :) As a Malaysian, I'm proud of the uniqueness of my home. Malaysia is a multiracial country with a majority Malay population and a significant 40% Chinese, Indian, and other ethnic communities. The country consists of a diverse array of religions, with Islam being the official religion, alongside Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity, and more.
Despite our diverse cultural and religious backgrounds, we live in harmony, respecting one another while embracing our own identities. This sense of unity was something I fully realized when I lived abroad. Malaysia's uniqueness lies in the fact that some non-Malaysians may find it hard to believe how a multiracial society can coexist without conflict (except for some issues played by the politicians lah).
Well, Melaka is a small state/city located just two hours drive from the capital, KL. Due to its compact size, we could experience the "whole of Malaysia" in one place, or I could say on one street. In Melaka, we can find mosques, Buddhist temples, Hindu temples, and churches all in one area. The true uniqueness of this multicultural harmony didn't fully dawn on me until my husband (as a non-Malaysian) expressed his awe. To me, it had always been the norm, having been born and raised in Malaysia.
Besides the awesomeness of multiracial, Melaka is also a historical state that holds very important historical sites in Malaysia's history. It was a vital trading port for over 600 years, attracting various powers like the Malay Sultanate, Portuguese, Dutch, and British. We explored historical landmarks like A Famosa fortress from the Portuguese era, St. Paul's Hill, and the Dutch-built Stadthuys. The city's cultural diversity is evident in the Baba Nyonya Heritage Museum, showcasing the unique Peranakan culture.
From KL, we took a bus from TBS, and the journey to Melaka Sentral took almost 3 hours due to traffic. Once in Melaka, getting around was convenient with Grab since it's always available and affordable. In the touristy areas, we mostly walked as many of the attractions were within walking distance.
These are the places that we visited. Melaka isn't complete without exploring these must-visit spots:
1) A Famosa - The iconic fortress from the Portuguese era, offering a glimpse into Melaka's colonial history & St. Paul's Hill and Church - A historic hilltop site featuring the ruins of St. Paul's Church, offering panoramic views of the city. These two attractions are located in one area.
2) Stadthuys @ Dutch Square - A prominent red building built by the Dutch, now housing the Melaka Museum and artifacts from the city's history.
3) Jonker Street- A street in Chinatown with a mix of antique shops, local crafts, and street food. (open only on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 6pm to 12 am). Here you can enjoy some street foods, and we were lucky to experience a live cultural festival as well.
 |
| Muah Chee |
4) Next to Jonker Street, you can wander to Jalan Tukang Emas, also known as "Harmony Street," where you can find a mosque (Masjid Kampung Kling), Hindu temple (Sri Poyatha Moorthi Temple), and a Buddhist temple (Cheng Hoon Teng Temple), all literally on the same street.
 |
| Masjid Kampung Kling |
5) Melaka Sultanate Palace Museum (Rumah Kesultanan Melaka): A replica of the original palace, a glimpse into the Malay Sultanate's history and culture.
Comments
Post a Comment