Travel-Melaka, Malaysia

The third smallest state in Malaysia is called Melaka which reminds me of the movie “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” with Chevy Chase.  Why you say?  Well, when I hear someone say Melaka, it makes me think of the song “Mele Kalikimaka” pronounced meh-leh kah-lee-kee-mah-kah which means Merry Christmas in Hawaiian!  There’s a famous scene in “Christmas Vacation” set to this song’s tune.  One of the best scenes in any movie by far, according to most men, haha!  So when my husband and I decided to take a two-day trip to Melaka Town, I realized it was as far away from America, as I have felt yet.  I’m not sure if it was when we were served “Chicken Feet Soup” with an entire chicken foot resting graciously in the bottom of our soup bowls or when we were invited into a couple’s home on the main street of Melaka Town only after meeting them 5 minutes earlier…but it was an experience.  Now KL has some of the same idiosyncrasies but you have to go looking for them behind the well-placed surroundings mimicking an American-city.  In Melaka, they are right out there in front of you waiting for you to experience, or not experience, as in my encounter with the chicken foot.

When we booked our reservations, we found the nicest hotel in Melaka, which isn’t saying much as you only have a few choices of hotels.  But it sounded fabulous nonetheless…hey, it was called Majestic.  Built in 1920, the Majestic was originally a wealthy businessman’s mansion that has since been converted into a hotel.  Within the main house lies a bar, two parlor rooms, the main kitchen and a restaurant which covers the entire second floor.  The hotel rooms are actually located in a tall 15-story tower behind the mansion, although from the outsider’s view, it all looks to be connected somehow.

After settling down from our drive, we were contacted by the concierge that explained a complimentary tour of Melaka would commence at 5 PM if we were so inclined.  We graciously accepted the offer to later find we were actually signing on for a personalized walking tour of the entire town!  At first, we went along with it not as interested, as we smiled and discussed the history of the town with our tour guide.  But as the tour continued, we realized what a real treat we were in for…our tour guide MADE our trip to Melaka!  Seriously, I doubt our trip would have been as nice without his gracious company and strong knowledge of the town.  We saw, experienced and learned more about the town than we would have without him.  A native Melakan, he has lived and traveled all over the world but decided to come back to his home town to teach tourists more about what it has to offer.  Here are some of the things we saw along the way…

Fun Fact…did you know that the movie Entrapment was actually filmed in Melaka?

Yes, that’s a ferris wheel!  They are trying to build up the area and draw new crowds.  It wasn’t up and running yet, but it looks pretty promising.

One thing that Melaka is known for is its antique shops…check out all of these old treasures!

Down the street ride groups of rickshaws each decorated elaborately but in their own special way.  One such rickshaw we saw was covered with Barbie dolls!

We continued our tour down Jonkers street to where the night market was setting up to be held that evening.  We decided to stop for a refreshment after a long day!

After the night market started, we walked up and down to view the stalls in action.  Here these guys were making Octopus Balls…yeah, I think I will have to pass.

We continued through the night market and saw a show along the way.  All in all, it was a nice visit to Melaka…only a couple hours drive from KL.

Now some dinner before we head back to Kuala Lumpur.  My husband wanted to stop and try some of the local cuisine…I sure have become adventurous when it comes to food out here.  These are chicken balls?!

And there it is…our day ended with a chicken foot!

Check out the video below.  Mele Kalikimaka!  Only 191 days until Christmas!!!