A riverboat on Melaka river
A former Portuguese, Dutch, and British colony (thanks to its former strategic seaport location), Malacca is Malaysia's historic city. Relatively small and flat, Malacca is easy to explore on foot - many of the attractions are compactly situated in the historic old town where you can find old colonial buildings, churches and forts/ruins. The locals are warm and unassuming. Don't be surprised to find people sitting outside their homes in the cool evenings to chat with neighbors, friends or family members. This laid back, simple lifestyle is what I like most about Malacca.
Above left: St. Francis Xavier Church (built in 1856);
Above right: Dutch-influenced old clock tower in the Stadthuys square
Above: Peranakan (Baba-Nyonya) heritage in a townhouse; Peranakan / Straits-born Chinese are descendants of Chinese merchants who married local Malay women
Above: In the olden days, some Peranakan women would tie their feet so that they would fit into these tiny shoes. Small feet were a sign of beauty in those days.
Above: Petai - a key ingredient in a Peranakan dish
Above left: Starfruits; Above right: A Popiah maker
Above left: Fresh sugarcane juice; Above right: Cendol - a cold traditional dessert made of coconut milk, gula melaka (palm sugar), green gelatin and shaved ice
Above left: Chicken rice balls is a local specialty dish in Malacca;
Above right: Rojak (foreground) and Popiah (background) - street food of Malaysia
Above left: More local fare; Above right: Peranakan food
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