Malaysia 2022/23 - #4 - A Day Like Any Other Day (If you are de-I & Wife traveling)

 Today was the most normal day we've had from our travel experience perspective. We've become super comfortable working with the Grab ride share app. We headed into the central and historic part of Melaka. It turns out we are not far at all from the center, maybe 6 kilometers, around 5.5 miles so it is a pretty quick trip. 

Melaka has a fascinating history. It was founded by a Malay king in 1401. It grew to be an important trade center taking advantage of its strategic location on Malacca Straits. Its prosperity was strongly linked to its relationship with Ming Dynasty China. This led to the first wave of Chinese immigrants into the area. Trade brought many other foreign groups to the city, influences which are seen to this day. The city was subsequently conquered and controlled by the Portuguese (for about a century), the Dutch for about two centuries, and finally the British until independence in 1957. Since independence, it has developed a robust economy centered on trade, manufacturing and tourism. It's historical background makes it a unique area to visit.

As we are in this area for a month, we have decided to take it slow with our exploration. Today we were simply walking around town to get our bearings for future trips.

Hello. We are in Melaka

 

The #3's may have left the Netherlands but our heart is still there even in Malaysia.

Dutch Colonial Architecture with a church and administrative building totally at home in Amsterdam, Delft, Utrecht, or the Hague.

 

Monument to Queen Victoria - British Colonial Era

Multi-culturism at its best. The Dutch windmill, sacred cows of the Hindu tradition, Malay Muslim tourists, and a backdrop of Chinese style architecture.

 These cows mean no bull

 Inside the church. Simple but with some nice modern stained glass windows

 Melaka tourism is known for its garish Trishaws

Let's get started going through town

Wife is walking on air, happy we are doing what we love.

 

 Entering what is called Chinatown

 A nice thought - a free public water refilling station.

 Roaming through town

 

 Mexican?

 Street Art

 I know it is pure prawn. But what is it?

 A plethora of Faiths

Chinese Temples

 

A Mosque done in Chinese architecture style

 

 And a Hindu Faith Center

Gastronomy

Nothing quenches thirst better than fresh coconut milk

We had more shopping to do. So we hightailed it back to our local mall.

Hainan Style chicken rice

 SIGNS OF THE WORLD

Melaka is one of the few places where policing is handled by hired tourists

 Not to be out done...the Truth Police