Visit to Malacca - Part 2

Malacca visit (12-15 February 2012) continued...

On 14 Feb (Tuesday) we went to see the tourist attractions in Malacca City. Our first stop: Menara Taming Sari. This proved to be an excellent move because we could practically cover all of the attractions very easily :-) There is ample parking here (but make sure you buy the parking coupons - we were caught unaware and got a compound for it :-(!). Firstly, we went up the revolving tower to get a bird's-eye panaromic view of Malacca. Ticket price (With MyKad): RM10 (adults), RM8 (senior citizens) and RM5 (Children aged 2-12). Then we took the boys on a trishaw ride (RM20 for half an hour). This is really an excellent way to see the famous historical buildings which are actually all nearby. We were taken to the A'Famosa, then to Christ Church. At both places we got down to take photos. Then we passed by the Navy and Maritime museums en route back to Menara Taming Sari. Trishaw ride experience for the boys, no need to walk much, and no hassle trying to look for parking! Perfect especially when you bring kids :-)


[View from the revolving tower]


[At A'Famosa]


[At Christ Church]

We got back in time to go on the Duck Tour (adult RM38; senior citizen RM27; children 2-12 yrs RM22). This is a ride on an amphibious vehicle. It takes you through a new part of Malacca City then into the sea and back to the departure point. Julian was awed when the 'truck' drove into the sea :-) Justin enjoyed the 'boat ride' in the sea but was oblivious to the 'uniqueness' of the vehicle we were travelling in. It was an interesting experience. The only problem we found was that the commentary by the guide was done in Mandarin. We're not sure if that's because all the passengers were Chinese (only us and another couple).


[Front view of the amphibious vehicle]


[Aboard the Duck]


[Moving from land to sea]

After the Duck Tour, we went to Jonker Street for lunch. We wanted to introduce the boys to the famous chicken rice balls. They weren't particularly interested in them... and did not quite favour the taste. After lunch we took a drive to the Portuguese Settlement, while the boys took their afternoon nap in the car. Then we headed to Ayer Keroh again because we had forgotten to check out the bullock cart ride the previous day. Unfortunately, the rides are only held on weekends and public holidays so the boys could not have that experience. From there we headed back to the apartment, stopping at a stall on the way to buy some local products. That evening, the boys went for a splash at the apartment swimming pool. Dinner was at yet another Malay eatery.


[Splashing in the pool]


[The fountain at the pool was a big hit!]

On 15 Feb (Wednesday) we left Malacca. We began our journey at about 10am. On the way, we stopped at the Turtle Information Centre in Padang Kemuning. Part of the centre is under renovation, but we got to see several hawksbill turtles and green turtles. There were also baby turtles. All the turtles we saw are kept at the centre for research and educational purposes. There were no turtle nesting/hatching/releases as it was not the season. After the Turtle centre, we took a longer than expected drive to Tanjung Tuan to see the lighthouse (Julian had been reading a story that featured a lighthouse). When we arrived, Justin was sleeping so only Julian went to see the lighthouse. Then it was lunch at a Chinese restaurant on the outskirts of Port Dickson before finally entering the highway. We stopped to stretch and have tea at Sungai Buluh, then headed straight back to Menglembu. We travelled back to Penang on 16 Feb.


[Watching the turtles]


[Baby turtles]


[Julian at the Tanjung Tuan Lighthouse]

It was a good holiday. When we asked the boys what they did in Malacca, their answers without hesitation were 'swimming pool' and 'beach'! To think we drove all those kilometres, and the highlight for them was something we could easily find in our own backyard! Well, I guess that's what they enjoyed (and remember) the most :-) And that's why we took photos as proof (in the future) that we've taken them on a holiday to Malacca!