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It’s in your DNA30.07.10
Oh yes it is.
The results are quite insightful. I didn’t realise I cared so much about authority ^_o On the other hand, I scored least on extroversion, masculinity, and femininity – which essentially makes me a jellyfish!
Melaka11.09.09
Located approximately 140kms south of Kuala Lumpur (KL), and off the west coast of Malaysia, lies a small town characterized by history and old charm – Melaka (a.k.a Malacca). Quaint yet lively, Melaka offers itself as a colorful town; rich in heritage with a blend of diverse cultures.
In modern days Melaka is home to many Malays, Indians, and Chinese of whom are predominantly Hokkien and Mandarin dialect. The architecture around the town tell tales of the historical shaping of Melaka – from Chinese settlement, as seen in the distinct dwellings around Jonkers Street, to European colonisation, whose architectural landmarks still stand erect around town.
Getting there
To get a bus from Kuala Lumpur to Melaka, you need to purchase tickets from the Puduraya bus station, which is the main bus terminus in KL. Busses run frequently from 30 minutes to an hour, depending on the bus company. However, buying your tickets can be a daunting experience, especially if you’re not familiar with the KL environment. My first impression of the place was chaos & confusion!
Puduraya is located about 5 minutes walking distance from Chinatown. It’s a hot, crowded and fairly chaotic place. All tickets are sold from booths representing the bus company. A word of advice is to stay away from ticket touts and buy your tickets from the booths instead. And whenever in crowded places, up your guard a bit more to watch out for pickpocketers who often like to operate in crowded places.
I bought my tickets from Transnational Bus Company. The ticket counter is located further away from the other ticket booths, and it is much larger. I read that this is a more reputable bus company, hence went with them. I believe KKKL are a decent company too. Whichever bus company you decide to go with, just make sure it’s reliable and preferably air conditioned for comfort. My one-way ticket to Melaka cost RM12.80, with the earliest available bus departing at 8 A.M.
Busses leave from numbered platforms. I had to check the notice board for the departure platform around 15 minutes before departure. I’m not sure if they all work this way, but it doesn’t hurt to get to the station a little earlier on the day to check the board and confirm your departure platform.
The bus ride from KL to Melaka is a 2 hour journey. The bus will stop at Melaka Central – which is the bus terminal at Melaka. From there you have two choices to get to town:
- Take a cab to town
The taxis have no meter, so try to agree on a price with the driver beforehand, otherwise they’ll charge you a higher fare. It shouldn’t cost more than RM10. - Take a town bus into town
Bus No. 17 will take you straight into the heart of town. Costs RM1.20. It will do a round-trip around the town of Melaka and then return to the bus terminal, so don’t worry if you miss a stop, or are afraid of getting lost. The first stop into town is just at the main intersection, in front of Christ Church, a big red church – you can’t miss it.
Once you get off the bus, you’re free to roam at your own will. Many attractions are within walking distance and are free of charge, while some will charge an entrance fee. You can get further information from the tourist information center which is located on the first level inside a mosque across from Christ Church.
Places to go
- Jonker street
- Jonker street night market (Fri – Sun nights)
- A Famosa Fort (Porta De Santiago)
- Stadhuys
- Bukit Chia
- Portugese Square
Things to buy
- Hand-made wooden clogs (look for hand-painted clogs as this is slowly becoming a lost art)
- Hand crafted goods – jewellery, bags
- Replica clothing – shoes, tops (if you’re inclined to shop that way)
Foods to try
- Pineapple tarts
- Chicken rice ball
- Glutinous rice dumplings (Zhongzi)
- Soy bean pudding (Tau Foo Fah)
- Fried oyster omelette
18:07:200918.07.09
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