Some people say, in travel, the first 24 hours will mark the tone of how your trip will be.
Is that true?
Day 1
8am
Arrived at the Brunei International Airport.
Breaking into my AWESOME 44L Military Cabinzero. I have to say at first when I received it, I was skeptical. I am used to my Karrimor, with all the compartments, and fancy features. But boy was I wrong!
This bag was really amazing! It simplified my travel, was sturdy but ultra light, and best of all was cabin sized so I never had to check in any luggage!
I could fit all my clothes, all my toiletries, all my makeup, my brushes, my bag of chargers and everything I need for 7 days of travel (plus extra space for my Uniqlo shopping too!).
930am
Left Brunei via Royal Brunei! I can see my office!
I love the timing of this flight. Arrived at 12pm and just in time to explore!
12pm
Or in my case, drive to Melaka!
Here we are in Dahlia’s car. (WHY DID WE FORGET TO TAKE GROUP PHOTO?)
Dahlia is a friend I met during SSEAYP in 2008. Been to KL many times, but since I always come impromptu or for transits, we never got the chance to do an overnight roadtrip. This is the first time we ever went somewhere really far together and I daresay this won’t be the last!
1pm
Lunchtime!!! On the way to Melaka, we dropped by Negeri Sembilan (N9).
Best part of travelling with a local is that we get to try local haunts! Dropped by Aunty Aini’s Garden Cafe, which is known for their local dishes in the style of Negeri Sembilan.
According to this article, Anthony Bourdain has actually been here! Haha.
Negeri Sembilan’s food is known for being creamy and spicy – one signature dish is the daging salai masak lemak cili api.
We had: kuih keria, daging salai masak lemak cili api, kailan ikan masin, sotong goreng kunyit, udang masak sambal petai and the telur itik masak lemak cili api.
NYAMAN! All the food were balanced, bursting with flavours, spicy but not overly spicy, and all around very sedap.
For dessert:
Tapai Pulut with Vanilla Icecream!
OMG.It’s true what people say, keep cool after eating tapai (jangan bejamur karang mabuk)..
I definitely became mabuk cause immediately after, I felt so dizzy and 30 minutes after that dessert, VOMITED IN A PLASTIC BAG INSIDE A MOVING CAR!!! Hahahahahahahahah!!!
Oh dear. Luckilly an R&R was nearby so we stopped to freshen up. Immediately after, I felt well again.
So heed elders advice. LOL.
5pm
Arrived in Melaka! Checked into The Baba House, on Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock, just parallel to Jonker Walk. ❤
I love the vintage, baba nyonya charm of the place.
More importantly we love the location. Definitely a good choice as it was walking distance from all the main attractions in Melaka!
6pm
It’s chendol time.
This chendol is located near the big tower clock and the fountain. It was ok but very refreshing on a hot day like this!
630pm
Then off we went to explore Jonker Walk.
Things like antiques, food, durian puffs, beca and aunties karaokeing! It’s like… Portobello Road – anything and everything a chap can unload is sold off a barrow in Portobello Road.
9pm
It’s dinner time. And when in Melaka, you eat ASAM PEDAS.
Highly recommended was this place right in front of Casa Del Rio called Hajjah Mona Asam Pedas. Value eats! For RM5 u get a big plate of rice, ikan kembung asam pedas, telur masin and taugeh!
Also cause there was a satay cart, we can’t resist!
Sedap and so cheap!
Dahlia mentioned that her Melaka uncle said here the asam pedas is really close to the authentic Melaka asam pedas.
10pm
Back to the hotel to recharge for the next day!
Day 2
9am
Check out from The Baba House and left our stuff at the hotel.
915am
A hunt for breakfast down on Jonker Walk can turn up so many awesome finds. #distracted
10am
Stop at Mamee Jonker House!
Who doesn’t love Mamee Monster!!!
We enjoyed our time at the Mamee Museum and to our delight theres also a cafe at the back serving yummy food!
They serve really nice chendol gula melaka! Nyaman!
So enjoy here!
11am onwards
After breakfast we managed to visit these monuments:
Malacca Port
Tourists on the loose.
Flor Del Mar
According to Wikipedia:
Flor Del Mar was a Portuguese nau (carrack) of 400 tons, which over nine years participated in decisive events in the Indian Ocean until her sinking in November 1511. Nobleman Afonso de Albuquerque was returning from the conquest of Malacca, bringing with him a large treasure trove for the Portuguese king, when the ship was lost off the coast of Sumatra.
So interesting! Read here.
Sungai Melaka
Cruise down Sungai Melaka down the city
This is when we saw many interesting sights.
A Famosa
A Famosa was a Portuguese fortress located in Malacca, Malaysia. It is among the oldest surviving European architectural remains in south east Asia. The Porta de Santiago, a small gate house, is the only part of the fortress which still remains today.
(Source)
Independence Memorial
Ok by this time it was like 1pm and SO FREAKING panas berabis so we decided to go back to the car and leave for KL. But first:
Lunch at Jom Coffee
We badly needed airconditioning so we simply went inside the mall infront of the Independence Memorial and had a meal at Jom Coffee.
2pm
Headed back to KL, but first, we dropped by the Freeport A’Famosa Outlet.
3pm
No it’s not burnt cendol but actually Bakar is the name of the person who made the cendol. Haha saspen! All the same we enjoyed lovely R&R here perfect before our trip back to KL.
8pm
Arrived back in Kuala Lumpur at 8pm and believe it or not, after all the food we ate that day, we were famished! So guess what we did. Yes. Dropped by Publika to EAT.
Eat we did at Ben’s General Food Store. So fun! We get to choose our meats from the butcher and the restaurant actually grills them for u. NYAMAN!
Also we saw Mira Filzah shopping for groceries – she must be staying around the area.
10pm
The night ended at Dahlia’s house. I slept like a baby after taking this panoramic view outside her apartment window. Haha!
Further reading (HAHA):
Next post: PENANG!!!
iammaurina 