Melaka Off The Beaten Path Tips by bpacker Top 5 Page for this destination

The opposite of the fort wall Fort Wall Review

Here's the view of Porta de Santiago from the back. Like the front, the insignia of the Dutch company, VOC is stamped somewhere on the stone relief. Can you see where it is?

VOC was a powerful Dutch trading company in the 1600's. So powerful was VOC that she was granted a monopoly of trading in the east and allowed to wage wars with foreign princes!

The Stamp of VOC on Porta de Santiago Fort Wall Review

The biggest misnomer in Melaka must be the old fort gate at the bottom of the hill. To set the record straight, it's name is Porta de Santiago and not A'Farmosa as many folks will tell you. A'Formosa referred to an old portuguese fortress at the mouth of the Melakan River which eventually landed into the hands of the Dutch. Upon seizing the fortress, the Dutch put their stamp on Porta de Santiago. Hell yes, their company logo or to be more precise the (Verenigde Oostindische Compagnie) coat of arms above the gates. Can you see it?

VOC was a powerful Dutch trading company in the 1600's. So powerful was VOC that she was granted a monopoly of trading in the east and allowed to wage wars with foreign princes!

Answer: It's on the shield carried by the soldier on your right.

Jonker Street Teems with Life

Jonker Street teems with life at night. Apart from the retail shops and restaurants, there are 'clan associations' which organise all kinds of fun activities for their members. These clan associations grew out of necessity in the old days when there was an influx of Chinese migrants. Here, you see a karaoke session in a clan gathering.

Melaka, Mecca for Artists?

Malacca must be quietly developing a reputation as a mecca for artists as I noted more and more art galleries opening around Jonker Street, the vicinity around Dutch Square and elsewhere. Even within the imposing Stadhuys buildings, there is an art gallery displaying lovely oil paintings.

Melaka's alliance with China Fort Wall Review

A long time ago, even before the Portuguese and the Dutch came to Melaka, Admiral Cheng-Ho, Commander of the Chinese Imperial fleet, arrived in Melaka in 1409. An alliance was forged and Melaka became a protectorate of China . To seal the deal, a Chinese princess was given in marriage to a Melakan Sultan.

The White Staute at St Paul's Church St Francis Xavier. Review

Ever noticed a white statue near St Paul's church in Melaka, Malaysia? Before you think this is the patron saint of the church, let me just say that it's actually the greatest Christian figure in Asia - St Francis Xavier. He died years ago while waiting to enter China but was temporarily buried in Melaka. When it was exhumed to be taken to Goa, it was found to be incorrutible! The Pope canonized Francis in 1622, but only upon the condition that Francis' right arm be brought to Rome. Legend recalled that when the arm was severed, fresh blood flowed out . Years later in Melaka , a marble statue was erected in honour of the saint but its arm went missing in the 1980's. Guess which arm was it?

Where
St Paul's Church, High up on a hill above Chirstchurch

The Stamp of VOC on the Fort Walls Fort Wall Review

Now, you might wonder who was responsible for the vicious war I told you about right? Well, let me just say that the Dutch trading company , the East Indies Company or the Verenigde Oostindische Compagnie (VOC) had a large say in this. At that time, VOC was so powerful that she was allowed to wage wars and to make treaties with foreign princes! So Melaka was no exempt. Here's the VOC insignia, look at it carefully and read on...

Melaka's Dark Past Fort Wall Review

Though Melaka looks like a sleepy little place, her past was full of colour, history and bloodshed. Do you know that in 1600's, the Dutch and Portuguese fought viciously in the area that you see in the picture? 18,000 cannonballs rained on the hill and the fort and somehow the stout fort walls repelled several attacks. In the end, the Dutch chose to starve the people within the walls and more than 7000 people died over here of disease and starvation. Also, there had been accounts of starving mothers who ate their own dead children.

Teh Tarik Competition

This is a once-off competition so it's unlikely you'll see it. But when I was in Melaka, there was a teh-tarik competition and the winner entertained us with some really gravity defying stunts by tossing a milky brown string of tea up and down many times. I'm quite sure whoever drank the tea at the end of the competition would feel giddy.

Where:
Near A'Formosa

Going for a Stimulating Facial

Now if you really want baby-smooth skin, forget about botox and skin-lifts. Just put a thousand and one itchy bees on your face, you'll be younger in a minute. Naw, just kidding, this picture that you see here is actually a quirky ad from the bee museum in Melaka. You can only buy honey there, no face-lifts given. Now, I wonder how that chap in the ad managed to squeeze out a smile from his itchy facial?

Where
Soon Lee B-B Town Sdn Bhd
Lot 561, Batu 5.5, Bukit Katil 75450, Melaka