Malacca, Malaysia Part 1

Malacca (Malay: Melaka)  is the capital of the state of Malacca, on the west coast of peninsular Malaysia. Visiting Malacca is a unique experience with a rich historical and cultural background from previous Portuguese, Dutch and British rule. The city centre was listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in July 2008, along with Georgetown, Penang.  – SOURCE

I\’ve made this day trip to Malacca because if I waited for a friend to plan a trip there it will take forever. So another solo trip for the lakwatsera in me. 
I can\’t pursue an overnight trip because I don\’t have a few days off from work. In my mind if I don\’t do it now, I won\’t be seeing Malacca in the next few years. So I booked a ticket online via easibook costs 45 SGD (2 way ticket). From Everton Park, I hailed a cab going to Golden Mile Complex in Beach Road. My bus going to Malaysia was Sri Maju. The ride was a pleasant one. A/C is working fine, reclining seats are comfortable. We\’re not allowed to use the TV and games console because I remember we just paid for coach seats. No problem with me, just as long as I have my iPod I\’ll be fine. The best part was there\’s only three passengers plus the driver. Yes!
After immigration clearance, you\’re set to Malacca. The trip is approximately 4 hours long including the mandatory stopovers. I find the duration of the trip fast. Fair enough for a big bus and no traffic along the road. But I\’m guessing if you have a private car you can reach Malacca 3 hours from SG (or less?).

Our last stop was Melaka Sentral. From there I searched for the Bus # 17 going to the Heritage Site. It\’s located in the front area of the shopping center. There are lots of people waiting for that bus when I came. Queuing is non-existent. You have to squeeze your way through the people, skin-to-skin. The bus was filled up, literally. I stayed at the back so it\’s not that crowded. I paid between 1-2 RM and you have to pay cash to the driver.

I heaved a sigh of relief when I saw this…I\’m on the right track! Yehey!
                                 
                                 m59

Bus #17 will stop at the Dutch Square near the fountain and clock tower. And off you go to explore the city!

  m16

I was able to come inside the church. Photo-taking is not allowed but the interiors are simple and the walls are mostly white. I\’m not quite sure what time the open and close from the public.

m20
Christ Church is an 18th-century Anglican church in the city of Malacca, Malaysia. It is the oldest functioning Protestant church in Malaysia and is within the jurisdiction of the Lower Central Archdeaconry of the Anglican Diocese of West Malaysia. —Source 
m11
Dutch Square

m56
Stadthuys was closed for it was undergoing renovation.

m18
m57
Plaza Roundabout

The Tourist Information Center is very accessible from the Dutch Square (you just need to cross the street). If you\’re a bit lost of where to go and what to do, just head to the center. There are computers with internet connection, brochures, booklets and some guidemaps.
m10
m9

For me, especially if you\’re on a budget the best thing to do: follow the Heritage Trail and walk all the way. It may look or sound far (when you ask for direction) but the TRUTH is major tourist spots are within walking distances (refer to the map above and see the yellow colored area).

m17
I realized that I made an expensive mistake of trying-out the flamboyant pedicabs. While trekking through the city I was like \”Ang lalapit lang pala sana nilakad ko na lang.\”

The Dutch influence has definitely made a mark in this city.

                              m12

                              m13

To be continued…

XOXO

Disneyland || Hongkong

 
I think it’s best to visit the place is during the cold season. Because it’s really freakin’ hot on that day! I got tanned…Made in HongKong. 
 
Finally, I was able to go to the happiest place on earth! It feels great to fulfill a childhood dream. I never thought it would really happen. I’m so happy! Disneyland’s festive theme is Halloween.
 
No photo description available.
Here comes the train!
 
No photo description available.
Mickey Handles
 

It All Started in Puerto Galera

When I was in nursing school, I attended our org meetings. We get to introduce ourselves and share your dream vacation place. Ate Carla mentioned she wants to go to El Nido, Palawan. She knows that, once she\’s been there, she could go anywhere. 
For me, Puerto Galera was my baptism of fire, to every leisure travel that I went to. My first ever independent trip was in Pangasinan + Baguio with my sister (we broke the barriers of what-ifs and maybes). Puerto Galera was the flagship of independence. Wherein, I plan and just go!
This is my first ever trip to a beach where people my age \”ay pinagsawaan na ang lugar.\” As they say, it\’s never too late to try.

I\’m thankful for the advent of cheap airfares, travel bloggers, review sites and alternative transpos. I do most of my research from reviews and recommendations of friends.
BTW if you\’re going to Puerto Galera, White Beach, I recommend this place.

I met the manager at work. Her mom was being treated in the hospital that I worked for. She\’s nice enough to offer the place. I\’ve never stayed there but, my sister recommended it to some of her friends and they liked it. You can check out tripadvisor for reviews.

I\’ve been to a handful of  places now. I\’m making my mark one footprint at a time. Maybe this is why the world is huge. It\’s meant to be explored. I maybe late but, it\’s better late than never…