Nighttime in Melacca. We took a cruise up the river on a typical water-taxi before heading home by way of an overprices rickshaw type bicycle(but it had to be done!) and some dubious backalleys. 

The next morning we went to see some open water, the Strait of Melacca, my only regret is that  didn't go for a swim!

 Blow 'em up.

Melacca

These snaps were taken during an epically wet afternoon in Melacca. Drops the size of... well, they were big. When the rain passed it was exceptionally grim as the streets were deserted towards what Springsteen termed the Darkness on the Edge of Town. Real gritty industrial area, but time was a-wasting and we needed food, so we went wandering like two lost souls after our excellent foot-massage. Past red-lit buildings we eventually we chances upon one place that could offer us local cuisine, the rest was all overpriced pizza and burgers! 

On a side note, the lit up bicycle taxis are hilarious, but don't expect any kind of value for money, they're there to rob you if you let them. And they each have a ridiculously loud sound system cranking out the widest array of dance-trash you ever heard. The river cruises are much better value, so sit back and trundle along the Big Muddy.

 Blow it up.

Rainy Daze

Here's some more shots of Melacca, visiting the Sultanate palace. Melacca is a World Heritage City, which means it's all very well preserved, except for the fact that it smells a bit of theme park. I have also not seen as many museums in one place, most of which seem to be closed for renovation(There's a Button Museum for crying out loud!). We went looking for the backstreets, but didn't find them until we were on our way home, so instead we had western food and convention in our faces most of the time, which was a bit exhausting, but overall the place was very interesting. Once again, mainly because of our ties, there are many a Dutch name that crop up all over!

  Blow 'em up.

KL_Melacca

Here are some snaps taken upon arrival in KL, we were total zombies hauling all our luggage around looking for the hotel. Humid like only the tropics can be, (Hence the fans at the monorail stations or anywhere people might queue) but eventually the inevitable rains came to cool things down.

On day two we took a bus down to Melacca on the coast, which is very interesting, because it was a major trading port back in the day. So when the Dutch settled the Cape Colony in SA, it was to service the vessels heading east, and specifically Melacca, so there are lots of connections between the two places. For example all the Malay food we enjoy in SA originates from here.

But more of that in the next post...

 Blow 'em up.

CT_KL

Here's the first set of my exit from Africa(for a bit) in November 2011. Travel was from Cape Town to Kuala Lumpur via JoBurg. Arriving KL International we caught a train to KL Sentral station, where we arrived dazed and disoriented around dawn. Amazing place, but more snaps will follow in the next few daze, er, days. 

 Blow it up.

Snap

Shot from yacht tow we did last year. That's Robben Island in the background.  

Blow it up.