Exploring the Culture in a Small Town

  Melaka, Malaysia
Monday, September 24, 2007

Country Pride

Malaysia! Our first stop in Malaysia was Melaka (or Malacca) a small city just south of Kuala Lumpur. We were told that Melaka was rich in culture and heritage and a must see for people traveling to Malaysia.

temple roof art

Sure the city was cute, but for the effort that it took us to get there, I'm not sure it was worth it. We took a bus into Melaka from Singapore and arrived late at night. From the bus station we had to get a cab to our hostel, which was a hassle because we were sure the taxi company was trying to scam us- when in reality to town had built a new bus station and was now just that much further from our hostel.

When we arrived at our hostel the doors were locked and not a person was in site. We rang the bell numerous times, which just rilled up the dogs that were upstairs.

Melakan Church

We both could have sworn we heard someone trying to quiet the dogs- but no one came downstairs to let us in. We were forced to go walking down the streets in a search of a place to stay and ended up in a moth ball invested vault.

Brianne @ yet another China Town

The next day we explored the festive river areas, another China Town, and another Little India, along with a big shopping center, and endless artistic shops- but still found ourselves back at the hotel ready to leave hours before our bus was scheduled to take us to Penang. Exhausted from the heat we took a bit of a nap on the hotel couches, and ended up in conversation with the hotel owner. He explained to us that it was a holiday in Malaysia that day- THE official day of the Autumn Festival (lantern festival).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lantern_Festival

Beca for 2?

He told us how he had been to the local food center and in addition to receiving his lunch for the day, he had also received a free MOON CAKE!!! Rachel was interested in checking out this Buddhist center that catered 3 vegetarian meals a day to the public (for free), and I was dead set on getting a free MOON CAKE of my own! Our new friend from the hotel drew us up a map, and we set out in search for this center. After a couple loops around a deserted run down block, we were stopped by some locals who made a gesture for eating. We nodded and they told us we needed to wait. The center hadn't opened yet.

Taking a break from the heat

When it did open, we went inside and helped ourselves to tea, soup, and an endless array of vegetarian dishes (Asian style.) It was quite a tasty meal! But I was bummed because there were only slices of moon cake left. Lunch must have cleared out too many whole moon cakes (about the size of a donut), and now the center was just cutting them up and offering quarters. Still, at least I got a sample.

Afterwords we washed our own dishes, and put them to dry. While we were doing this one of the women came out from the kitchen and handed me my very own moon cake. I was stoked! I knew it was a gracious offer and I tried to decline it, but she insisted that I take it. After seeing my excitement, she went back in the kitchen and brought out another cake for my friend Rachel. Little did she know, Rachel hates bean paste, so that means I got TWO moon cakes.

melakan quaintness

Don't worry mom- the moon cakes were donated by a big-wig company, probably trying to clear their conscious for polluting the water of Melaka. AND Rachel and I both made sure to leave a hefty donation at the center before we walked out. From there we headed back to our hotel to grab our luggage, and head to the bus station where we caught a night bus to Penang.