A little bit of daytime Melaka

Staying here for a week in Mekala in House of Kititto. The owner set the place up so he can meet and talk to other travellers. It's in a good area, a short walk to Jonker Street and the historical areas and a Long walk to the big shopping centres/malls/[whateverwordhere]. I booked in for a week but I'll stay for an extra night now. I've met a couple of people staying long term here who have shown me to a few good spots in the town.

Food is cheap. But in this area there is a lot of western food. There's a bit of local food around of course, but most places usually serve a few Asian items and then chicken chops, pasta, pizza, hamburgers. Most of the western food is bad though.

I tried the Formosa Chicken Rice Balls on Jonker street, but they were bad. Just plain rice in a ball covered in some soy sauce and some cold and boney roasted chicken. The chilli sauce was also bad too. I cannot recommend! Nothing like the awesomeness that was Maxwell Road. There's another place at the end of Jonker street that is apparently better but I'm yet to get down there when it's not busy.

There are places serving western breakfasts everywhere too, minus the bacon, and minus good sausages. The long term hostel residents here have taught one the owners of Little Momma's how to properly boil and egg and make toast, so their breakfasts end up quite good. And good pasta too (well, better than expected?).

But still, the food here hasn't been that great! I've been to McDonalds a couple of times, 10-12RM for a large meal (about $4AU) which is consistent with Australian Mcdonalds. And today I've also been to a Starbucks and that stuff is awesome, no wonder they're everywhere. Expensive though at 15RM for one of them iced coffee frapamachawhatachino thingys! Still cheap compared to other countries though!

The other spot I've been to a couple of times is the Discovery Cafe. Cheapish beer. But last night as part of one of the Chinese religious things (not sure what) they had a large amount of free food to give away to everyone! So I enjoyed many plates of Chinese and local foods for free! Just on the street here at night too they sell the Chinese medicine tea. No idea what it's for or what's in it, so the best idea after a few beers was to try some. WOW. Never again. That was a taste that I couldn't forget. Do not recommend.

And two more random things:
- Found a 5RM note on the ground. Spent it already so no need to worry if it was counterfeit.
- Someone was wearing a shirt that said "Free Keeps Evolving Alive". That was a bit "if it weren't for my horse"... Apparently a popular Korean thing?

Some Pictures!

A replica waterwheel looking down towards the new immigration building

Steps on the side of the river, all different turd colours from the turd water that splashes up onto them.

Looking up from the bridge between Jonker street and the Dutch Square

The Dutch Square

The view of the Straight of Melaka from the top of the hill.

St Paul's Church on top of the hill

Inside the church... Because defacing historical sites is what people do (well the British did it when they arrived anyway)

Inside St Paul's

More of inside St Paul's

Old building (dunno the name, left after I took a photo because of  the approaching swam of people)

Stairs into a large mall.

Jonker Street

A traditional Malay house, the chinese temple, some bamboo and the modern transport!