Day Out

Quaint Melaka

The Trio.

That's Sandra on the left and my sister on the right.

Sandra is family friend ever since whatever memory can stretch. We used to be school mates, fun mates, shopping mates, eating mates and name them. Even though she has been residing in the UK for the past 40 years, Sandra makes it a point to come back to Malaysia annually meeting up with friends and family members. The British dame kept ranting that Malaysia is beautiful in so, so many ways but not so beautiful anymore with the people. What a sad tale.

Can you guess which one is Sandra?

But...

We still can enjoy the many facets of life here. 

So we took a trip to the nearest quaint town; Melaka.

My sister who is also away for a good part of her life in the Far East says if she resides and retires in Malaysia; it may just be in Melaka.

Why?

It is a sure hit for friends and family.

Dutch influence is aplenty here ad my bro in law is at home here ! Everywhere there is a tinge of home for him ! The many red buildings and fort are a sight and wonder going back to the 17th century.

There are indeed many worth mentioning must see sites but our time frame did not permit us.

There is the Melaka river cruise to contend with too.

The locals very cleverly add a touch with the well-decorated 3 wheel vehicle for fun and good feelings. So you are cordially ushered in and they will bring round town in a whiz. 

The merriment is real.

But the best part was the haze left the skies too.

 Where are the chicken rice balls ?

 Mini sized ones.

We were told that it was the original of the original...there are now so many versions and we wanted only the authentic taste. So, what do you think?

It was okay, okay.

Scouring through the coveted Jonker Street we were exposed to local products, clothes, baba-nyonya attire and everything what the tourists crave for. If only we had temperate moments here; that will be the ultimate.

We stood in front of this place and a Caucasian walked past and said : Go in.

Ahaa...imagine us Malaysians were told to savour in the good food by a Caucasian. It only speaks volumes that the foreigner knew more than us or maybe he is here on the Malaysis second home invitation? Possible. To many, Malaysia is an affordable land ; rich in food and comfortable in shelter.

Cendol with durian flavour.

After this you may not want to eat cendol elsewhere anymore.

 Pie tee; nothing too much out of the world.

Nevertheless good.

 Meat rolls.

Clean and home-cooked feeling.

This is the Melaka otak-otak ; a concoction of fish paste, flour and spices of course.

However, if your really want to taste otak-otak, come to Muar.

The versions are countless now; competition  is keen and every vendor tries to put in the best effort for gains. When you are used to a particular outlet and its preparation, you will go back to it again and again.

Now there is fish, squid, prawns and in many forms.

The original packaging is wrapped in banana leaves but now for trading purposes they are packed in plastics.

When I eat otak otak I only eat them wrapped in banana leaves and I only want to eat them from the first outlet of Muar...I must not sound too biased.

You need to do your homework.

This first outlet was introduced by my mother in law.

This is the best depiction of ladies in the olden days ; foot binding and lotus feet.

Apparently this practice was mandatory among the elite; the smaller the feet, the more dainty and the more in demand. 

My grandmother told us horror stories and this practice was probably brought in together with the Chinese historically. Culture is to be thought over; good ones to be carried on and the bad ones to be discarded. This indeed is not so good; right?

Well Melaka was nice, but nicer still was the day out talking and chatting with Sandra and my sister. It was a short trip to fill our stomachs, eyes and ears.

Short and meaningful.

More next time.