Morning Walk with The Ladies @ Melaka [Malaysia]

My mom and elder sister are morning persons but I usually wouldn't join them for their weekly weekend meetups in Singapore. It's a different story when we are overseas though and in our trip to Malacca late last year, I joined them for a morning walk! 

Road was so empty; I managed to take this shot right outside our hotel; ibis Melaka. Timing; 6.34am! On a working day, I don't climb out of my bed until it is 7.00am! 

Queen Victoria's Fountain, which was built in 1904 to celebrate the golden jubilee of Queen Victoria; who ruled for over 60 years and was queen for the biggest empire in the world, which then included Singapore too. 

After this trip to Melaka, I am honestly falling in love with this UNESCO World Heritage City. Sadly, it's a few hours' bus ride from Singapore although I might return soon; just to have a bite of the amazing fresh milk crab at Restoran Tong Sheng! 

Christ Church Melaka - a small church in the iconic Red Square that was completed in 1753 and is known as the "oldest functioning Protestant church in Malaysia".

Rarely could you get naturally illuminated photographs without any other people at Red Square. For those who wish to have such photographs, just wake up earlier. 

Guess these structures were with references to the Dutch colonisation in the past. Just for your information, Melaka was colonised first by the Portuguese, then the Dutch and finally by the British. 

Obviously, I didn't have sufficient sleep. 

Photograph on Tan Kim Seng Bridge which crosses the Malacca River. Interestingly, there's also a Kim Seng Bridge in Singapore (near Great World City) and it cuts across the Singapore River. 

Near the start point of Jonker Street! One landmark you wouldn't miss out; that golden statue which, I believe, changes according to the zodiac animal of the year. It was still the rabbit last year. 

Start of Jonker Street, which was almost emptied of visitors! I actually jogged around the area the day before and it was such a refreshing change from all the crowd and the noise! 

In front of the beautiful Malacca Hokkien Huay Kuan (福建会馆), where the two door gods stares menacingly at passersby. I love taking photographs of my sister; she is a way better model than Alex! 

Calanthe Art Cafe - where you can try the coffee from all 13 states of Malaysia! I visited back in 2013 and while I didn't recall the coffee; it was the laksa that I remember was so, so good. 

Guess this reminded mom of the kampong days when such doors were common and people would adorn their doors with such decorations during important festivals like lunar new year. 

When was the last time you saw such old school lights hung across a street?! You can find them along Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock, which was a street parallel, and west of Jonker Street. 

Comparing to Jonker Street, Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock is quieter and blessed with plenty of photo spots! There are also a number of boutique hotels along the street, for those who want to be near yet not THAT near to the happening Jonker Street.

Chanced upon the Sunday Morning Flea Market at Melaka, which was just a short 100-meter stretch along Jalan Hang Lekir. p.s. we were too early as some stalls were still in the midst of setting up.

Rounding back to Jonker Street.

Muscular bust of Dr. Gan Boon Leong; known as the Father of Malaysian bodybuilding and a politician. What I didn't know is that he only passed away pretty recently, in 2022 at the age of 85. 

A classic mini cooper! Do you know that my dream car has always been the mini cooper but given how expensive cars cost in Singapore, I know it would be a far fetched dream, unless I was the sole winner of the recently concluded 13 million dollars TOTO draw. 

More photographs of my mom! 

The history of Melaka was written way before the Western colonizers; in 1405, the admiral from Ming Dynasty, Cheng Ho, arrived at the city. You can read more here. 

Malacca River, which is now transformed with a promenade on both sides. It's very nice to jog in the morning; don't do it in the evening when crowds descend and the passage isn't very wide. 

And here's the river's resident Malayan Water Monitor lizard. 

I don't know how many there are but I spotted a few during my jog.

An abandoned shophouse; a pity given the yield you can get from its close proximity to Jonker Street. I remember reading somewhere that investors are looking into the real estate potential of this UNESCO city. 

Finally a coffee shop serving local breakfast that was opened for business so early in the morning! I can't remember the name but it was along the river. 

Ending this post with two random photographs!