Malaysia - Singapore 2013: Route to Johor Bahru and Legoland Malaysia

September 17, 2014
Our Last City in Malaysia

We are on our last leg of our Malaysian trip before we finally settle down in Singapore. :) Our day started a bit earlier than usual, since we have to be in the first bus bound for Johor Bahru. We arranged our service at our hostel's front desk for a pick up at 5:30 in the morning. After several minutes, we were back in Melaka Central Terminal and looked for a ticket booth that would bring us to Johor Bahru.

Travel time from Melaka to Johor Bahru is about 3 hours. We managed to be on the road a little after 8:00 (the first trip of De Lima bus). We were in Johor Bahru at 11 in the morning. Since our itinerary for the day is Legoland, we decided to leave our bags at JB Larkin Bus Terminal for a fee of SGD 4 for big luggages and SGD 2 for a bag.


ON ROUTE TO LEGOLAND

You just have to take Bus CW1 to Legoland which would take you directly to Legoland. Our initial plan is to visit Hello Kitty Town as well, but it is closed on Tuesdays. The bus will drop you off the Legoland Park and you just have to walk towards the entrances. Legoland is open from 10:00am to 5:30pm.

Legoland has lockers as well. But in very limited numbers. 

LEGOLAND MALAYSIA

We didn't miss Legoland for this trip because we have been fans of Legos. And we would love to see the famous landmarks made up of Legos. Though the park is seemingly for kids, when you are kids at heart, why not?

After a quick visit to Legoland, since it was not yet complete during our trip, it just took us about 4 hours and we were bound for JB Larkin bus terminal, using the same bus, CW1 before 5 in the afternoon. Our last road transfer to Singapore.

Malaysia - Singapore 2013: Walking Tour of Melaka

September 16, 2014
Melaka

After a tiring transfer from KL to Melaka (we arrived late the night before), we are ready with our day. Since our hotel is more like a homestay, we grabbed our breakfast at Voyage - a quirky, small vintage restaurant that makes you feel at home.

The weather during our visit is very much like what we have in summer in the Philippines. Scorching hot and very dry. Its maybe because it's near bodies of water. Anyway, we started our walking tour in Jonker Street. Amae wasn't able to join us for the night stroll the night before, so we decided that we stop first at what we were able to cover last night.

Museum 1

The Father of Body Builders in Malaysia

Cute bakery in Jonker

Beryl's House in Jonker

Our next stop was Melaka Sari. Since Melaka is just a small town, you can just walk around. After Jonker Street, we did make a left turn and made our way to Herren Street. There was a small museum and art center along Herren called Malaqa Museum where various Malaysian stuff and vintage items.

Malaqa (Malacca) House in Herren Street

Many cravings in Malaqa House

Native art and crafts in Malaqa House

Old Barber Chair and Antique Desk in Malaqa House

After a quick visit to the art center, we went along our stroll headed to several museums along Melaka river. One of the famous spot in Melaka is the waterwheel.

The Famous Melaka Waterwheel (still working)

A Fraction of the Old Melakan Fortress

Our next stops were Customs Museum and Marine and Navy Museum (with a huge ship replica in front of it). Here are some of the shots inside the museum.

Custom Museum houses some of the prohibited items in Malaysia. 

The Custom Service

Some of the artworks - particularly those of female inspirations are covered
with fabric. Malaysia is a Muslim country, so these kind of art are strictly
prohibited.

We walked back to our hotel passing by another famous Melaka landmark - the Stadthuys or the Red Brick House. At the side of it, there is Melaka Museum for Youth and the Arts. Walking further down the road, you can see St. Francis Xavier Church.

The Stadthuys or the Red Brick House. 

The Melaka River

Church of St. Francis Xavier

We had lunch at the famous Rice Ball House near Hard Rock. Mind you, this rice ball restaurant has a long line when we get there. About 50 meters when we get there, and a lot of people in line. :(

We went back to our hotel for a little rest since the sun was very terrible that time. We decided to go back by 5 in the afternoon. Melaka doesn't dim until 8:00 in the evening.

Our next stops were Fort de Santiago which was the center of the British government when Melaka was under them. The Independence Park is now the center of the Malaysian government in Melaka.

Old Church in Melaka

The Fortress

Independence Park

Some of the other museums in Independence Park. 

We decided to call the day early since we have to take the first bus to Johor Bahru the next day.

Malaysia-Singapore 2013: A night walk at Jonker Street

Part 4 of 10
September 15, 2014
Jonker Street, Melaka


We settled in our nice, cozy hotel that night but my feet are itching to see what is in store in Melaka. We passed by the crazy street bazaar on route to our hotel, so the two of us (we left our Atei at the hotel since the day has been so heavy for her) went back and explored the area.

JONKER STREET

Known as the famous night market in Melaka, Jonker Street was an array of bright lights, cute and artsy souvenirs, food and tourists. The famous bike ride - the uber-colorful and eye-striking trishaws captured our attention (and cameras as well). We opted not to ride them (ahem, 40 RM for a ride) so we decided to just walk around Jonker Street.

Below are the ones we found along the way.

Welcome to Jonker Walk!

Paper Arts - pop-up greeting cards

Metal Art - wired robots 

Chopsticks

Ceramic dogs (nakaw na kuha 1)

Painted tin cans coin bank (nakaw na kuha 2)

Creepy voodoo doll (nakaw na kuha 3)

Ceramic earrings

Decorative owls  (nakaw na kuha 4)

Glow in the dark keychains

Kuih Lobak - I still do not understand this food. Texture is like a hard tofu.
Stir-fried in very hot oil and pan. Add spices and sauce.
Its reminds me of tofu sisig but with less flavor on the tofu. 

After the nightly stroll, we decided to go back and relax for the night. Tomorrow is another day, and the three of us will explore what Melaka has to offer.