We left the bustling city of Kuala Lumpur behind, and after just a 90-minute bus ride, we arrived in Melaka, one of Malaysia’s most popular and historically rich destinations. Melaka is essentially where Malaysia’s history began, and in the span of an afternoon, you can immerse yourself in over 600 years of history. The legacy of Malay sultans, Chinese merchants, Portuguese conquerors, Dutch traders, and British colonials is everywhere, and you can easily spot their influences within just a few minutes’ walk through the city. Once Southeast Asia’s largest and busiest port, Melaka was a crucial hub that connected China, India, the Middle East, and Europe for centuries. Founded around 1400 CE by a Sumatran prince, it rapidly grew into a vital trading port in the region. So important was Melaka that the Portuguese seized it in 1511 and constructed a fortress named “A Famosa,” parts of which still stand today, marking the first European foothold in Southeast Asia.

We arrived in the late afternoon, and after settling into our Airbnb accommodation, we decided to take a “grab” ride to explore the city further. Our destination was the fairly crowded city center, bustling with activity and life. The first impression we got wasn’t so much of the Portuguese influence, but rather of the Dutch, who had taken control from the Portuguese in 1641. The iconic “Dutch Square,” featuring the historic “Stadthuys” and a distinctive Dutch windmill, stands as one of the few remaining pieces of evidence of nearly two centuries of Dutch presence in Melaka. From there, we made our way to the famous “Jonker Street,” where a lively night market operates only on weekend evenings. Here, we tasted us through a variety of local delicacies, immersing ourselves in the vibrant atmosphere. Interestingly, the name “Jonker” itself reflects Melaka’s colonial history—derived from the Dutch word “jonkheer,” a noble title for a young member of Dutch aristocracy, it serves as a subtle reminder of the city’s multicultural past. After some wandering around, we settled in a Mexican restaurant in a lesser crowded side street. After all, it was “Dias de los muertos”, so some Mexican food to honour the Mexican part of the family seemed more than suitable! After another walk through the lively Jonker Street we decided to call it a night and went home to our apartment.

We started our second day in Melaka with a fancy coffee around the corner from our Airbnb. It wasn’t planned to be fancy at all, but the barista in the small coffee shop surprised us with some exquisite “latte art.” This particular style of coffee decoration was new to me, and the cappuccino we received was almost too beautiful to drink. After we finally enjoyed our artsy coffee, we headed back to town for a closer look at “A Famosa,” the historic fortress that the Portuguese built when they first set foot in Melaka. “A Famosa” is one of the oldest surviving European structures in Asia, constructed to protect their newly acquired territory and the valuable spice trade route. The fortress includes remnants of walls, watchtowers, barracks, and even churches. Unfortunately, most of the fortress was destroyed by the British in 1806, specifically by Sir Stamford Raffles, the founder of modern Singapore, which coincidentally is our next destination in Asia. We spent quite some time walking through the entire site, soaking in the history, before returning to Jonker and Heeren Street. There, we took a closer look at the charming mix of Chinese shophouses and colonial architecture. The area is perfect for simply strolling around, with many small art shops and cozy cafes, alongside traditional Chinese and Malay eateries. This blend of cultures is evident in every corner of Melaka. I wandered into an antique shop and had a lovely, unexpected conversation with the owner. We talked about our travels, parenting in Europe and Asia, her life in Melaka, and many other interesting topics. It reminded me once more that traveling is really about the people you meet and the many small conversations that happen in the most unexpected places. The rest of the day remained quite laid back and relaxing. We went back home in the afternoon and took some time to relax before booking our journey to Singapore. Sarah and I arranged flights to get from Ho Chi Minh City to Phu Quoc, where we’ll be staying once we leave the bustling city behind. We also managed to take care of a few other organizational topics, making sure everything was set for the next leg of our trip, while the kids enjoyed some quiet time playing on their tablets. Later in the evening, we went out again and treated ourselves to a fantastic Indian meal just around the corner. However, the day wasn’t one to get overly busy or rushed. I think, after the packed and hectic days in Kuala Lumpur, we were simply appreciating the more laid-back and calm vibe of Melaka. Additionally, with only a limited number of touristy sights in the area, we didn’t feel bad at all spending some peaceful time relaxing in the apartment.

And the laid-back vibe continued on our third and final day in Melaka. The kids were absolutely desperate to explore the fairly large kids' pool at our residence, and since it was notoriously packed during the busy weekends, a lazy Monday morning felt just perfect to spend some relaxed time in and around the pool. Once the entire pool landscape had been thoroughly explored and enjoyed, we shifted gears and did a bit of homework with the kids before heading back into town. Having seen most of the key sights, we simply wandered around, soaking in the city center’s charm in a noticeably less crowded atmosphere compared to the lively buzz of previous days. Melaka, being a popular domestic tourist hotspot, usually buzzes with activity on weekends, so this early Monday evening brought an even more peaceful and laid-back vibe. We stumbled upon a small, cozy Thai restaurant where we decided to have dinner. After savoring the spicy red curry, perfectly paired with a cold Tiger beer, we resumed our leisurely stroll through Jonker and Heeren Streets. Sarah and the kids indulged in what could be considered the quintessential Melaka tourist experience by taking the local equivalent of a rickshaw. Here in Melaka, rickshaws are transformed into something uniquely stylish! Decked out with neon lights, plush toys, fake flowers, and an array of colorful decorations that turn the simple ride into an almost psychedelic adventure.

Tommorow morning, on the 4th of November, we’ll be taking a 5 hour bus ride to Singapore, where we’ll be staying for 5 nights. Having lived in good old “Singers” for around half a year, I am looking forward to coming back and showing the kids some of the places I have fond memories of.