Week 8 - Melaka is a nice port town on the west coast of Malaysia. Lots of history and really the birth place of the south east asia boom when trading started with Europe and Africa in the 15th century. The Portuguese were the first europeans to arrive in the early part of the 16th century, bullying their way into town and burning the mosque. Quite interesting that the muslim culture was invited over by the malay people in the 15th century to attract trade from india in exchange for the eastern spices. The Portuguese only managed to keep this main port for just over ten years before being kicked back out, now only a single church ruin is all that remains of their colonial past. The dutch came over in the early 1800s and built their usual collection of churches, town halls ands coffee shops, and many of these still remain today, with locals still speaking native tongue such as hello mister and best price.....
It was only after the second day that we noticed the signs warning of dungue fever, and that was after we had been bitten on numerous occassions. So far so good, no nervous twitching, licking the walls, or swinging from the light shades just yet, but we will see, even though Mariana has an ache in her entire body, but this is definitely not from the swimming nor the 6 hours sightseeing walk in flip-flops!
After the culture of Melaka we headed for the bright lights of Kuala Lumpur which was only 2 hours by road. Stayed in a place in Chinatown called, what for it, the Red Dragon Hostel. There is a large gold gong in reception that is blasted everytime a new guest arrives. We are a little worried about security since we have noticed many people wearing all black and ninja slippers, so will bolt the doors to feel safe.
Kulala Lumpur is nice, a bit dirty on the edges but all the same a good city. The Petronas Towers are really nice even though we will not be getting up at 6am to get a ticket for the viewing gallery, seriously what do they take us for.
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