2D1N Malacca/Melaka Trip

 Last weekend, we drove up to Malacca from Singapore. There was me, sis and dad. It was dad’s birthday and we decided to do a trip there. Besides, he was familiar with the routes. Else, there is always GPS to rely on. P.s: GPS is the greatest inventation i would say.

Believe it or not, it was my first trip to Malacca ! Many fellow mates whom i spoke to will exclaim in shock when i said that i’ve never been to Malacca. Especially after the Nonya craze, everyone was moving to Malacca. Literally.

The ride there takes about 3 hours. That is if you are driving a Toyota Altis. Subaru, i don’t know.

Do be caution when driving, don’t try to think that you are in Fast & Furious. Before you can celebrate the fact that you’ve exceeded 160km/hr, a Traffic polic may be waiting infront for you. You certainly don’t want any trouble with them. We seen it happened. On the highway, We let a  Honda civic  overtake us and out-of-nowhere a TP pops out, signalling him to pullover. It was around Lunch time …and you know the story.

There were a couple of pit stops along the way. It was an easy ride. Ok, because i am not the one driving. Haha!

Renaissance Melaka Hotel:

http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/mkzrn-renaissance-melaka-hotel

This is a 5* hotel. From the outside, it don’t look very 5* because it was an old hotel. But the lobby certainly made up for it. Or at least the yellow lightings, marble floor did.

The hotel’s carpark is a 2* i would say. It was NARROW and DARK. Almost like an abaondon carpark… But well, let’s not be so stringent, the carpark is only for you to “park your car” , you wouldn’t be spending much time there. The parking fee is RM3. i am not really sure if it is RM3 PER DAY . I asked the counter staff, she says “for the first time, you will pay RM3 and You don’t have to pay for subsequence entries”

There is a security guard manning the carpark. It makes you feel safe.

The room:

The room was huge. The view was great. You can see the whole of Malacca, and the lake. Oh and The TV was plasma.

 

This is not doing any justic to the room because the light was not on and it was a blur pic. haha

  

 View from the window

 

 After refreshing ourselves, we hop right back into the car. Off to Jonker Street.

Food: Malacca is all about food… be prepared to gain that extra inch on your waist.

Popular chicken rice stall !

This is a obviously popular chicken rice stall in Malacca.  It is certainly worth the 30mins wait!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The name of the stall is “CHUNG WAH“. Check out directions (and reviews) here: http://www.onestopmalaysia.com/food-reviews/malacca/chung-wah-chicken-rice-ball.html

Chicken is very tasty. They are using Kampong chicken. The rice ball is so cute, looks like “fishball” :p.

The CHILLI is SEDAP ! MUST TRY !

 

The street

The street of Malacca reminded me of a huge “Paranakan Museum”. i like things old like they have some stories behind it ^^

 

Farmosa Chicken Rice

There are a few outlets in Malacca. They are famous among the Tourist. Just like how our Newton Food Centre is famous for. Do check out their flash based website if you are keen: http://www.chickenriceball.com/

Nice deco, air conditioned. Everything is there to lure you inside.

 

Obviously, Chicken Rice Ball is the Must Eat in Malacca.

  

 

The famous rip off  rickshaw

  

 

Something to die for – Chendol !!!!!!

 I requested to go back a second time because the Baba Chendol is simpily ……unforgetable. The potion is small and easy to eat. I heard that the Durian flavour is a HIT as well!

Seats are difficult to find. So the strategy is for someone to look for seats inside and someone to que (if have to) and buy outside. Love the look and feel of the inside !

 

 

Nonya Laksa

Beside the Chendol, there is a stall selling food items like Laksa and i saw people eating curry rice. Both Chendol and the laksa are in the same shop.

PLEASE TRY THE NONYA LAKSA !!! It tasted almost like Peneng Laksa but they add in a spoonful of Tuna. Very generous. I LIKE !!!!

 

They have Baba Laksa and Nonya Laksa. I don’t know the difference but i am so sticking with my choice of Nonya ! ^^

 

p.s: there is a laksa shop right beside them as well. Heard that it wasn’t as good?

 

 

We went to this place call “FEI LI (Fat li ) akaRESTORAN LEE for it’s famous Milk Crab. It is Highlt raved by dad for the longest time. Finally we get to taste it.

This place is just right beside our hotel Renaissance.

 

The crabs was their Signature dish.

 

The price came up to be quite expensive. i mean you can never have such meal in Singapore with that price. but we were expecting it to be”Cheap and Good”.

We ordered a Kang kong and fried beancurd to add on. The bill slightly exceed RM100. about SGD $50

 

We chanced upon this Fried Oyster stall near our hotel. “When there is a que, it must be good”

1 pack cost RM5.

 

Shopping – Sight Seeing:

 

Please don’t bring the shopping mood with you when you are in Malacca. Leave it for your Bangkok trip.

There are not much shopping to be done. Unless you are into Antiques or keychains with the word Malacca on it.

 

But fret not girls, there is a big shopping mall in Malacca for you to spend your Ringgits.

 

The shopping mall is called “Dataran Pahlawan Mall“  (i am not sure if i get this correct). This is the newest shopping mall and mind you, it is quite happening !

 

I enjoyed my time there. They have many small boutiques which are nice to look into and also big names like Nike, Addidas, Esprit, Mango…. there is a huge Giant hypermarket as well!

 

 

I was told that one of the Must-go place in Malacca is Tan Kim Hock product centre. It sounds weird i know. It apperantly is very popular among the Singaporeans. This shops sell local products. Eg: honey lim juice, samba balacan, cincalok sauce things like that.

 

Tan Kim Hock Product Centre,
85, 87 & 89 Jalan Bendahara,
75100 Malacca.

 

Cannot find? use GPS !

 

 

Trip verdict: will go back agaiN! But not so soon lah

 

On a sidenote: my next trip will be in Nov…to TAIWAN again. Till then !!

 

 

*photos courtesy from Kaili

 

 

What to buy in Taiwan ?

 

  A lot of people will ask this question before they travel to the country. It is like the typical kiasu Singaporean question (because you just want to make sure that you got all the good buys)

  * The recommendation here are based on my own point of view, i hope that it can serve as a guide when you are doing your shopping ^^  

1. Instant Noodle

Don’t laugh. Mind you. Taiwan has the most oishi instant noodle i have ever ate. I regret till this day that i did not bring back a carton and swear that i will do so on my next trip. It is that good.

To be precise, the brand i am referring to is  維力， 一度赞

I shall shut up and let the photos do the talking.

 

一度赞泡面

 

Generous servings of seasoning

 

Real chuncks of meat!

Photos courtesy from http://blog.yam.com/maikof/article/15654688  I

 

I’ve also tried the Pork Ribs (排骨）口味. I Like. The Beef 口味 is highly raved about too (but i don’t take beef). The noodle was the Qest it can get. The soup was so thick and in flavour as if it has been cooked under the fire for 2 hours.It was real meat that you are looking at. Not some rubber meat-looking thing. You may think that it must be a joke to eat instant noodle in Taiwan when snacks are so easily available. This is one delicacy you have to try.  

 

Price: about $3 ? 

 

**3/4 of my entry just suddenly decided to vanish. W.H.Y !!! 

 

 

2. Pantene Clinicare Hair  

 

This is an award-winning & best selling haircare from Taiwan & Japan. Highly raved by Taiwanese superstars and stylists, the Hair Time Renewal range promises to renew your hair with luster, moisture & incredible softness with regular use. I wonder WHY is this product not in Singapore (however you can get it online at jerked-up-sky-high prices) This product is endorsed by 大S. Da S

 

Da S

I don’t know about you… but i would use anything that will give me hair like that. 

 

 

 

 

I bought the shampoo and conditional. There are only 2 types… erm, can’t give details on what types because i hardly can remember. But i bought the one that is shown on the picture. It is called “Hair time renewal”

Verdict: I don’t feel magically transformed nor is my hair anything near Da S. But well… as long as it is not available in Singapore. It must be a good buy.

 

Price: about $13 ?

 

3. My Beauty Diary Mask

 

These masks are very popular (in Singapore). Along with a few other brands such as Hokkiado Lover, Xin Ji Mei Ren….etc. They are easily available in their drug store such as Cosmo.

There are many different “flavour” to suit the different skin types. For example, there is Red wine which can birghten up the skin, Lavender can calm the skin and relieve stress.

 

 There are also Pearl, Sake Yeast, Rice, Yogurt, Apple, Aloe Vera, Natto…etc. It is amazing what which each type can do for your skin! You simpily need each and every one of them ^^

 

My Beauty Diary mask

In each box is 10 pieces of mask. There may be different promo in different drug store..so do compare a bit before you start going crazy on the masks.

 

Price: $10 ?

 

 

4. 阿婆铁蛋

 

This was my personal favourite. I was in love with these little black eggs. Add 1 into your instant noodle and it becomes a perfect meal. *Beware of the cholesterol hidden in the egg*~

It was called 铁蛋because it was as hard as metal. Not for the weak teeth obviously. It taste like 鲁蛋 (braised egg). Oh, the brand i specific here is 阿婆铁蛋

 

You can find many shops selling Tie Dan of other brands, many flavours. You will even be offered to try before you buy. But not for 阿婆铁蛋. There are no sample for you to try and there is only 1 original flavour.

Because it does not contain preservatives. Look out for the expiry date (they can’t be kept forever). 阿婆铁蛋 can be bought in 淡水. It is slighly expensive than the “other brands”.. and i am not quite sure if it is the best

 

But i like

 

    

 

Price: NT100 per pack (choice of chicken egg or quill egg)