Melaka makan trip II

This sure has to be the continuation of the last trip... because the good things weren't in my tummy yet!

Thanks to Deal for a fabulous deal, not only was it cheaper than my first trip, we got a free upgrade to Executive Suite at Equatorial Hotel. Yes, we had an extra lounge, we could easily fit a family of 5 in that room. Joy, one of my buddies, was up for it, and so we booked it within hours the deal was on. We made the arrangement pretty quickly, even before the deal ended, and settled for the earliest Sunday we could depart. We even wanted to go that upcoming Sunday, crazy... but it was too late, as we had to make the booking days in advance to check the availability of the room.

I was already having many ideas of what to eat, even checked with my colleague whom frequents Malacca as his in-laws own an apartment there. So I got a list ;)

The bus journey was pretty smooth. As usual, the buses resorted to cutting Q by joining another bus from the same company whose in the front of the line. I am getting used to this dirty trick now. We arrived near 1pm, checked in, and immediately left for our first meal at Nandos. So much cheaper than Singapore, so yummy!

After the meal, we went around the malls for some shopping which I didn't get time the first time round. The two malls near our hotel are mega, there are so many shops and we seriously didn't go through them all. I bought a pair of brown wedges (those platform wedges from the past have re-surfaced!).

Post-shopping, we visited the sights and then got around to Jonker Walk. By then, the chicken rice stall had closed and the Jonker 88 Chendol was entirely wiped out. Bad luck. But it was all right, we went to 三叔公, inside there's a cafe named Lao Qian Ice Cafe and they do the best Durian Chendol ever (better than Jonker 88!!).

After that, we had a stroll around snapping picture, hats and bird cage hunting, buying bits and pieces of food/drinks. Joy fell in love with the sour mango juice, it was only RM3, it won my heart over too! By then it was past 6 and we got back to the hotel for the complimentary pre-dinner drinks they promised us. We ate some small bites and had a wine each. Such a bliss to be upgraded to the Executive Suite! Then we went back to Jonker Walk for the night market and probably a light dinner.

The night market was entertaining and bustling (much more than the first visit). I managed to find a lane lined up with food stalls, but I didn't try them as I was full from the pre-dinner snacks. Joy got some siew mai (pork dumplings at 6 for 3RM)! I had a chocolate candied fruit stick, and tempeh (fermented soya bean) at the Geographer Cafe where we chilled. Joy had a cocktail while I had one of my favourite drinks, Cherry Brandy on the rocks (which is not easy to find in Singapore!). We also found our hats, but Joy has no luck with the bird cage.

We made our way back soon after, but not before visiting the Malay market which comprised mainly of clothes (football jerseys), toys and stuff the locals like. Then we watched the TV till we fell asleep.

The following morning, we forced ourselves up at 8am and had the continental breakfast at the Executive Lounge. After breakfast which we tried not to have too much, we went back to Jonker Walk. We found the chicken rice stall which opens from 7am and shared a meal there. Those cute tiny rice balls. Then we ventured around, the Malacca shophouses are really pretty. Many are artistically painted, decorated or even preserved. You see wooden doors, cute 3D signages, colorfully walls... it's just a sight to behold! I could look at them everyday! We chanced upon a tiny store selling paper cutting of animal zodiacs and wedding related stuff, the owner was very friendly and patient with us while we picked our souvenirs!

After the walk, we sat down to have a bowl of Baba Chendol at Jonker 88. As it was early in the day and it's a Monday, the staff was unexceptionally generous with the brown sugar syrup! We sure were satisfied! If you're hungry, try the noodle store besides, it sure looks good and everyone else was eating. Before we left Jonker Walk, I just had to get myself another hat... Yes, that's the main reason I am back in Melaka! Yea, what a hat whore.

We still had some time left before our coach would pick us up, so we paid RM3 each to enter the huge ship by the Melaka river. It's a maritime museum! Not very interesting as I hate history, but they make good photos :) But the trip seems incomplete without a meal at A&W (something we can't get in Singapore!), and so we did. I swear by then we were stuffed!! We just had to have it, and we brought the food in our coach for our break time. The coach back was a double decker, I think I had motion sickness sitting up there, but managed to get some sleep after watching a movie - The Tourist.

My thoughts on The Tourist:

I actually quite like the show. It's intriguing every single minute and at the end of the show it is shocking to find Johnny Depp to be the guy afterall. But somehow along the way, I think it was already giving away subtle hints. Oh boy, the man who never fails to sweep any woman's feet off the ground!