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Makati

Makati lies in the heart of the Metro Manila. The city is known for its upscale shopping malls with high fashion brands, restaurants and hotels, and is home to many affluent Filipinos. Makati is considered to be a financial, commercial and economic center; it is home to the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE).

Cost of living
Makati City's cost of living is significantly higher than its neighboring Filipino cities, owing primarily to its skyrocketing real estate value and relatively upscale commercial and residential selections. However, compared to other major cities of the world, Makati is not that expensive compared to other upscale cities in the world. Furthermore, bargains comparable to other Philippine cities may be found in certain areas, such as in the Makati Cinema Square, The Landmark, Cash & Carry, and Guadalupe Mall, that will make a stay in Makati possible even with a backpackers' budget.

History
The area of Makati City was first dismissed as worthless swampland by the Spanish conquistador Juan Miguel de Legazpi in 1571. Yet over the centuries, this small community would leave large imprints in the social, economic, and cultural history of the country. In 1670 it was established as a visita of Sta. Ana de Sapa under the of the Franciscans. The friars established one of their earliest churches in the Philippines, the Church of Sts. Peter and Paul, in Makati, drawing pilgrims from all over the country. At the opening of the 20th century, the Americans established Fort McKinley in Makati, and in 1901, San Pedro de Makati, with a population of 2,500, was incorporated into the province of Rizal. On February 28, 1914, the Philippine Legislature passed Act 2390, shortening the name San Pedro Makati to Makati in the 1930s, the first airport, Nielson Airport, opened in what is now the Ayala Triangle. The first centrally planned community was established in the 1950s, and since the 1970s, Makati has been the undisputed financial and commercial capital. Makati has also figured prominently in the political history of the Filipinos. The community was one of the cradles of the revolt against Spanish colonial rule, and following the assassination of Ninoy Aquino in 1983, the epicenter of the protest movement against the dictatorial rule of Ferdinand Marcos. On January 2, 1995, Makati became an independent city by Republic Act 7854.

Talk
The main language choice for communication in this affluent city is English, making the stays here of international travelers and businessmen a relatively enjoyable experience. A knowledge of Tagalog, the local language, will benefit any traveler.

By train
The MRT Line 3 (MRT-3) elevated train has four stations along EDSA. These are the Guadalupe, Buendia, Ayala and Magallanes stations. Getting off at the Ayala Station will set you in the middle of the Ayala Centre, a complex of shopping malls and restaurants.

MRT-3 is a quick and inexpensive way to get into the city. The cost of a ticket ranges from.

The PNR Metro Commuter Line has three stations at Dela Rosa, Pasay Road, and EDSA.

By car
Two of Metro Manila's main arteries pass through Makati. The Epifanio De los Santos Avenue (EDSA) passes along the southeast part of Makati and connects the city with Mandaluyong City and Pasay City. The South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) runs through the western part of Makati and connects the city with Manila to the north and with southern Metro Manila. The Skyway, an elevated highway built on top of SLEX, provides residents coming from southern Metro Manila a fast way to reach Makati. SLEX and EDSA intersect at the Magallanes Interchange, which is the most complex system of elevated roadways in Metro Manila.

Other major roads in Makati include Buendia Avenue (Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue), which connects EDSA and SLEX in the north; Ayala Avenue, an important street that runs through the Central Business District; and Makati Avenue, which connects Ayala Avenue with Buendia Avenue and also extends north to cross the Pasig River to Mandaluyong City.

By bus
Buses plying the Epifanio De los Santos Avenue (EDSA) route from Baclaran in Paranaque to Quezon City and Caloocan City pass through the Central Business District daily. As mentioned above, you can't load or unload just anywhere, you have to wait or go to the designated stops. There are separate loading and unloading zones which you must observe.

Most of Metro Manila's expanding Premium Point-to-Point (P2P) bus network terminates at Makati; common termini are Greenbelt, Glorietta, The Circuit, and Trasierra.

 * RRCG Transport runs Alabang Town Center–Greenbelt 1, Ayala Malls South Park–Greenbelt 5, Robinsons Cainta–Trasierra, SM Cherry Antipolo–Greenbelt 5, SM City Masinag–Greenbelt 5
 * DNS Transport (Delta Neosolutions) runs from Eastwood City–Makati CBD, Sucat Exit—Greenbelt 5, and UP Town Center–Glorietta 3.
 * San Agustin runs Noveleta—Trasierra and SM Southmall—Circuit Lane.
 * HM Transport runs Robinsons Galleria—Glorietta 3.
 * MetroExpress Connect runs Camella Homes Dasmariñas—San Lorenzo Place, Robinsons Place Dasmariñas—Trasierra, Vista Mall Daang Hari—Trasierra, and Vista Mall Daang Hari—San Lorenzo Place.

By taxi
Taxis come form across the metro, including the airport. A single costs from Ninoy Aquino International Airport or  from Ermita.

By ferry
The Pasig River Ferry stops at one station in Makati: Guadalupe (near Guadalupe Bridge) is in a convenient spot for tourists, which makes this option far less convenient than hailing a taxi. It may be worth keeping the ferry service in mind as another means of getting into Makati from other riverside districts such as Manila/Intramuros in Manila.

Get around
You can easily walk around the Central Business District by way of the sidewalks or the pedestrian underpasses. Some areas in the Central Business District are connected with overpasses where pedestrians can walk above the streets.

Taxis are also abundant, especially around the malls. The flat rate is and a ride across town is.

It is inadvisable to drive in Makati. Makati has some of the strictest traffic rules in Metro Manila. Traffic marshals actively enforce rules. The metro-wide road space rationing ("number coding" or "color coding") scheme is active all day unlike in neighboring cities where they are only enforced during rush hour. Traffic jams are a headache, one-ways streets are common, and left turns are less common than rights. Parking fees are steep, especially in the CBD, and enforcement is draconian, with clamping or towing for violations.

Work
The Makati Central Business District is the home of some of the biggest companies in the Philippines. It is also where the top BPO's and contact centers are headquartered.

Buy
Ayala Center is the Philippines' answer to Singapore's Orchard Road or Thailand's Siam Square, and has a number of upscale malls. High-end brands and restaurants usually have branches here. The cost of buying in Makati is far more expensive than its neighboring cities or in any other city in the Philippines because of the upscale brands they have in Makati.

Eat
Makati is packed with dining choices:

Budget

 * Earl of Sandwich, 3rd Floor, Glorietta 4, Ayala Center. Excellent submarine sandwiches.
 * Mang Inasal Filipino-style chicken.

Pizza
The pizza debate will rage in eternity but thankfully, you're never far from a slice in Manila. No matter your personal definition of pizza, Makati has you covered with a mind-boggling array of choices. Of course, they have Pizza Hut, Papa John's, and Domino's, which if that's your thing, you won't have to look far.

 * Greenwich A favourite of locals. Very affordable yet tasty pizza, often located in mall food courts.
 * Yellow Cab Pizza Multiple locations, one of the Philippines' most successful pizza franchises that has gained its market share with good value for money, lots of toppings and imported cheese.
 * Sbarro Multiple locations throughout Metro Manila. Yes, it's a chain store but where else are you going to find Chicago-style deep dish? Nowhere.  Sbarro's it is. Their pastas are also filling and tasty.
 * California Pizza Kitchen Multiple locations including the third floor of Greenbelt 5. It is what it is. If thin crust is your taste, head here. Dine in, take away or delivery.
 * Shakey's Great traditional thin crust pizzas and a family restaurant.

Mid-range

 * Circles Event Café, Makati Shangri-La Hotel, Ayala Ave. cor. Makati Ave., +63 2 8814 2580. Offers an array of continental, oriental, à la carte and buffet selections in a relaxing ambiance.
 * Cibo, Italian restaurant with several branches, most notable at Shangri-la Plaza Mall in Mandaluyong and Glorietta 4. Their pasta dishes and panini sandwiches are great. Don't miss the very refreshing fresh red grape shake.
 * Sentro 1771, Greenbelt 3 2nd Level, Ayala Center, +63 2-7757-3940 to 41. Casual dining restaurant serving Filipino cuisine. Popular dishes include the tomato and kesong puti (native white cheese) salad, sizzling tofu and corned beef sinigang (corned beef in tamarind broth). They are known for their coffee pie.
 * Circles Event Café, Makati Shangri-La Hotel, Ayala Ave. cor. Makati Ave., +63 2 8814 2580. Offers an array of continental, oriental, à la carte and buffet selections in a relaxing ambiance.
 * Cibo, Italian restaurant with several branches, most notable at Shangri-la Plaza Mall in Mandaluyong and Glorietta 4. Their pasta dishes and panini sandwiches are great. Don't miss the very refreshing fresh red grape shake.
 * Sentro 1771, Greenbelt 3 2nd Level, Ayala Center, +63 2-7757-3940 to 41. Casual dining restaurant serving Filipino cuisine. Popular dishes include the tomato and kesong puti (native white cheese) salad, sizzling tofu and corned beef sinigang (corned beef in tamarind broth). They are known for their coffee pie.
 * Cibo, Italian restaurant with several branches, most notable at Shangri-la Plaza Mall in Mandaluyong and Glorietta 4. Their pasta dishes and panini sandwiches are great. Don't miss the very refreshing fresh red grape shake.
 * Sentro 1771, Greenbelt 3 2nd Level, Ayala Center, +63 2-7757-3940 to 41. Casual dining restaurant serving Filipino cuisine. Popular dishes include the tomato and kesong puti (native white cheese) salad, sizzling tofu and corned beef sinigang (corned beef in tamarind broth). They are known for their coffee pie.
 * Sentro 1771, Greenbelt 3 2nd Level, Ayala Center, +63 2-7757-3940 to 41. Casual dining restaurant serving Filipino cuisine. Popular dishes include the tomato and kesong puti (native white cheese) salad, sizzling tofu and corned beef sinigang (corned beef in tamarind broth). They are known for their coffee pie.

Drink
The epicenter of Makati's famous nightlife is Greenbelt where some of the city's best restaurants, cafes, bars and karaoke joints cluster around a park in the middle of the main business district. Meanwhile, there are a series of bars stretched out along Makati Avenue, northeast of Ayala Triangle, including the infamous P Burgos Street red district area.

The Poblacion area is next to (or arguably a part of) the Red Light District, and is possibly the best place for bar hopping in the Metro. The historically low rent (by Makati standards) of the area has led to several trendy bars and restaurants popping up, ranging from cheap beer gardens to some of the best bars in the country. Just start in the area around Don Pedro St. and walk around until you find a bar you like.
 * In Greenbelt: Museum Cafe Ground Floor, Ayala Museum, Makati Ave corner Dela Rosa Street (adjacent Greenbelt 3 and 5) Tel +63 2-757-3000. Kind of a swanky joint. Usually featuring live music. It's common to see well-heeled expats sipping mimosas at noon.

Northeast of Ayala Triangle

 * WG Diner Corner of Makati Ave. and Gen. Luna St., Makati, This unassuming outdoor establishment was the best kept secret in town. Located near the A. Venue Mall, across the street from the Wendy's and 7-Eleven. Friendly staff, decent Filipino food, and insanely cheap beer ( per bottle of San Miguel!), combined with a ringside seat on the parade of God-knows-what on Makati Ave., makes WG a solid choice for a laid-back night with friends.
 * Wide Eye Ground Grill (Kuwagos) Makati Ave. corner B. Valdez. This is where the locals go, and by locals, we mean contact center employees. Open 24 hours. A bucket of 6 San Miguel for . Serves Filipino dishes. The place gets unbearably loud on weekends.

Splurge
Thanks to its reputation as the country's premier financial district, Makati City is home to some of the country's pricier hotels. Many major international hotel chains have their local affiliates in Makati City.

Stay safe
Makati is generally peaceful. Perhaps the more peaceful place than Makati is the Bonifacio Global City (Fort Bonifacio) area of Taguig. Choosing between Manila and Makati? Makati is much better security-wise.

Be mindful of people coming from outside of Makati though. They tend to be tagged as 'less civilized' by Makati residents because most offenses in the city are made by them.

Be wary of strangers and take extra precaution when being approached. Avoid crowded places, as well as sketchy locations.

Metro Manila police are generally foreigner-friendly. As usual, the recommended approach is to be on high alert at all times, as incidents may take place anywhere.

Connect
The international telephone country code for the Philippines is +63. The area code for Metro Manila (including Makati) is 2.

Cope
English is spoken everywhere. All traffic signs and business establishments are in English. In formal business engagements, English is the language of choice.

Expect heavy daytime traffic in Makati. Avoid traveling during peak hours. While jeepneys are banned from certain areas (namely Ayala Center), they are in full force everywhere else. Just like any urban area, Makati is noisy. In addition to the general traffic noise, the city is in the midst of a construction boom, and construction is ongoing 24/7. So when choosing a hotel, it's a good idea to find out in advance what is happening in the nearby vicinity. If there's a 40-story tower going up across from the Mandarin Oriental, which there is, ask for a room facing the other direction. It's highly recommended to use tap water for washing your hands and nothing more.

Be wary of taxi drivers. Every other driver will tell you he doesn't know where Greenbelt 3 is, thereby forcing you to give directions or allow him to circle the area, unmercifully driving up your fare. On Friday and Saturday nights, never light a taxi if the driver refuses to use the meter and insist on an extortionate fare to your destination, for instance, a normal cab ride from P Burgos Street to Greenbelt should be no more than. On weekends, it's usually just to get in the cab. Some drivers will outright refuse to take you based upon what they perceive to be their odds of getting a return fare.

Also, if you're that reckless, beware of citizens stealing your information and making charges to your accounts.

Generally speaking, Makati is the most civilized and comfortable metropolis in the Philippines. Travelers of all nations will feel comfortable.

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Makawao

Makawao is a town on the island of Maui in the state of Hawai'i, United States of America. Pronounced MAH-kah-wow and meaning "Eye of the Forest," Makawao is one of four towns (the others are Ha'iku, Pukalani and Kula) that make up the semi-ambiguous region known as "Upcountry."

As Makawao marks the start of a vast expanse of jungle-like rainforests that wrap around the north and east sides of Maui, it is naturally wet and cool. Average temperatures are generally 5 to 10 degrees below those at sea-levels or in Kahului. Makawao is known for its cowboy culture, incredibly eclectic mix of residents, uniquely laid-back and liberal character and delicious local eateries. During World War II and the two decades that followed it, Makawao was host to a famed USO club as well as a local population of active military personnel, many of whom were stationed at the nearby 4th Marine Infantry Division in neighboring Ha'iku.

Get in
Kahului Airport is the main airport for the island of Maui, and the second largest commercial airport in the state. It is a secondary hub for Hawaiian Airlines, which provides interisland service to Kahului from the other major airports in the state. Several major U.S. airlines also provide non-stop service to Maui from the West Coast and beyond.

Other airports on Maui include the Ka'anapali Airport located outside of Lahaina, serving the west side of the island, and Hana Airport located in Hana, serving the eastern part of the island. (Generally, it is far less expensive to fly into Maui via Kahului Airport rather than into Hana or Ka'anapali Airport, however travel between these three airports as a means of travel around the island can offer an inexpensive alternative to car rentals if done at the right time of year.)

To get to Makawao, exit the airport and follow the signs toward Haleakala Highway. Once on Haleakala Highway, travel up the mountain, turning left onto Makawao Avenue after approximately 7.5 miles and following Makawao Ave until you reach Makawao town, about a mile down the road.

See
Seeing Makawao is easy, as the town is mostly comprised of the intersection of Baldwin and Makawao Ave. Makawao is an old Paniolo (cowboy) town and much of its history is reflected in the architecture and feel - even today you can find horse-hitching posts scattered around the town. Highlights of Makawao include The Makawao Steak House, a popular local restaurant (order their Kalaheo cut, a 24oz cut of bone-in prime rib), Pollis, the local watering hole and Mexican restaurant, Casanova's, the towns' Italian restaurant and Upcountry's nightlife epicenter and Komoda's Bakery (home of the famous stick donut). Visitors should walk from Makawao Ave down Baldwin Ave, perusing the many shops and local businesses that give the town its unique character.

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: Makawao


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Makedonski Brod

Makedonski Brod is a town in Western North Macedonia, on the south-eastern part of Suva Gora, western Karadžica, and south-western Dautica mountains. The Makedonski Brod Municipality, which consists of the town and 50 surrounding villages, contains the historical region of Poreče which is tied to the Treska River. This region has countless old villages with traditional Macedonian architecture. Aside from this, it is known for its several important caves.

Get in
Makedonski Brod and the larger Poreče region is situated in the west of Macedonia, south of Skopje. It can be reached from highway A-2 by taking R1303 east, from Prilep by taking that same road west, and from Skopje by taking R1106.

Get around
Poreče is a relatively large region with villages scattered around it. Therefore, a car or bicycle will be needed to get from place to place.

Churches and monasteries
The Makedonski Brod area is home to one significant monastery and several historic churches.

Events
Makedonski Brod has a unique Easter tradition that involves local men forming human towers by standing on top of one another. The tradition dates back to Ottoman times as an act of defiance and pride in the Christian faith of the locals, as opposed to the ruling Muslim Turks. The tower structure involves some symbolism of Jesus Christ and Christianity.

title: Makedonski Brod


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Makeni

Makeni is a city in Sierra Leone.

Understand
Makeni is the main provincial town in the North of Sierra Leone. It has seen rapid development in the last few years because of its proximity to the major mining and bio-fuel production areas.

Get in
The roads from Freetown are very good. From Freetown, head to Masiaka, Rogbere Junction and then via Lunsar to Makeni. The journey from Freetown should take less than 2 hours, depending on the traffic conditions in Freetown. The road to Magburaka is also in good condition.

Eat
There are several very nice places to eat in Makeni. Global Restaurant on Magburaka Road offers both local and international food for a very good price. The waitresses are extremely friendly and appreciate the business and will often sit and chat with you throughout your visit.

If you're looking for a more familiar touch, you must go to The Clubhouse Bar, also on Magburaka Road. This is a bar and restaurant operated by the charity Street Child of Sierra Leone. All profits are used for Street Child projects across the country. Whilst prices are expensive in comparison to other restaurants around Makeni, the food is very good and it is one of the few air conditioned buildings in Makeni. At the Clubhouse you have the choice of sitting outside under one of two large awnings in the courtyard, or sit inside in the main area of the restaurant. Most of the time, it is quiet enough that you will have full control over the television and AC, meaning that you can watch the news during your lunch or take in a football match with your friends. It also has become a popular hangout area for young volunteers from abroad, so there is usually a very good vibe around the place.

In the centre of town, near the Clock Tower, there are several food stalls offering all kinds of food. Popular choices are the bread and meat skewer stations. You can buy a loaf of bread and 5 skewers of meat for about Le 6,000, or under £1, and make a delicious meat sandwich which will fill you up for hours. There are also several fruit stalls offering seasonal produce throughout the day and night.

Sleep
Makeni has a few hotels/guest houses which are above the general standard expected for a regional town. The most famous of which is the Wusum Hotel. A substantial sum was invested in the construction of this place and it is popular with international visitors. MJ's Hotel is also of a reasonable standard and is on the main road through Makeni. There are some other guest houses in and around the town.

Connect
Western style commercial radio station, Capital Radio, covers the city on 103.3MHz.

Go next
Makeni is a good base for exploring the Northern Province. It is easy to get transport to Kamakwie, the town nearest to Outamba-Kilimi National Park.

title: Makeni


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Makhachkala

Makhachkala (Russian: Махачкала́ [məxət͡ɕkɐˈla]) (Avar: МахӀачхъала [maħat͡ʃq͡χːala]) is the capital city of Dagestan and the largest city in the North Caucasus. It is one of the fastest growing cities in Russia and has a population of approximately 595,000.

Get in
A daily train service from Moscow is available, taking two nights. Long-distance connections with Novosibirsk and Saint Petersburg among others are 1-2 times each week. Trains heading to and from Baku also call here.

See
Anzhi Makhachkala, the local football club.

Stay safe
According to many governments, travel in Dagestan is not safe. See the warning at the Dagestan article.

title: Makhachkala


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Makrinitsa

Makrinitsa (Greek: Μακρινίτσα), called the 'balcony' of Mt Pelion, Magnesia, Greece, for its amazing views. Located only birth-flight, or  by winding mountain road, north-east of Volos it is one of the most easily accessed of Pelions 24 villages.

Understand
One of the most characteristic traditional settlements on mount Pelion. It is filled with mansions and houses from the Ottoman era that look like hanging ornaments on the green mountain side and are colorful (but not as Portaria). Many of these have been restored into restaurants and guesthouses. It sits on a slope of the Pelion range and another mountaintop to the east with forests, at a height of about above sea level. The square with age-old trees lends a panoramic view of Volos and the Pagasetic Gulf. In one of the traditional coffee houses there is a big fresco by the 20th century naïve folkloristic artist Theofilos. The picturesque cobbled paths of Makrinitsa are scattered with traditional water fountains. Makrynitsa, with a population of about 900 people, has a school, a lyceum, a church, a post office and a square (plateia) with tall trees.

Orientation in Makrinitsa is made more difficult by the fact that village streets are not named. Every place has got the address "Makrinitsa 370 11". Fortunately Makrinitsa is not very large, and you can easily orient yourself by the pedestrian main street, on which you will find the town square and the village church.

Get in
By bus from Volos Interurban Bus Terminal ("Yperastiko KTEL") (KTEL Volou), Details on buses, can be found online here

A taxi from Volos city centre will cost approximately €20, although do ask before you get in.

There is some parking in the village, in the main carpark at the foot of the village and on the approach roads. It does get very busy in the carpark, and the approach roads are on a fairly steep gradient. Park with your front wheels turned to point into the kerb and either in park or in first gear!

Buy
There is a main street lined with shops leading from the carpark to the main square. These shops sell all kinds of touristy trinkets, as well as jarred fruits in syrup, local herbs and pasta.

Drink
The tap water is drinkable and restaurants will serve glasses of ice water upon request. Local drinks include Mythos (beer) and Ouzo.

title: Makrinitsa


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Maku

Maku is a city in Iranian Azerbaijan.

Understand
Entering the country at Gürbulak/Bazergan border post from Doğubayazıt in Turkey, this will be the first major Iranian town on your route.

See

 * Ruins of a fortress are folded into a ledge of the high cliff that towers above the town centre.
 * Panj Cheshmeh is a bridge is located 5 km from Maku on the Zangmar River, and is a monument from the Safavid era. This bridge was constructed in order to facilitate communications between Tabriz and Maku, and the surrounding rural areas.
 * Panj Cheshmeh is a bridge is located 5 km from Maku on the Zangmar River, and is a monument from the Safavid era. This bridge was constructed in order to facilitate communications between Tabriz and Maku, and the surrounding rural areas.

Do

 * Hiking - it is advisable to have a guide or stay within eyesight of the town. Due to its proximity to the Turkish border, it is easy to cross the border unintentionally.
 * Rock climbing- There are numerous rock climbing sites at the northern part of the city, some exceeding 200 meters.

title: Maku


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Makung

Makung or Magong (馬公 Mǎgōng in Mandarin, Má-keng in Minnan) is a city of 60,000 people (2014) city in the offshore Penghu Islands of Taiwan. It is the only city on the islands. The city has many historical sites tracing back to the Ming Dynasty.

Get in
See Penghu page to see how to reach Makung by ferry or by plane from Taiwan main island, or from Kinmen island.

Get around
The city is walkable. Otherwise, there are plenty of motorbike rental shops.

Eat
Siwei Vermicelli of Penghu it is reckoned that due to the climate of the island, it is a good place to produce vermicelli, and many noodle makers settled on the island as a result.

Sleep
Book ahead because hotels can fill up fast in summer. Hotels offer discounts in the off-season (winter and early spring).

 * MF Hotel PengHu
 * Bowa Hotel (near Magong Harbor)
 * Yi Mei B&B (traditional style)
 * Bayhouse Hostel Penghu (close to the beach in the suburbs)

Connect
4G connection is available everywhere.

Go next
See Penghu for other cities and islands around Makung.

title: Makung


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Malabar

Malabar is a region in South India. The name of the region is thought to be derived from the Malayalam words mala (hill) and vaaram (range, region), westernized into -bar. The region is a part of The Malabar Coast, which in historical contexts, refers to India's southwest coast, lying on the narrow coastal plain of Karnataka and Kerala states between the Western Ghats range and the Arabian Sea. The coast runs from south of Goa to Cape Comorin on India's southern tip. The area is famous for its history as a major spice trade centre. This region was the port of first call for Vasco da Gama on his maiden voyage on the Cape Route.

Districts
The region is divided into five districts, arranged north to south:

Cities
Here are nine of the most notable cities.
 * or Calicut. for museums and parks
 * or Cannanore. for Theyyam temple dance.
 * or Tellicherry. for beautiful beaches
 * , for beautiful tea estates at Meppadi
 * Beach, old French enclave.
 * , for the cute riverside temple.
 * , for Herbal medicines and massages
 * , for the walk into the sea, 1 km long Pulimoottu.

National Parks

 * — dense lush green trees with a huge variety of animals such as dSanctuaries eer, elephant and tigers besides a large number of birds

 * , Karnataka — an exclusive hunting reserve it is a well managed park with tiger, gaur and elephants

 * — largest national park in Kerala that is virtually an undisturbed natural area that is home to several endangered or rare species of birds, plants and animals. Sairandhri hosts the visitor center for this park

 * — established in 1973, it is the second largest wildlife sanctuary in Kerala and home to a large variety of animals

History
Malabar was a district of British India until 1947. After Indian independence, Malabar became part of the state of Kerala and was divided into six new districts. The people of Malabar are very friendly and respond reasonably well when you speak to them in English or Hindi.

Weather
Malabar is the area of Southern India that receives the heaviest rainfall per year, particularly during the monsoon season.

Speech
Malayalam is the local language but English is generally understood.

Entry Destinations
There are airports at Kozhikode, Kannur and Mangalore.

Travel
Malabar has excellent bus services charging only ₹7 for 3 km. The crew might seem a little rude for no apparent reason. The drivers, being unable to show their rudeness to the passengers, show it in their driving style.

Mini buses are a better option: they stop everywhere and the conductors are pleasant to passengers. They charge ₹7 for every three km.

Government buses are called KSRTC. Travelling in one is considered a luxury by local standards. KSRTC has marginally higher charges for Fast Passenger and Super-fast services. Air-conditioned Volvo buses are also operated by KSRTC charging three times the ordinary fare.

Autorikshaws are cheaper than other parts of the country and usually only charge ₹15 per km.

Taxis charge ₹1,000 for a day's contract. They can also be hired for shorter distances after negotiating the fare in advance. Air conditioned jeeps are available for hill side travel.

Activities

 * Theyyam Folk Dance and Rituals - Malabar is known for the "Theyyam" folk dance which are part of the "Kavu" festivals. Kavu Festivals are celebrated from the end of December to April and especially during February and March.
 * Visit Wayanad which is a famous hill resort in North Kerala. Wayanad is known for its spices, waterfalls and wildlife.
 * Travellers can visit some of the famous beaches of Malabar. Bekal Beach in Kasargod, Payyambalam Beach in Kannur, Muzhappilangad Beach and Dharmadam Island in Thalassery, Beypore Beach in Kozhikkode, Kappad Beach in Kozhikkode are all famous beaches in Malabar.
 * Bekal Fort in Kasargod District, St. Angelo Fort in Kannur, Thalassery Fort, Palakkad Fort excellent forts to visit. They offer rich architectural vistas and an excellent dose of history.
 * There are 3 water theme parks in Kannur District that are worth visiting. They are Vismaya, Sadhoo Merry Kingdom and Jukis.
 * Thirayattam is one of the most outstanding ethnic performing art of Kerala state in India. This Ritualistic annual celebration enacted in courtyards of sacred groves and village shrines of south malabar region (Kozhikode & malappuram Dt: )at Kerala. This vibrant ethnic art form manifested to place the deities and rapid in movements. The word "Thirayattam" refers to a 'colourful dance'. It is an admixture of dance, drama, song, instrumental music, facilal & body makeup, martial art and rituals composed in a harmonizing manner. Thirayattam differs from other performance by this unique customs tradition and artistity. Thirayattam is performed in the courtyards of Kaavu (sacred groves) with accompaniment of traditional torch - light (coconut palm leaves) and big drum beets. It reflects the antique life style and tradition through the unique customs. kaavu (sacred groves) are thick vegetation isolated for divine purpose. Thirayattam annual festival in between January to April.

Food
Malabar cuisine, which its residents consider to be the tastiest varieties of Kerala cuisine, is distinguished by the preparation style and unique recipes. It is a style that arose from the blending of Arab, Brahmin, Zamorin, and Chirakkal cultural influences. You will find that Malabar offers a full range of vegetarian options. There are plenty of non-vegetarian dish varieties for omnivores, too. Dishes are accompanied by a plethora of distinctive rice preparations, rice breads, and flatbreads. Malabar also has an unusually bountiful selection of traditional Indian snacks. The extreme north of Malabar has a large presence of Konkani influence, with distinctive recipes focusing more on seafood.

 * Dum biryani - One of Malabar's most distinctive specialties.
 * Malabar paratha - The local variant of the unleavened flatbread is especially fluffy and soft.
 * Pathiri - A type of rice bread.
 * Rice - Popular preparations include ghee rice, saffron rice, and fried rice.

However today most of the style varieties are available throughout Kerala and though unique food specialties needed to be tasted at its own place.

Drinks
Beer and wine are easily available. Stronger drinks are available only in five-star hotels.

Hazards
Malabar is free from violent crime but not free from petty thieves. Police usually rescues tourists trapped in bus stations. Tourists should take care while roaming forest areas, but be careful in lonely treks.

Go next

 * Cochin
 * Mysore
 * Ooty

title: Malabar


text:
Malabo

Malabo is the largest city and the capital of Equatorial Guinea and is on the island of Bioko. Notable buildings in Malabo include Malabo Cathedral, Malabo Government Building and the Malabo Court Building.

History
The city was founded by the British in 1827, who leased the island from Spain during the colonial period. Named Port Clarence, it was used as a naval station in the effort to suppress the slave trade. Many newly freed slaves were also settled there, prior to the establishment of Sierra Leone as a colony for freed slaves. While many of them later relocated to Sierra Leone, some of their descendants, called Fernandinos, can still be found in Malabo and the surrounding area, where they constitute a distinct ethnic group, speaking their own Afro-Portuguese pidgin dialect.

When the island reverted to complete Spanish control, Malabo was renamed Santa Isabel. It was chosen to replace the mainland town of Bata as the capital of the country in 1969, and was renamed Malabo in 1973 as part of President Francisco Macías Nguema's campaign to replace European place names with "authentic" African ones.

During his "reign of terror," Macías Nguema led a near-genocide of the country's Bubi minority, which formed the majority on Bioko Island, and brought many of his own tribespeople, the Fang, to Malabo. In the final years of his rule, when Equatorial Guinea was sometimes known as the "Auschwitz of Africa," much of the city's population fled as, indeed, did about one-third of the country's population. Malabo has yet to recover from the scars of that period.

Orientation
Despite its status as the capital of Equatorial Guinea for several decades, Malabo's street network was poorly developed. Because of money from the country's rich natural resources, Malabo now has streets and a 6-lane motorway. Many of the street names reflect an African nationalist or anti-colonial theme, with names such as "Independence Avenue" or "Patrice Lumumba Road" being major roads. The few large roads not named for an African nationalist ideal or person are named for cities in Equatorial Guinea or other places or countries in Africa, as is the road leading to the presidential palace.

The palace and grounds consume a substantial part of the eastern side of Malabo, and are off-limits. The heart of the city is the colonial cathedral at Independence Place. Many buildings in the city from the Spanish colonial era are still standing. The south of Malabo is bordered by the Rio Consul. Across this lies the hospital to the southeast. To the west is the renovated airport. The coastal northern region of the city is pierced by headlands and bays. The largest headland is the crescent-shaped Tip of African Unity behind the presidential palace. Encompassing the entire eastern side of Malabo Bay, it is almost as long as Malabo is tall. Malabo is part of a wider bay that represents most of the northern coast of Bioko; it stretches from Europe Point in the west (home to the airport), to the luxury hotels and gated communities of Sipopo in the east.

By boat
Ferries sail from Douala and Bata to Malabo port.

Get around
Malabo is quite walkable. Taxis are cheap. 500 FCFA during the day should get you anywhere within the city. 3,000 FCFA should get you from the city to the Marathon Oil compound. Be prepared to pay more at night or when the police are out enforcing traffic laws.

See

 * Malabo National Park, covers an area of 870,000 meter squared, this park offers sports area. It was established in June 2016.

 * Casa de Kristalysky-boy-gastaho, hiking.

 * Hacienda Natividad, hiking.

Buy
ATMs are not common. Local bank SGBGE has some machines (there is one at the Ibis Hotel) that work with international Visa cards at least.

 * Heton, women's clothing store.

 * Cuattro S.L, shopping mall.

 * Caba Market.

 * Solfage, department store.

 * Disca Mini market.

 * Supermarcado Martinez Hermanos.

 * Cadosbe Ship Chandler.

 * Mercamar.

 * MilobiGs.

 * Fontaneria Fruteg.

Eat

 * Cacahual MEGPL club House.

 * Restaurant Pizzeria Times.

 * Restaurante Imagine.

 * Restaurante Africano Candy.

 * Pizza Place Paraiso.

Drink

 * Pizzeria Italiana.

 * Complejo el Caribe.

 * Olympus Skybar.

 * Garden Lounge.

 * Cafe Maria.

 * Kristal Lounge Malabo.

 * Bar Baney.

Sleep

 * Hotel Anda China Malabo.
 * Ibis Malabo.
 * Hotel Anda China Malabo.
 * Ibis Malabo.
 * Hotel Anda China Malabo.
 * Ibis Malabo.
 * Ibis Malabo.

Cope
BBC World Service broadcasts English language programmes in Malabo on 92.5MHz.

Embassies

 * 🇨🇳 China
 * 🇫🇷 France
 * 🇩🇪 Germany
 * 🇬🇧 United Kingdom
 * 🇺🇸 United States

Go next
Many Equatorial Guinea-based airlines are blocked from operating in the EU, and thus only a few international airlines operate from Malabo, including Air France, Ethiopian, Lufthansa, Ceiba Intercontinental, Air Maroc and Turkish Airlines.

CEIBA Intercontinental may have flights to Annobón and Bata.

title: Malabo


text:
Malabon

Malabon City is a city in Metro Manila, known for its wide variety of seafoods and the well-known noodle, the pancit malabon.

Get in
Buses, jeepneys, taxis, and tricycles bound for Malabon are available in any parts of Metro Manila.

Malabon is the current terminus of trains from central Manilla. The under construction North-South Commuter Railway will have a station in Malabon when it opens in the late 2020s.

Get around
If you need to use public transportation try sakay.ph, it will show you the right type to your destination.

title: Malabon


text:
Malacca

Malacca City (Malay: Bandaraya Melaka, and officially Melaka City) is a city and the capital of the state of Malacca, Malaysia. Malacca is a vibrant old city with a unique historical and cultural background. The city centre is listed as a, along with George Town, Penang.

Understand
Malacca was the capital of a powerful Malay kingdom before the colonial era, and was influenced by subsequent Portuguese, Dutch and British rule.

History
Before the arrival of the first Sultan, Malacca was a simple fishing village inhabited by local Malays. The Malacca Sultanate was founded by Parameswara, also called Iskandar Shah or Sri Majara, the last Raja of Singapura (the Malay name of Singapore) following a Majapahit attack in 1377. Parameswara found his way to Malacca in 1400 where he found a port, accessible in all seasons and on the strategically located narrowest point of the Malacca Strait. This later became Malacca.

There are some interesting legends surrounding the foundation and naming of Malacca. According to the 16th century Malay Annals, the city was founded by Parameswara. Some believe it more likely that he was a Hindu prince and political fugitive from nearby Java. The legend goes that Parameswara was out on a hunt in the region and had stopped to refresh himself near what is now the Malacca River. Standing near a melaka (Indian gooseberry) tree he was surprised to witness one of his hunting dogs so startled by a mouse deer that it fell into the river. Parameswara took this as a propitious sign of the weak overcoming the powerful and decided to build the capital of his new kingdom where he stood, naming it for the tree under which he had been resting. Another account says Malacca is derived from the Arabic word Malakat, meaning "market". Malacca had a navigable harbour sheltered by nearby Sumatra across the narrow straits. It was supplied with an ample quantity of fresh water, enjoyed a prime location relative to the shifting monsoon winds, and had a central location in regional trade patterns, all of which soon made it a prosperous trading town. Its fortunes increased with its official adoption of Islam in the 14th century. The Sultans of Malacca were soon attracting Arab traders from far afield. However, Malacca continued to trade with merchants of all races and religions.

After the visit of the Chinese Muslim Admiral Cheng Ho in the mid-15th century, contact between China and Malacca intensified. In exchange for protection against Siam, Malacca became a vassal state to Ming China. To ensure Malacca's safety, a new and powerful kingdom was founded by the Sultan of Samudra-Pasai. Cheng Ho's visit also sparked off the first wave of Chinese immigration to Malacca, with many of these Chinese settlers taking on local Malay brides to give rise to the Peranakan community. The result of this is a unique fusion of Chinese and Malay cultures. The men are addressed as Babas and the women Nyonyas by their servants meaning "master" and "mistress".

The power of the Malays began to rise through the 15th century. In the Malay Annals, Sultan Mansur Shah was mentioned as having six wives, and the fifth was stated to be a daughter of the Ming Emperor. However, in the Chinese chronicles, no such event was recorded.

Things started to change with the arrival of the Portuguese in 1509. They were at first welcomed, but Indian traders soon turned the sultan against the Portuguese and they had to flee. In 1511 the Portuguese returned, and at their second attempt seized the city. During the Portuguese colonial period, many Portuguese men settled in the city and took on local brides, giving rise to the Eurasian community, whose culture is a unique fusion of European and Asian traditions. The Portuguese turned the city into a massive walled fortress complete with a tower bristling with cannon. It was believed that such fortifications could withstand the encroachments of other European powers eager for a slice of the Asian luxury goods trade.

An alliance between the Dutch and the Sultan of Johor saw the loss much of Malacca's power. In 1641 the Dutch navy put a blockade on Malacca and they seized the city after six months. During the siege much of the Portuguese city was destroyed.

Only after 150 years did the Dutch lose their hold on Malacca. In 1795 The Netherlands was conquered by the French, and the British were keen to take over the Dutch holdings in Malacca. By that time, Malacca had lost most of its former importance, although it remained an important part of Asian trade routes.

The A Famosa gate is all that remains of the old Portuguese and Dutch forts. As the Napoleonic Wars wound down the British knew Malacca would be returned to Dutch control. In order to make the city indefensible, the city walls were blown down. A last minute intervention by a British officer, the young Sir Stamford Raffles (founder of British Singapore) saved the gate. Shortly after its return to Dutch rule, the Dutch and British governments swapped colonies - British Bencoolen in Sumatra for Dutch Malacca.

Talk
Malacca is a culturally diverse city, and this is reflected in the number of languages in use in daily life. As in other parts of Malaysia, Malay is the lingua franca, and English is widely spoken in tourist areas and among upper-class locals. The ethnic Chinese community mainly speaks Hokkien, though many are also able to speak Cantonese and Mandarin. The ethnic Indian community mainly consists of Tamil speakers, though there is also a significant Sikh minority that mainly speaks Punjabi. The Peranakan community speaks a distinctive Malay-based creole with strong Hokkien influences known as Baba Malay, while the Portuguese-Eurasian community speaks a Portuguese-based creole known as Kristang.

By plane
Ground transportation:

Batang Bus (yellow, cream and red) from Melaka Sentral will go past the airport. Buses stop by the main road about 200 m from the airport building. Tuahbas No. 65 (blue and white) to Taman Merdeka also goes from Melaka Sentral past the airport via Bachang.

Kuala Lumpur International Airport KLIA, is the nearest airport with commercial flights and is 1½-2 hr away by car. The bus company Transnasional runs 4 direct buses daily at 09:15, 11:45, 16:15 & 20:15 (RM22/16 adult/child), travelling time 2½ hours, but if you miss them, you'll have to detour via KL or take a taxi with travelling time about 1½ hours (fixed "budget" fare RM159, one-way, counter inside Domestic Arrivals, the guard will happily let you and your trolley of luggage back into this area from outside).

By bus
Many long-distance express buses connect Malacca with both Kuala Lumpur, Seremban, Johor Bahru, Singapore and other parts of Peninsular Malaysia. All long-distance and local buses operate from the, a good 4.5 km from the historic core of the city.

To reach the main historical district take bus number 17 which departs from the domestic bus terminal of Melaka Sentral at the bus bay '17'. This bus goes to Chinatown and Taming Sari. The closest stop to Chinatown is Dutch Square, which you will easily identify from the brick red Christ Church and Stadthuys. Price is RM2/person (July 2017). Bus 17 is a loop line, so when you need to go back to Melaka Sentral you can take it at the same place where you got off, but using bus 17 back to Melaka Sentral does take much longer than the inbound journey (about 40 min). A much faster (and cheaper) way is to walk to the end of Jonker Walk until Jalan Kabu. You will see a Tamil Methodist Church on your right and a bus stop (Perhentian Jalan Kabu) across the street (named Jalan Kabu). From there, the bus costs RM1.5 (July 2017) and takes 15 min to reach Melaka Sentral. Buses 17 run about every 20-40 min depending on the traffic.

From Sentral, if you wish to take a taxi to the center instead then head towards the rear of the building. There's an official taxi stand that will appoint a driver to you. These are typically dirty with rude and aggressive drivers out to cheat both locals and foreigners. They would refuse to use the meter and charge exorbitant prices for short distances (a ride from Melaka Sentral to the main tourist area at Jonker Street would be about RM 25 and above). Locals would typically refer to taxi drivers as "samseng" (Malay for gangsters) and recommend using ride-sharing/e-hailing options such as Uber or the local Malaysian company called Grab as cheaper and more professional alternatives. A ride to Jonker would be about RM8 for a comfortable clean car and friendly local driver. If arriving by bus at Melaka Sentral, head to the main entrance to request a pick up. Do not go to the back entrance where the overpriced taxis wait. You would need to download the apps on your smart phone prior to arriving.

From Kuala Lumpur
Southbound buses now leave from new bus terminal Bersepadu Selatan (TBS), which is next to LRT station and KTM Komuter station Bandar Tasik Selatan. Easiest way to get there from Chinatown is walk to Kuala Lumpur old railway station (opposite side of canal from LRT Pasar Seni station, use overpass) and take KTM Komuter train for RM1.10 or take LRT from Masjid Jamek station. Buses leave every half hour, price ticket to Melaka Sentral is between RM10 and RM15, and the ride takes 2 hr 15 min.

There are also several daily buses from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (for details see couple of paragraphs above).

From Singapore
Many bus companies operate from Lavender St. bus terminal directly to Melaka Sentral. Bus schedules vary between companies but some operates have hourly buses. Best show up and buy tickets in advance if you want to travel on Saturday morning and return Sunday afternoon as many Singaporean tourists have the same idea. The fares can vary starting from around SGD14-50 one way depending on class of the bus.

Bus rides often take 3½–5 hours depending on how long it takes to cross the Singapore-Malaysia borders, which during peak periods can cause massive delay. You will have to get your passport stamped at each end of the border and you must bring all your luggage with you when you are making an entrance into each country. Generally, the bus will wait for you at the border but sometimes they will expect you to catch the next bus if you take too long to get through customs. Make sure you remember what your bus looks like (the number plate is quite a handy thing to remember). The buses will also have a 20- to 30-min rest stop along the way where you can purchase food and use the toilet facilities (whose cleanliness can be questionable). The Singapore customs area has decent toilet facilities, if required.

Some of the companies operating to/from Malacca are:

 * Transnasional, is the largest long-distance bus operator in Malaysia. It links the state with a host of destinations in Peninsular Malaysia like Kuala Lumpur, Seremban, Singapore and further afield. Transnasional buses depart from Malacca City (Melaka Sentral), Alor Gajah, A'Famosa Resort and Masjid Tanah.
 * Malacca-Kuala Lumpur Express: Hourly buses between Malacca City and Kuala Lumpur from 05:30-19:00. Tickets cost RM12.50.
 * Jebat Ekspres: Buses to Kuala Lumpur via Masjid Tanah and Alor Gajah.
 * Malacca-Singapore Express: Hourly buses between Malacca City and Johor Bahru and Singapore 08:00-19:00. Tickets cost RM19 to/from Johor Baru, and RM22.00 to Singapore. The route from Singapore to Malacca is SGD20
 * Delima Express: Buses from Singapore to Malacca/ Malacca to Singapore. Tickets cost SGD20.80/RM22 (RM/26 in July 2017). The boarding location at Singapore is City Plaza @ Payar Lebar. Online bookings are available.
 * Mayang Sari Express: Buses to/from Johor Baru. Tickets cost RM19.
 * MCW Express: Frequent express services to Muar, Johor
 * 707 Travel: Favourite bus company of Chinese-Singaporeans going to Malacca. Departs 4-5 times to/from Malacca (Melaka Sentral) and Singapore (Queen Street). Does not stop at Yong Peng, so the trip can be as short as 3.5 hours. SGD25 from Singapore; RM25 from Malacca. In monsoon season around New Year's prices are SGD20 from Singapore. There are horror stories coming out of this company but don't be put off. Their communication may be a bit poor but if you take too long to get through customs, you just need to show the next 707 bus your ticket and you will be on your way. However, it is not fun hanging out on the Malaysian border as there is no air conditioning.

From Johor Bahru
very regular 1/30-60min, RM 20-21, duration ~2h30.

By train
Malacca Town is not served by any railway lines. The nearest railway station is at Pulau Sebang/Tampin,, in the Alor Gajah district about away. The station is on the main Kuala Lumpur-Johor Bahru line and served by all trains.

Getting there:

By bus:The "Tai Lye" bus goes from the Tampin townsite to Malacca. You'll be looking for bus #26. When you get off the train, walk down the road to the right about 400 m until you reach the main road. You now have two options. 1) Cross the road and wait until bus 26 comes toward you, wave madly at it, and it will stop to pick you up. 2) When you reach the main road, turn left and walk about 600 m into town. You'll come to an intersection that T's the main road, with a road branching left up a hill. Walk up that road about 200 m and the bus station is on your left. This is a less risk but more walk option. If you've got lots of luggage, you can also take a taxi from the train station to the bus station. If you get lost walking, just ask locals for the "bus station". Few speak English here, but they'll understand where you want to get to. The bus fare is RM4.30, and you'll need ringgit cash to pay it with. The trip takes about an hour and a half.

"Salira" bus (light blue and yellow) also goes from Melaka Sentral to Tampin via Ayer Keroh and Durian Tunggal. Get off bus at same spot as Tai Lye.

By taxi: There should be a taxi or two at the train station waiting for someone like you to come along. If there isn't, walk into town with the above directions. You'll see one soon enough. The cost will be somewhere around RM50, but you can try haggling a bit. Either way, get them to take you to your hotel, or if they can only take you to Malacca Sentral, get a cheaper fare (don't wait to discuss this in the taxi!) If you have the cash, and more than just a briefcase, this is the easier option. The cars are air conditioned (another bargaining chip if they aren't), and have trunk space for your gear. Plus, you could share the cost with up to three other people. Or if you are alone, maybe there is a local who's also trying to get to Malacca and would appreciate a free ride? Remember to be safe though. Don't get into your taxi until the driver has, always pay at the destination, and watch your stuff! The trip by taxi takes about 40 minutes.

By car
Malacca can be accessed from the North South Expressway. When coming from the south, drive along E2 and leave the expressway at the Ayer Keroh exit. Alternatively, one can leave the highway at the Simpang Empat exit and proceed through normal road to Malacca. This route will pass through the town of Alor Gajah and now with the new highway (ring road) completed, the trip from Simpang Empat to Malacca will take approximately 20-30 min by car.

Malacca city is on the Coastal Trunk Road (Federal Route 5), and can be accessed from the Main Trunk Road (Federal Route 1) by turning off at Simpang Kendong or Tampin, Negeri Sembilan. Malacca is 150 km (93 mi) from Kuala Lumpur, 216 km (134 mi) from Johor Bahru, and 90 km (56 mi) from Port Dickson.

Rent a car
For those who want an easy and direct way out from either Kuala Lumpur's LCCT or KLIA airport to Malacca, an easy way is to rent or hire a car or van. It will take you 1-1½ hr to get there. Prices range from RM150-RM400 depending upon the vehicle type and rental duration.

By taxi
Chartered taxi services are available from the end of Jalan Kee Ann. They travel within Malacca state and outside Malacca such as to KLIA International Airport and Kuala Lumpur and carry up to 4 passengers at a time. Many taxis will use a set fare rather than a meter for such trips, so you should agree on a price before getting in. If you rather avoid the negotiations, most hotels are able to book these trips for you (although some may take a rather large commission, so check the fare), or you can book online through a range of companies. Typical fares to KLIA are RM150-200, depending also on the car model. Family-taxis are available from some companies. Car apps are just under RM200 as of Sep 2023, a worthwhile 2-day wage and mini-vacation for some gig workers.

By boat
Daily ferries run from Bengkalis, Dumai and Pekanbaru in Sumatra, Indonesia. All ferries arrive and depart from the (Jeti Shahbandar) at Taman Melaka Raya near the Maritime Museum.

Getting there:: Malacca Town Bus No. 17 (Green) goes near the Harbour Master's jetty which is just down the road from the Red Square.

From Bengkalis
Bengkalis are not listed as a visa-free or visa-on-arrival point of entry into Indonesia. However, those entitled to visa-free entry, or at least Malaysian passport holders, do not seem to face any problems.

Get around
Malacca is by no means a small city, but most of the main sites are within easy walking distance from each other and are best explored on foot. Be mindful not to hold up traffic while taking pictures of buildings. The locals have generally good driving sense and adhere to traffic laws.

By car
Streets in the older/historical part of the city are very narrow, so they quickly become clogged during peak hours. This is especially so during the weekends, when cars from other parts of Malaysia and from Singapore flood to the city. Finding a car park lot is also extremely difficult during weekends. Most of the roads are also one-way, so plan your route properly.

By taxi
Avoid taxis if possible and use e-hailing Uber or Grab rides. Taxis are known to be rude and aggressive, and refuse to use meters and overcharge passengers. Chartered taxis would cost about RM20 to go anywhere in the city whereas an e-hailing ride may be lower than half the price for a much safer and cleaner car and driver.

By bus

 * Malacca Town Bus No 17: Melaka Sentral Terminal to the historic core, Mahkota Parade, Melaka Raya and the Portuguese Settlement. The fare from Melaka Sentral to Makhota Parade is RM1.50 to 2.00 (August 2018). The last bus from Melaka Sentral leaves at 20:30, after which you would have to take a taxi which costs RM25 to Mahkota Parade, or Uber/Grab for RM8. To find bus No 17 at Melaka Sentral, either look for a blue sign saying "Domestic Buses" or ask someone where it is. The domestic bus area is located to the rear of the Sentral Terminal. The domestic terminal section is a semi-circle arrangement, with parking bays for buses numbered 1 to 18. For the No 17 buses to the historic core, you need to go the No 17 bus bay. Also just inside the doors where the public buses depart, is a small desk for information. On the way back from Makhota Parade, bus 17 goes along the main road (Jalan Syed Abdul Aziz or Lebuhraya Coastal) to the south of the Makhota Parade shopping centre, across the big bridge over the harbour and then its turns north on the road with the same name and right again to Jalan Kubu before stopping next to the Tamil Church next to Jonkers Walk. From this stop, it takes 10-15 min back to the bus station rather than 1 hour if you take it going the other way. To get to Melaka Sentral from Jonker Street, walk to the north end of Jonkier St, to a bus-stop opposite the Tamil Methodist Church  (Perhentian Julan Kubu) or outside the Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTM) City Campus on Jalan Hang Tuah and take Bus No 17 (RM1, 10 minutes).
 * Malacca Town Bus No 8: Melaka Sentral to Town Square for RM1.
 * Malacca Town Bus No 18: Melaka Sentral Terminal to Tengkera and onwards to Pokok Mangga
 * Malacca Town Bus No 19: Melaka Sentral Terminal to Ayer Keroh (Melaka Zoo and Taman Asean/Malaysia). The fare from Melaka Sentral to Ayer Keroh (Melaka Zoo and Taman Asean/Malaysia) is around RM3
 * Malacca Town Bus No. 50: Melaka Sentral Terminal to the Mahkota Parade shopping centre and nearby seafood restaurants
 * Kenderaan Aziz (red and white): Buses from Melaka Sentral to Muar via Padang Temu also go past the historic core, Mahkota Parade and Melaka Raya

The bus system in Malacca has greatly improved over the years. While not being actually good it's close enough to be useful at times. You can find a decent time schedule on Google Maps. There is always the provider website, though you may find it difficult to navigate.

Others

 * Trishaws, complete with blaring pop music and fake flowers, are available for short trips between tourist spots or circular tours. The drivers are very cheerful and friendly. The going rate is RM40 per hour, but settle any price in advance.
 * Bicycle, hire a bicycle or join a cycling tour group, see the Do section for cycling hire and groups. Some of the hostels, homestays and hotels either provide loan or rental bicycles to their guests for local sightseeing. Major local attractions have an extensive internal road or track system often have bicycles available.
 * River boat : Melaka River Cruise offers a 'hop-on hop-off' service (RM30/day), but during busy times (esp. weekend evenings) don't expect to get a seat anywhere other than near the ticket office landing.

See

The older part of the city proper has, in addition to the old palace and the large buildings left by the Europeans, many private houses and shops from nearly a century or more ago, put up by Chinese traders. Many of these have beautiful details such as moulded porcelain tiles and painted plaster reliefs on the front. Unfortunately, they tend to be not well preserved and the city government decided to paint all the buildings in the historical district a bright brick red some years ago, as the constant spitting by passers-by was proving a nuisance, which detracts from their aesthetic value.

On Tuesdays, many museums, shops and restaurants are closed, especially in the Jonker Street area. If you have only one day to spend in Malacca, do not go on a Tuesday!

Simpang Empat town
Simpang Empat — a small town 30 km further away from Ayer Keroh.

Do

 * Fly a kite - Go to Klebang Beach and buy a cheap kite (fighter-style, but nowhere near that well-constructed) with Japanese cartoon characters on it for RM1.50, or a styrofoam airplane for RM5 if you don't have the necessary kite-flying mad skills.
 * Melaka River Cruise - a 45-min cruise along Melaka river where once it was a main trade area of Malacca during its Golden Era. It takes passengers from the jetty beside the Maritime Museum to just beyond Kampung Morten and then back. The night cruise is more interesting, as you can see the lights on the riverbank's buildings, a water fountain show and bridges. You will pass through many boardwalk cafes along the way. Wave "hi" as you cruise along happily. The Honky Tonk Cafe is on this river bank. Tickets: adult RM30. Half-hourly cruise 9:30-23:00 daily.
 * Pirates of Melaka - beside the Eye on Melaka, this consists of a pirate ship that you can ride on.
 * Melaka River Cruise - a 45-min cruise along Melaka river where once it was a main trade area of Malacca during its Golden Era. It takes passengers from the jetty beside the Maritime Museum to just beyond Kampung Morten and then back. The night cruise is more interesting, as you can see the lights on the riverbank's buildings, a water fountain show and bridges. You will pass through many boardwalk cafes along the way. Wave "hi" as you cruise along happily. The Honky Tonk Cafe is on this river bank. Tickets: adult RM30. Half-hourly cruise 9:30-23:00 daily.
 * Pirates of Melaka - beside the Eye on Melaka, this consists of a pirate ship that you can ride on.

Events and festivals

 * January
 * varies, but always in January - Malaka Kite Festival: International festival of kites, affiliated with the local Chinese community and run by the Melaka Kite Flyers Association (Persatuan Rakan Layang-Layang Melaka / 马六甲风筝之友 / ), who since the 1990s have also run the now well-established Kite Museum.
 * 13th-15th - Thai Pongal: Tamil (South Indian) harvest festival celebrated by the local Chitty (Tamil/Malay) community. The festival corresponds to the winter solstice, and is traditionally dedicated to the Sun God Surya. It marks the beginning of the northward journey of the Sun from its southernmost-limit, a movement traditionally referred to as uttarayana. The festival coincides with that known as Makara Sankranthi which is celebrated throughout all of India as the winter harvest. Celebrated at the Chitty Cultural Village, and organized by the Melaka Chitty Cultural Organization. The day preceding Pongal is known as Bhogi (often celebrated on the 14th), and is marked by discarding old things (sometimes in bonfires!), focusing on new belongings, and cleaning, painting or decorating houses. It is similar to Holika in northern India.
 * January/February
 * Varies by lunar calendar - Chinese New Year: Local celebrations center on Melaka Chinatown and Jonker Street, and include a giant lion dance.
 * February
 * Thaipusam: Hindu festival honouring Lord Muruga including a parade concluding at Sri Subramaniam Deasthanan Temple, Batu Berendam (Batu Caves). Festivities include trances and ritual piercing.
 * March
 * Second week - Malacca's Tourism Week: Various tourism-oriented promotions.
 * Holy Week: Christian celebrations between Good Friday and Easter/Palm Sunday, mostly at St. Peter's Church. Sunday celebrations include a procession starting early in the morning with palm fronds following a life-sized statue of Jesus. Maundy Thursday also features an evening mass where the priest symbolically washes 12 boys' feet with wine in commemoration of Jesus washing those of the 12 disciples.
 * April
 * Tomb Sweeping Festival: Chinese traditional festival where the local Chinese community head to the cemetery at Bukit China or other burial grounds to tidy up burial plots, light candles, burn incense and make offerings of food to the deceased.
 * Ramadan - Nuzul Quran: Islamic festival that commemorates the revelation of the Quran to Mohammad.
 * Mid April - Gendang Nusantara: Malay traditional dancing and percussion.
 * End of April - Hari Raya Puasa: The end of the Ramadan fast and includes prayers at the mosque followed by large family visitations.
 * May
 * Vesak: Celebrating the birth, enlightenment and death of Gautama, the historical Buddha.
 * Last weekend of May - Sikh Commemoration of Sant Baba Sohan Singh Ji: The many Sikhs residing in Malacca and Sikhs from abroad congregate in the gurdwara (Sikh temple) in Jalan Temenggong for three days to commemorate the death of its former priest, Sant Baba Sohan Singh Ji, who was elevated to a saint upon passing away. Visitors are welcome but are advised to follow rules and common practices within the premises. Typical vegetarian Punjabi cuisine will be served to everyone visiting the gurdwara.
 * June
 * 5th - King's Birthday: The birthday of Yang di Pertuan Agong, the King of Malaysia.
 * 23rd - Feast of St. John the Baptist: Catholic festival featuring candles and banquets.
 * 28th or 29th - Fiesta de San Pedro: Portuguese festival for St. Peter, the patron saint of fisherman featuring a boat decoration competition, a mass for blessing the vessels, Portuguese cooking and fishing competitions.
 * July
 * mid July - Hari Raya Aidil Fitri: Islamic festival commemorating Mohammad's journey from Mecca to Medina. Discussions and lectures are held in local mosques.
 * end of Ramadan - Awal Muharram: Islamic New Year celebrations featuring open hospitality and prayer.
 * August
 * Malacca Carnival: This celebration lasts for a month and showcases traditional dances and a variety of expositions covering local tourism, industry and art.
 * Theemithi: Hindu festival featuring walks over hot coals at Sri Subramaniam Temple, Jalan Gajah Berang.
 * mid August - Governor's Birthday: A parade at Warrior's Field.
 * National Day and Malaka Sea Carnival: Celebrating independence day, the Sea Carnival takes place at Klebang Besar Beach and includes boating and windsurfing competitions.
 * September
 * Malaysia Fest: Two weeks of promotions from local businesses.
 * Feast of Santa Cruz: Catholic festival at which thousands of local Christians participate in the Feast of the Holy Cross at 07:00 at Malim, followed by a procession and mass.
 * Melaka Festival (melakafestival.com): A free international arts and film festival held annually since 2009.
 * October
 * varies by Lunar calendar - Mid-Autumn Festival: The Chinese community celebrates their victory over the Mongol Yuan Dynasty, ushering in the Ming Dynasty that would lead Chinese 15th century seafaring as far west as the east coast of Africa. This basically boils down to eating lots of moon cakes!
 * November
 * Deepavali or The Hindu Festival of Lights: Hindu celebration of the triumph over good over evil.
 * December
 * Sunday closest to 3 December - Feast of St Francis Xavier: Christian celebration in which the Church of Saint Paul honours Saint Francis Xavier with a mass.
 * 25th - Christmas Day: Celebrations include street decorations and carols that center on the Portuguese Square, and a midnight mass.

Buy
Malacca is famed for its antiques, with many a beautiful shophouse interior now filled to the brim with artefacts from all around the Asia Pacific region. Your chances of finding a bargain here are minimal though; prices in many of the tourist-oriented places are absurdly high by any standard, and although many items are touted as being 'more than a hundred years old', most is brand new but 'aged' at the back of the shops.

Shops

Markets and street market

 * Night Market/Pasar Malam - A market held from evening to around 21:00 at night everyday (though at different locations. Tuesday in Kampung Lapan and Friday in Malim). This is a good way to observe the life of locals. Pasar Malam sells basically almost anything, from food to clothing, small electronics to medicine.
 * Night Market/Pasar Malam - A market held from evening to around 21:00 at night everyday (though at different locations. Tuesday in Kampung Lapan and Friday in Malim). This is a good way to observe the life of locals. Pasar Malam sells basically almost anything, from food to clothing, small electronics to medicine.

Food and local delicacies
For restaurants, cafes and dining see the Eat section below.

Eat
Besides the usual Malaysian fare, you'll be able to sample some rather peculiar Malaccan food. On top of the list is of course Peranakan or Baba-Nyonya food, which used to be totally uncommercialised and confined to the kitchens of old grandmothers. Now, there is a string of restaurants claiming to serve Peranakan food, but most unfortunately seem to be on the tour bus circuit. The dishes are slightly different from those of the Penang Peranakan. Usual ones include babi pongteh (pork belly in bean sauce, or sometimes a halal variant known as ayam pongteh that uses chicken instead), ayam buah keluak (chicken cooked with a bitter nut) and a whole array of desserts.

Another famous Malacca dish is what is commonly called "chicken rice ball". Although it is called Hainanese chicken rice, it is not from Hainan, China, but invented by the Hainanese immigrants to Malaysia a long time ago. The chicken for this dish is very much the same as the boiled chicken offered throughout Malaysia; what is unique is the rice - it comes in ping-pong sized balls.

Yet another Malaccan speciality is satay celup. It is like lok-lok found in other parts of the country but instead of dipping your skewered food (fishballs, crabsticks, meat, prawns, etc.) into boiling water, you dip them into a boiling vat of satay sauce. The sight of boiling satay sauce may not appeal to you but the crowds at the satay celup outlets seem to suggest that many have overcome their phobias.

Of course, Malacca is where you'll find Portuguese-Eurasian food. The greatest concentration of outlets is at the Portuguese Settlement. Seafood is popular, as are the fiery "devil curries".

For local Malay delicacies, worth trying:
 * Asam Pedas ("sour hot"), the signature dish of the state. A very hot and mildly sour fish curry accompanied by white rice. Normally eaten during lunch and dinner. From RM4.50.
 * Sambal Belacan, very spicy local chilli prawn paste.
 * Cencaluk, can be found sold along the roads near Klebang Beach. Made of fermented krills. A bit weird tasting for those who are not used to it.
 * Lemang, glutinous rice cooked in bamboo, sold on the side of the road to Teluk Mas.
 * Ikan Bakar (baked fish), head to Umbai, Pernu or Serkam for a dinner of fresh caught grilled fish and crustaceans.
 * Kuih Udang (shrimp cakes), you can find this popular tea time dish in Alor Gajah town. The sauce is nice too.
 * Kuih-muih, traditional cakes and desserts like dodol, wajik, lempok, inang-inang, gula melaka and many more are sold in shopping malls at Bandar Hilir, Klebang Beach and kampung areas throughout the state.

Other local but not typically Malay food:

 * Roti John, an invented omelette sandwich, very popular among the Malays. For a good one, look for the restaurant in Tanjung Kling.
 * Local burger, the street stall vendors, generally local Malay men serve quite tasty and satisfying burgers and hotdogs and it's cheaper than ordinary fast food restaurants too.

The tourism boom has seen many new food and beverage outlets open in Malacca, and especially in the heritage area of Jonker and Heeren Street. However, competition is great and some outlets fail to survive. Places you discover on your first visit may not be around anymore on your second.

Peranakan style
Original Chinese-Malay 'fusion' cooking blending Chinese ingredients and wok cooking techniques with spices used by the Malay community. The food is tangy, aromatic, spicy and herbal. Some distinctive dishes include apam berkuah and kueh bongkong. Most of the tourist-oriented restaurants serve halal versions of Peranakan dishes, while those catering more to the local Peranakan community often serve dishes using non-halal ingredients such as pork.

Drink
When in Malacca, don't miss the cendol ("chen-dul"), a sweet dessert of coconut milk, lurid green noodles and gula Melaka (Malacca sugar), made from palm sap. Though it's not a drink, it's the ultimate thirst quencher.

 * Jonker Walk has many food and drinks outlets which serve Nyonya laksa (laksa with coconut milk) and desserts like cendol, including the sinful durian cendol.
 * Clocktower cendol, Jalan Laksamana. Located by the Malacca River opposite the Red Square clock tower. Another Malacca legend, the cendol served by this Indian-Muslim hawker is superb. You can have it plain or with red bean and is a wonderful thirst-quencher when doing the historical sights circuit.
 * Bibik House serves excellent nyonya and durian cendol with the freshest coconut milk.
 * Indian rojak It used to operate out of a mangosteen-shaped stall (hence he's also known as "Mangosteen cendol") but now has a more conventional-looking stall.
 * Indian rojak It used to operate out of a mangosteen-shaped stall (hence he's also known as "Mangosteen cendol") but now has a more conventional-looking stall.

Night clubs and bars
Melaka Raya is where most of Malacca's relatively limited nightlife is to be found, with many of the city's pubs, discos and KTV located in that area.

 * Arena Club, R&B Club in Town behind Holiday Inn at the pier which is known as "The Jetty". Nightly live music including 'R&B', 'reggaeton' and 'house' music. This is the place for those who like to go past midnight.
 * Movida, the new hotspot for younger generation of club/pub-goers. Located centrally on the ground floor of the latest hotel and mall landmark, the Hatten Square (across the famous Dataran Pahlawan Megamall), its music and deejay is at par with those in Kuala Lumpur and some say even in Europe.
 * Mixx, is yet another new location for some upscale clubbing experience. It's slightly distant from the main road, just behind Mahkota Parade facing the flyover (opposite to Mahkota Hotel), but a gem is always a hidden one. Because of its popularity among the youngsters, it could be crowded at its peak.

Stay safe
Malacca is a very safe place with a low crime rate. However, do watch out for pickpockets in crowded areas and bags snatching on the roadside by motorbikes. Carry your identification papers (passport) with you always because there are random checks by the police for illegal immigrants.

Go next

 * Johor Bahru
 * Kuala Lumpur - Malaysia's cosmopolitan capital and a shopper's paradise, about 2 hours away by car.
 * Penang and Singapore - The other two Straits Settlements during the British colonial era, about 6 and 3 hours away by car, respectively.
 * Gunung Ledang - Most climbed mountain in Malaysia with some nice waterfalls to go swimming. Can be reached by bus to Tangkak and from there with local bus towards Segamat. The bus will drop you off 1 km before the park entrance (RM 1). Depending how long you have to wait for the bus a trip takes about 2–3 hours.

title: Malacca


text:
Malacca (state)

Malacca (officially, and in Malay: Melaka), is a state in Malaysia. It is located between Johor and Negeri Sembilan.

Regions
Malacca is administratively divided into three districts: Alor Gajah, Central Malacca and Jasin. Malacca city is the state capital and is located in Central Malacca. The other two districts are mostly rural.

Cities and towns

 * — the capital city
 * — the administrative centre

Other destinations

 * A'Famosa Resort — theme park resort complete with golf course and safari park located near Simpang Ampat
 * Pantai Kundor — nearest beach to Malacca city
 * Tanjung Bidara — probably the best beach in the state
 * Pulau Besar — resort island, now somewhat dilapidated, off the coast south of Malacca city

Talk
Languages spoken in Malacca are Malay, English, and Mandarin, as well as various Chinese dialects (with Hokkien or the Fujian dialect dominating). Unique to Malacca is Baba Malay, a Malay-based creole with strong Hokkien infuences, spoken by the Peranakan or Baba-Nyonya community, and Cristao or Kristang, a Portuguese-based creole, still spoken by the Portuguese Eurasian community.

By plane

Malacca International Airport (formerly known as Batu Berendam Airport is located about 10 km from Malacca.

The airport serves the city and the state of Malacca, as well as northern Johor.

There are no Malaysian domestic flights serving this airport. See the Malacca article for details on how to get to the airport.

Kuala Lumpur International Airport KLIA, is the nearest major airport and is about 1.5-2 hr away from Malacca by car.

Airlines and destinations

 * Wings Air, Pekanbaru in Sumatra, Indonesia. Daily services to/from Pekanbaru. (Wings Air are a subsidiary regional feeder airline for Indonesian Lion Air).
 * Firefly, Medan in Sumatra. As these services are seasonal they do not always appear on the airlines schedule.

By bus

Many long-distance express buses connect destinations in Malacca with Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and other cities in Peninsular Malaysia.

Most express bus companies start and end their journeys at Malacca's Melaka Sentral bus terminal, located about 3 km from the historic core of Malacca. However, some companies also run buses from, or do pick-ups or drop-offs at other towns and locations in the state, such as Alor Gajah, Masjid Tanah, Jasin and the A'Famosa Resort.

 * Transnasional is the largest long-distance bus operator in Malaysia. It links the state with a host of destinations in Peninsular Malaysia like Kuala Lumpur, Seremban, Singapore and further afield. Transnasional buses depart from Malacca (Melaka Sentral), Alor Gajah, and Masjid Tanah.

By car
Malacca can be accessed via the North South Expressway by exiting at the Alor Gajah-Tampin (officially Simpang Ampat), Ayer Keroh and Lipat Kijang (Jasin) exits. Ayer Keroh exit is the nearest to Malacca. Malacca is on the Coastal Trunk Road (Federal Route 5). Those using the Main Trunk Road (Federal Route 1) must turn off at Simpang Kendong or Tampin, Negeri Sembilan, about 40km away from Malacca. Malacca is 150 km from Kuala Lumpur, 216 km from Johor Baru, 90 km from Port Dickson.

By train
Malacca is served by two railway stations, which are Batang Melaka Railway Station and Tampin Railway Station. See Malacca article on how to get there or away.

By boat
There are no ferries from any destination inside Malaysia. However, there are daily ferries between Dumai and Pekanbaru in Sumatra, Indonesia and Malacca. See Malacca article for more details.

Get around

Several bus companies with mostly old and rickety buses operate the local bus network in the state. Travellers will not really need to use them unless they want to go to the airport, catch a train in Tampin or go for a swim in Pantai Kundor or Tanjung Bidara.

Most local buses operate from Melaka Sentral bus terminal in Malacca. However, there are also irregular buses which serve rural villages from towns like Alor Gajah, Jasin, Lubuk China, Masjid Tanah and Merlimau.

Bus companies are most easily identified by the colour of their buses. Although some have route numbers, destinations are usually displayed clearly at the front of the bus.

 * Kenderaan Aziz (red and white): Jasin, Merlimau and Muar (connections to towns in Johor).
 * Batang Bus (red and white): Batu Berendam airport, Batang Melaka, Durian Tunggal, Machap, Selandar and Tebong.
 * Malacca Omnibus Service (MOS) (Yellow and red): Asahan, Jasin, Merlimau, Muar, Nyalas and Tangkak (for connections to Gunung Ledang, Muar and Segamat in Johor).
 * Patt Hup Transport (Blue and yellow): Pengkalan Kempas (for connections to Port Dickson and Seremban, Negeri Sembilan), Kuala Linggi (for connections to Port Dickson), Masjid Tanah, Tanjung Bidara, and Pantai Kundor.
 * For Tanjung Bidara: Take any Kuala, Kuala Linggi, Masjid Tanah or Pengkalan Kempas bus and get off at Masjid Tanah. Change onto a Tanjung Bidara/Kem Terendak bus.
 * Salira (Light blue and yellow): Tampin (for connections to Seremban and Gemas, Negeri Sembilan) via Ayer Keroh and Durian Tunggal.
 * Tai Lye (Dark blue, red and white): Tampin (for connections to Seremban and Gemas) via Alor Gajah.
 * Tuahbas (Yellow and dark blue): Batu Berendam airport, Merlimau.

See

Traditional Malacca Malay houses can be seen especially in the Merlimau area about 20 km south of Malacca on the coastal road to Muar and Johor. A unique feature of the Malacca Malay village house is its concrete and attractively-tiled front stairway. Most Malays are very house proud and you can see the effort put into up-keeping and gardening.

The Portuguese Settlement in Malacca is occupied by descendants from the Dutch colonial days. Annually, during the weeks preceding Christmas Day, the settlement is brightly decorated for Christmas. Streets and homes are brightly decorated with colourful lightings and ornaments.

During Chinese New Year which normally falls in the month of January or February, the Chinese community will decorate their homes with brightly lit red lanterns and ornaments. These can be especially seen in Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock (Heeren Street), Jalan Hang Tuah (Jonker Street) and Jalan Bunga Raya.

Do
Visit Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock (Heeren Street) where you will see traditional houses dating back to the 17th century. These long and narrow houses were homes of rich families in Malacca. Today, they are mostly shop houses.

Jonker Walk in Jalan Hang Tuah (Jonker Street) is a night market that features products and foods associated with the local Chinese and Peranakan communities. Jonker Walk is only available on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings from 6.00pm onwards.

Some interesting places to see are the Zoo, and the Museum district where there is a particularly good (if small) history museum. If one wants to see a taste of modern Malacca, there is a rather modern shopping mall full of Straits Chinese.

During Chinese New Year festival, these old streets (Heeren Street, Jonker Street, etc) are brightly lit with red lanterns.

The Portuguese Settlement in Malacca is occupied by descendents from the Dutch colonial days.

Eat
Peranakan or Baba-Nyonya (Straits Chinese) cuisines are popular among tourists. Most of the Peranakan eateries are located in Malacca Raya and Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock (Heeren Street). Baba-Nyonya cuisines are mostly sweet and spicy. Some will serve Durian Cendol, a sweet traditional dessert made from palm sugar and durian.

For eating options outside Malacca, many head to two popular seafood eating areas, namely Umbai and Pengkalan Balak. These places only come alive in the evening.

Umbai is located about 11 km south of Malacca on the coastal road to Muar and Johor. If coming from Malacca, turn right when you see the signboard "Jeti Pulau Besar Pernu" just before Umbai town. A row of stalls selling seafood cooked Malay-style located at the end of the road. Catch a Merlimau- or Muar-bound bus from Melaka Sentral and tell the conductor to let you off at "Medan ikan bakar".

Pengkalan Balak is located about 35 km north of Malacca on the road to Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan. It is located just next to Tanjung Bidara, Malacca's best stretch of beach. Getting is quite complicated - involving a drive to Masjid Tanah and then to Pengkalan Balak - and almost impossible by public transport.

Stay safe
Malacca is a very safe place with a low crime rate. However, you have to watch out for pickpockets in crowded areas and bag snatchers on motorbikes by the roadside.

Always carry your identification papers (passport) with you because there are random checks by the police for illegal immigrants.

Go next

 * Kuala Lumpur, 1.5 to 2 hours away from Malacca
 * Negeri Sembilan, 1 hour away from Malacca

title: Malacca (state)