Scoot recently launched flights to Melaka (formerly known as Malacca) starting in October 2024, I used this opportunity to revisit this city. Although I had been to Melaka before, my previous trip was just a short one day trip, leaving some places unexplored. This time, I want to cover them and also to revisit old places.
I reached Changi Airport Terminal 1 at 8.53am for my 10.15am flight. Clearing custom was fast and only took less than 10 minutes.
After completing the bag check, we proceeded to a waiting area one level below, as we needed to take a bus to the remote bay and board the plane via the stairs. However, the plane was delayed for an hour due to technical issue and Scoot had to arrange for another plane. We finally boarded the plane at 10.45am.
We landed at Malacca International Airport at 11.50am, the flight duration was about 35 minutes. We were surprised to see that ours was the only airplane at the airport. Clearing customs was a breeze, taking just 15 minutes since there were no other passengers apart from our flight.
The airport was very small, with just one shop in the arrival area selling drinks and snacks. I made a mental note to ensure I had a proper meal before heading to the airport on my last day.
We took a Grab from the airport to our hotel at RM57.86 (or S$19.29). The journey took around 40 minutes due to jam along traffic light and small lanes. We reached Hatten Hotel Melaka at 1pm.
Our room was still not ready yet when we reached, so we left our baggage at the concierge and went for toilet break. By the time we were ready to head out for lunch, it was already 1.25pm. Feeling hungry, we decided to take a grab to Jonker Street as many food options were there. The grab fare was RM26 (or S$8.67) for 9 minutes ride.
We alighted a short distance from Jonker Street and greeted by the scenic Malacca River. An array of restaurants, bars, and boutiques lined the street for us to explore.
After 5 minutes of exploring the food option, we settled at GravyBaby Melaka, a popular restaurant bar that serves an international menu. It was also the first restaurant that we passed by during the walk.
We were so lucky to be given a table along the edges, overlooking a stunning view of the river. The surroundings captured the laid-back charm of the city. As river cruise boats passed by, the water splashed gently against the edges, creating waves through the narrower width of the river.
The restaurant boosted a festive vibe with Christmas decorations. If you came in the evening, there will be live music performances. While the edge tables were meant for two seater, larger group will be seated inside which was also quite cozy with a partial view of the scenic river.
I had Egyptian Orange Juice at RM13 (or S$4.33) and Japanese Chicken Katsu Curry at RM39 (or S$13) before service charge and tax. The orange juice was refreshingly especially after a morning with minimal hydration. While the food was decent and not particularly outstanding, the river view stole the show, making it worth a visit.
Across the river, I spotted an ice cream shop that we can visit later if we did not see any other interesting dessert shops along the way.
GravyBaby Melaka
2, Lorong Hang Jebat, Melaka City, 75200 Melaka, Malaysia
Operating hours: 8am to 12am from Mon to Thu, 8am to 1am on Fri to Sun
It was 2.40pm by the time we finished our an hour long lunch. We were ready to explore the highlight of the area, Jonker Street. The bustling street known for its rich heritage, was lined with many local shops selling identical items. I was only here for the night bazaar previously and did not explore the shops in the day.
I stopped by at Lulala and got two pack of snacks at RM9.80 (or S$3.27).
The things sold here were on a expensive side as it is a popular tourist destination. The streets were filled with Singaporeans who like to come here for a weekend retreat. I heard that the street was very quiet on weekdays.
After completing the stretch, we made our way back to the starting point to explore another picturesque part of the city. It took us about an hour to finish the vibrant street lined with 17th-century shophouses to and fro.
We crossed the river to discover more of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the primary attraction of Melaka. These historical landmarks showcased the city's rich heritage, preserving its history under Dutch and Portuguese colonial rule.
Here at Dutch Square, also known as Red Square due to the surrounding buildings were painted red. We stood at one of the red buildings to seek shelter from the scorching sun.
Christ Church is the oldest functioning Protestant church in Malaysia built in the 18th century. I missed this historical site during my last visit, so I made it a point to explore it this time to appreciate the prominent and distinct red architectural design.
It was nearly 4pm when we stopped at Scoops & Smiles for a rest, the dessert shop we saw across the river during lunch.
I had a scoop of Biscoff Gelato topped with Corn Flakes at RM8.90 (or S$2.97). The gelato was creamy and smooth, but melted fast, making it a satisfying treat on such a hot day.
Now we were at the opposite side of GravyBaby, seated under the shade of an umbrella. We just chilled for 20 minutes while having the gelato, relaxing and soaking in the picturesque scenery.
After the break, we embarked on a 6 minute climb up to St. Paul's Hill (or Bukit Melaka) via the sloped pavement and stairs. Among today's activities, this was a revisit for me, yet the place was still captivating. Taming Sari Tower stood prominently from the hilltop.
The ruins of the Church of St Paul looked the same as I remembered. Built in 1521, it has a rich history tracing back the eras of Portuguese, Dutch, and British colonization, adding a touch of culture to our visit.
We came down to the foot of the hill and arrived at A Famosa, the only remaining structure of the Portuguese fortress and a historical landmark in Melaka. All these attractions are well positioned and easily accessible to explore by foot. Every few minutes walk will lead us to another site.
We walked over to Dataran Pahlawan Melaka Megamall for a quick 20 minute shopping before going back to hotel since it was along the way. The mall is large, offering a wide variety of retail options, from international brands to local boutiques.
I stopped by at Mix Store and got some snacks at at RM19.90 (or S$6.63) for my family. By the time I was done with my purchase, it was already 5pm. We decided to head back to the hotel and check into our room.
