Melaka (Malaysia) Day 2: The Huskitory + Manjoe Taiwanese Dumplings + Jonker Street Night Market

 We took a Grab from the end of Jonker Walk to The Huskitory which was 13 minute ride and reached the venue at about 12.05pm, just in time for our session scheduled to begin at 12.15pm.

The Huskitory is a wonderful place for dogs lovers to get up close and interact with fluffy Siberian Huskies. We booked our slot online right after breakfast. It was recommended to book your slot at least an hour in advance to avoid disappointment as we saw some walk-in customers got rejected due to fully booked slots, having to wait over an hour for the next available session.

It was nearly 2.20pm by the time we reached the mall and I was very hungry. We decided to skip restaurant that were available in Singapore and settled on Manjoe Taiwanese Dumplings for something different. The mall was full of Singaporeans like the table besides us, it was easy to identify them from their fluent English. The tables were very close to each other, not a good spot for chit-chatting.

We ordered Salt & Pepper Popcorn Chicken for RM10.90 (or S$3.63) before tax, a must order for me whenever I dine at a Taiwanese restaurant. The seasoning on the popcorn chicken was savoury and bursting with flavour when dipped with the chili sauce.

I had Tomato Soup Sweet Corn Dumpling Noodle at RM16.50 (or S$5.50) before tax. The knife-cut noodle had a meepok texture with chewy bites. The tomato soup was sweet and tangy. With the corn dumplings, this comforting dish was bursting with flavours.

Manjoe Taiwanese Dumplings

Lot G78B, AEON Mall Bandaraya Melaka, 2, Jalan Lagenda, Taman 1 Lagenda, 75400 Melaka, Malaysia

Operating hours: 10am to 10pm daily

Most of the time, we were just window shopping since they were not many deals. My favourite part of the mall was their supermarket as I loved browsing for snacks. I gotten RM16.55 (or S$5.52) worth of snacks.

Feeling thirsty after the shopping, I decided to find a place to chill with a drink before leaving the mall. We settled at Gong Cha for a 40 minute break.

I had Milk Tea with Herbal Jelly at RM11 (or S$3.67). The herbal jelly added a chewy texture, complementing the smooth milk tea with a subtle herbal taste. However, milk tea might not be the best choice to quench thirst, as I still felt the thirst even after finishing it.

Gong Cha

LOT G-06, 2, AEON Mall Bandaraya Melaka, Jalan Lagenda 2, Taman 1 Lagenda, 75400 Malacca, Malaysia

Operating hours: 10am to 10pm daily

We took a Grab ride back to the hotel at RM12 (or S$4). What should have been a 20 minute ride turned into a 50 minute ride due to heavy traffic. It took us 15 minutes just to exit the mall’s gantry due to a long multiple line of cars queuing. Halfway through the ride, our driver was stopped by traffic police for running a red light (which I did not really noticed) and was issued a fine. I felt really sorry for the driver.

We finally reached the hotel at 6.05pm. Before heading up to the room, we stopped by 7-Eleven to purchase another bottle of mineral water to top up our supply. 

Melaka (Malaysia) Day 2: Baba Kaya One Malaysia Cuisine

It was a sleepless night for me, I tossed and turned until 3 plus. I dozed off slightly but woke up at 5am and remained awake since then.

We finished preparing ourselves and left our room around 9.45am to head out for breakfast. There was a family with us in the lift, we overheard them mentioning they were heading to the same breakfast spot as us, showing the place I had chosen was a popular choice.

We took a Grab down to Baba Kaya One Malaysia Cuisine at RM9 (or S$3) and arrived at10am. The restaurant was packed with diners and we waited 15 minutes before getting seated.

The restaurant was tucked away in an alley beside the Melaka River. We were seated on the second floor but not near the window, so there was no view while having the meal.

If you were seated by the window or at ground floor, you will be charmed by the beauty of the view of Malacca River. Since we already had the river view while dining yesterday, it was alright for us to skip today.

We had Baba-melet at RM8.80 (or S$2.93) where the omelet was cooked with spices and served with signature sambal dip. By the time it was served, I was already very hungry by then and quickly gobbled up the egg.

After another 15 minutes of waiting, Baba Kaya Signature at RM6 (or S$2) finally arrived. This dish featured butter toasts sprinkled with cinnamon and served with tri-colours Nyonya kaya dip. The kaya added an extra layer of aroma, making each bite tasty as I dipped the toasts into the spread.

Baba Kaya – One Malaysia Cuisine

13A, Jln. Bunga Raya, Melaka Tengah, 75100 Melaka, Malaysia

Operating hours: 8am to 2pm on Mon, Wed and Thu, 8am to 2.30pm from Fri to Sun

It was 10.50am when we left the restaurant and we took a leisure stroll along the river. Without any specific destination in mind, we wandered aimlessly, allowing ourselves to get lost and discover where our feet would lead us.

We reached the prominent red buildings which we had not fully explored yesterday, we only stopped briefly  at Christ Church before moving on.

The street was buzzing with people soaking in the vibrant atmosphere. Some shops offered traditional Nyonya kebaya and batik shirts for rent, allowing visitors to experience wearing these costumes and strolling along the streets.

I enjoyed soaking in the atmosphere of the street that offered a blend of history, culture and modernity. I also enjoyed looking at the details of the building exteriors, each telling its own story.

After 15 minutes of walking, we found ourselves back at Dutch Square, the place we visited yesterday.  With about half an hour to spare, we decided to cross over to Jonker Walk  for another round of shopping.

I got a recycled bag from this shop at RM18 (or S$6). While it was not cheap, I want to get a souvenir for my mum.

Next I stopped by Miniso to pick up souvenirs for friends and colleagues at RM28.40 (or S$9.47). Miniso is my go-to shop when I travel overseas as it offers a wide variety of items that are perfect for gift and bringing back home.

It was 11.40am when we finished shopping and quickly made our way to the next activity, which was scheduled to start at 12.15pm.

Melaka (Malaysia) Day 1: Hatten Hotel Melaka + Alto Sky Lounge + Dataran Pahlawan Megamall

 We reached Hatten Hotel Melaka at 5.10pm after our shopping.

Hatten Hotel Melaka is a 22 storey high 5 star hotel with 704 rooms. Located in Malacca's city centre, it is within close proximity to the UNESCO Historical and Heritage sites.

Hatten Hotel Melaka

Jln Merdeka, Banda Hilir, 75000 Melaka, Malaysia

Hatten Hotel was filled with Christmas decorations, creating a festive atmosphere. Initially when I walked passed, I was wondering what is this room used for. It turned out to be luggage storage room where guests’ baggage was kept. We collected our bags from there before collecting our room card.

The bathroom was of a decent size, not the spacious kind but adequate for our needs.

We took a 20 minute rest in the room to freshen up, replenish water supply and give our feet a rest after the exploration.

We went up to Alto Sky Lounge at 22nd floor of  the hotel, a sky bar on the rooftop with a breathtaking cityscape.

It was 5.45pm and we were the first guest at that time to enjoy the stunning sunset view of Melaka’s coastal township. The ambiance of sky lounge was inviting, making it the perfect spot to unwind with refreshing drinks to ease our thirst.

I spotted Hotel Equatorial Melaka, the light yellow buildings where I stayed previously. The location was also within close proximity to many places of interest, another choice of hotel that you can consider.

The sky lounge offered an unobstructed panoramic view of Melaka, allowing us to soak in the beauty from a high vantage point. Combined with its strategic location, the hotel proved to be a wise choice for our stay.

I spotted the places we visited earlier. The big square below was Dataran Pahlawan Melaka Megamall, a huge two level shopping mall. Further ahead of the mall, nestled within the greenery was Bukit Melaka.

The skyline of Melaka offered a blend of the heritage charm and modern architecture. I spotted the Taming Sari Tower once again. While it was on my list of places to visit, we already enjoyed the bird’s-eye view from the sky lounge, so we decided to skip the tower for tomorrow.

At the far left was the coastal area where the sky and sea blended into a horizon. A weekend is enough to explore Melaka's attractions. The city offers many restaurants, bars and cafes that provided good spots for relaxation and indulgence.

I had Calamansi Chill Juice at RM16 (or S$5.33) after tax. The citrusy drink was a thirst quencher, leaving a refreshing sour aftertaste. I slowly sipping the drink while soaking in the surrounding architectural beauty.

We stayed here for an hour till 6.45pm. Alto Sky Lounge is a good spot to unwind, with a drink in hand, while soaking in the stunning sunset. Watching the sun gradually dip towards the horizon and the sky ignite with colours was a great experience.

Alto Sky Lounge

 Hatten Hotel Melaka level 22, Jln Merdeka, Banda Hilir, 75000 Melaka, Malaysia

Operating hours: 4pm to 12am from Sun to Thu, 4pm to 1am on Fri and Sat

After browsing through a few stores, we decided to leave and make our way to the larger part of Dataran Pahlawan Melaka Megamall which was just a short 3 minute walk apart.

It was nearly 7.50pm where we settled down at Restoran Black Canyon, a Thai restaurant, for dinner. The restaurant was spacious and well lit, offering a comforting atmosphere for a meal.

We ordered a set that included a small bowl of Tom Yam Soup that delivered a spicy and sour punch. The spice level was manageable, but as I took more sips, the heat gradually built up, adding a kick.

I had Stir Fry Basil Chicken Rice at RM16.19 (or S$5.40), I like that it was not spicy at all so that it helped to balance the spiciness from the Tom Yam Soup.

Restoran Black Canyon

Lot No. A-008 & A-009, Dataran Pahlawan Megamall, Jln Merdeka, 75000 Malacca, Malaysia

Operating hours: 10am to 10pm daily

We left 8.45pm to proceed with shopping and the first stop was Brands Outlet which was just opposite the restaurant.

After spending 25 minutes shopping in Brands Outlet, I got two t-shirts at RM29.90 (or S$9.97), one for myself and one for my father. Brands Outlet has officially become my favourite fashion store in Malaysia, I always managed to find something I want from their store.

After another half an hour of shopping, we did not find anything we wanted and with the shops preparing for closing, we decided to walk back to the hotel.

It was so convenient to have a 7-Eleven right besides our hotel at Hatten Square. We purchased mineral water and sweets before heading up to our room. Hatten Hotel was really a popular choice as the lifts were always filled with people every time we took. It was 10pm when we were back at our room. 

Ended the post with my purchase for today.

Melaka (Malaysia) Day 1: Malacca River + GravyBaby Melaka + Jonker Street

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.

We spotted I Love Taimei and stopped by there for a quick 15 minute breakfast, sharing a pack of Mini Hashbrown (S$4.80).

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.