Ode to Melaka

Apr 13

Enjoy the photo dump of this charming historical UNESCO World Heritage town!

The best part about Melaka? The people who became our new friends!

The locals in Melaka are extremely friendly and hospitable. Not just polite. They are genuinely kind people who want to get to know us and will go out of their way to make sure we're enjoying our time here. We received several invitations to their homes after just meeting us, offering to drive us around, take us out to dinner, sharing all the insider tips on Melaka, and letting us know available housing to rent or buy! 😆 To be honest, it was initially a bit overwhelming for two introverted, independent, and slightly cynical Americans to receive such an outpouring of friendship from strangers.

We will miss retired aunty Flora from Singapore and her niece, Sandra. Many great wishes to Rajush and Roxanne on their new cocktail bar, Arkib, and inviting us to the inaugural day drinking party complete with a DJ and other local bartenders. We got to meet many of their friends who drove down from Kuala Lumpur to celebrate. Gee, the Hard Rock Cafe GM gave us great restaurant recommendations. Every morning on our riverside walk, "Bit Bit"--sitting outside his front door--stopped us to give us unsolicited advice on how to prolong our stay in Malaysia indefinitely. We enjoyed listening to Luke's acoustic sets many nights at Geographer's Cafe, the best people watching and drinking spot in town. Karen--the former Cathay Pacific flight attendant married to Roland--the Nigerian engineer performing music on weekends were a hoot! She's very outgoing. By the end of the night, she had us practically moving to Melaka. "I know of a house that's for sale!" And, eternally grateful for the chill vibes and conversation with Jackson and Toshi at the Love Music Vinyl Cafe. Their first language is truly a beautiful smile.