I heard about this place few times in the past but I don't have the passion to visit there. My perception about this town has changed when my family and I strolled along Bandar Hilir on the 3rd Syawal after a hectic raya-tour to Batu Pahat, Johor and Jasin, Malacca on the 1st and 2nd day of raya respectively.
That night, my family and I spent a night in a one of ten cozy apartments of Mahkota Guest House (http://www.mahkotaguesthouse.com) run by my brother in-law, Sahar. The guesthouse has a range of rooms and apartment types from dormitory to 3-bedroom apartment with reasonable prices ranging from RM15 to RM170 per night (low season). This guesthouse is strategically located near the walking-distance tourist attractions, such as Menara Taming Sari, Jonker Street, Muzium Kesultanan Melayu Melaka, Maritime Museum, etc. "Have a pleasant stay... Your comfort is our priority..." is the guesthouse tagline.
I met a Japanese while staying in Mahkota Guest House, Sho. He has been staying in the guesthouse for a month now. According to Sho, usually he will stopover for about 3 weeks at any place he lodges, but Banda Hilir is such a peaceful and relaxing place to meditate. He worked as a messenger (I guess sort of postman or mat-dispatch). He quit his job and with the savings in hand, he travels. So far he has visited 28 countries. Japanese people are really work-alcoholic, he told me. They will work very hard, save the money and travel. After sometimes, they will return to Japan and find another job. They will repeat the same thing over and over again. I wonder can Malaysians have the same capability to do like Sho and other Japanese do.
Back to Banda Hilir. A ride on Taming Sari spinning tower will be a vital start. From above the tower, you can see a nice aerial view of Banda Hilir. Here, you can plan your next route of journey.
River Cruise along Malacca River is also an exciting way to explore the historical city at leisure. The cruise which takes 45-minute from the jetty near the Dutch Square, will sail you past Kampung Morten and back. The traditional houses of Kampung Morten are visible from the boat. Passengers will also be able to see many bridges, including the Sungai Malacca Bridge opposite Kampung Morten. The banks of the 4.5km river are dotted with old houses, godowns, shops and eateries. It will be a lot more fun to take the cruise at sunset but I don't have the chance to do so. My cruise was in the noon.
In short, mostly the tourist attraction sites in Banda Hilir are related to the influence of the centuries of colonization by the Portuguese, Dutch and the British as well as development of Straits Chinese (Peranakan) culture.
Malay/Muslim sites; Hang Jebat mausoleum, Hang Kasturi mausoleum, Kampung Hulu mosque, Kampung Kling mosque, Tranquerah mosque (Tengkera Mosque), Sultan's well, Masjid Selat, a modern mosque on the shore of Pulau Melaka.
European settlements; A Farmosa fortress (Porta de Santiago), Christ Church, Stadthuys (Dutch administrative buildings), Saint Francis Xavier Church, Kampung Portugis, St. John Fort, Ruins of St. Paul Church - Saint Francis Xavier was temporarily buried here St. Peter Church, St. Theresa Church and Victoria Fountain.
Chinese settlements; Bukit China cemetery, Cheng Hoon Teng temple, Geok Hu Keng temple, Poh San Teng temple, Sri Poyyatha temple etc.
So next time when you are in Malacca, come and visit Banda Hilir, a UNESCO World Heritage site. More pics will be posted later.
That night, my family and I spent a night in a one of ten cozy apartments of Mahkota Guest House (http://www.mahkotaguesthouse.com) run by my brother in-law, Sahar. The guesthouse has a range of rooms and apartment types from dormitory to 3-bedroom apartment with reasonable prices ranging from RM15 to RM170 per night (low season). This guesthouse is strategically located near the walking-distance tourist attractions, such as Menara Taming Sari, Jonker Street, Muzium Kesultanan Melayu Melaka, Maritime Museum, etc. "Have a pleasant stay... Your comfort is our priority..." is the guesthouse tagline.
I met a Japanese while staying in Mahkota Guest House, Sho. He has been staying in the guesthouse for a month now. According to Sho, usually he will stopover for about 3 weeks at any place he lodges, but Banda Hilir is such a peaceful and relaxing place to meditate. He worked as a messenger (I guess sort of postman or mat-dispatch). He quit his job and with the savings in hand, he travels. So far he has visited 28 countries. Japanese people are really work-alcoholic, he told me. They will work very hard, save the money and travel. After sometimes, they will return to Japan and find another job. They will repeat the same thing over and over again. I wonder can Malaysians have the same capability to do like Sho and other Japanese do.
Back to Banda Hilir. A ride on Taming Sari spinning tower will be a vital start. From above the tower, you can see a nice aerial view of Banda Hilir. Here, you can plan your next route of journey.
River Cruise along Malacca River is also an exciting way to explore the historical city at leisure. The cruise which takes 45-minute from the jetty near the Dutch Square, will sail you past Kampung Morten and back. The traditional houses of Kampung Morten are visible from the boat. Passengers will also be able to see many bridges, including the Sungai Malacca Bridge opposite Kampung Morten. The banks of the 4.5km river are dotted with old houses, godowns, shops and eateries. It will be a lot more fun to take the cruise at sunset but I don't have the chance to do so. My cruise was in the noon.
In short, mostly the tourist attraction sites in Banda Hilir are related to the influence of the centuries of colonization by the Portuguese, Dutch and the British as well as development of Straits Chinese (Peranakan) culture.
Malay/Muslim sites; Hang Jebat mausoleum, Hang Kasturi mausoleum, Kampung Hulu mosque, Kampung Kling mosque, Tranquerah mosque (Tengkera Mosque), Sultan's well, Masjid Selat, a modern mosque on the shore of Pulau Melaka.
European settlements; A Farmosa fortress (Porta de Santiago), Christ Church, Stadthuys (Dutch administrative buildings), Saint Francis Xavier Church, Kampung Portugis, St. John Fort, Ruins of St. Paul Church - Saint Francis Xavier was temporarily buried here St. Peter Church, St. Theresa Church and Victoria Fountain.
Chinese settlements; Bukit China cemetery, Cheng Hoon Teng temple, Geok Hu Keng temple, Poh San Teng temple, Sri Poyyatha temple etc.
So next time when you are in Malacca, come and visit Banda Hilir, a UNESCO World Heritage site. More pics will be posted later.
