Hiking Jonker

This post has been in draft for more than a month now because I just couldn't find the right mood to finish it until now.

Well, let's just get it over with then.

My cousins wanted to visit Melaka last Christmas but unfortunately all the hotels were fully occupied so we had to wait till the 28th before there were any rooms available. I, like anyone else would, took the chance to tag along since I've barely been there. I've been to Jasin once but I only found out it was a part of Melaka until a while ago.

The ride there wasn't interesting. There were traffic jams 70% throughout the whole ride! *sigh* The part I hate about festive seasons!

As soon as we arrived at the Grand Continental which there isn't anything grand to talk about, we unpacked our bags and headed for Jonker Street which basically what this post is all about. Again, the place was jammed with cars, vehicles, mobiles, whatever you call those things. We took about half an hour to find a parking, convoying around the area looking for cars that are about to leave.

First impressions are always important and Jonker Street didn't disappoint me at all. Loved the place and could spend hours strolling the street without buying anything. There's just plenty to look at. One weird thing though, I noticed they sell toys all around the place. One particular item that I realized selling in every single shop is Rubick's Cube in various sizes.

Heard from my cousins that one thing popular about Melaka is it's signature Chicken Rice Ball. I was so excited to try it......



Honestly, when I was told about it, I thought they have a special technique or process of making those rice balls such as using special ingredients, keeping it in a certain way overnight to preserve the flavour and served with a special sauce. Disappointingly, I don't think so. Judging by it's flavour, which is like any other regular chicken rice, I could tell how they did it.

All the hope to taste something new vanished before my taste buds as soon as I put those things in my mouth! Still, since I like chicken rice so much, I ate the whole bunch before I remembered to take a photo.

Talk about chicken rice, and a focus on the rice, I've never tasted anything better than the one in a restaurant back in my hometown. Every rush hour and weekends, the place is always packed. Some would even wait outside for a seat! It's been like that since I was a kid. I wonder why the owner decided not to expand his restaurant...


Okay, back to the main point >>

At Jonker, there are houses along the street and each of them are very unique because there isn't one that look the same. These are a few of them:

Didn't dare to take photos of the houses that were opened. I regret that because I found out later that people in the area have gotten used to tourist snapping photos of them. *sigh*




Nighlife @ Jonker Street.


The line of houses in Jonker Street

The best time to visit Jonker Street is during the night. By then, more stalls have been setup and there's plenty of stuff to see (and buy if you're not my kind). As for me, it's the variety of food that catches my attention - cendol, mochi, dumplings and more!


This woman might not look chinese but she's sure good at conversing like one.

Of course, Jonker street isn't the only place I went to on my first trip to Melaka. Futher away from the street is downtown where they're nice old monuments to look at. Btw, all that's left of A Famosa is a brick wall so that would kill some pre-Melaka excitement for those of you who haven't been there.

The collection of zoos there are no different than any other zoos so don't go wasting your money on entrance fees unless you're an animal fan and could tell the difference between a crocodile in your hometown and the one in Melaka.

If you're plan to have loads of fun in Melaka beside sightseeing, go to A Famosa Resort. It's basically a theme park and they have paintball and go-kart. I haven't been able to go there though. There just wasn't enough time.

We also went to the Portugese settlement but it was morning so there was't much to look at. I did see a young couple smooching at a ledge near the beach though. *sigh*
I should have saved money for a telezoom lense LOL!

Minus the journey there and sleep, I did a lot in Melaka in under 24 hours!
Thanks a lot to my cousins for bringing me along there.

I give Melaka a 7/10.