Portuguese Settlement Heritage Museum Melaka 9 January 2016

A friend recommended me to this museum. It is located at the end of the row of shops and restaurants at Portuguese Village.

The area was quiet and the museum was closed when we arrived. I called the contact number displayed at the entrance and Jerry picked up the phone and opened the door for us. He gave us a tour at the collection contributed by the residents of the settlement. It was informative and I was told to return on the festivals day to experience real home cooked Portuguese food. There are rhe San Juan, Intrudu and San Pedro festivals 

Antique Market Jalan Hang Lekir, Melaka 9 January 2016

This street antique market is where we learn about the past as we go through the little knick knack on display Very often, I will stumble upon the things I have used during my childhood.  Kids like to listen to my childhood life.

It is open on Sunday early morning till noon. 

A housekeeper at Cafe1511 Guesthouse, Melaka 3 December 2015

Being regular guests at Cafe 1511 guesthouse, we got to know Mia, (a staff) closer. She is helpful and often goes the extra mile for her guests. 

During this stay,  Hui spent some wonderful time helping her and experienced being a housekeeper !

In and Around Jalan Tengkera, Melaka 18 September 2015

Our room "kunyit" @RM130

We were back to Cyclamen Cottage again because of its location which is nearer to where we needed to go. We also simply can't get enough of the colonial architecture style building which used to be the home of the British Officials and Peranakan families. 

Our room "kayu manis" @RM160. 

Hui bounced off the wall seeing the four poster bed and got to sleep on one!

The toilet and shower room has a window that faced the roof tops of other houses. So lovely. 

Hui and I had a really fun time showering with the opened-window. 

Nyonya Lian's  fragrant "putu piring" supper  at 252 Jalan Tengkera. 

We are spoilt for choices at Baba Charlie. There are just too many choices of nyonya kuih.  Adrian, the son of Baba Charlie said his dad has been making "kuih" for 30 long years!  

 

If En was here, she would have snapped up all these "kuih lapis"

Admiring the back door and other old houses adjacent to Baba Charlie's home. 

Breakfast at Baba Low, 486 Jalan Siantan Seksyen 2. 

Hui managed to clamber onto the high seat of the bus stand. 

Cyclamen Cottage, Kampung Kolam Limbogan, Melaka 31 August 2015

It was a last minute plan to return to Melaka for errands. I rang up Cyclamen Cottage and took its last room available at its Anglo-Malay home, built in 1937. Cindy, the owner is extremely helpful and accommodating.  

Our room is at the end of the home. 

"Keronsong" means brooch.

Complimentary Jasmine tea bags and hot water. I think it is a much better choice than 3-in-1 instant beverage sachets.  

For 4 of us @RM200 with breakfast for 3.

A little over budget but it was worth the money. 

A well often fascinates the kids. 

Another well with pump at the side of Cyclamen Cottage. The garden is filled with edible herbs and plants.

Our neighbour house is one of the few that still keeps the old beautiful structure.

Hui on "Terompah" or "Paduka"

Chris, Cindy's husband gave us a tour of his Peranakan antique collection. He is kind and made us feel at home. I have only taken the photo of the "Terompah." Though he told me to feel free to take photos, I thought I should respect the privacy of his home.  

Chris arranged the "Terompah" nicely for me to snap another photo. Funny man he is. 

Cheng Ho Cultural Museum, Lorong Hang Jebat, Melaka 23 August 2015

Cheng Ho Cultural Museum is informative. I came unprepared, that is with no whatsoever sharing with my kids beforehand. I have forgotten almost everything I learnt in school !  When I paid for the tickets, the lady at the counter told me there will be a tour guide! I was thrilled. I thank her profusely and walked to where she pointed to. At the entrance, Jimmy, the guide greeted us with a friendly smile and share generously and passionately with us. I think I learn more from him than all my years of schooling in a the history class.  

Hui stared at the "precious" upon learning about castration ! 

Looking for lost treasure in the well. 

Besides having vast knowledge of Cheng Ho, Jimmy is also funny. He tried to trick us into believing that these machinese are used to torture the criminal !

This is how a sleeping cabin looks like in one of the many ships in Admiral Cheng Ho's voyage. 

Catholic Church Of St Francis Xavier, Jalan Banda Kaba, Melaka 23 August 2015

According to a HS mom, M, one can hardly see a pipe organ in a church these days.

The stain glasses here are beautiful and filled with meaningful verses from the bible. 

A confession room. 

An excerpt from Wikipedia,  

1. "In Catholic teaching, the Sacrament of Penance is the method of the Church by which individual men and women may confess sins committed after baptism and have them absolved by a priest. Although it is not mandatory, the Catholic rite is usually conducted within a confessional box, booth or reconciliation room "

Exploring and cycling at Banda Kaba, Melaka 23 August 2015

The children cycled while I walked, marvelling at the unique structures of the homes and life at Banda Kaba. 

There is a praying altar on the ground, at the left side of this house. The little door of the altar is closed in the day. At night, the door opened, revealing what is shown on the photo below. 

We have not seen anything like this before! Interesting!

Dear hubby had a small talk with a local resident. He said he learnt a great deal from this man. 

En cycled at the narrow alley of the neighbourhood.

Most of the roofs have triangular pointy shape. 

Melaka traditional kampung house seems to have stone stairs covered with multi-colour tiles. 

The owner of this home, a friendly woman whom I spoke to, said she has been living here since she was a kid. She doesn't want to move as this area is very convenient as compare to the new housing area.  The kampung house was extended to the back and at the bottom as well. 

The kids experienced my type of playground, what I played as a kid. She said "Sliding down the hard wooden slide was painful !" 

What to see or do at Jalan Tukang Besi, Melaka 22 July 2014

Drink coffee from a tin, the old-fashioned way. 

Eat freshly daily-make dim sum from Low Yong Moh Restaurant. 

Observe praying ritaul at Cheng Hoon Teng Temple, the oldest functioning temple here. 

                                        

Buy a pair of bound feet shoe from an authentic Wah Tik bound feet shoe maker. 

Bring home a self-painted batik. 

Admire an old wooden road sign

and antique electricity board.

When we were at a goldsmith shop, a customer popped in and merely dropped his gold chain with the owner while exchanging a few courtesy words. It was pleasant witnessing the trust and relationshop between the owner and his customers. There is no need for written receipt or whatsoever. The owner said he knows which piece belong to which customer.  He then proceed to wash and clean the gold with his tools. 

Introducing my childhood biscuit.