Most of travelling is not just about sightseeing. I usually enjoy absorbing the sights and sounds of a city by hanging out in the main square or walking around the streets. One of my favourite streets in Malaysia is located in Malacca, the World Heritage Site. Jonker Street is a cultural melange , a fusion of art and architecture , of local crafts and curios and I could lose myself for hours here. One of the best ways to experience the cultural heritage is to take a journey down the ages in a trishaw or a beca and listen to the stories narrated by the locals as they drive you down these streets.
Pic Courtesy : Brian Jeffery Beggerly, Flickr.com
Some of the ancient buildings here , which have been restored , date back to the 17th century and they lend a distinct European flavour to the architecture styles. East meets West in these quaint streets, now thronged by tourists. Visit Jonker Walk on the main street where you are greeted by art galleries, antique furniture and curio shops that beckon you but be prepared for some hectic bargaining. And while you are here, do not miss Heeran Street or the Millionaire’s Row and the beautiful Peranakan Museum, which showcases the unique culture . Sample the local food here or sit in a cafe and watch life pass you by in this vibrant street.
I totally agree with you when you write about absorbing “sights and sounds” of a place. This is what enhances the “travel experience” which one does not get from a typical “sightseeing tour”.
It is nice to roam around these streets with so much history behind them and good to see them being restored and enlisted as UNESCO sites.
Thanks for sharing.
Hi! I came by your blog today just by chance but you can’t imagine just how I happy am to read your articles! I am a seventeen-year old girl from Kolkata; currently studying English literature in Jadavpur University. I love traveling and my secret ambition is to be a back-packer; I want to go to trekking with my friends who are members of a trekking club this December but my parents won’t leave me…They would flip if I tell them what I want to be; They think my ideas about these traveling and back-packing things are totally unrealistic. I don’t know how to convince them but moreover, I myself need to know first what exactly do you need to become a back-packer? How do you start and where do you start? I really really want to see all these places…I don’t want my life to be static and watching. I just want to go on these trips, see new things, meet people and everything. ..You just seemed to be the perfect person to ask. Could me please advise me? –Madhurima[[email protected]]
Hi! I came by your blog today just by chance but you can’t imagine just how I happy am to read your articles! I am a seventeen-year old girl from Kolkata; currently studying English literature in Jadavpur University. I love traveling and my secret ambition is to be a back-packer; I want to go to trekking with my friends who are members of a trekking club this December but my parents won’t leave me…They would flip if I tell them what I want to be; They think my ideas about these traveling and back-packing things are totally unrealistic. I don’t know how to convince them but moreover, I myself need to know first what exactly do you need to become a back-packer? How do you start and where do you start? I really really want to see all these places…I don’t want my life to be static and watching. I just want to go on these trips, see new things, meet people and everything. ..You just seemed to be the perfect person to ask. Could me please advise me? –Madhurima[[email protected]]
Thanks for sharing such a beautiful post! I can relate to the idea of taking in the essence of a city instead of visiting popular tourist spots. Looking forward to more such stories.
http://renuka-mytraveldiary.blogspot.in
Very true. What we observe, interact makes the travel very interesting. It’s not just “I’ve been there, done that” moment. I like this beca trishaw…it’s very unique…
So fascinating streets… art and culture.
I miss Malacca. 🙂
mt
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its a beautiful city with rich mixture of history and cultures.