Beyond Jonker Walk

I've been seeing lots of people reviewing about my hometown in Malacca. Many come down to Malacca for the weekend, some for a day trip, and there are also some who just drive down from KL or Singapore for a meal!

But I also know foreigners living in Malacca - either for work, or through the Malaysia MY Second Home program. All these just go to show that Malacca do have something to offer-lah :)

However, being local, we are usually 'blinded'. We do not really see the tourists attractions as unique, despite it drawing the crowd from all over.

But recently, having been back home for a bit, I took this opportunity to visit the historical area of Malacca's past. I did not walk at the rather popular Jonker Street/ Jonker Walk (aka Jalan Hang Jebat), but the streets around it. And these are what I saw...


One of the many corner houses turned art souvenir shops along the Jalan Hang Kasturi (2nd Cross Street). One thing to notice is that despite it being 'transformed' into selling souvenirs, but the shop and its neighbours still retains its old charm.


Parallel to that road is 3rd cross street. This graffiti has been around for a while now, and most of the times, we just zoom by. But this time, I took time to appreciate this 'art'.

I wonder was it a commissioned work? Maybe the work is rather interesting, and hence left there? :)


If paintings on the wall excite one, then this is one of the more prominent ones... located at Jalan Tukang Besi (Blacksmith Street). Yes, this is a picture of an orang utan by the Orang Utan house brand (famous for its local t-shirts).


I'm sure lots of work is done to paint this. What a huge orang utan - double storey!


And look at that - a peeking doll through the window!


In fact, Malacca has many artists... one artist mentioned to me that towns like this give many artists inspiration, hence the many artists making Malacca their home... many born here, but also many others having migrated and now live here. Of course, there are also those traveler artists.


This road is quite quaint. And it's a nice walk compared to the much busier Jonker Street. You can literally dance on the road...!


Further down, a tea house with a temple like facet. Actually I was surprised to see this - didn't know it existed!


Many shops continue with the local business over here... making this a good place to just soak in old Malacca. I hope some of these remains, though it's hard to say with the recent developments happening in the town.


One more interesting find - this foreign lookalike cafe at Lorong Hang Jebat (1st Cross Street).


They really take effort with the plants and all.


And one rather 'hidden gem' is the Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock (Hereen Street), homes of the many rich Peranakans (Baba Nyonya Melaka). The houses here are much more well decorated from the front, and even the inside.

I actually have done a shoot in one of the house turn restaurant here for Batik Inspirations. And till today, that segment is the most liked.


And finally, I arrived at the Malacca River (Sungai Melaka) which was once the international port. Some complain that we don't see fishermen boats here anymore, but well, the consolation is a much cleaner river.

For those interested, there is a boat ride for tourists to view this 'Venice of the East'.

Well, that's my journey round the streets of Malacca - I believe the reason why many people come to Malacca for. I would if I'm not from Malacca too.


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*I did a more comprehensive write up on the Hereen Street & Jonker Street in the 50+1 Malaysia book :)