MALAKKA
this historic map shows portuguese malakka with city walls.
how to get to malakka? i did it unusually, by train and bus from singapore, that is from the south.
the area was a little malay sultanate until 1511 when the portuguese conquered it, and then established a small trade post there. over time, this became the main harbor of the areas.
from 1641 to 1798 it was fully under dutch rule, and several buildings, or ruins, survived from that time - even the dutch cemetery.
in 1824 malakka was fully taken over by the british empire, until 1942. eventually, in 1957, it became part of the new malaysia country. given its history malakka is certainly a multi-cultural place, with considerable european influence.
the malakka river is an essential city feature, with boats for transport and visitor tours.
several christian churches were built in portuguese and british times.
its buddhist and chinese churches are small yet carefully set up, in a pretty colourful style.
the city's big new mosque is designed in a very modern impressive style.
malakka is crowded with any kind of cafes, bistros and restaurants, for sitting inside or outside.
there are even artists living in malakka - some provide lovely paintings of this special location.
and this is the end of the current galleries about malaysia - bye bye.
