Hitchhiking in Malaysia: Malacca
17th to 20th of January, 2025.
It’s a bit difficult to find someone who knows Sharon at first. She told me to mention her name only, and hasn’t written the names of her aunties on her last message, so that’s all I’ve got. I am lucky to ask the right woman, Sinram, as she keeps trying to help and finally recognize Sharon from one of our photos together. She then calls Ajit, one of Sharon’s aunt, and who will be my patron while I am in Malacca.
After some time, Ajit comes over and we finally meet. As there’s a huge group from Singapore visiting the Gurudwara, more than 80 people, and they are staying here until Sunday, there’s not really room available for me. After receiving these news, Ajit tells me I can come and stay in her home. How sweet!
I have lunch at the Gurudwara, and soon after, some tea with cakes. Everything is delicious! Then I rest for a while and spend the rest of the afternoon here. I take a shower just before dinner. We all have dinner together, as I also I meet Sharon’s other aunt, Jiven. In the evening, as the visitors from Singapore come over, the place is quite full.
Ajit’s house it’s been in the family for many years. It’s a lovely traditional Malay house, ancient but well conserved and gorgeous! And I have this strong feeling that I have been here before. The ground floor is very spacious and high, with a lovely kitchen and traditional inside windows; the second floor has a few bedrooms, a balcony and bathroom. I’m having one of the bedrooms for myself. As Ajit relatives come over to visit from time to time, and the family is big, they have many beds available, and also all the necessary bedding.
Even though I am exhausted, I can’t rest really well as I am also overwhelmed by my past few days. I can’t believe that I have walked so much these last two days. So much that, even though I haven’t done anything today, I feel like I’m dying.
Next morning I come early to the Gurudwara with Ajit. But not before almost falling from the steps on my way to the bathroom. That’s how tired I still am. I hope it’s not a crack though. As Ajit does her prayings, I help some ladies to prepare chapati. I spend about one hour helping, and it’s interesting that we keep changing task, whatever is more needed: either making the little balls, flatting it, or rolling it.
Right after breakfast (chapati and roti canai), I go exploring Malacca. Apart from worrying about my toe and my still exhaustion, it’s that time of the month for me (which I love so much – sarcasm), so I am really not in the mood for exploring. And now I know why I was feeling over tired, really exhausted, even though I am used to this life by now.
Malacca is a UNESCO heritage patrimony, and lots of people visit this town for historical purposes. I am sure it can be lovely, but as I am not entirely on the mood, I can’t really enjoy it much. The historical centre is not so large and can be done by walking easily. There are famous walking streets, temples, churches and relic homes. You can also walk alongside the river, where there are several food shops and bars. I don’t know why but most of them were closed, which is actually great for me.
There’s a hill where St. Paul’s Church is located, and from here you can get some good views. This church itself, or its ruins better saying, are gorgeous, and make a great contrast with the blue sky. Unfortunately, is full of tourist, who, mostly, have no idea how to behave when it comes to take photos in tourist places. They are always standing, doing nothing or checking their phones, where people want to take photos. Or they overstay, taking many photos for a long time, in the same spot, instead of taking a few ones and let the other people also take theirs.
Going down the church side, you will get to the Istana (former Sultan’s house), which is pretty from outside but you must pay to visit. A delightful Chevy from 1957, which apparently was used to transport the Prime Minister once, is in exposition here. Girl, I love the cars from the 1950’s! Watch out for a fake Jack Sparrow (although I don’t believe he was faking the drunkness part), who annoys people who want to take a photo of another relic building, A Famosa.
As I use the wi-fi in a McDonald’s for a while, and try to do some of my travelling plan, I realize I am not ready to leave Malacca tomorrow. It would be great if I could stay another night, rest a bit more, give my toe an extra day break from the boots and the 22 kg, and relax a little.
As I skipped lunch (even my appetite has been disturbed by all that is happening), I come back for tea time, and they have some traditional sweets, like a tapioca cake, pandan pancakes with coconut and palm sugar filling, and some coconut cake. It’s all good! I come back to Ajit’s home after that, with her and Joe, a lovely lady who is her neighbour. I can’t believe when she tells me she is 85 years old!
I sleep for more than two hours! I was planning to just take a nap and work on my writing but I only managed to write a little bit before going back to the Gurudwara for dinner.
Next morning, Sunday, Ajit will go outside of town for some meditation retreatment, and she will not be back until noon. As I am leaving for breakfast, Joe asks me to wait for her. We chat on the way, as it’s a short walk. It’s dosa for breakfast, and just as these past few days, I can’t stop remembering India.
I come back to Ajit’s house right after breakfast. This time, I manage to do some good writing, and more travel planning.
When Ajit comes back, I ask her if I can stay one more night and she’s fine with that. They all take really good care of me here, and with the past of these days, I got to talk more with them all, also Jiven, and the other sister, as we have more time to chat. Ajit is the funniest of them all, in a very sarcastic way. I love it!
In the evening I manage to finish all my travel plans. At least all the ones I had control over it. Yay!
Next morning, as I slept well, I get up around 7.30 a.m., do my stretching and push-ups, also my plank exercises, and get ready to leave. Jiven prepares some delicious parathas, and we have with scrambled eggs and yogurt. Plus masala chai. Yay! They pack me two parathas and the remaining of the eggs for lunch, plus a soft drink. Ajit also gives me some delicious peanuts biscuits.
The four of us, Jiven, Ajit, Joe and I, leave the house towards the outskirts of Malacca, where they will drop me off to a good hitchhiking spot for Port Dickson. It is sad to leave and to say goodbye to them, as I was so happy and peaceful here, and could stay much longer.
10 Years Around the World 