A Trade Vanishing

A shop selling gardening tools and things matter

Two foreign tourists lounging around

There is a certain nostalgic rememberance of Malacca to me, such as these two above pictures. An old shop is offering the services of sharpening scissors and tools, apart from selling all sorts of tools and knick knacks. Where else on earth, would you find this type of service anymore. In a narrow street in Jalan Hang Jebat, lies a shop specializing on a trade, that we think not important anymore. I remember being in Venice, more than 10 years ago, and was taken aback by all things old. It made Venice a special place to me. That's why Malacca to me, is somehow rather special too. It made me think. It made me feel that I am such in a paradise, where time stood still and life is not just about deadlines and traffic jams.... Yes, wonderful Malacca. The lost paradise...

Sate Celup the Malaccan Way

Patrons of the shop

See- how happy my family is -having discovered this eatery

Verdict- Proofs on what we had eaten


Sate Celup - Chicken, Seafood and vegetables
dipped in hot peanut gravy- kuah kacang.

This is only a quarter of what we have actually eaten

Sate Celup is very famous in Malacca. The food is synonym with Malaccan Chinese. Now, Muslim tourists could have the bite too. This eatery is owned by a Chinese Muslim, situated in Taman Kota Laksamana, Malacca. Only the locals know about this shop as outsiders are more into the ever commercialised asam pedas. However, not all asam pedas sold in the shops in Malacca are that good. Locals do not really frequent these shops as we cook our own "masak asam". Asam pedas are what outsiders call this dish. The locals always calledthis dish as "masak asam". Well, back to this sate celup- I am giving two thumbs up for this food. I have always been fond of Chinese food, due to my own Chinese heritage. Therefore, no asam pedas to me but yes to sate celup. You would never imagine that we could end up choosing so many types of sate celup. Yes, eat as much as you could as the gravy was so tantalising. Forget rice or noodles... these sate celup would make you salivating for more. If you are not all into rice, this is place to be.

Notes: This shop is open during the evening until midnight. It's near to the "famous" Asam Pedas shops in Taman Kota Laksamana. The location of the shop is not really strategic, it is quite at the corner of rows of shophouses. Please ask around the area to know the exact location.

A Gem By The Riverside

Kampung Morten

Now- a beautiful village by the river

A view of Villa Sentosa - a grand Malay house owned by the late Tuan Hj. Hashim Hj Abdul Ghani

The newly renovated bridge of Kampung Morten

Kampung Morten is a Malay village in the heart of the historical city of Malacca, Malaysia. I could say that this is a Malay enclave which was brilliantly preserved by the current Chief Minister of Malacca, Datuk Mohd Ali Rustam. Once a Malay kampung or village famously known for its vicinity near to the old Malacca bus station, it is now known as the the village by the river. Decades ago, the previous administration of Malacca was even bold to demolish the beautiful Malay kampung for modern blocks of apartments and buildings... (what a short-sighted vision). However, due to protests from the villagers, the plan was cancelled. If this plan went ahead, what a loss to the whole state and country. I could not imagine how a stateman has the idea of demolishing Malay architecture for the sake of modern ugly buildings.

It is noted that, cities of the world are famous for their history and cultures. That is why Georgetown and Malacca are endearing to tourists, be it local or foreign- due to their old cultural values. Well, back to this kampung- if you want to feel the nostalgia of a Malay kampung by the river, where children waved and greet you, where housewives sit near the balcony of the house and exchange "news" of the day, where there are calls of prayers by the muezzin - this is the place to be. Call it a magical place, it is indeed a "gem by the River of Malacca". I could not help but say this - I've been to Venice, Italy once- but if you cruise by the river during night time, you could never want to miss this place.. This is like the Venice of the Malaysia.

It's Ramadhan Again

With friends in Cheras, KL

With friends-13 years ago. Twickenham, Surrey, UK

It's Ramadhan again- and it's been like two years since I have updated this blog. I miss my younger days where Ramadhan means you only have yourself to think of, to take care of. It's when you can perform your terawih prayers. You have friends for your iftar. Yes, I've left home at the tender age of 18. Spent my years over many places, and there are many places that I've been. There are several places apart from Malacca that I am very fond of-these being Cheras, KL and the UK. I don't know why- but I feel that I belong there. These places have moulded me and taught me what growing up means.

Thank you for the memories, dear friends. I shall treasure.

Of Terompah ( Wooden Clogs)

Some pictures of terompah (the traditional handmade wooden clogs). For women, the terompah is a bit curvy in design- reminds me of the curvy proportion of a woman. For men, the terompah is designed in semi-circle way. This is the original, traditional version of terompah.

My Lovely Malacca

THE STADHUYS

Malacca is one place which I've always loved, right here in my heart. It's small, contented, and full of historical things. Life is so tranquil and cheap too. It's just nice to be laid back and relax. We appreciate things as what they are. Life moves slowly but still at a pace with the modern times. Wherever , when ever I am away from my Malacca, I will always miss it. When I am in Malacca, I just don't want to be away from it. My magical, small-sized wonder of Malacca.

Having spent my childhood and teenage days in Malacca, I've never really realized how fortunate I am to be a Malaccan. Having spent life in Cheras, KL, then Bognor Regis (of West Sussex, UK) , Cheras again, then Segamat, Johor and now in Shah Alam, Selangor- I just can't wait to be back again in my hometown.

I just love eating cendol (a thirst-quencher drink) and rojak (a delicacy) at the Pasar Lama in Jalan Bunga Raya or buying terompah ( or wooden clogs) in the small wooden workshop-cum house in the back alley of Kampung Jawa or even eating breakfast of mee rebus in the New Market near Malacca Sentral. Yes, only a true Malaccan will discover these hidden gems. Those moments remind me of my childhood days, the simplicity of life, of not being marialistic and being tagged by designer labels.

In Malacca, I can be myself, not a hypocritical person and there will be no ever people ask ing you about the things you wear and where you buy. Life is just so simple....

My Malacca

Some pictures of my home state, Malacca - Malaysia. Malacca is where everything begins....