I have a book on Malacca.. I read the book as I went around the place. The book gives a history of the place and in particular tells you the story of a number of shop houses there. It is very interesting to know the history and walk around cause its like history alive in front of you
For example, a normal coffeeshop that we walked into for a drink. We flipped the book and realised that they had been toasting bread using charcoal for 3 generations at the same place...and then you are there, watching them do it..or the barber shop, the traditional blacksmith business that had been around for years....generation after generation and there you see the dying trade right before your eyes. The funeral shop...and all..they had been around for a long long time...
There are a lot more of such examples. I think this is what really makes Malacca really really interesting.
Cheng Hoon Teng Temple, one of the oldest temples in Malaysia...do walk in and look at the old old tablets...some of them are from Manchu era..some Manchu officials as well..The place was initially founded by a Ming dynasty captain...and its still functioning today as a temple...so many generations after..
My grandfather and great grandfather used to stay at Heeren too. i really can't describe it, it's like living among them again?? But I cannot confirm the shop house they stayed in, although I managed to narrow down:think:
but then it depends. some of my frds found the book boring and meaningless.:sticktong I guess you need some connection to the place to feel it. Some just want to eat chendol
Find where Tan Cheng Lock stays, the descendants are still there and they turned the place into Malaqa house, its free for visiting. (I bought the book there, its not cheap, its almost RM200:sweat
The book has some good description a number of the particular house number..so as you walk, look out for the house number and refer to the book...you will be amazed who used to stay there and what happened to the house..
Before WW2, Japanese actually came and settled down in Malacca..they started as a photography shop there and the rich and famous will go there to take family portraits... but it was rumored that this shop was operated by Japanese spies who were here to feel the ground..
If you are more daring..visit Bukit Cina, one of the oldest Chinese cemetery in Malaysia, you will be surprised how old the tombs are...the cemetery is almost as old as Cheng Hoon Teng era..and the Chinese there resisted any form of relocation till now..and had successfully done so till now..
Finally, a lot of the shop houses are left empty and torn. Surprisingly, they are left in that state because the owners collect birdnest there...sparrows built their nests in the unused shophouses.
You can also see the difference between the shop houses...Dutch influenced,Chinese...and from there, you can agar the era, very distinct features...again that is if you are interested in the features of shop houses...five foot way shophouses are actually newer version..the old ones dun have corridor outside for pple to walk, like some at Bunga Raya
I hope you find the place as interesting as me. I kept going back...
ok, I better stop here, talk too much redi:embrass: