This Straits city has many claims to fame, chief amongst which is that it is the legendary and historic birthplace of the country Malaysia as we know it today. Whether or not you believe the legend of the brave mousedeer who impressed Singapura king Parameswara into founding his empire there, it is indisputable that Malacca was a flourishing trade port, strategically located and extremely attractive to the colonial powers of yesteryear.
These colonial influences, by way of the Portuguese, the Dutch and the British, have left Malacca with a unique cultural jumble of historical architecture, several forts and, of course, food worth roadtripping for. Malacca’s old town district functions today much as it has done for centuries (though perhaps with a few more electronics than 500 years ago). Its narrow streets brim with food stalls, traditional businesses dating back decades and narrow, cool shophouses in dark woods and beautiful handpainted antique tiles.
