Day 2 in Malacca

Tuesday 22nd May.

We took some time during breakfast to appreciate the hotel, which used to be the house of a rich Chinese migrant (as all the other houses on this row "Millionaire's Street" were). It was preserved in the style of the home of a rich Chinese migrant, which was lavish and gorgeous and exotic even by my standards.

Right opposite the hotel was the grand house of the first British Governor of Malacca.


Destination: We visited the Cheng Ho museum. This explorer was very important in establishing links between China and various parts of Southeast Asia, and Malacca in particular because he stopped at this port for a long time while waiting for the winds to change. Such links paved the way for future migration.

Menu: It struck me today that in Singapore, festive Chinese New Year food is really Peranakan food instead of China-Chinese food. We visited a store which sold local food products like pineapple tarts, white coffee and other familiar foods which I see during CNY.

Destination: Walking around Chinatown on foot allowed us to see just how many Chinese clan associations there were – places which were alive with music and yoga classes the previous night. The incoming wave of new Chinese migrants are re-igniting the spirit of/ imposing new spirit unto these associations, and while it is heartening to see that these little communities provide social activity and chances for interaction, I wonder how the struggle between integrating to local life and being forcefully reminded of one’s “Chinese” identity plays out.

A little distance away, hippie influence was evident. and it was interesting to see that "to lah or not to lah" was also a Malaysian problem.

- Yinghui