Travel: Malaysia - General

[cmm]

Hi edunloaded,


Nice pics you got on your blog on your recent Malacca trip!

I'm planning a 3D2N trip to Malacca with my family in Dec. Joining us will be my sister's family as well as my parents. There'll be 8 adults, 4 young children, and a baby (18mths). We'll be staying at Hotel Puri.

Do share what not to be missed activities and foods (besides the chicken rice balls) over there.

I'm also considering the transport there. Coach ride is 4.5hrs. Means departure at 8am (an unearthly hour to wake up), reaching only at 12:30pm. Seems so undesirable compared to your experience of 2.5hrs drive (depart at 11am, arriving at 1:30pm). The prospect of having to manage young children cooped up in a coach for 4.5hrs is also terribly unappealing.

However, I'm the only one in our group who has a valid driving licence, and I've never driven in Malaysia before. What's your experience driving there and back? Any jams? We'll be setting off on a Thurs, coming back on Sat. I've also read about the (in)famous m'sia TPs.....

Assuming if I summon enough courage to drive there and back, anyone knows if there are mini bus rental service to accommodate my group? Pls share....TIA!

[penglee]

edunloaded:

Hi guys,


Went to Malacca recently and had loads of fun!

My kids are 4 and under, and maybe that's why its easier to entertain them compared to older kids.

The ride there is under 2.5hrs and u get lots of great food there.

The restaurants also open up to 1am, so u can still go out with wife once the kids are put to sleep.

Great place to go, if u have young children.

you can check out the pictures here.

http://edunloaded.blogspot.com/2009/10/driving-trip-visit-malacca.html

hi Daddy Ed,

nice blog and pics. Make me miss my peranakan and pineapple tart already

cheers

[penglee]

cmm:

I'm planning a 3D2N trip to Malacca with my family in Dec. Joining us will be my sister's family as well as my parents. There'll be 8 adults, 4 young children, and a baby (18mths). We'll be staying at Hotel Puri.

..

Assuming if I summon enough courage to drive there and back, anyone knows if there are mini bus rental service to accommodate my group? Pls share....TIA!

u got bus license? Total 13pax :lol:
Driving on NE highway is easy, you will reach Malacca under 3 hours (at 150kmh).

The jam is terrible in Malacca center, and carpark mostly parallel and very small lanes (worse than geylang !!).

Foodpath not really stroller friendly, as a lot of steps.
Otherwise, good and cheap food aplenty.

[cmm]

penglee:

cmm:

I'm planning a 3D2N trip to Malacca with my family in Dec. Joining us will be my sister's family as well as my parents. There'll be 8 adults, 4 young children, and a baby (18mths). We'll be staying at Hotel Puri.

..

Assuming if I summon enough courage to drive there and back, anyone knows if there are mini bus rental service to accommodate my group? Pls share....TIA!

u got bus license? Total 13pax :lol:
Driving on NE highway is easy, you will reach Malacca under 3 hours (at 150kmh).

The jam is terrible in Malacca center, and carpark mostly parallel and very small lanes (worse than geylang !!).

Class 3 is good enough for a combi...no? :?

Parallel parking and small lanes are not a problem for me, I'm a relatively good driver. But the fastest I've ever driven is 120kmh :oops: :oops:

[Mrsbongz]

erm… i wouldn’t suggest u drive at 150km/hr… esp on your first time there… the roads are relatively easy, but after the exit from the highway, u may need a map to your destination, as it’s another half hour drive into Malacca…


I would suggest Alphine car rental… we rent from them regularly… very friendly service,. and quite affordable… we rented from them whenever we need to drive out the entire extended family. Cars are v clean and nicely maintained… But for 13pax… I’m not sure they have… but can check… NTUC members have promo…

We love going malacca… In fact… still trying to convince my husband to squeeze in 1 more malacca trip b4 year end… hahah… but if u are staying at hotel puri… u should note that the parking is not in the same building… HOtel Puri’s parking is a few units down… and I heard can be quit e inconvenient… that’s why we chose not to stay there before. The cars are all parked into the same place… and if your car is on the outside, U may be called to come and move so that others can come out… or if u are inside… the same… have to wait till the other comes to move their cars… At least this is wat I read on trip reviews on the net… DO let me know if it’s not the case… then I can try this hotel next time… hhahaha.

Must try the capitol satay celup… it’s the main purpose i visit malacca… so worth the 4 hour drive… hahahaha

[cmm]

Mrsbongz:

erm.. i wouldn't suggest u drive at 150km/hr.. esp on your first time there.. the roads are relatively easy, but after the exit from the highway, u may need a map to your destination, as it's another half hour drive into Malacca..


I would suggest Alphine car rental.....

........

Must try the capitol satay celup.. it's the main purpose i visit malacca.. so worth the 4 hour drive.. hahahaha

Thanks Mrsbongz for the advice and tips! Will check out Alphine. But driving there sounds really daunting (big vehicle, jams, unfamiliar roads, young kids, TPs on the prowl, etc......) :nailbite:

My dad had always wanted to visit Jonker St in Malacca. He's a foodie and has heard of all the nice food you can get there. So this trip is really for him. This is also the reason why we decided on Hotel Puri; so he can pop over to Jonker St anytime and easy to get back to the hotel to rest (he's in his 70s). My preferred hotel is actually Hotel Equatorial.

Will definitely try the capitol satay :drool:

[Mrsbongz]

Oh.. sorry.. just realised my spelling error.. it's alpine..

[hquek]

I don't suggest going too fast - 150km is really like hurtling down. the speed limit is 110km - we usually hang around that or go a bit to 120km.


I always stay at hotel puri - cos it's cheap, clean and they have real cable tv (stayed in makhota many many years back when it was still ok - only RTM 1 to 4 - nearly died of boredom).

Puri parking is a bit inconvenient cos it's some units down. But on the other hand, I think it's very good cos it's small and anyone who wants to go in/out the carpark needs the security guard to accompany to open the gates. I see those open air carparks and wonder if my car is still there.

And for puri, it's a short stroll to Jonker walk - so you don't have to worry about parking if you want to go there at night to experience the nightmarket.

Yes, capitol satay celup is FANTASTIC. If you stay long enough, the staff will throw bigger and bigger prawns onto your table (price same - by stick). But go early. We went about 5.30/6pm and the queue was already 3 shophouse down (sitting very limited).

Capitol Satay Celup, 41, Lorong Bukit Cina, Melaka
http://www.amazingmelaka.com/2007/07/31/food-melaka-capitol-satay-celup/

Chicken rice ball - I only tried the first 2, the last is recommended by native (but I haven't tried).

Kedai Kopi Chung Wah
Opposite OCBC Bank At the corner of Tan Boon Seng Bridge Visibly seen at the beginning of Jonker Street 2 minutes walking distance from Hoe Kee Chicken Rice and Famosa Chicken Rice Ball
http://www.amazingmelaka.com/2006/11/27/hainanese-chicken-rice-ball-chung-wah-kopitiam/

Hoe Kee Chicken Rice
No 4 Jonker Street
(near to Kedai Kopi Chung Wah)

Wilson Chicken Rice
305, Jalan Gajah Berang, 75200 Melaka
Tel/Hp : 06-2829409

Chendol - my fav is still at Jonker dessert. Can down 2 bowls each time. Their penang laksa nice also. THere is one highly recommended one near the clock tower - but haven't got chance to try.

Jonker Desserts
Along Jonker Walk
http://www.jonker88.com/

Cendol Jam Besar /Clock Tower Cendol, Dutch Square
(indian man-operated)

Nyonya Food - as recommended by native
Nyonya Makko
Address: 123, Jalan Merdeka, Taman Melaka Raya, Off Jalan Parameswara, 75000 Malacca
Tel: 06-284 0737
http://www.rasarasa.net/articlePrint.cfm?id=5725

Wanton noodles - very old style...sedap!
I like the one opposite Jonker Desserts (no name, but it's in a coffeeshop by the roadside)

[cmm]

Tks hquek for all the must trys!! Certainly looking forward to the trip now!! :drool: :drool:

[hquek]

hi cmm, my pleasure!


BTW, one of my ‘must buys’ is gula melaka from Malacca. Usually go to a tiny shop at a lane next to Jonker’s walk. You can melt some to put in soya milk or avocado juice…sedap!