Travel: Malaysia - General

[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!

[winth]

Maybe we should drive up again once we settle our ‘to-do-list’.


Really miss the adventure and fun of driving up. The kids even know how to pack their own luggage when we need to spend a day overnight.

[en107rn.01056yahoo.01056com.01056sg]

I have been planning to go Melaka too


I can't wait for school holidays, so my kids are going to skip a day of school. Can I know for Hotel Equatorial, is there plenty of carpark and is it safe to park there?

I am contemplating to do a 2 days 1 night. Drive over on Friday early morning and drive back on Saturday late afternoon. We have things to do on Sunday. But looking at my parents & sister's recent pictures and the way everyone describe here, itching to extend another day and ds simply has to skip a day of piano lesson.

So... 2 days, 1 night or should it be 3 days 2 nights?

[hquek]

hi EN,


I like Equatorial also for it's proximity to Palawan - the only shopping centre in Malacca (makhota is cmi - in my opinion). Not sure about parking, but I think should be ok cos many SGns stay there.

http://www.equatorial.com/mel/map_hotel.htm

Honestly, I usually just do a 2D/1N trip cos apart from eating, nothing quite excites me there. I don't visit the heritage sites anymore - felt that a school trip eons back was enough to brave the hot hot sun.

Those who may get excited over 'San Shu Gong' should note that these are available in NTUC also.

And and...those who are going to be parking by the roadside, remember to put coupons (can get from those mamak stores along the roads) - I don't recall any coin operated machines the last time I was there. I think their aunties also very vigilant with parking summons, esp in touristy places.

[pinky88]

EN:

I have been planning to go Melaka too


I can't wait for school holidays, so my kids are going to skip a day of school. Can I know for Hotel Equatorial, is there plenty of carpark and is it safe to park there?

I am contemplating to do a 2 days 1 night. Drive over on Friday early morning and drive back on Saturday late afternoon. We have things to do on Sunday. But looking at my parents & sister's recent pictures and the way everyone describe here, itching to extend another day and ds simply has to skip a day of piano lesson.

So... 2 days, 1 night or should it be 3 days 2 nights?

Hi EN, 2D1N shld be sufficient if this is not yr first trip to Malacca. Enough for u to try out all the gd food, shopping & swimming for the kids (a must for my kids). I will be going there this 27 Nov. Staying for 1N also cos my girl has piano lesson on Sun too. The last trip I went in Jun this yr, we stayed at Equatorial. There are sufficient parking lots & it is safe..no worries (but my hubby usually locked the steering wheel, to playsafe).

Btw, there's another Chinese restuarant, \"Bei Zhan\" which serves gd & cheap food. They have recently shifted. If u drive along the flyover juz in front of Holiday Inn, u will see it towards the end on yr right hand side. Its a white color bldg of their own.