Melaka - Day 1 Part 1: St Paul's Church, Fort Famosa

This is my very first journey as a backpacker.  After doing some reading, I decided that this is one of the best ways to travel, and since it's gonna be solo, all I need will just be a bed to rest at the end of the day.

I've done a booking for Backpacker's Freak hostel so it's just a matter of hours before I reach this historical town from Singapore.  The bus journey could easily take up half round on the clock depending on traffic conditions so I've prepared some ration to go along.

The kitchen in Backpacker's Freak Hostel.  Nice and cosy.

After about 5 hours' ride, I've finally reached Melaka and I found my way to Makhota area where it will be my home for the next 2 nights.  Weather is pretty warm here so it's definitely important to hydrate.

So here's my home for the next couple of days till I get home.




Out in the streets, it's decently populated but not many shops are open; mostly the stalls in this area are eateries and the heat of the day has driven most people to the nearby malls.

Time to do some hiking but before that, it's lunchtime.

So here's my lunch.  Coney dog with ice cold root beer and curly fries to refuel for the afternoon.  It's gonna be quite a walk so I better loadup.

I've explored the areas beyond the shopping malls but they are just quiet streets without much interesting stuff; small eateries, temples and seemingly endless roads.  That was not my agenda for this short trip so I decided to move on back to the core area.

Alright, so here we are.  Fort Famosa.  This fort is more than 500 years old as to date and it was left behind by the Dutch during the 15th century.  As solid as it looks, though dilapidated with age, it's certainly a symbol of its past glory as rubbles of the old red ground are still visible to date, though much modernised cement had been laid over.

Up the hill is St Paul's Church, which is by far the tallest point in Melaka.  At the top of the hill (climb is quite steep), you can have a panaromic view of the city.  

Buskers such as musicians, artists can also be seen making their living at this area as many tourists like to hike up to this place.

As the statue of St Paul has been there for many years, you will notice that its right hand had been broken off at the wrist.  Being a little crowded, I will revisit this place tomorrow when there are no tourists in the earlier hours.

I was in time to catch the sunset for this evening, so here's my shot!

The journey downhill was quickly completed as the sun is also setting quite fast.  It's time for dinner, but I saw this fat cat lazing at the kerb in an interesting pose.