Day 11 - Tuesday 17 January 2017

Unfinished business........As I wake this morning I could simply get ready, go for breakfast and depart but there is some unfinished business. Yesterday I declared that there was not much more I could do in Malacca but today is different and the museums are open again. On Mondays they close. There are a number of options around St Pauls Hill but I need to check what time I have left before checkout. After breakfast I only have a couple of hours.
Museum of History and Ethnography........The obvious choice is the Museum of History and Ethnography in the Stadthuys. Leaving Katoon to hold the fort, I’m there just after 10am. From the very start there is a wealth of exhibits starting with weapons down the ages from magnificent ornate examples of Malay daggers and swords to more modern firearms. In another gallery there are examples of ceramics from many nations. But the central core of the museum deals the history of Malacca as it unfolded, step by step, beginning with the establishment of Malacca, the Malacca Sultanate, the Portuguese, Dutch and British occupation, the Japanese occupation, and finally the years leading towards independence. In these galleries are some remarkable paintings that bring to life key points in history that could only be imagined from what we see today. In other galleries there is an interesting glimpse into the history of the various ethnic groups that make up the fabric of Malacca society, including the Malays, Chinese, Indians, Peranakan, Chitty and Eurasians. Various aspects of each culture is portrayed including wedding ceremonies, musical instruments, agriculture and fishing, literature and so on. If there’s only one museum you can visit, this is the one. I really am impressed with what I find here which adds enormously to my understanding of this historical city....more.

Concerned about the time, I spend not much more than an hour at the museum; it should have been more but I manage to take a good number of photographs which I will study later. With more museums in this area there’s clearly more to do here and it’s a pity I had to miss out yesterday but that it’s given me immense pleasure to be here is remarkable in itself. It’s now back to the hotel to prepare for departure and retire from the heat.

Malacca departure........Its midday and I order a taxi. It’s a standard 20 ringgit to the Sentral Bus Station. Here I select the KKKL service to Kuala Lumpur from what I’ve read which runs every hour on the half hour but managed to miss the 12.30pm. That leaves time for lunch. I get sausage, nuggets and chips from a good selection of food types. Then an unfamiliar sound penetrates the large station complex, increasing in volume. Surely it can’t be raining. But in the short space of time it’s taken to get from the hotel, it’s clouded over and resulted in a downpour of tropical storm proportions. We will be leaving in the rain, the first of any significance since I’ve been out here now in the 40th day.
Kuala Lumpur arrival........Soon after departure from Malacca I’m asleep again. I don’t even witness the connection to the KL to Johor motorway. By the time I wake up there’s just 40 kilometres to go to KL and it’s stopped raining. However it’s just a brief respite as we pass the turning to the Sepang F1 circuit. At this point I don’t know where this bus terminates and assume I need to get into the city by taxi. The bus however pulls into a modern terminal complex right next to the metro station. It’s obviously quite a significant transport hub. Bandar Tasik Selatan Google Map is the bus terminal for busses from the south and connects with commuter trains into the city. It also is a stop on the KLIA Transit Line which is a line that connects to the airport. This is useful information for me now but I still need to get into the city.
As I’ve no way of knowing which station I need right now I can only suggest we head for Chinatown where my accommodation has been reserved. My enquiries lead me initially to Hang Tuah, the name of the Malay warrior I became familiar with yesterday, now so easy to remember. But further refinement sends me to the station after, Plaza Rakyat Google Map From here I get directions to Jalan Sultan but it means another walk the same as in Singapore and it’s still raining. While this is a bit of a struggle it helps a lot with my depleted Malay currency.
Swiss Inn........Google Map The facade at Swiss Inn is austere in keeping with the rest of Jalan Sultan, faded and drab, the street only made colourful by the decor and activity of shops and street cafes that seem to symbolise Chinatowns everywhere. However stepping into the reception area is like stepping into a new modern world, totally deceiving. After check-in formalities, I’m given room 621. It soon becomes clear that there is another building, behind the three story facade, out of view. This means a change of lifts linked by a corridor. It is a proverbial rabbit warren. After any journey though, there is relief on arriving safely at a new destination. On first impressions, the room is modern and pleasing to the eye. Generally though, first impressions can be deceiving as deficiencies come to light. Not here. I can find no fault whatsoever. Breakfast isn’t included but is available. The only other worry is the confusing setup of an internet connection but this is quickly fixed in reception. Of the facilities I’ve generally been lacking in Malaysia, a frige and kettle are the most welcome as is the location. With the price no more than I’ve been paying before, Swiss Hotel is a candidate for a high score. When we eventually go out for dinner there’s a bewildering selection of shops and restaurants. We won’t starve here. With a saving on my budget today I take a beer which I think I deserve. The only regret at Swiss Hotel is that they’ve asked for a deposit of 100 ringgit. By the time I get it back, I won’t need it anymore. Next Page.