I need a holiday after a holiday

Malacca is not a foreign domain for me. I have been going to Malacca at least twice a year because of weddings, work or simply for a weekend gateway. Malacca has never failed in captivating me with its rich history and culture, the sinfully delicious foods and the charming atmosphere the little shops in Jonker Street provides.

However, my short vacation to Malacca over the Malaysia Day's weekend has been the most memorable one I’ve had so far. It’s all down to a little guest house by the Malacca riverside called Oriental Riverside Residences which is located in the heart of Malacca city.

The charming guesthouse 

Our first night in Malacca

Teh tarik session after dinner

When I first set my eyes on the place, I’d thought to myself, "Well, this is different".  It really is different from all the hotels or motels I've stayed in.  At least the rooms always came with an attached bathroom.  (yea yea i'm a bit spoilt)

Oriental Riverside Residences is a three storey shop lot that has been converted into a guesthouse. It has 8 rooms, 2 bathrooms, 1 common room and 1 kitchen. I've had the pleasure of staying in room number 6, on the top floor. Luckily for me, my room comes with a so-called bathroom. It’s not a real bathroom so to speak, but more like an outdoor space with high walls, and a zinc rooftop with a working sink and a green plastic dipper.

Basic standard room, RM78 per night

But what they lack in luxury and comfort, they sure make it up in warmth hospitality and diversity in tenants. The host of the guesthouse is a European couple who's been in Malaysia for a few months and are helping the owner of the guesthouse whenever he's away.  Arnold is an IT programmer from Germany and Hilda is a banker from Belgium. The two of them are a hard core traveller and they have been exploring the world, especially Asian countries for 30 years now. Arnold is extremely friendly and funny while Hilda is exceptionally knowledgeable.

Our last night in Malacca with Arnold, Hilda, Eva & Thomas

Staying at Oriental Riverside Residences also offers a few other perks. It’s close to everything! We didn’t have to venture far for food and shopping as it is only a 5 minute walk to Jonker Street. And plus along the riverside there’s plenty of small café and pubs for you to hang out or have a nice meal.

Morning stroll by the riverside

Otw to Jonker Street

One of the many reasons y i love Malacca

@ Jonker Street

Jonker Street Night Market

Pretty cute right?

Korean guest house by the riverside

During our stay in the guesthouse, my family and I have the pleasure of meeting another couple from a small town near Frankfurt, Germany, Eva and Thomas. Eva is a frequent traveller as well and they have been in Malaysia for a few days. Malacca is their second destination before they start their journey south.  We also met a couple of girls from Korea, one who was a victim of a snatch thieft on her first day in Malacca! Poor girl. She still have a scar on her neck, where the assholes snatched her necklace.

Alrite, enough about the guesthouse. Let's talk about Malaysian's favourite topic; FOOD! Everyone knows that Malacca is famous for its Ikan Assam Pedas. But the best place that offers the dish would be Kari Kepala Ikan Hajah Rahmah. Yup based on the name itself you can tell that the shop is also famous for their fish head curry. I’m not a big fan of fish head curry but I definitely love the asam pedas.

Double portion of these = RM198

Until my recent visit I’d never knew about the existence of a malay shop that sells the best kueh melaka that I’ve ever tasted in Jonker Street. The shop is located opposite a chicken rice shop (yea it doesn’t help does it?) But if I’m not mistaken it’s the only malay shop that sells food in Jonker Street. I highly recommend that you guys try this out on your next visit Malacca.

But my favourite food joint would be Bistro 1673 which is also on Jonker Street. It is a bit hidden from the street as you need to go through a sort of an alley (don’t worry it’s not a dodgy alley as the alley serves as an entrance to the restaurant) to get to the bistro. It’s an open space restaurant that has a variety of food and provides really nice setting. And uh, they also have a live band. My brother-in-law even performed a song, “When you say nothing at all” with the band. He’s a real crowd pleaser.

My fav is the marinara spaghetti 

Fahim, the natural performer

No trip to Malacca would be complete without having a seafood dinner at Umbai. However after having a taste of the sweet and fresh seafood that Sabah offers, I feel that my taste bud have develop an appreciation of finer things in life, thus making Umbai seafood not as good as how I remembered it. Nevertheless, Umbai is still a must-have stop on your visit to Malacca.

@ Umbai