Colourful Malacca and peaceful Penang, Malaysia

"Malacca (Malay: Melaka, dubbed "The Historic State") is the third smallest Malaysian state after Perlis and Penang. It is located in the southern region of the Malay Peninsula, next to the Straits of Malacca. It borders Negeri Sembilan to the north and Johor to the south. The capital is Malacca City, which is 148 km south east of Malaysia's capital city Kuala Lumpur, 235 km north west to Johor's largest city Johor Bahru, and 95 km north west to Johor's second largest city Batu Pahat. This historical city centre has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 7 July 2008." (wikipedia) This was one of the first holiday trip during my time in Singapore. It was also not long since we have bought a Nikon camera, so it was well used during our trip and I became an amateur model.

"Before the arrival of the first Sultan, Malacca was a fishing village inhabited by local Malays. Malacca was founded by Parameswara, also known as Iskandar Shah or Sri Majara, the last Raja of Singapura (present day Singapore) following a Majapahit attack in 1377. He found his way to Malacca around 1400 where he found a good port—it was accessible in all seasons and on the strategically located narrowest point of the Malacca Straits." (wikipedia)

A simple but well-known dish in Singapore and Malaysia as well: chicken rice!

"According to a popular legend, Parameswara was resting under a tree near a river while hunting, when one of his dogs cornered a mouse deer. In self-defence, the mouse deer pushed the dog into the river. Impressed by the courage of the deer, and taking it as a propitious omen of the weak overcoming the powerful, Parameswara decided on the spot to found an empire on that very spot. He named it 'Melaka' after the tree under which he had taken shelter, the Melaka tree (Malay: Pokok Melaka)." (wikipedia)

Malacca's Zoo

Ruins of Fort A Famosa

Kampung Kling Mosque built in 1748

Heavily decorated bicycle rickshaw in Malacca

Malacca

Penang, a one-day stop during our holiday trip with Starcruise Singapore-Penang-Phuket:

"Penang is a state in Malaysia and the name of its constituent island, located on the northwest coast of Peninsular Malaysia by the Strait of Malacca. It is bordered by Kedah in the north and east, and Perak in the south. Penang is the second smallest Malaysian state in area after Perlis, and the eighth most populous. It is composed of two parts – Penang Island, where the seat of government is, and Seberang Perai (formerly Province Wellesley in English) on the Malay Peninsula. Highly urbanised and industrialised Penang is one of the most developed and economically important states in the country, as well as a thriving tourist destination.[4][5][6] Penang has the third-highest Human Development Index in Malaysia, after the federal territory of Kuala Lumpur and the state of Selangor. Its heterogeneous population is highly diverse in ethnicity, culture, language, and religion. A resident of Penang is colloquially known as a Penangite." (wikipedia) Due to the limited time during our one-afternoon stop in Penang, we have not discovered enough, but found the city is rather peaceful and friendly atmosphere.

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Malacca 2007 & Penang 2008.