Have Perut Will Travel...: MKZ Walkabout│ St Paul's Hill • Melaka River • Fireworks!

You may not copy, reproduce, distribute, publish, display, perform, modify, create derivative works, transmit, or in any way exploit any such content, nor may you distribute any part of this content over any network, including a local area network, sell or offer it for sale. You may not alter or remove any copyright, watermarks, or other notice from copies of the content on this blog. Copying or storing any content is expressly prohibited without prior written permission of the blog owner. For permission to use the content on this blog, please contact harrycath@gmail.com.

Friday, 7 March 2025

MKZ Walkabout│ St Paul's Hill • Melaka River • Fireworks!

Time to Exercise

We left the homestay at 7:00pm and made our way along Lorong Haji Bachee until we reached the main road. We crossed Bendahara and continued onto Jalan Bunga Raya Pantai, walking straight until we reached Jalan Munshi Abdullah. After crossing, we turned left and continued along Jalan Bendahara.

A few minutes later, we arrived at Nathan Barber Shop, where I got a quick haircut for RM15 (≈ USD/EUR3).

Toward the Red Square

We continued our stroll along Jalan Bendahara, crossed Jalan Temenggong, and headed south along Jalan Laksamana. From here onward, the road was closed to cars — a peaceful, breezy stretch perfect for walking.

We soon reached Dutch Square, also known as the Red Square, and stopped for the customary photos before continuing along Jalan Kota. A row of food trucks lined the street, catering to the crowd that had just broken fast.

At the end of the row stood A Famosa, or Porta de Santiago — one of the oldest surviving European structures in all of Asia.

Up the Sacred Hill

We walked through A Famosa and climbed the stairs up the hill. Fifteen leisurely minutes later, we reached the summit and stepped into the ruins of the Church of St Paul.

This church is the oldest Catholic church in Malaysia and a revered landmark in Southeast Asia. A white statue of St Francis Xavier stands at the entrance — a reminder that this hill was once his burial site. During Portuguese rule, the hill was known as Monti Ali Maria or Monty Hill.

We spent a few minutes exploring the 500 year old ruins before making our way back down.

Along the Melaka River

We returned to Jalan Kota, doubled back past Dutch Square and the row of red shop houses, then walked down to the banks of the Melaka River. We continued along this familiar path, passing familiar landmarks, until we reached Seri Sahabat for a light dinner:

Naan (each)
Shared Tandoori Chicken
2 Iced Lime Tea
1 Watermelon Juice

Total: RM28.60 (≈ USD/EUR6).

Cat then crossed the street to buy five sticks of youtiao at RM1.20 (≈ USD/EUR0.30) each.

Fireworks Surprise

We walked back along Jalan Bunga Raya Pantai, crossed Jalan Bendahara, and re entered Lorong Haji Bachee — just in time to be treated to a five minute fireworks display lighting up the night sky.

We continued our stroll back to The Apple Residence and headed up to our unit, pleasantly tired from the evening’s walk.

What’s Next

Be sure to catch the next video — breakfast at a perennial favourite coffee shop.