Have Perut Will Travel...: MKZ Day 1 │ Wat Phra Jinaraja • Dataran Pahlawan!

Letting Off Steam in Melaka: A Gentle Return to a City That Heals

It’s been a while since we last wandered through Melaka — that small but endlessly storied city where history lingers in every alleyway and the river seems to carry centuries of memory along its banks. Recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Melaka is a tapestry of Malay sultanate roots, Portuguese and Dutch colonial architecture, and the rich, colourful heritage of the Peranakan community. Compact, walkable, and atmospheric, it has always been one of Malaysia’s most soulful destinations.

But our last visit in March 2025 left a sting. An unscrupulous Airbnb host held onto our security deposit for a week, and the experience soured what had always been our go‑to escape. Melaka had long been our sanctuary — a place that calmed the mind and softened the edges of daily life — but after that incident, and with Caesar’s arrival, we stayed away longer than we realised.

This morning, with plans to visit the Wat Phra Jinaraja Siamese Temple in Batu Berendam, we decided it was time to return.

A Quiet Morning Drive

We left home at a quarter to seven, the roads still gentle with early light. By half past eight we were passing the Ayer Keroh Toll Plaza, the familiar route stirring old memories. From there, it was a short drive to the Wat Phra Jinaraja Siamese Temple in Batu Berendam.

At the temple, we changed into appropriate attire before the resident monk performed a floral bath ritual — a serene cleansing using water infused with fragrant flowers like jasmine, roses, and ylang‑ylang. It’s meant to purify, calm, and invite positive energy, and in that quiet moment, it felt like the perfect way to begin our return to Melaka.

Breakfast, the Melaka Way

Blessings received, we headed to Huang Chang Chicken Rice nearby — a local favourite and one of our long‑standing comfort stops.

Our first round included:

Quarter Steamed Chicken
15 Rice Balls
Drinks

RM26.00 (≈ USD7 / EUR6). And because the morning appetite was real, we added:

Steamed Chicken for 2
20 Rice Balls

RM15.20 (≈ USD4 / EUR3). Simple, satisfying, and unmistakably Melaka.

Killing Time at Dataran Pahlawan

With hours to spare before check‑in, we made our way to Dataran Pahlawan for a bit of wandering and a much‑needed drink. We eventually settled at Locca Cafe, where we ordered:

Caramel Macchiato
Passion Fruit Soda
Lychee Lemongrass
Red Velvet Cake

RM52.50 (≈ USD13 / EUR14)

While I caught up on some work on our new laptop, the other two drifted into an impromptu nap — the kind that only happens when you’re truly at ease.

An Unexpected Perk

Just as the clock struck noon, a message arrived from our host at Alviv Homestay: our unit was ready, and we could check in early. A small gesture, but after our last experience, it felt like a warm welcome back to a city we once loved so easily.

Stay tuned — the next post will take you inside our lovely apartment at The Apple Residence Melaka.