My first trip outside Singapore took place a couple weeks ago when a co-worker and I went across the border into Malaysia (aka the place where Sean Connery and Catherine Zeta Jones starred in Entrapment). A few of my experiences:
1) Singapore has Chicken Rice, Malacca has Chicken Rice Balls: rice that is boiled in chicken grease instead of water. Rather than serving it to you in a pile, Malaccans make balls out of it. An unhealthy gimmick, but a very tasty one.
2) My first tasting of Chendel: a mountain of shaved ice that sits on top of coconut milk, red beans, grass jelly, and sweet corn, with a drizzle of molasses-- damn good. The locals say it's much better than Singapore's. When asked why, the response is, "it just is."
3) Parts of the city have been overly restored, such as the Dutch Square, where everything is painted in a fresh coat of red and a fake windmill was propped up in the 90's. Get it- windmill, Dutch Square. Other parts are crying for help - exposed outdoor pipes, empty buildings, crumbling sidewalks. And then there's Chinatown, the perfect combo of deterioration and historical charm where you can find the best food, nightlife and shopping.
4) Malacca has the most entertaining public transportation: pimped out rickshaws, driven by crazy locals who blast everything from gangster rap to techno dance music. Each one is decorated with tons of fake flowers, religious & patriotic symbols, and Christmas lights. When we asked our cyclist who decorated his rickshaw, he responded, "My wife. It took us a whole day."
5) No tall buildings + Not many trees = No shade. This is why you always stay at a hotel with a pool. Which we did.
No comments:
Post a Comment