Malacca (spelled Melaka in Malaysia) is the birthplace of the Malaysian heritage, which dates back to the 15th century. The Malacca Sultanate marks the beginning of the modern monarchy. When the once-proud port fell into European hands, beginning with the Portuguese, then the Dutch and finally the British, each of these foreign cultures left an indelible mark on Malacca and its inhabitants. The immigrant Chinese also had a hand in determining the fortunes of Malacca.

During its days as a more than thriving port, Malacca was truly cosmopolitan, considered the place to be if one was pursuing wealth, culture and knowledge. Bahasa Melayu, the local language of this region, was the lingua franca, used by all, and many of the traders and then the colonists stayed on and married local women, giving birth to two unique cultures in Malaysia, the Malaysian-Portuguese and the Babas and Nyonyas.

Of the two hybrid cultures, the Baba and Nyonyas, also known as the Peranakan culture, is more prominent. The Chinese left their homeland in droves, some to escape the Manchu rule to begin a new life elsewhere while others were lured by the prospects of earning a better living, right from the 16th century up to the 20th.

The Portuguese heritage, though no less interesting, appears to play second fiddle to the more dominant Peranakan culture as the Portuguese community has dwindled greatly over the years. Nevertheless, the age-old traditions are still an integral part of the people of Portuguese descent with special emphasis on religious festivals.

Many descendants of the Portuguese traders and settlers have made Malacca their home. Mostly devout Catholics, they observe interesting religious and cultural festivals. Come Good Friday and Easter every year, St. Peter's Church is all a-buzz with Sunday processions.

In June, the Portuguese community, most of whom depend on the sea for a living, holds a feast in honour of their patron saint. And at the end of every June, a fiesta is held in the square where the Portuguese village is, and there is much revelry as villagers dance and party to the sounds of live and traditional music and feast on traditional food in abundance.

No visitor will ever miss the Stadthuys - a series of red buildings and constructions on the approach to the Town Square. The colour is not the natural colour of the buildings - they have been painted thus to symbolize the red laterite used in the construction of many buildings in Malacca.

Work on this massive town hall started soon after the Dutch wrested Malacca from the Portuguese in 1641. Finished in 1661, it is believed to be the oldest Dutch building in the East. The long wing of warehouses is supposed to be the oldest of the lot. Although Stadthuys is Dutch, recent construction work done there have unearthed evidence that it used to be a Portuguese settlement before the Dutch took over. They have found what remains of a Portuguese well and drainage system.

With its heavy solid doors and louver windows, Stadthuys presents a pretty picture of typical 17th century Dutch architecture. Inside there is wide staircase. High windows line its walls and if you peep out of the back windows, you will catch a glimpse of some old houses in the courtyard, whitewashed but mouldy, and looking as though they were a painting done by Vermeer. Being typically Dutch, these municipal buildings were built with one thought in mind - to keep out the cold of winter. Therefore, you can imagine how sweltering hot it must have been in those times it was used as Town Hall throughout the Dutch and British administration, especially without the fans and air-conditioning of our time.

The other buildings surrounding the Stadthuys, like the clock tower, are also in the same bright red colour. Today, Stadthuys is home to three museums - the History Museum, the Ethnographic Museum and the Literature Museum. Stadthuys and the three museums are opened to the public everyday from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. except on Fridays when they close from 12.15 p.m. until 2.45 p.m. for lunch and prayers. Visitors are allowed to wander to their hearts content at only 30 pence.

If you'd like to have a little fun in the sun, sand and surf, then head for the little islands off the shores of Malacca. The boat operators will gladly take you out and back again, for a small price, of course, but still worth it if what you are looking for is a few hours of peace and quiet, surrounded by nature, with the only sounds being the call of the birds.

Malacca has a few islands just off its coastline that are very popular with visitors. Although there are resorts on some, most visitors are likely to visit on a day trip to Pulau Besar, Pulau Upeh and Pantai Kundur, as well as to Tanjung Kling and Tanjung Bidara on the shores of Malacca.

Pulau Besar
This small island southeast of the Malaccan coast and about five kilometres out is a popular weekend getaway for the nearby city folks. The main attractions here are the pleasant beaches with white sand that provide amazing contrast to the green hills of the interior. The water here is nice enough and certainly clearer than that of the mainland.

As yet relatively undeveloped, there is a golf course here for those who would like to have a change of scenery and greenery. For the adventurer, there are the hills to explore and the history enthusiast will have a wonderful time learning all about the old graves on the island as well as the relics that serve as reminders of the Japanese Occupation. Each has its own intriguing tale to tell.

Pulau Besar is accessible by boat and the ferry leaves from the Shah Bandar jetty in Malacca town. If you'd like a little flexibility, then seek out a fishing boat at the Pengkalan Pernu jetty in Dumai. Trips can be made upon request and a fare of £1.50 per person is expected for a group of twelve. If you do not have a party of a dozen, then maybe you could charter the whole boat for a cost of anywhere between $10 to £12.

Pulau Upeh
Pulau Upeh is much smaller than Pulau Besar and city slickers will not find it half as interesting. Closer to Malacca, this however makes it a convenient retreat from the city, and with fewer distractions, Pulau Upeh is an ideal place to relax and to recharge your batteries.

Tanjung Kling
Tanjung Kling has been marked as an upmarket tourist spot and several expensive and luxurious hotels have been constructed there recently. While the beach here has nothing to set it apart from any other beach, the food is another matter. The resorts have some lovely in-house restaurants that serve delicious food. The Klebang Beach Resort about nine kilometres from Malacca is one such place. Another is Shah's Beach Resort. Getting to Tanjung Kling is a breeze. Just ten kilometres northwest of Malacca, it's on the road to Port Dickson.

Pantai Kundur
If the beach at Tanjung Kling is unimpressive, then head for the one at Pantai Kundur. Pantai Kundur is quieter than Tanjung Kling and the beach is certainly more attractive with its whitish sand. Though not the most beautiful, it is great for a few hours' enjoyment at the seaside. If all that swimming has given you a big appetite, then tuck into some tasty, freshly prepared seafood at the Straits View Lodge.

Tanjung Bidara
Tanjung Bidara, roughly 20 kilometres northwest of Malacca, has some of the better beaches in the state. With its lush vegetation and its strategic location some distance away from the main road, it provides visitors with a wonderfully quiet and serene atmosphere. Lovely sandy beaches liberally dotted with green, the surroundings make up for the less than crystal-clear water. Tanjung Bidara Beach Resort lays claim to the main beach although nearby there is a public beach with hawkers pedalling all sorts of food and snacks to hungry picnickers and swimmers. For those who prefer fine dining, head for the restaurants at the Tanjung Bidara Beach Resort.