Melaka, Malaysia, was once one of the most thriving ports and trading grounds of the past, founded first by the Portuguese, later by the Dutch and finally the British. As with most things it fell into decline once the British arrived and its status declined along with some of its best buildings. The Porta De Santiago is the only remaining part of the fort that once stood in Melaka, destroyed by the British in fear of the Dutch trying to use it in defense of them. And St Pauls church, once a religious place, later used by the British as a gunpowder store... Anyway, the best hotel of the trip was here in Melaka. We had some lovely waiters Sham and Aladdin who ensured our every requirement was met. He even arranged for the singer to do a rendition of '24 years I've been living next door to Alice', just for me! It was nice looking around, we took a boat trip, where we met the huge lizards that occupy the river. All had been named by the guide after Hollywood stars...Jennifer Lopez was particularly ugly. We went to the Maritime museum in the shape of a boat, where a group of Indians asked to have their photo taken with us....our white legs have been quite a spectacle! We took a visit to Chen Hoon Temple, apparently the oldest in Malaysia and were lucky enough to see part of a ceremony taking place.