We got into KL (back in hot, sticky weather land - no need for fleecies here) just after 2pm, in plenty of time to catch the 3pm bus to Melaka.Now this was what you call a bus, very modern and comfortable, and the two hour journey whizzed past.The bus station (very new and modern) is on the outskirts of town so we hopped into a taxi to take us to the Aldy Hotel in Jalan Kota - a great spot right in the town centre and beside the best of all the places to see and visit. We immediately liked the look and feel of Melaka and the hotel room was fine and comfortable.As soon as we'd unpacked and settled in - we especially appreciated the lovely hot shower! - we popped down to the Bamboo Hut Bistro on the ground floor for a cooling beer to slake our tropical thirst. Then it was off to a riverside table at Harper's Restaurant where we had a couple of Margaritas before a delicious dinner of chicken with polenta and a tasting plate comprising salmon, steak, lamb etc - although this is not typically Malaysian, when we're travelling we do occasionally appreciate different styles of food, just as we do normally in our everyday life. The food was excellent and as good as we've had anywhere on our 16 months and 14 countries of travel.Next day it was time to explore Melaka and its fascinating and sometimes turbulent history - in the 16th century it was the most important trading port for Europeans in the Far East.The Portuguese were the first Europeans in the area but were defeated by the Dutch.The French later tried to get in but under a treaty the Dutch handed over Melaka to the British. First stop was the 17th century Stadthuys (Town Hall) just along the road, the oldest existing Dutch building in the East.It's now the main museum and contains a fascinating insight into the history, culture, peoples, ethnic mix etc.It sits at the foot of Bukit St Paul around which sit a number of museums (this was the heart of Melaka when it became European). A walk across the river and round the old town brought us to a restored Peranakan shop house in Heeren Street where we were given an interesting conducted tour.Our walk also took us past a number of Buddhist and Hindu temples, Mosques and Christian churches reflecting the many and varied influences on Melaka over the centuries.We continued our wanderings the following day and took a trishaw ride out to the Villa Sentosa, a traditional Malay Kampung (village) house.It's a private house and the owner gave us a personal conducted tour.We were privileged to get to see personal family artefacts and to sit on the same seats as the Malaysian king and queen had sat when they visited the house.It seems to have gained quite a reputation as a must see for ordinary visitors, and also many dignitaries over the years. We added our name and favourable comments to the most recent in a huge pile of visitor books.The previous evening we ate in the Bamboo Hut Bistro at the hotel - the laksa and BBQd lamb were excellent.We couldn't leave Melaka without trying some Nonya fare (Nonya are descendants of Chinese immigrants who intermarried with Malays).Searching out a restaurant took us to a whole new area built on reclaimed land.It was a bustling and lively part of the city and we eventually found the place we were looking for. The food at Bayonya Restaurant was excellent and everything had a totally new and different flavour from anything we've tried before. The night topped off by a visit to a traditional Chinese massage shop where we both relaxed in a recliner while we had pedicures and reflexology, both in a distinctive Chinese style (we were told that the guy who did our feet had been brought in from China and everyone was very interested in his technique). He did a very good job - we were treated to 90 minutes of pampering - all for only twenty quid. Although we've had a really great time in Melaka we received some really bad news while we were here.New Year is a time when we all looking forward to a new start and good fortune - some of our family and friends are expecting new arrivals this year.So it was therefore awful to get dreadful news from Gary and Tracy in Perth, with whom we stayed on our travels round Australia.Gary's 19 year old son had been staying with them over Christmas and tragically died suddenly at their home.We really feel for them at this time.

E M xxxx