Taking the journey from Port Dickson to Malacca town

By now the interest to visit a UNESCO heritage site like Malacca should be quite appealing.

Today, Malacca's colourful history and rich heritage is being rediscovered by tourists who travel from near and far. Exploring the old buildings at Jonker and Heeren Streets as well as the Stadthuys and the ancient tombstones in the ruins of the Church on St Paul’s Hill provides the visitor with a small glance of its illustrious six centuries of multicultural history.

Walking along its streets to discover the distinctive architectural influences feels like a detective story. You will need to see and notice the finer things to find those unique cross-cultural bland of Malacca’s past. Meet the people of Malacca, especially the Eurasians, Peranakans, and Chettis, and you will find that they are steeped in culture and well-informed on their area’s history. 

Even if you have visited Malacca before, it is definitely a worthwhile destination for a second (or third) visit, as you will surely discover that there is more than meets the eye when it comes to this historic city and its people. Its only 45 minutes from Bella Casa Holiday Bungalows in Taman Peranginan Mutiara. 

Here's our recommended itinerary:

By using the coastal road marked trunk road 5, you pass through the town of Pasir Panjang and may want to stop over for an early breakfast before continuing your journey using the N143 passing Tanjung Agas and the Linggi River Bridge to M143 before making a visit to the ruins of an old Dutch fort in Kuala Linggi. 

Dutch Fort Filiphina, Sepoy's Hill, Kuala Linggi  

It is situated next to a floating 'ikan bakar' restaurant. It can be a short visit but do look around for you can see the reason why it was strategically situated atop a hill. Look for the Linggi river mouth, sight Cape Rachado lighthouse, feel the height advantageous of the grounds and map out and survey the site. 

Hopefully you've enjoyed the morning activity before you head to Pengkalan Balak. Take the scenic road passing through the Malaysian Maritime Academy or ALAM on the way to Kuala Sungai Baru. 

A well maintained Minangkabau styled house

Here you look out for old Minangkabau styled kampong houses. Drive slowly for ease of stopping to take a snapshot. These homes are dated and may soon be replaced before you can stop by another time. 

Before you reach Pengkalan Balak do drop by the Sungai Baru wet market. Seafood mongers and fruit stalls are aplenty. You will leave the M143 by making a right turn towards Jalan Telok Gong to visit the Turtle Management and Information Centre at Padang Kemunting in Pengkalan Balak.

Fisheries Department - Turtle Management Centre

Baby hawksbill turtles before release 

Established in the 1960's, there are now 
more than 10 such locations in the country, with some centers fully equipped with research and modern high-tech facilities, such as equipment for the tracking of sea turtles in the oceans.

The initiatives to safeguard and protect the sea turtles were led not only by the respective states and government departments but also by concerned non-governmental organisations like the World Wildlife Fund and other wildlife and nature societies.

And over the years these sanctuaries and hatcheries had helped to revive and grow the dwindling sea turtles population in the country.

Please support and help fight for laws in all countries that will ban poaching, harvesting, sale and the human consumption of turtle eggs. Don't ever support activities that will, directly or indirectly, further threaten their survival or that will lead to the subsequent extinction of these beautiful sea creatures.

Continue your journey towards Tanjong Bidara and Kem Terendak. At the roundabout take a right turn to M143 before you reach Sungai Udang town. Keep right all the way towards Tanjong Kling on trunk road 5, the landmark to look out for is the Petronas Refinery on your right. In about 15 mins you will reach Klebang, then Tengkera and finally head towards Taman Kota Laksamana where there is plenty of parking space just before the Casa del Rio Hotel. It is walking distance to Jonker Street and the Stadthuys. Happy discoveries!