We stopped off an nice cafe to get a coffee and some breaky as this wasn't served in our hostel.Across the road we also spotted an old colonial Church and it turned out that it is the oldest in Melaka and thus also in Malaysia. It was erected in 1710.
Continuing our bike ride a long the little river we noticed that the pathway must have been very recent and was all laid out in nice bricks and the flowers along it were all kept very well. In addition there were pillars that every couple of meters that were connected by a rail on top... A mono rail? Along a little creek in an Colonial Village in Malaysia? Seems to be. Interestingly there were no people, local or foreigners enjoying this path for a walk.
After a couple of meters, Basti's tyre ran flat. and filling air into it at a petrol station also didn't help. So we cycled/pushed the bikes back to the hostel and got one of them replaced. Glad that this happend in the beginning of our tour.
Next stop was the Chinese cemetery which lay on a Hill. Alan suggested to take it easy during lunch time because of the heat so we rested a bit in the shade of the trees. After a walk around the park and to the top of the hill we had a quick look at another Chinese temple and then went to find Fort St. John. When we found the path up the hill towards it (after cyclingaround it once) we saw a few happy retired guys sitting in the shade of a little veranda near the fort. So we chained our bikes together went up to check out the little fort. Seriously the the area is slightly bigger than my apartment and went back to the bikes. By now it started raining and we sat down with the old guys. One of them spoke English well and after some time the other guys started talking English as well.
Some monkeys were chasing each other in the tree and stealing coconuts from each other and we were chatting and watching them. Great time!
They then suggested to visit the Portuguese settlement on the cost, which was on our itinerary anyway.
The Portuguese Settlement looked a bit like an beach area on Tenerife but in off season (it's off season here to in November). The parking area was empty and the plastic chairs were stacked in the corner but we could still get a coke and look out onto the Melaka straight.
From here we cycled on to a man made Island off the coast that we could reach over a small bridge to visit the new Mosque. The whole island was still being developed and there were construction sites all over the place but it seemed that most sites were left alone for some time although the houses are not fully completed. Not sure if work will return here. I'm hoping so, because this area would be a very nice once it's finished. The whole island reminded me a bit of the strange Island from the last Bond Movie.
The Mosque was not amazing to look at as it was also fairly new and basically just poured from concrete but it after washing my feet and arms it was quite peaceful to walk into the cooling shade on the soft carpet. The mosque was build into the water, so that when exiting on the far side onto some sort of balcony you felt like standing right in the sea. All sounds from the City have vanished.
On the way out of the mosque there were a couple of Muslim girls that wanted to take a picture with us.
Our last stop on the bike tour was the center of Melaka with a park and some old planes and locomotives. We also saw as replica of an old dutch ship.
After we returned our bikes and drank a refreshing glass of Tiger beer at the hostel cafe, we went back to the hostel for a shower. It was a good 20 KM bike ride (including the first trip where the tire burst).
It was the first time I rented a bike on a holiday trip but I have to say I like the idea and I'm sure it won't be the last time.
As it was Friday we were lucky enough to witness the night market of Melaka all along Jonker street.
Most things were again tacky plastic toys or phone covers but they also offered plenty of food. We fed our selfs on lots of small things from different stalls and walked up and down the road to soak up some of the vibe.
Once again the evening came to an end with a couple of beers in a bar in the street watching people go by and catching up with Basti on old times. Not a bad way to end another exciting day in South east Asia.
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