We used to go back to Malaysia every year for our holidays; we’d stay with my parents and usually have a mini-holiday in Melaka. If I remember correctly, I think the drive was just over an hour, and my cousin would take us there; bonus for him, he’d get to have a little holiday as well. Even though we went every year, we never tired of it. Apart from being the most historic place in Malaysia, Melaka was also the birthplace of both my parents.

Melaka was conquered by the Portuguese back in 1511 (that date sticks in the mind of Malaysian school kids the way 1066 does for UK kids), before they lost it to the Dutch in 1641, who then ceded it to Britain in 1824.

We always stayed in the same hotel, which had a fantastically yummy buffet breakfast, and a pretty good pool, which the boys loved.

View of the pool from our room; most times the boys had it to themselves

All the rooms of the hotel looked out onto the ocean - gorgeous

A bicycle rickshaw

Didn't have time to check out the 'lovely people' - not sure if the 'borderline' ones would have been allowed, Hat ;)

This style of mosque is unique to Melaka

The tablet, which is in the historic part of the town, reads: ‘The Diamond Jubilee of the Reign of Her Most Glorious Majesty Queen Victoria, Empress of India, was celebrated in this settlement on the 21st June 1897 and to permanently commemorate the completion of the 60th year of Her Majesty’s most glorious reign a fund was subscribed by her subjects of all nationalities residing in this settlement out of the proceeds of which an annual scholarship has been endowed and this tablet erected as a visible and perpetual record and memorial of the loyalty and affection for her beloved Majesty felt by her subjects dwelling in this distant corner of her far reaching dominions’

Bullock cart - traditional mode of transport back in the day, more common than horse and cart...

... pulled by Brahman bulls

In 2007, I went back to Malaysia for the ceremony to 'close' the end of a year of mourning for my mother (sort of like a memorial ceremony). We had all planned on going, but it ended up just being me; and so I wouldn't have to 'face' it on my own, Hatty came with me - her first time away to such a faraway country. I think it's safe for me to say she loved it! :)

Getting ready to climb the 272 steps up Batu Caves

Talk about unimpressed!

Remember, Hat, you said he was looking out over his city :)

I don't look too bad considering I'd been puffing like a steam train just moments before ;)

Not a very effective lifting technique!

The Kuan Yin Temple

Detail on pillar

Phoenix and Dragon, part of the ceiling

Dragon and Phoenix on roof

On the outside wall

In the grounds outside, there were statues representing the signs of the Chinese zodiac ...

Gordon's a Pig (and I'm not being rude ;))

Liam's an Ox

I'm a Rabbit

Kuan Yin, the Goddess of Mercy (from the scrapbook I'd completed of our holiday)

The description: 'Kuan Yin ~ goddess of mercy, her name is a shortened form of one that means 'One Who Sees and Hears the Cry from the Human World'. In her hand she holds a precious vase, symbolising the nectar of compassion and wisdom. She was a Buddhist who, though great love and sacrifice during life, had earned the right to enter Nirvana after death. While standing before the gates of Paradise, she heard a cry of anguish from the earth below. Turning back, she renounced her reward of eternal bliss but in its place found immortality in the hearts of the suffering.'

The KL Tower and the Petronas Towers from the top floor of the temple

It was an emotional week, but also a fun week; I saw my hometown in a new light, seeing it through Hatty's eyes - thanks for the beautiful memories, my beautiful 'sister'. We definitely need to do this again!

Favourites on Friday - Malaysian Holiday Memories