Walking tour from Melaka International Ferry Terminal to Melaka Sentral

Route: Malacca International Ferry Terminal to Melaka Sentral

Mode: Walking tour

Distance: <5 kilometers

Duration: 1 hour and 10 minutes (14:20 - 15:30pm)
Fee: Free

Difficulty: Heat from the sun, unshaded pathways, backpack getting heavy
Highlight: Historical place, spots, buildings, Malacca river

Before going to Malacca, I have read some news elsewhere that Malaysia has become stricter in its immigration screening at the different ports of entry. Nevertheless, I still prayed that my travel to Malaysia will be a smooth one. I have been in and out of Malaysia numerous times in the past and recently but I thought that we should always be ready for travel requirements.

Departing from Dumai at 9:30am Indonesian time, our ferry arrived in Malacca International Ferry Terminal at 13:10pm Malaysian time. It was almost 3 hours of cruising across the Malacca Strait. Passengers then smoothly went out of the ferry and had a short walk to the Malaysian immigration area.

While I was queuing, an immigration officer approached and told me to show my old passport. I was about to open my bag and get it when he said that there is no need. He just wanted to see my return ticket to Indonesia. After seeing it, he went away.

The arrival queue in Malacca is fast as there are 3 processing booths. At the booth, the IO asked for my return ticket and stamped the entry visa on my passport. Then we scanned our bags at the scanners just at the back of the booths.

I took photos at the waiting area of the terminal before I went out to ask for prices of taxi. My first query gave 30 ringgit fare going to Melaka Sentral. I thought that it was too much so I decided to just walk. There is also no available free wifi around the terminal so that I could book a grab taxi. I looked at my Google map and it shows a less than 5 kilometer distance and an hour walk.

So I braced myself and started walking by following the Google map route. I started at 14:20pm Malaysian time when the sun was at its peak. While inside the terminal, I already felt hot, and while outside terminal building, I felt like I was burning. It is extremely hot outside under the sun without any shade along the pathways. But I used a big neck scarf as a shawl to protect my head and face from the strong flame of the sun. While walking, I felt the sweat flowing from my back down to my buttocks. My back is also wet with sweat. I felt like I am having fever from the scorching heat piercing my body.

But I enjoyed the walk, as I saw once again the places that I had seen when I visited the place in 2013. It flashed into my memory once again that Malacca was also the place where I stayed while waiting for my papers to Canada. I also taught for a while in Melaka International School but suddenly stopped for I have to go back to the Philippines after "partially" settling my dispute with a Canadian recruiter.

This recollection did not eclipse my appreciation of Melaka River though. I noticed that the establishments along the sides of the river have been refurbished. Right in front of me is a more vibrant and lively Melaka riverside. There are some buildings along the way and there are some trees that served as my refuge against the heat as I walked towards Melaka Sentral.

The river continuously accumulates silt deep down under. But the surface of the river mirrors the history of the place which was once a major trade route from Europe to the Middle East, southern strip of the Indian Ocean, Southeast Asia and beyond.

I could still see Little India, and Chinatown that served as a blueprint of the busy trading and cultural centres of Singapore. Malacca is like Penang but it has its own identity. It looks like there is a touch of Europe in Malacca. The river has become a place of nocturnal entertainment as bars, restaurants, bistro, carnival spaces, and other establishments open late in the afternoon until midnight or wee hours in the morning. Those were the images that passed through my mind as I traverse the length of my journey, a walking journey.

Some half hour past and I noticed that I was crossing the Melaka River. While the former side is full of historical mementos, the other side is an image of modern development. The road at the other side is lined with trees that extend their branches toward the edge of the busy road. I chose to walk by the trees even if I have to bend from time to time in order to avoid the branches. This is better than being beaten by the unforgiving heat of the sun at the eastern side of the tree lines. I passed by AEON Melaka, and the Tesco Melaka. I walked further north until I reached a convoluted overpass that led me to the grounds of Melaka Sentral. I was able to reach my destination at 15:30. It was a 1 hour and 10-minute walk. I expect to be tired but I did not feel it. I felt thirsty though and satiated myself with the 2-litre of bottled water that I carried along the way.

My first task upon arrival is to reserve a bus ride initially to KL Sentral. But I noticed that I could directly go to KLIA2 instead. In 2013, there were aleady machines that issue tickets and there are even more this time. Reserving ticket via the machine is fast and convenient. Just choose the destination at the touch screen, and choose the time of departure. The price then is displayed. In order to pay, just insert ringgit bills and/or drop coins at the slots. It will also give change as necessary. I chose 9:30pm departure via Start Mart Express Bus.  The ticket from Melaka Sentral to KLIA2 is 25.70 ringgit.

I chose a departure that requires me to wait longer because I planned to walk around the city. But I noticed that the heat outside has not settled even if it was already 5:00pm. So, I just stayed inside the building and charged my phone. There are no designated charging stations but I went around and fortunately saw an empty power outlet. I just plugged in my charger there. The power slot in Malaysia is like Singapore. It is the three-hole outlet, Type G socket.

While the phone was charging, two men came to me and asked if they could charge the phone of one of them. I let them charge using mine as I see that they need to call somebody who will fetch them. Besides, I was able to charge a bit before they came.

An hour before my departure, I bought a packed food from the nearby Indian restaurant.  I ordered nasi goreng China (5 ringit), fried chicken (3) coated with  orange stuff, bottled water (2) and roti telur (2.50). I did not feel hungry yet but I bought them just in case hunger attacks me along the way.