#Travelogue | The City that Passes Through this River
- 2 days ago
- 5 min read
Dusit Princess Melaka is located at the Malacca city center, not too far from the popular "Dutch House” or The Stadthuys and the A Famosa, while being a short walking distance away from Jonker Street; only back at my room can the majestic landscape of the Selat Melaka and the Malacca cityscape be seen in its full glory. The space in the whole room was filled with design and decorations in modern themes, a spacious room that attends to both the business and pleasure of its traveller and tourist guests staying here. Besides the swimming pool and limited hour gym, the hotel also has a number of food and beverage spaces, which includes the Long Feng which offers Chinese cuisine, the 24-hour restaurant Zest, as well as slow and easy Famosa Lounge for those looking to wind down after a long day.
If you look out from the hotel's window, you'll see Malacca River. No, not the popular touristy side of the river. Instead, this side entertains no tourists; only the occasional sightseeing boats slowly making their way across the glistening surface of the river. Even from the window, one can tell that this scenery is really close by. It is barely a 5-minute walking distance from the hotel.
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Wind, and River, Just as I Pass By
I took off at 11am, with the sun sunny, and the sky as blue as can be. The occasional breeze made it feel like the weather wasn't as hot as it seemed to be. Walking along a segment of the river bank, looking at a tourist aboard a sightseeing boat waving their hand, I found myself at the bridge before I knew it.
The other side of the river is Kampung Morten, one of the few traditional Malay villages in Malacca that still exists; a local cultural heritage. There are over 100 tall old Malay houses set along the river, their wooden material, window panes, and many more constructions and craftwork carefully protected, all traces of a once glorious past preserved for the world to see.
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Leaving the village, I chanced upon a red walking path. My mind had barely begun to wonder where it leads to when my feet made up their mind to follow it. It was a small trail along the riverside, one filled with welcome shade from the trees lining it. The buildings along the path took my attention while the flowing sounds of the river filled my ears as I continued forward aimlessly, just like that.
Exiting a bridge, I was greeted by a colourful sight, a vibrant and pleasant mural adorning the length of a building's outer wall. Compared to the traces of history hidden in the details of other buildings, the mural openly captured and expressed Malacca's long and proud history. Further forward, the familiar sight of a church's holy cross appeared to my pleasant surprise — the red path turned out to be a trail that led to the red Dutch House.
Walking around and all over, I ended up back at a familiar place. I sat down by the river, observing the crowd and watching the river moving along unhurriedly. I couldn't help but reflect about the numerous stories and tales of Malacca, all starting at the banks of this very river.
Over 600 years ago, the Sumateran prince Parameswara followed this very river to arrive here. Legend has it that he saw the curious incident of a mousedeer kicking a hunting dog into the river, and took it as a sign that this was an auspicious location, thereby kicking off the Malacca dynasty. Centuries later, Malacca River became a link between the East and the West, providing the passage for trade to flourish between the two regions. Cheng Ho and his fleet once berthed here, Chinese porcelain, Indian cloth as well as spices from the archipelago all made their way back and forth along this river. Its waters bore witness to the rise of the Malay sultanate, and later on the arrivals of the Portuguese, the Dutch, and the British.
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Later on, roads replaced the river, merchant ships turned into sightseeing boats, and tourists replaced travelling merchants. However, the river still flowed the same way, passing by cities old and new. Plenty took place here, and many found their way here by following the water.
Like how I found my way along its banks today.
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Malacca River beyond the window
Back at the hotel after an afternoon walk along the river, my forehead was drenched with some well-earned sweat. Malacca is hot, slowing down the walk of many men. But the air conditioning in the hotel lobby greeted me, just in time to repel the notion of Malacca heat a little.
From my room, Malacca River remained its calm and unhurried self, zigzagging through the city beyond my window. The morning remained with her, reaching me through the glass window, striking me as more serene than she was during my walk. Sightseeing boats occasionally pass by, breaking the water before leaving it to settle into calmness again. The white bed sheets gave off a clean and tidy lustre in the penetrating afternoon sunlight, the sofa by the window just happened to be facing the river -- sitting down, I felt the urge to do nothing, apart from watching the river patiently take its time downstream; the quiet and peaceful calm quelling the earlier heat into submission.
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Dusit Princess Melaka's location is actually perfect. Not too close to be affected by the noise from Jonker Street, while not being more than a short 10-minute walk away. Staying here in this city, the urge to leave and explore all those historic locations and sceneries would not cost one too much effort; as a matter of fact, one is able to leave the crowd behind to return to the hotel and quietly rest a little. A cold drink from Zest, the Famosa Lounge's sofa, the evening wind at the swimming pool -- all welcome rewards after a full day's walk.
As I sat in my room, with Malacca River just beyond the window, the sun slowly descended westward. The river remained its unhurried self, just like how it did all those centuries ago.
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Dusit Princess Melaka
Jalan Bendahara, 75100 Melaka
+60 62848888
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📍Dusit Princess Hotel - Prime Location
Nearby Landmarks：
Jonker Walk Night Market: About a 6‑minute drive, enjoy local delicacies.
Stadthuys (Dutch Red House): About a 6‑minute drive, the oldest Dutch building in Southeast Asia.
St. Paul’s Hill & Church: About an 8‑minute drive, overlooking the Straits of Malacca.
Kampung Morten: About an 8‑minute walk, stroll through a traditional Malay village and riverside walkway.
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#Travelogue | The City that Passes Through this River
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Text: Liew Pei En
Photo: Liew Pei En, Dusit Princess Melaka
Editorial Work: Yeo Jia Xin
Article Source：《国家历史·在这个河流经过的城市 ~ 马六甲河 | 马六甲》；马可波罗#22 《从河口到国土：流动中的马来西亚》
#Travelogue | The City that Passes Through this River #Travelogue | The City that Passes Through this River #Travelogue | The City that Passes Through this River
