Melaka

Melaka was a breath of fresh air (literally  and figuratively) after Kuala Lumpur.  Like George Town, the old part of the city is UNESCO World Heritage Listed, although it is smaller, less congested and much easier to get around - we walked everywhere. It is located on the Melaka Straits, not from from Sumatra and has been an important trading port for over 600 years, particularly when the spice trade was at full swing. Over that time it was ruled by Malay Sultans, the Portuguese, Dutch, English, Japanese,  back to the English and finally Malaysia gained independence in 1957.  As a consequence the local food and architecture has a mix of Chinese, Malay, European influences. It was our favourite Malaysian city.

These last 2 are of an Asian water monitor that was at least 2m long and 20 - 30kg, swimming in the Melaka River in the middle of town. Like a Komodo Dragon!