Melaka

To celebrate being married for a whole 365 days, Nate booked a fantastic room in the town of Melaka for 3 nights. He took 4 days off work, I took a few days break from school and study. Its a short hop from Kuala Lumpur, across through the picturesque plantation country.

Melaka is a really well known place - its one of Malaysia tourism industry's trump cards thanks to its Portuguese, Dutch and British colonial history. It was a rich cosmopolitan port long before it feel victim to successive colonial invasions vying for its strategic location. As you walk the streets and visit museums, its plain to see that Melaka's wealth and influence are now a thing of the past. It has so much potential though and Nate and I found ourselves dreaming of what it could be, with a bit of tender loving care. I don't know what it is about Asia or the mentality here - things could be so great if preserved. We found ourselves talking about how Asia views the west, and if for them, preserving things which they may see as being plundered or stolen from them, was a priority. I guess not! Why would you want to celebrate, look after, preserve something which has causes war, flighting and pain to a nation?

It is beautiful, in a neglected kind of way. Like take a look at these little places on the river. If this was anywhere else in the world, well, western part of the world, this would be prime property. The river would be cleaned up and not stinky, the houses would be renovated, and they would sell for heaps!

We did a lot of relaxing when we were in Melaka but did a bit of touring around too. The area is super rich with history. My favourite spot was St Paul's Hill. A winding path leads from the town square to the ruins of St Paul's Church (1521) built on the site of the last Melakan sultans istana. From 1567 - 1596 the church was used as a fortress by the Portuguese, but it was badly damaged during the Dutch siege in 1641. Inside are gravestones, all propped up in the interior - all reminders of the epidemics and early mortality that early settlers had to face.

 We had a really lovely time. Eating, drinking, walking, joking, laughing... I am so grateful for the opportunities God is providing for us to travel and get to know each other. Nathanael is my best friend, being able to hang out with him so much has made me love him even more with every sunset and sunrise. It was a magical time, one I know I will look back on with fond memories.

Happy 1 year my sweet pea. You are the only one for me x x x