Malaca, Malaysia. From the Old Portuguese times to the colorful trishaws

At the time of the Portuguese arrival in the Asian seas, Malacca, thanks to its strategic position on the strait bearing the same name, was a remarkable trading center for the trade and shunting of spices. At that time, Malacca was ruled by a Muslim Sultanate. The town extended its influence over a vast territory, which included the whole Malaya Peninsula. Today, Malacca – listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008 – is one of Malaysia’s hottest tourist destinations. Blending modern action with its surrounding Dutch, Peranakan and Portuguese architecture, Malacca has – over the years – developed at a mind-boggling rate. Home to the oldest functioning mosque, Catholic Church and Buddhist temple in the country, the city is uber-friendly and is best represented by its Chinatown artists, cuisine and creative trishaws. I was impressed by the colorful trishaws. Actually, they are almost houses, with music and other facilities.