Melaka City, Malaysia - Boat Cruise on the Melaka River

My first boat cruise on the Melaka River was in 1997. It was more like a cruise on the 'Melaka Sewer', the river was heavily polluted and littered with rubbish. It also had a smell of rotten fish and the boat passed by countless rundown buildings. The boat I rode was an old wooden fishing boat that had seen better days, looked like waiting to sink and worst there was no life jackets!

The Melaka River today is cleaner and the areas along the banks have been restored and rejuvenated. The fiber glass boats are safer and passengers provided with life jackets. The cruise lasts 45 minutes passing historic buildings, old warehouses, mangrove swamps (monitor lizards are often spotted here), overhead bridges and a Malay village.

Melaka River by Bjørn Christian Tørrissen

The cruise boat

Old buildings along the Melaka River

Melaka City, Malaysia - The Colourful Pedicabs

In the old days, human powered pedicabs were a major mode of transport in Melaka. More efficient and polluting vehicles have now replaced these slow moving relics. Today, pedicabs are more of a novelty taking tourists on short joyrides, which you could get around by walking.

If you insist for ride on a pedicab, head to the historic Dutch Quarter where there are several. You can't miss these pedicabs with their decorations of gawdy coloured artificial flowers! Ask the pedicab driver where he will take you or tell him where you want to go, and then agree on the fare.

Pedicabs at the old Dutch Quarter

Colourful pedicabs

Have foot will cycle

More pedicabs

Melaka City, Malaysia - Getting Around in Melaka City

You don't need to take a taxi, bus or tour coach to get around many of the major sites in Melaka City. It's easier getting around on foot, since the sites are concentrated within a small area. The historical area, Jonker Street, museums, Taming Sri Tower and stations for the Melaka River Boat Cruise are all within walking distance from one another. 

Also within the area are the shopping malls, restaurants including fast foods, local eateries, cafes, shops and several boutique hotels. Pedicabs (many waiting near the old Dutch Quarter) are good for a leisurely joyride but you could probably get around much faster by walking. There used to be a 'hop-on, hop-off" bus service but that has been discontinued.

Foot power

Colourful pedicabs for tourists

Discontinued 'hop-on, hop-off' bus