January 23 - Melaka, Malaysia

Every guide I had in Malaysia, was diligent in giving an overview of the country’s history.  First colonized by the Portuguese, then the Dutch, then finally the British.  The Japanese occupied Malaysia from 1942 to 1945  They gained independence in 1957 from the British, but are in the Commonwealth.

We toured the Dutch square and visited a really nice museum.  

Portuguese Duds

Dutch Square

We saw the remnants of Porta D’Santiago built by Alfonso De Albuquerque in 1511.  The Portuguese held it for 130 years before the Dutch took over.

The other interesting thing I learned is that the property tax in the colonial days for a home was based on the width of the house, so in the old colonial area the houses are ‘thin’ and very long

I ended the day with a massage… not a bad day :)