Once we got underway from the rest area, we saw something not often seen back home. We are used to seeing road-kill in the form of deer, rabbit and prairie dogs. In Australia, we saw road-kill kangaroo and signs warning of koala crossings. All animals that try to cross highways take their lives in their hands and this is no different for monkeys. Unfortunately, the monkey we saw had just been struck and was not quite dead. Bad omen for the trip? Fortunately not.
Malaysia is one of the world's top palm oil producers, and we saw why during our first few hours of driving: Thousands of acres of palm tree groves.
Our primary destination in Malaysia was the port city of Melaka (Melacca). Melaka has a long history as a trading port. In 1511, it fell under Portugese rule after an armada from Portugal seized control. The following picture shows one of the few remaining structures from that time. According to the sign, it was built in 1512. Those canon defended the Portugese rulers of Malaka from attack from the sea until 1641 when the Dutch defeated the Portugese. I imagine it to be similar to the Disneyland ride Pirates of the Caribbean?
Yesterday was a national holiday in Malaysia, and the streets of Melaka were packed with tourists of every nationality, creed and color. I suspect, however, that we might have been the only Americans in the crowd. In this photo, the locals are setting up booths to sell their wares to the throng of people.
This fellow was showing his skills by chopping sea coconuts with a very sharp cleaver. I could barely watch, while at the same time I couldn't stop watching. Note the hand holding the coconut has only three fingers showing. Evidence of the danger in cutting fruit with a cleaver?
black pepper crab...
chili clams...
and steamed red grouper.
Yummy!
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