Malacca

 I have not written a blog for a couple of days as Darren has been a bit poorly. He's much better now though, so normal service is resumed.

Yesterday we caught a bus down the coast to Malacca. Not any old coast though, this is the Strait of Malacca.

It is a centuries old trading route, or as it says on this monument, The Maritime Silk Road.

Earlier today I took a stroll along the River Malacca which has brightly coloured buildings all along it's banks.

I passed a plant display that I would love to copy, but first I would need to find an old Volkswagen Beetle and cut it in half.

I particularly liked the cat that was asleep in the boot. Continuing with the animal based theme, I saw a smallish lizard on the path and spoke to someone who said that they probably don't bite, but to stay well away if I see a big one.

Ten minutes later I saw this giant that was at least eight feet long. It looked closely at me, but I felt safe on my little wooden walkway.

They seem fairly common as I saw three more giants and one smaller one in a few hundred metres.

Fortunately I arrived safely back at the hotel after passing more lovely scenery.

This evening we went to a show in an enormous new building on the waterfront.

It was an amazing show with lots of special effects and many dancers. 

The show was all about the history of Malacca but we didn't understand most of it, so I am not going to attempt to explain it.

Afterwards we posed with two of the dancers, and I think that I might be standing next to the queen.