Super sweaty, we trudged along the back streets where it was a normal working day for everyone, except us,
looking a bit odd without a singlet or shorts like the many Ah Baks aroundt he place unloading trucks.
(Mind you, the Ah Baks are of all ages except our age ;p but I'm just being lazy and using a general term ;p).

He noticed it first. Like most of the Peranakan houses in Melaka, the houses were long and went all the way back, this one in particular though, was open at the front and instead of having a door, it was wide open.
The front of the house had blue tiles covering the walls, clean and shiny as if new, with an old car parked at the front.
It was so odd. It looked welcoming and noticed a little sign at the front with the word "dumplings".
"Where were the dumplings"?, we both thought,
"Looks like a normal house, why would they sell something here, all the way amongst these old stores"?.
We walked in, a bit cautious, not knowing if this was what it was described to be and noticed an open area out back with a small wooden fence just under our knee level, to separate the garage and the "living" area.
There they were, these dumplings all hanging on red or blue nylon.
We both looked at each other and laughed, couldn't believe we could find a little yummy hidden treasure cave.
Inside, we saw the Uncle and Aunty who were whilst making dumplings early in the morning, had a group of 6, perhaps their own, grandchildren and their friends. All were standing on chairs, drawing or peeking over their netted cots. So the fence was to separate the kids from the streets.

They had nonya, cantonese and peanut types of dumplings.
We bought one nonya and one cantonese dumpling.
The cantonese was super nice but he said he's Ah Ma's was still the best. I'm sitting on the fence about that, they both are good.

(holding stomach) "ohhh, I'm so fulll", she says.
He grabs her hand and they leave the hotel buffet room and walk out onto the street.
"It's our last day here, do you wanna just walk walk and do the final touristy stuff?",
He's holding her hands tightly as the cars whizz by, there's no foot paths.
"Let's go find that chicken rice stall", he suggests.
"Are you serious, we just had a buffet breakfast, aren't you full?", she asks him.
She notices they are walking in the same direction as yesterday,
"This place isn't big, I think we were here yesterday right?".
"I think it's down this way, I can see the bank from here".
"We went there but we couldn't find it remember..."
No reply.
She asks, "We're really going aren't we?".
"We shouldn't leave without trying it, you read that it was the most famous chicken ball rice place right? then we should find it and try it", he says.
Laughs to herself and looks at him, "He has this determined look on his face", she thinks,
"You're right, the one we had yesterday was pretty bad hey, I think it could be better."
"Yea, I'm not leaving without trying it", he says determinedly.
"Ok ok, I agree. Let's go!", and she starts swinging their hands up and down as they walked.
Now he was surprised, laughs and looks over at her, "It looks like someone's excited, you're doing my move".
She looks and smiles at him, and then they both laugh out loud as they walk briskly in search of the famed chicken rice ball shop....... only 45 minutes after having their buffet breakfast.

I feel like I'm running a race today. My heart's pounding and feeling flushed.
But there's no wind, there's no sweat, no panting but it feels like a race.
Finishing line is nearly here.

Welcome home at 5pm.

A Tin-making Ah Bak

A Muk-Ban-making Ah Bak

Ken and I found old Malaysia in the town of Melaka, hot and sweaty, we visited every corner and every shop surprised us.
Old people, old buildings, old arts and crafts, really miss Melaka.