Admiral Marina, Port Dickson, Malaysia

The "French Village" very silly

We are back at Port Dickson after a three day walkabout in the highlands to the north east of  Kuala Lumpur.The day started with an altercation with the rental car dude when it was suggested that he was overcharging us. He went a little berserk and wanted to refuse to rent us the car. Fortunately, reason prevailed and off we went after losing about an hour trying to calm him down. We drove for about three hours on the east of KL and up into the highlands. We stopped at a place that was billed as a French village but it turned out to be a very kitschy tourist trap with many ubiquitous Chinese persons. A few photos and a quick look and off we went to our destination of Fraser's  Hill. Very winding roads up to an elevation of 5000 feet but the journey was worth it for the cool weather and the spectacular rainforest views.
The area was founded by a Scottish miner who came there from Australia to mine tin and he stayed. He allegedly built a house there in the 1930's and this became the Olde Smokehouse Inn where we spend two nights. We found the place easily enough with the aid of Google and iPads. The place was a bit dilapidated and despite its excellent location was not really up to scratch. The Lakehouse at the Cameron Highlands was far better in terms of service and accommodation.

wild orchids

Fraser's Hill rainforest

Fraser's Hill flora and fauna

evening drinks at Ye Olde Smokehouse

The veranda at Ye Olde Smokehouse, a delightful spot but not such good service

 

 

This place was also done in mock Tudor style but had not been looked after at 
all. The hotel restaurant was recommended in the tourist guides and we thought 
we would give them a try. This turned out to be an error as the evening began to 
look like a Fawlty Towers experience. To say they didn't have a clue was a major 
understatement. A combination of terrible food and even worse service made for a 
difficult evening, especially when compared to the hotel in the Cameron 
Highlands. We would have left the following morning but we had paid in advance 
and they weren't giving any money back. 
On the following day after an indifferent breakfast, we went off to explore the 
village at Fraser's Hill. This area is famous for both local and migratory birds 
and they had an interpretative center that was really excellent. 
We avoided the hotel that evening and had a reasonable dinner at Scott's pub 
washed down with a few beers.
Next day, we left the highlands and went to look at the historic city of  
Melacca. After about three and a half hours and a few heavy rain showers later 
we drove into the city and wandered around the old town. It is an interesting 
place with a history dating back to the 14 Th. century. The Chinese, Dutch and the 
British were there and they all left their mark. We visited the extraordinary 
Cheng Ho museum which was amazing. Cheng was a 14 Th. century Chinese who built 
a massive fleet of 208 ships for the Ming emperor and made a series of voyages 
as far as Somalia in the west and New Zealand in the east. Some of the ships 
were huge by the days standards. At least 5 times bigger than those of Columbus. 
Some say Cheng went as far as the Americas but there is no definite evidence for 
this.
We got back to Port Dickson last night and have had a lazy day today. Tomorrow, 
it's off on our final leg of this cruise. 130 miles to Puteri Harbour, we should 
be there on Monday and will start to put Callisto to bed for the next three months.

 

rainforest on the way to Melacca

Old town, Melacca

outside the Cheng Ho Museum. fascinating place

remains of 16 Th. century Dutch fort and Chinese tourists

Replica of Portuguese ship

unusual architecture, Melacca

sitting in front of a reconstruction of Cheng Ho's fleet

Rickshaws, Melacca

 

The riverfront, Melacca