A Visual Route Guide: 1st Malacca International 12 Hour Walk 2010

This year Race Walkers' Association of Malaysia (RWAM) is going to organize the 1st Malacca International 12 hour Walk with Majlis Bandaraya Melaka Bersejarah (MBMB).

Melaka, World Heritage City of UNESCO will be the host for this exciting ultrawalking event where the start & finish will be in front of the significant landmark of St. Paul Hill, A Famosa.

The race will be held on Saturday, December 11 – Sunday, December 12, 2010 Start / End Time : 8:00 pm – 8:00am.

I was in Melaka last weekend for a charity walk and got the chance to check out the route. I will highlight what are the buildings you gonna see along the 1km loop.

FYI, the walker with the most loops covered in 12 hours will walk away as the champion.

According to the site map, the start and finish will be held near the Malay and Islamic World Museum, which is located next to the A' Famosa fort.

My "guestimate", the route is almost 80% brick pavement and the remaining is tar road. Generally, the route is quite flat.

You have not been to Malacca if you have not set foot at this famous fortress called A Famosa. It was constructed in the year 1511. It will be the first thing you see at the start/ finish point.

Melaka is the oldest city in Malaysia and has a rich and colourful past.

It is interesting to know that you will be walking on the same soil as Parameswara, Sultan Muzaffar Shah, Sultan Mansur Shah, Afonso de Albuquerque, Vasco da Gama, Francis Xavier, Cheng Ho, Hang Tuah, Hang Jebat, Puteri Hang Li Po etc. Can you remember who are those people I mentioned without having to look into the history book? Hahah!

The Proclamation of Independence Memorial is located right opposite the A Famosa. A must place to visit to learn about our country struggle for independence from the British. Do take photo with the "Merdeka Limousine" parked outside the memorial.

After making a turn at the A Famosa, the route will lead you to the Malacca Malay Sultanate Palace Museum. A grand building inspired by the Sejarah Melayu of the Melaka Sultanate.

It is 100% made of hard wood and the whole structure was constructed without using nails, only wooden pegs were utilised. Amazing, eh?

You will see a gorgeous garden on your right as you walk pass this building. The fordidden garden is a place where the Sultan of Melaka used to play "hide and seek" with his gundiks or concubines...Heheh!

Just kidding but who knows, right?

It is interesting to note that, visitors to the museum are given a plastic bag each to carry their shoes into the musuem. You have to take off your shoes when you get into the "palace". I think it's the only museum in Malaysia that does that.

The exit gate was locked during my visit. According to the girl at the counter, it is usually locked during the weekend. So, I had to turn back and walk up the St. Paul Hill to go over the other side.

Don't be alarmed when you see white tombstones in the Dutch Graveyard on your left as you exit the museum ground. They were there since many centuries ago. :)

You will be walking on a short stretch of tar road leading to the Dutch Square, next to the Stadthuys (the red building in the left).

The Stadthuys was built in 1650 - a typical Dutch building with a clock tower. It was once an official home to the Dutch Governors.

You will see this old red church called the Christ Church on your right as you walk pass the Dutch Square.

The white building in the picture below is Malacca Tourist Information Office. You can see it on the opposite side of the road as you exit The Stadthuys area.

Oh yeah! I almost forgot to mention that there is a Queen Victoria's fountain built in 1901 in front of the Christ Church. A place buzzing with tourists.

You will continue your walk along Jalan Kota.

This white building is the HSBC Building, another gazetted heritage building.

Keep moving and you will come to red painted, Aldy Hotel, on your left.

Next to the hotel is the Melaka Tengah Police Station.

You will walk pass a string of interesting museums on your left.

If you are a museum junkie, you gonna have an orgasmic time checking out the exhibits in Melaka.

The Beauty museum.

The Stamp Museum. Next to it is the Kites Museum.

OK. By that we have completed out 1000 meter tour of the 1st Malacca International 12 Hour Walk. I hope you find this information useful. Of course, the lights and traffic conditions will be different on the actual day because the walk will be helf at night but nontheless, you will get to see the same buildings.

...and if you are (un)lucky, some flying Dutchmen...Just kidding! LOL!

For more info and to register for the 1st Malacca International 12 Hour Walk, please click HERE.

Download the route map HERE.

Download the site map HERE.