20WOC

I returned 3 hours later for a second helping of roast duck. I ducked in as the shop just happened to be on the route to where the kind hotel staff had said I could post some excess stuff home. However at NZ$80 for 1.1kg it can stay in my pack. Its a taxi ride to the one post office in Melaka that handles international post, although since the post office is on the way to the bus station I plan to hit two ducks at once on the day I pack out. I like the traffic lights that have a display counting down the seconds till the green light. This means when the 3 lanes of cars plus random scooters have stopped, I can duck across without fearing they will start up in two seconds. And oatother times the one way system means I'm only in danger from one direction. Went the other way round the block toward the touristy section. I won't do that again. Had to duck for cover several times too often. Then again thinking my goose was cooked, blow me down they all stop for me, all the lanes of traffic . Its going to be a quacker of a Christmas dudes. i went shopping. Had planned to shop in Melaka as Singapore I'll be too occupied, so its good to get my ducks in a line. Had a terrific time, at my own pace, having a really good look at the historic ruins etc up the top of the famous hill. I'm going back early tomorrow. It was crowded with school children, this is 4-5pm, all the different uniforms. I think I have some quite remarkable images of the melange of past and future, the ruins and the gorgeous children. I took as many pictures of people, with and without their knowledge, as of the buildings. Then again the trees and vistas across town and sea were equally attractive. It would have been very unfair to be in this historical area with someone who was bored. I was in my element. There were white people in big tour parties clearly bored stiff. Decided to play the real tourist by venturing down Jonkers Walk and Heeren Street, the must-see streets. Remarkably, at 6pm they were pretty much deserted apart from the troupes of children being led back to their buses. There were some pretty cool teeshirts, lots of tat, and places I didn't venture in to. These streets are full of nightlife, but 6pm seemed to be between shifts. The temperature was just very pleasantly warm. The wellmaintained old style buildings were very interesting, from the outside. Most need a spruce up and this is happening with some looking terribly delapidated just a street back from touristville. Back at the river, it was 7pm and I wasn't hungry. Decided to celebrate Len's email, thanks! with a sit-down and a juice at the swanky riverside palaver 'Casa del Rio' the river house. Posh as. Figured I had the magic visa card if it was as dear as it looked to be. Let's face it, the bathroom offered handwash, moisturiser of the sweetest scent, and mouthwash. See me swanning (sorry again) with my fresh mango/yogurt/mint long drink, as the tropical sun set over the straits of Melaka, the green and blue lights came up on the rivers edge, the little lights this side matched the little salmonella candles - look closely and with sunset the skinks have just come out on the walls also, and hear the raucous chatter of countless birds coming in to nest by the big spot-lit waterwheel. It was magical, truly. Then planet venus was visible in the west so it is probably saturn up by the almost-full moon, and with a cooling breeze but still comfortably warm. I set out the maybe 2km or less walk back, sharply back in the modern world of the megamall and ducking and diving across the traffic. Its 9.15pm and that mango lassi has kept me from needing tea. It was MYR 18, say $7.20, so Mr visa not required, and, it came with a selection of nibbles. Sorry Kathie as you prepare for maths this ramble is probably the last thing you want to read (can i get 'duck for cover' in here somewhere? ) but Mum you might enjoy imagining just as Kathie might be anticipating? Unsuccessful thsu far with uploading photos. xx M