There it was, that whistling melody in my ears as the salty breeze gave a much-needed respite under the scorching sun. From a neat village to busy honking roads, and then along a long sandy beach with swaying coconut trees and glistening blue waters, I soon found myself surrounded by greenery as we navigated the winding trail. “Wheeeeeeeeeeeeee” I felt giggles bubbling in me as it seemed we were really riding on wind!
I was on a cycling tour conducted by Joseph, a fellow tourist guide based in Melaka. Despite the gruelling heat and humidity, the airbnb experience was definitely a highlight of our short getaway from Singapore. Joseph called his tour “Riding on wind by the green Malacca”, and I was lured by the idea of shedding calories immersing in nature, getting out of the usual sights, and gaining the local perspective. We got that and more.
I hate to admit this but my friend and I were grossly out of shape lacking in terms of stamina, and unwittingly stretched the 3-hour tour way beyond its ending time. Thankfully, Joseph was kind and patient. He was also very humble and inspiring, and we were in awe while visiting his cosy abode that he painstakingly built (with sustainability in mind) in a durian plantation.
During the COVID-19 pandemic when (obviously) the tourism business was halted, he started building his home from scratch with zero knowledge. Fast forward to today, he’s gained invaluable knowledge and skills, and a rustic accommodation that’s available for short-term rental. 😍
The Chinese has a saying [没有对比，就没有伤害] that implies that there’d be no harm if there’s no comparison. However, I can’t help thinking that I should have made better use of my time after meeting Joseph, and the idea of building a home from scratch amidst nature sounds very alluring! But I digressed.
Cycling tour in Melaka details
For those who are looking to get acquainted with Melaka beyond the delicious food and beautiful facade, do check out this local cycling experience by Joseph, which will get you out of the town centre and usual tourist attractions. [PS: this is not a sponsored post, the author simply had a great time and would like to share my experience]
The tour starts early in the morning at Kampong Ayer Salak, Malaysia’s oldest Catholic Chinese New Village that was founded in the mid-18th century. For those departing from the Melaka town centre, it’s best to allocate 30 to 40 minutes driving time in case of heavy morning traffic.
You would get to enjoy traditional local breakfast at a Hainanese kopitiam (coffee shop). Along the way, there are stops to catch your breath and have a drink while Joseph introduces the sights, history, and ways of life. If you are keen to know more about Melaka, go for it. Nobody said it better than my favourite author:
“It is by riding a bicycle that you learn the contours of a country best, since you have to sweat up the hills and coast down them.” – Ernest Hemingway
– To be continued –
Upon the easing of border restrictions in May 2022, my friend and I took the 707 coach from Singapore to Malacca directly. This Malaysian city is more charming than usual, and it definitely warrants a visit beyond the old town. If you have any questions, please feel free to leave a comment.
The above information is based on personal experiences and should only be used as a reference. For more information on the destination, do check out: https://www.malaysia.travel
Travel Beckons 
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