Malacca

Short on time I tried to soak in all the sights of the famous city Malacca in 24 hours. I met a Australian family one the way there. They were backpacking with 3 kids from 2 to 9 years old. There plan is to go to Malaysia, Vietnam and Indonesia. Blinded by the cheap prices of Air Asia flights they will most likely end up in places they don't like and which are to dodgy for the kids. But they were fun and I was able to help since they had no Lonely Planet.
Everybody wanted to rule Malacca over history because of it's important strategic location just next to the Malacca Straits. Sultans came in the early days, then the Siam, then the Portuguese, the Dutch and finally the Queens Empire. Because of the turbulent past there are many reminders of occupation. Dutch mills, Amsterdam style houses, catholic churches built by the Portuguese, a clock tower by the British etc.
The city center is laid back which is in strong contrast to the new Malacca which is dominated by traffic and malls. I found this city very charming and recommend it.