If you're coming To Malaysia and looking for a historic place to visit, Melaka is one of the must go state in Malaysia. There are many place of interest in Melaka. One of them is Jonker Street or also known as Jonker Walk. The name Jonker mean junk, referring to Chinese vessels. Jonker Street once known for its Chinese Clan house. Most of the building in this street is dated in the early part of the 20th century. Nowadays, Jonker Street also known as Jalan Hang Jebat because of a tomb (makam) of Malacca warrior, Hang Jebat they renamed it Jalan Hang Jebat. But most people still prefer to call it Jonker Street.
Photo: Hang Jebat Tomb (Makam Hang Jebat)
I can not see any Malacca hotel along Jonker Street. Maybe because my eyes a bit busy looking at antique and souvenir on display in shop houses along this street. Most of the shops in here are selling tin coins from Melaka coinage. The only problem for me is that the price ain't that cheap. Most of the shop selling price is double then what I can get from other places in Malaysia. It sound a bit ridiculous for collector like me but this is a place for tourist, most probably the seller just want to take extra profit. Almost any antique shop in Malaysia will be selling their item a bit higher then market price. Make sure you knew how much is the market price for your item before you're buying from any antique shop or you will need a laser eye surgery after buying from those antique shop because of the high price tag.
One of the shop that attract me the most is Gold Moon Coins & Curios Trading shop. Almost all the shop front are full with a display of old coin. Most of them are from Melaka Coinage. I can see Animal tin money, Malacca sultanate coin, Chinese tin cash, Dutch East Indies coin and Portuguese tin coins. Some of the coin is a rare coin, including Straits Settlements 1883H 10 cents on sale for RM3,800.00. A 1908 King Edward Straits Settlements one dollar coin on sale in here for a whopping RM400.Here are some antique shop that worth to look at along Jonker street;
Photo: Melaka Saw Clan Association
Photo: Kedai Antik Chin Teck
Photo: Syarikat Abdul Company Antique Shop
Other then antique, paper money, stamps and coins, you can find many shop selling souvenir. You can found wood-craved statues, decorative item for your house, fashionable clothes, key chain, beautiful wind chimes made by sea shell and photo frame. Most people coming in here buying a wooden clogs made by wood and painted with striking flowery pattern. If you're tired searching for souvenirs, there are many cafes, restaurants and stalls selling local delicacies such as Chicken rice ball, curry noodles, assam fish, cendol, dodol and many mouth watering food that you should try.
To all my antique reader out there, go get yourself a cheap airline ticket to Malacca and make sure you include Jonker Walk as a place you must visit. To anyone who have been to this place, share with us what do you like the most?
