Great to meet up again, guys! This time, I’d like to take you along on a journey from Penang to Malacca, Genting, and several interesting stops in between.
Our adventure kicked off on 4 May 2026, when my friends and I drove off from Penang at around 4 a.m., towards Malacca. After 8 hours on the road, we finally arrived there around noon. Ample time before our hotel check-in, we didn’t waste any precious moment. Instead, we headed straight to our very first stop: the Malacca Heritage Centre. Little did we know, this would be the first glimpse into this fascinating journey.
There, we visited the famous purple Christ Church Melaka and explored historical landmarks (Sultanate Palace, A Famosa, etc). However, the 32°C Malacca heat was hard to avoid. So, we discovered a rather fun way to cool down, “A whole watermelon with a hole cut into the top”. RM15, the taste was nothing premium, but definitely a refresher!
After exploring the area, we hand-gifted some Penang biscuits to that church before finally checking in at 3pm. Little did we realise, the day was far from over.
4 May 2026 – 1st night in Malacca 🍛🚣
The hotel we stayed at was Bayview Malacca. Not particularly luxurious, with a somewhat old-fashioned feel, but the staff’s service were top-notch. We rested for about two hours before we were craving for something satisfying. So, we went to Saravanan Chettinadu Restaurant in the evening for a hearty Indian banana-leaf meal. That first proper dinner felt especially well-deserved.
Once done, we headed to the River Cruise. We purchased the tickets (RM35 per Malaysian, RM50 per international). Around 8pm of an hour-wait, our turn arrived and as the boat glided along the Melaka River, we passed historic buildings and colourful landmarks. The tour took around 45 minutes before it landed us back at the jetty. Then, we left to our hotel for the next day.
5 May 2026 – Encore Melaka, Chicken Rice Balls & Portuguese Settlement 🎭🍙✝️
Morning arrived, we headed to Menara Taming Sari (RM20 – Malaysians, RM25 – international). 80 metres above the ground, it gave us a 360-degree view of Melaka, lasting around 10 minutes. Once we were down, we headed to Encore Melaka, a performing arts theatre with tickets priced at RM78 per person. We explored and photographed the surroundings instead.
Observing Encore Melaka, I couldn’t help but notice its resemblance to the Sydney Opera House. Both are also designed as performing arts venues. Melaka is just so fascinating, different nationalities seem to gather in one distinctness: Portuguese history and Dutch architecture to Australian modernity. And there was still more of Melaka waiting for us to discover.
Then, we decided to try a Malacca’s famous dish (Chicken Rice Balls – RM11 to RM18). At first glance, they looked ordinary but quite amusing: each portion shaped into six sticky balls, which we could squeeze back into their original form. Perhaps that is what makes Chicken Rice Balls so unique. A simple but satisfying meal! Once we finished, we returned to our hotel to rest in the afternoon, knowing we still had more of Malacca to uncover.
At 8pm, we encountered Selat Avenue, a colourful food leisure spot. Its interior balconies and beautiful golden lamps captivated our attention. However, most of the shop lots appeared to be permanently closed during our visit, so we simply admired the surroundings. Then, we remembered there was still one more place we had to witness — the Portuguese Settlement.
Once we arrived to our final attraction in Melaka, we found a 5-star Portuguese hotel and several family-run food businesses. The local community known as Kristang (Portuguese and Southeast Asian heritage), eagerly promoted each of their own food. Despite the lively competition, they were incredibly friendly. We enjoyed Nasi Goreng for just RM8 in the sea-view while they shared stories about their community’s roots. By the time we left, it was already around midnight, we promised them that we would return. Some journeys end with a goodbye; others leave you wanting to return.
Midnight, back at the hotel, I met some of my Melaka friends, gifting me Dodol Melaka. In return, they received Jeruk Penang (Malaysian pickled fruits) from me. A simple exchange, but somehow it felt like the perfect way to end our time in Melaka: food, friendship and a little piece of homes.
6 May 2026 – Batu Caves & arrival to Genting Highlands 🛕❄️
We checked out at 9am, grabbed some breakfast, and then shot towards Genting. Since we were passing through Kuala Lumpur (KL), we decided to stop at Batu Caves around 1:30pm. The place was vibrant, with people of all nationalities and ethnicities. There was also a screen showcasing the history of Batu Caves. My friends climbed the 272 colourful steps to the main cave temple, but I decided to save my energy for driving. Thus, I rested under the trees since Batu Caves is quite an open space, so the heat was definitely something I felt.
Once my friends were done, we headed straight off to Genting Highlands. Around an hour to reach but with the rain, 2 hours. I’ve got to admit, driving on the snaky Genting Highlands roads can be quite challenging. 30 minutes to reach the top, no rest stops in between. Around 3:30pm, we checked into Grand Ion Delemen Hotel.
The check-in process was rather complicated. Communication from the staff were also not standardised. Some services that had been promised as complimentary were charged later. Nonetheless, we still appreciated the luxurious feel and the misty highland views. Honestly, the place looked like a homestay-condominium than a conventional 5-star hotel.
We rested for quite some time. At 7pm, we drove to Chin Swee Caves Temple. Free entry for all, so we just admired the temple. Shortly after, we headed to SkyAvenue. One thing that initially confused me was the difference between SkyAvenue and First World Plaza. They are separate malls, so closely physically connected. The easiest way to tell them apart is this: SkyAvenue is where you find the entrance to Genting SkyWorlds, while First World Plaza is home to Skytropolis Indoor Theme Park.
(Within just our first few hours in Genting, I quickly noticed the attractions, hotels and services were concentrated within the resort area itself. The secluded highland made it challenging for certain specialised needs. It’s worth saving any necessary contacts and travel essentials, guys)
We spent some time touring the huge malls. Afterwards, we had dinner at Beena’s Signature (budget-friendly restaurant) where we ordered rice a meal for RM18; the cheapest eatery in the mall. After dinner, we were magically greeted by a RM12 parking charge for just 2 hours. Another reminder Genting can add prices drastically. The drive back was another experience altogether. The road was dimly lit with the mist covering our windows, along the narrow, one-lane road. It felt a little dangerous, but strangely adventurous.
Once we reached our hotel, we went to the open-air lobby for some drinks and enjoyed the cool, misty air. At night, Genting Highlands can feel noticeably cooler than Malaysia’s lowland cities, with temperatures around 21°C. We took it all in, knowing that this was something we wouldn’t experience once we were back down. Hence, we ended the night there, exciting that another Genting adventure awaited us!
7 May 2026 – Genting SkyWorlds Theme Park 🚠🎢
We left our hotel around 8:30am and arrived at Genting Highlands Premium Outlets at 9am. A giant red teddy bear holding a sign makes for an unmistakable photo spot at the outlet complex. Despite the cool morning air, the place was surprisingly quiet. The only people we encountered were fellow visitors heading up the mountain by cable car. We bought a two-way ticket (RM18) and began our ascent. The ride was 10 minutes. Once up, we headed straight to Genting SkyWorlds Theme Park, prepared for the rides ahead.
We started with several coaster rides. Exhilarating and creative themes! At noon, we grabbed some meals to recharge. Once done, we hopped onto a 3D boat ride through a cave-like setting, teaming up with the Planet of the Apes. Another ride took us on boat along the river surrounded by interactive fairy-tale animatronics. There was also an aerospace-themed ride that dropped us from high up quickly. Soul-devouring! By 5:45pm, we had experienced most of the attractions, as the park was closing at 6pm. I wished the park had bumper cars or a physical maze to add a different kind of experience. Unfortunately, those attractions were either unavailable or temporarily closed.
With many visitors heading down at the same time, it took around 30 minutes. Successfully landed, we bought some Edibee chocolates for our families and friends back home. For dinner, we decided to eat away from the mall and drove down the hill to an Indian claypot restaurant. A hearty and affordable meal! But 30 minutes from our hotel. We spent our final night in Genting, already planning several destinations to stop by along the way the next day.
(The staff at Genting SkyWorlds were incredibly down to earth, making our day way memorable. Their warmth & Humanity reminded us that even when travelling in an unfamiliar state, there are always people willing to lend a helping hand and make you feel welcome. Salutes to them!)
8 May 2026 – Kellie’s Castle and Zoo Taiping: The Final Destinations 🏰🦁
Checked out 9am, decided not to dine in Genting Highlands. Instead, we drove the rural highways and reached a Selangor city (Batang Kali) after 50 minutes. We ate at a Chinese food shop to supply energy for the trip. Then, we resumed driving while taking several stops before reaching our next destination (Kellie’s Castle) at 5 evening. Ticket prices were RM15 (international) while RM8 (Malaysian). Children get around RM2 to RM3 lesser of each nationality.
A glimpse into his history: Kellie’s Castle was built by a Scottish planter during British rule in Malaysia for his family, but abandoned once he passed away. After 8 decades, the Malaysian government turned it into a tourist attraction. We explored all three floors of the mansion. On the top floor, we witnessed the spectacular estate landscapes, horse stables, and the mountains showering over the area.
We then kicked off to our last destination, Zoo Taiping (RM25 – Malaysian, RM40 – international). Arrived around 8, night safari just started so we hopped onto the vehicle. The zoo guide then showed and taught us about all the animals around. Lions, giraffes, infinite. Having the luxury in witnessing these animals close at night from another continent just made us feel lively and appreciate the nature around. Around 9:30pm, the safari ended so we had some night food in Taiping and reached Penang accurately midnight with a sense of fulfilled adventure.
Reflection and Final Thoughts
Looking back, this Malacca–Genting trip was more than just a memorable getaway. It empowered us the limitless possibilities that travel can offer – driving for hours, discovering interesting places, meeting the best people, etc.
For me, that is what makes a road trip special too. Rather than simply choosing a bus or flight to reach the destination, driving allows you to experience every turn (ofc, driving within the same country or a reasonable distance).
Sometimes, the destination is only half of the adventure, the road getting there is the other half.
(If you enjoyed this journey, you can read through my Da Nang adventure, storied in Malay.)
With that, our Malacca and Genting adventure met its end. But the journey does not stop here. Langkawi and Cameron Highlands are set on our next adventure. Till then, thank you greatly for reading and feel free to share your thoughts or suggestions on what to improve as I continue forging new journeys……