Malacca

Stopping off in Malaka on the way to Singapore uncovered a fascinating town with a huge amount of history. Formally the major port in the Melacca Straights and ruled by a sumatran prince it was taken over and ruled at different times during its history by the portugese, dutch and british due to its location. At the start of its port life before colonialism it was one of the major ports and trading cities in the world leadng the chinese emeror of the time to offer his daughter as the princes wife. Melaccas importance dwindled with the British who placed more importance on developing Singapore as a major port and trading centre.