For centuries Malacca was the fulcrum of East – West trade and was best described by its early Portuguese resident Tome Pires in 1514:
“Men cannot estimate the worth of Malacca, on account of its greatness and profit. Malacca is a city that was made for merchandise, fitter than than any other in the world; the end of monsoons and the beginnings of others. Malacca is surrounded and lies in the middle, and the trade and commerce between different nations for a thousand leagues on every hand must come to Malacca”.
It was my pleasure to recently give an ‘East Indies’ book talk in Malacca sponsored by the Malaysian Heritage Society and the Malacca History Club, at the Riverine Restaurant. Please follow the link to see the talk:
spiceislandsblog 