Singapore flag
We started from Singapore, hired a Hawk hire car, and drove across the second link which the hire car company said would be less busy. We arrived in time to check into the for evening dinner. Next morning we went for a walk around town, after breakfast visitng
Flag of Malaysia
Casa del Rio means house or home on the river or river home. We saw this grand hotel from the river on a riverboat tour. The water flowing down from the rooftop appeared to be an infinity pool.
In the afternoon we drove out of Melaka to the beach looking for a seaside cafe but found none. The seaside area is under development, lots of cranes and billboards showing what will be there in a year or two or three. So we drove back into Melaka for a waterside tea-time break.
The big hotel has the advantage of free parking underneath.
Up we went to the open sided lobby. Beside the lobby is the central fountains or what looks like a quadrangle, more a U shape. As you walk from the reception area (right of the picture) at the far side are toilets en route to the restaurant.
Lovely colourful cushions. A very pleasant place to sit.
The walk beside the fountain courtyard to the restaurant was elegant. I looked up at the arched ceiling with its colours, then down at the tiles.
Beyond the indoor restaurant was the poolside bar in a small rotundo. Next to that is the semi outdoor open sided watefront cafe.
We sat watching boats chug up and down the river, and watched the sky tower observation deck on the opposite bank rising and falling.
I said, "Ooh - I can see people inside!"
My son retorted, "What did you expect? Animals and birds!"
I had a wonderful freshly squeezed lassi strawberry juice. All over Asia many places offer freshly squeezed juice. Why would I settle for anything else?
Top Rated Cheesecake
We ordered cheesecake. It was one of the most delicious cheesecakes I have ever tasted. Not crumbly like the New York style which was previously my favourite. I normally feel disappointed when I see something creamy. However, this was thick and creamy with a crunchy base. Best of all was the yummy fruit in thick sauce, which tasted like sweet potato or more likely yam. Not over sugary and sweet, but fruity and filling.
Bird
A cute little black bird was pecking at the ground on the terrace nearby. After our food arrived, the little black bird hopped nearer and nearer, no doubt hoping for a stray crumb. Or a deliberate donation. No way.
Why? Firstly it is bad for birds to eat a diet of sugar instead of unhealthy filling food for tea and not main meals.
Secondly birds should be used to finding their food in nature which is there all season, not dependent on a restaurant which does not run its opening times to suit a 24 hour bird eating schedule.
Thirdly, signs all over the world tell you not to feed birds. it encourages bird poop which is unsightly, a danger to healthy, and costly to remove.
Fourthly, it encourages bird nuisance. Distraction from business chats. Stress from guarding your food.
Fifthly, risk of revenge atack by birds which were previously fed daily and think it's their right to expect food. They wonder why a newcomer is not providing the expected food and attack those who don't help.
Finally, theft of anything small you put down. As countless videos on YouTube show, birds which are encouraged to approach and eat will then try to swoop and grab your costly food.
Despite that, I enjyed photographing the bird.
What's not to like? The restaurant could not provide decaffeinated coffee. We had difficulty conveying that we wanted decaff coffee.
Alternative fountain Seating
I liked the seating around the fountains. We stayed there for a few minutes while waiting for those using the toilets.
Terrific toilets
The toilets were wonderful. They had mouthwash. The tiny cups for mouthwash were in the far corner of the basins.
Casa del Rio
88 Jalan Kota Laksamana,
75200 Melaka
Malaysia
Tel:+606 289 6888.
casadelrio-melaka.com
reservation@casadelrio-melaka.com
Useful Wbsites
singaporeair.com
Hawk rent a car - offices in Singapore and Melaka
About the Author
Angela Lansbury is a travel writer and photographer, author and speaker. Please share links to your favourite posts.
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