MENARA TAMING SARI, MALAYSIA: The tower attracts hundreds of people on weekdays and thousands on weekends, all eager to get a bird's eye view of the city from the top of the 110-metre tower.

To go up, visitors ride in a "car" that rotates as it moves up the tower and stays stationary for a few minutes at 80 metres high before rotating down. The rotating "car" can seat 80 passengers.

From the top, visitors can see up to a radius of five kms, which includes many historical sights like Dataran Pahlawan, the Malacca Straits, Stadthuys and St Paul's peak.

The tower in Jalan Merdeka, Bandar Hilir, is open from 10am till 10pm. Rides are priced at RM20 (adult) and RM10 (child).

For inquiries and reservations, call 06-288 1100.

CHITTY LEGACY

"We are Chittys, not chettiars," corrects K. Nadarajan Raja as we tour his home, dubbed the "living gallery" of the Chitty settlement in Gajah Behrang.

The former chairman of the Chitty museum, which is also in the same area, says Chittys are often mistaken for chettiars who are money lenders.

The Chittys came to Malaya some 500 years ago from the Coromandel Coast in South India. They were traders who first came here when they were doing business in Indonesia. Our numbers have shrunk so much that there are fewer than 350 of us now.

"Many have also married outside the race and no longer practise our culture. Only a few do and it is only in our settlement in Malacca," says Nadarajan.

At the living gallery of Nadarajan's home, many of the things on exhibit belonged to his late grandmother. The items include utensils used at the family's weddings, ponggol and Deepavali celebrations as well as clothing, artifacts and furniture.

Nadarajan showing nonya kebayas worn by the Chitty women.

The Chitty museum, too, has similar exhibits.

The opening hours of the museum are from 9am till 5pm Wednesday through Sunday.

The charges are RM2 for adult and 50 sen for child.

As for those who wish to visit the gallery at Nadarajan's house, please call him at 019-667 7226 for an appointment.

MALACCA RIVER CRUISE

If you want to explore the historical city at leisure, take the cruise along the Malacca River. The 45-minute cruise from the jetty near the Dutch Square takes you past Kampung Morten and back. The traditional houses of Kampung Morten are visible from the boat. Passengers will also be able to see many bridges, including the Sungai Malacca Bridge opposite Kampung Morten.

The banks of the 4.5km river are dotted with old houses, godowns, shops and eateries. It is a lot more fun to take the cruise at sunset.

A recorded commentary on the history of Malacca and the sights along the cruise, is available on board. The river was once a leading trade gateway in the region. This month, Unesco recognises the river as one of Malacca's World Heritage Sites.

The cruise service starts at 10am and ends at midnight. The fees are RM5 for adult and RM2 for child. Details, call 06-281 4803.