Cruising down the river ...

I was blown away on Monday night. We went on a river cruise on the Melaka river and it was very interesting, very pleasant but it did smell a little muddy. The river as I remember it was smelly, polluted and full of garbage and what not. When I was growing up, on Saturday's, after school, I had to go to my Father's office to wait for a lift home when he finished work. I always made sure that I went to the washroom before I left school because I did not want to use the facilities at my Father's work. It was one of those "squat" things over the river and one can see the catfish swimming below. I was so afraid that things might fall out of my pocket or one shoe might fall in, or worse still, that I would fall into the river. One can hear the numerous motorized sampan going by and watch the wake under. It was an experience. So, imagine my surprise when I was told that there are river cruises available ..... I had to see for myself. The boat was clean and maybe had 30 seats. The river banks were lit up with lights galore, lots of little cafes dot the bank, the homes were also lit up and so were the bridges we went under. Gone were the dilapidated homes along the bank. There were murals painted depicting the multicultural flair of Melaka. The mangrove trees were left to flourish. I was very impressed. All this was done after 2007 when I was last here. Really commendable! However, not to put a damper on the achievement, I think the night hid a multitude of sins, so to speak. As the boat only travelled in the middle of the river, we cannot see what lurks along the waters edge. I will have to check out the cruise in the daylight. So far, I would recommend the river cruise but only at night. But I will try cruising down the river on a Sunday afternoon!