Lorong Jambatan

Kampung Jawa

75100 Melaka

Coordinates: 2.197521, 102.250602

After our excellent late breakfast or brunch at Kok Keong we resumed our journey to the pedestrian bridge at Kampung Jawa.

According to The Star newspapers locals call it the “Ghost Bridge” because during Japanese rule (1942-1945), severed heads of local Chinese businessmen killed by the dreaded Kenpeitai (military police) were hung along its pillars.

the lane leading to the bridge

Reaching the lane to the bridge we came across a small locksmith shop run by an elderly man who we came to know later was a third generation Malaccan. We bet his father and grandfather before him would have experienced the horrors of the Kenpetai during the brief Japanese occupation.

tools of the trade

engrossing

a master craftsman

it was our honour

once even featured in an exhibition 

We never got to ask his name, mainly because we were engrossed in his craftsmanship and attention to detail. There was no key he could not duplicate, to the point that I even had my car keys duplicated as well (you never know you might need a third spare, I guess?).

We then got to the pedestrian bridge aptly named Lorong Jambatan (Bridge Lane) on Google maps. A brief chill ran down my spine as I tried to image the severed heads hung here.

finally got here!

severed heads

view of the church from the bridge

tranquil

until a cruise boat passes by

finally got to the other side

Crossing the bridge to the other side we found another master craftsman, this time a barber in a barbershop frozen in time! Cat walked ahead to explore the area while I stayed back to have me a good old fashioned haircut and the must-have ear cleaning service that always comes with it.

apparently it was a busy day

I had to wait my turn

ear cleaning!

can hardly wait my turn

blast from the past!

If you wish to go back in time this area called Lorong Jambatan will definitely serve as a time tunnel to Melaka’s past.