Sunday, November 28, 2004

Navigating: Penang

I have put up a number of posts related to my trip to Penang in early November 2004. For your convenience, here is an attempt to provide a slight ease in navigating through these various posts. Click on the links below and you shall be directed to some of the related pages:

Sunday, November 14, 2004

Gurney Drive Foodstalls


Hawker stalls at Gurney Drive. Posted by Hello

Penang is famous for its food and the hawker centre beside the waterfront at Gurney Drive is a food haven that one should check out. The place comes alive from evening time till wee hours, if I have gotten it correctly.


These hawkers operate their business on mobile kitchens. Look harder, they prepare their food on vans. Posted by Hello

According to this website (http://www.tourismpenang.gov.my/section.cfm?id=36), here are some of the food at Gurney Drive that one should check out:

Cendol, See Kor Th'ng, Sotong Bakar, Laksa, Lobak, Nyonya Dishes, Char Koay Teow, Curry Mee, Hokkien Mee, Wan Tan Mee, Mee Goreng and Mee Rebus, Pasembur




Gurney Drive in the evening. Posted by Hello

City Hall, Georgetown


Dewan Bandaran (City Hall), Georgetown, Penang. I am somehow quite atttracted by its colonial architecture. Posted by Hello

Complimentary Bus Shuttle Service

The people of Penang are very hospitable. For the convenience of tourists and locals who wish to catch the sights in Georgetown, there is a free bus service courtesy of the Penang State Government in Georgetown. This free bus service indeed helps tourist save time and money touring George Town's heritage and commercial attraction.


One of the bus stops to take the free bus shuttle service. Posted by Hello

I did not have a chance to take this transport service when I was Penang. It is partly because I had preferred to travel on foot for short distances, so I end up walking when I was travelling around Georgetown. Furthermore, the hotel that I stayed in was quite close to several major heritage attractions that I had wanted to go to, so I could easily travel on foot.

Anyway, for the benefit of those who wanted to use this service, here are some more information:

The service runs at regular 12-minute intervals from 7:00am to 7:00pm on Mondays to Fridays and 7:00am to 2:00pm on Saturdays. There is no service on Sundays and public holidays.

The bus service starts at the Jetty, Weld Quay and passes by Komtar, Penang Road, before returning to its point of origin.

http://www.tourismpenang.gov.my/page.cfm?name=ap02d

Please click on the link below for the bus routes and pick up points:
http://www.tourismpenang.gov.my/images/exoticpenang/custom%20pages/ap02d_01.htm

Thursday, November 11, 2004

Clock Tower


Clock Tower. One of the landmarks of Georgetown, Penang. Posted by Hello

Fort Cornwallis (4) Posted by Hello

Gunpowder Magazine


Fort Cornwallis. Constructed in 1814, this was used to store explosive. It was designed to minimise the damages caused by an explosion. Posted by Hello

Harbour Light and Flagstaff


Harbour Light & Flagstaff. Fort Cornwallis, Penang. Posted by Hello

Seri Rambai cannon


This is the most famous among the cannons at Fort Cornwallis. This cannon was presented to the Sultan of Johore by the Dutch. However, it was later given to Acheh, and installed at Kuala Selangor. Finally this cannon was seized by the British and installed at the Fort Cornwallis in 1871.

The lengendary Seri Rambai cannon is believed to have special power to grant fertility to barren women who place flowers on its barrel. Posted by Hello

Cannons


The cannons along the perimeter of Fort Cornwallis. Posted by Hello

Fort Cornwallis (3)


To the right, you will see the cells. These cells were built in 1811. They were formerly used as barracks to house a company of European artillery, and were later converted to cell rooms. Posted by Hello

First Chapel in Penang


Chapel. This is the first chapel built in Penang. Posted by Hello

British Canopy


This is how the canopy which Captain Francis Light used, when he landed in Penang, looks like. Posted by Hello

Fort Cornwallis (2)


At Fort Cornwallis. Statue of Captain Francis Light. Posted by Hello

Entrance of Fort Cornwallis


Entrance of Fort Cornwallis. Previously, the fort was surrounded with a 27-foot wide and 6 feet deep moat. The moat was filled in about a century ago due to malaria. Posted by Hello

Fort Cornwallis, Penang

Fort Cornwallis is the spot where Captain Francis Light first landed in 1786. Soon after taking possession of the island, Francis Light erected a fort of nibong palms at the tip of the cape which was then called Fort Point. Captain Francis Light then named it after the Governor-General in Bengal - Charles Cornwallis.

The wooden fort was reconstructed in stone between 1808 to 1810. Today, only the outer walls remain.

For those who are interested in the history of Penang, this is one spot that should not be missed.

(Fort Cornwallis is located at: Jalan Tun Syed Sheh Barakbah, 10200 Georgetown, Penang. It is managed by Sebagus Travel & Tours Sdn Bhd. )

Credits: Sebagus Travel & Tours Sdn Bhd

Intricate Designs


Khoo Kongsi. Notice the intricate designs on the pillars. Posted by Hello

Khoo Kongsi Posted by Hello

Entrance of Khoo Kongsi. Posted by Hello

Khoo Kongsi Clanhouse

This is one of the most elaborate clanhouse in Southeast Asia. Located at Lebuh Cannon, its massive tiled roof embellished with porcelain dragons and other symbols is reputed to weigh 25 tons.

Khoo Kongsi is a clanhouse for Chinese with the same surname (Khoo), and it is one of Penang's oldest and grandest clan temple. The roofs, pillars and walls of the clanhouse are intricately decorated, and are fine examples of traditional Chinese architecture and craftsmanship.

At the Khoo Kongsi, one can also find four panels of stone on which the anthology of the 24 stories of filial piety were carved.


One of the 24 Stories of Filial Piety. It's titled "Bamboo shoots in winter form Meng". This is carved on one of the four panels of stone found in Khoo Kongsi. Posted by Hello

The story goes as such: Meng Tsung (3rd century) of the Three Kingdoms had to support his ailing mothre from a young age after the early demise of his father.

During one bitter winter, his mother fell seriously ill and could not eat anything except bamboo shoots. Yet, it was impossible to find any bamboo shoots growing in the snow during winter.

Meng Tsung was filled with despair as he hugged a frozen bamboo in the bamboo grove and cried. His tears touched the elements of nature and suddenly, the frozen ground cracked open and from the crack, bamboo shoots began to grow before his very eyes.

Pleasantly surprised, Meng Tsung quickly cut them and brought them home to cook for his mother. After taking the bamboo shoots, his mother recovered from her illness.

Source: An Anthology of 24 Stories of Filial Piety, Compiled by Khoo Kay Hock, Trustee, and Rita Lim-Khoo.

Wednesday, November 10, 2004

St George's Church (2)


St George's Church. Notice its spacious grounds. Posted by Hello

St. George's Church


This is the oldest Anglican church in South East Asia. It was built by convict labour in 1818. Modelled after a church in Madras, India, it is one of the oldest landmarks on the island of Penang. Posted by Hello

Kuan Yin Temple (2)


Kuan Yin Teng in the morning. Posted by Hello

Kuan Yin Temple


Kuan Yin Teng (Goddess of Mercy Temple). This is Penang's most popular Chinese temple dedicated to the Goddess of Mercy. It was built in 1800s by the Chinese settlers to honour the goddess Kuan Yin. Posted by Hello

Kapitan Keling Mosque


This mosque is one of the oldest mosque in Penang. It is crowned by distinctive yellow domes and has influences of Moorish architecture. Posted by Hello