| Shangri La's Rasa Sayang Resort Penang Island |
KHOO KONGSI - The Khoo Kongsi
is one of many kongsis, or traditional
"clan-houses" in Penang where Chinese
families gather to worship their ancestors.
The original building was started in 1894 by
the Khoo family and meticulously crafted by
experts from China. Its central hall is dark
with heavy, intricately carved beams and
pillars and bulky mother-of-pearl inlaid
furniture. The hall on the left is a richly
decorated shrine to Tua Peh Kong, the god
of prosperity; the right-hand hall contains
the gilded ancestral tablets. Connecting all
three halls is a balcony minutely decorated
in carvings of folk tales.
is one of many kongsis, or traditional
"clan-houses" in Penang where Chinese
families gather to worship their ancestors.
The original building was started in 1894 by
the Khoo family and meticulously crafted by
experts from China. Its central hall is dark
with heavy, intricately carved beams and
pillars and bulky mother-of-pearl inlaid
furniture. The hall on the left is a richly
decorated shrine to Tua Peh Kong, the god
of prosperity; the right-hand hall contains
the gilded ancestral tablets. Connecting all
three halls is a balcony minutely decorated
in carvings of folk tales.
Batu Feringgi, situated along the coastal
road north-west of Georgetown and lined
with a string of international-standard
resorts, is the most popular beach in
Penang. Soak in the sun or unwind on the
beach while you enjoy a host of aquatic
thrills from wind-surfing to canoeing. For a
spine-tingling adventure, try parasailing to
enjoy the view of the beach from the sky. As
the sun sets, Batu Feringgi comes alive with
a carnival-like atmosphere with an open-air
bazaar selling anything from ornate curios
to enticing souvenir items. Watch local
artisans demonstrate the intricate art of
craft-making and batik-painting. Dubbed the
Feringgi Walk, the bazaar offers shoppers a
host of attractions. A short taxi ride away is
the Spice Garden, a beautifully landscaped
garden with a little coffee house (delicious
cakes!) and short jungle trail attached.
For more information, please contact the
Penang Tourist Information Centre Tel:
+604 264 3494 / 263 4941 Email:
mtpbpen@tourism.gov.my
road north-west of Georgetown and lined
with a string of international-standard
resorts, is the most popular beach in
Penang. Soak in the sun or unwind on the
beach while you enjoy a host of aquatic
thrills from wind-surfing to canoeing. For a
spine-tingling adventure, try parasailing to
enjoy the view of the beach from the sky. As
the sun sets, Batu Feringgi comes alive with
a carnival-like atmosphere with an open-air
bazaar selling anything from ornate curios
to enticing souvenir items. Watch local
artisans demonstrate the intricate art of
craft-making and batik-painting. Dubbed the
Feringgi Walk, the bazaar offers shoppers a
host of attractions. A short taxi ride away is
the Spice Garden, a beautifully landscaped
garden with a little coffee house (delicious
cakes!) and short jungle trail attached.
For more information, please contact the
Penang Tourist Information Centre Tel:
+604 264 3494 / 263 4941 Email:
mtpbpen@tourism.gov.my
| EASTERN AND ORIENTAL HOTEL |
Lion statues guard the grounds of the Khoo Kongi Clan house
Visitors at the Khoo Kongi Clan house
| Island of Penang Excellent Destination Great Beaches Warm Waters Snake Temple Peranakan Mansion Kek Lok Si Chinese Temple Batu Ferringhi's Sidewalk Bazaar Botanic Gardens Penang Hill |
Chinese lanterns hanging from the ceiling of the Khoo Kongsi
Clan House on Penang Island
Clan House on Penang Island
Dinner at the Khoo Kongsi
(Taken from the journals of the MIMH 2006)
It is dinner time and we are getting ready to
attend a Gala dinner at the Khoo Kongsi,
hosted by the Penang State Government.
As the lobby is slowly filling up with media
representatives from all over the world, I
notice that this bunch is looking really good.
We are dressed in our best. The bus waits
for us outside. We get on the bus and we
notice that we are running a little late. If you
have ever been involved in a large group
tour, you understand the task of rounding
everyone up.
Off we go, back to town, to the Khoo Kongsi.
The bus swerves and sways as it makes it
way through narrow roads that hug the
coastline. We cling to our seats, white
knuckles, eyes watching the bus driver and
the road. Secretly, under my breath saying
to the other vehicles on the road... , "Excuse
me, but you need to get out of the way, this
bus is coming fast!!!"
Phew...we have arrived....that was an
interesting ride. So, we are hurried off the
bus and ushered to some waiting
rick-shaws. I am one of the first few to get off
the bus and onto a rick-shaw. The rick-shaw
man starts to pedal and he takes me down
this dark alley. I am starting to get a little
anxious as it is getting awful quiet the further
we went along. Where are we going?
He then makes a quick turn around the
corner and then.......Flash bulbs everywhere
and the sound of Chinese drums beating.
Wow... What an entrance !!!
The alley opens up into a beautiful
wonderland .... like stepping back in time.
Statues of lions guard the grounds. Our
tables dressed in white linen. Ornate
oriental carvings on the buildings reveal folk
tales of long ago. Chinese lanterns cast
mystic shadows on the surrounding facade.
The sound of the Chinese drums are loud
and there is excitement in the air.
As more people arrive, the place seems to
come alive and take on an identity of its
own. The atmosphere is magical. I can only
imagine what it would have been like to be
here in the height of the Kongsi days.
I hurry to the steps of the Khoo Kongsi
house and walk up. Mr. Cheah, a trustee of
the Khoo Kongsi, explains to me a little
about the building. It has been meticulously
crafted by experts from China. I look around
in amazement. It is absolutely beautiful.
I am standing on the steps of the Khoo
Kongsi. I look around. There are fortune
telling tables, henna painting, souvenirs ......
fortune telling? I quickly run over to the
fortune telling table and get in line....this is
going to take some time - I am fourth in
line......perhaps I should come back when
there is no line.....nope, I won't give up my
place.
While I wait, the Chingay Demonstration
which is the act of balancing huge flags on
ones' head takes center stage and draws
curious onlookers. The buffet line is going
strong, and our personal announcer, who
travels with us, 'Peter The Voice', tells us
that there will be more fun and games this
evening. We are to sing the famous
Malaysian song "Rasa Sayang" on stage in
front of everyone. I head toward the stage
and meet my
teammates there. We make our way to the
microphones. What??? All of us are willing
to sing on the big stage?? How Penang
relaxes our inhibitions!!!
Yessssss........the fortune teller line is finally
free!!!
People, is it going to be a good year!!!
(Taken from the journals of the MIMH 2006)
It is dinner time and we are getting ready to
attend a Gala dinner at the Khoo Kongsi,
hosted by the Penang State Government.
As the lobby is slowly filling up with media
representatives from all over the world, I
notice that this bunch is looking really good.
We are dressed in our best. The bus waits
for us outside. We get on the bus and we
notice that we are running a little late. If you
have ever been involved in a large group
tour, you understand the task of rounding
everyone up.
Off we go, back to town, to the Khoo Kongsi.
The bus swerves and sways as it makes it
way through narrow roads that hug the
coastline. We cling to our seats, white
knuckles, eyes watching the bus driver and
the road. Secretly, under my breath saying
to the other vehicles on the road... , "Excuse
me, but you need to get out of the way, this
bus is coming fast!!!"
Phew...we have arrived....that was an
interesting ride. So, we are hurried off the
bus and ushered to some waiting
rick-shaws. I am one of the first few to get off
the bus and onto a rick-shaw. The rick-shaw
man starts to pedal and he takes me down
this dark alley. I am starting to get a little
anxious as it is getting awful quiet the further
we went along. Where are we going?
He then makes a quick turn around the
corner and then.......Flash bulbs everywhere
and the sound of Chinese drums beating.
Wow... What an entrance !!!
The alley opens up into a beautiful
wonderland .... like stepping back in time.
Statues of lions guard the grounds. Our
tables dressed in white linen. Ornate
oriental carvings on the buildings reveal folk
tales of long ago. Chinese lanterns cast
mystic shadows on the surrounding facade.
The sound of the Chinese drums are loud
and there is excitement in the air.
As more people arrive, the place seems to
come alive and take on an identity of its
own. The atmosphere is magical. I can only
imagine what it would have been like to be
here in the height of the Kongsi days.
I hurry to the steps of the Khoo Kongsi
house and walk up. Mr. Cheah, a trustee of
the Khoo Kongsi, explains to me a little
about the building. It has been meticulously
crafted by experts from China. I look around
in amazement. It is absolutely beautiful.
I am standing on the steps of the Khoo
Kongsi. I look around. There are fortune
telling tables, henna painting, souvenirs ......
fortune telling? I quickly run over to the
fortune telling table and get in line....this is
going to take some time - I am fourth in
line......perhaps I should come back when
there is no line.....nope, I won't give up my
place.
While I wait, the Chingay Demonstration
which is the act of balancing huge flags on
ones' head takes center stage and draws
curious onlookers. The buffet line is going
strong, and our personal announcer, who
travels with us, 'Peter The Voice', tells us
that there will be more fun and games this
evening. We are to sing the famous
Malaysian song "Rasa Sayang" on stage in
front of everyone. I head toward the stage
and meet my
teammates there. We make our way to the
microphones. What??? All of us are willing
to sing on the big stage?? How Penang
relaxes our inhibitions!!!
Yessssss........the fortune teller line is finally
free!!!
People, is it going to be a good year!!!
| GOLDEN SANDS RESORT BY SHANGRI-LA |
| French ambiance in Colmar Tropicale Go there..... |
| Genting Highlands Resort - Casino, Theme Park, International Showroom Go there..... |
| All Rights Reserved. 2005 Fantastic International Inc. |
 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Fantastic Malaysia |
| Step into a truly Asian experience Step into Malaysia |
Travel Websites