| 9 Mar 2006 |
Waking up in Alor Star.
Another day...another new adventure!
Our 'Flag Off' this morning comes with an
unusual surprise. The local girls school
marching band is here to perform for us.
Another day...another new adventure!
Our 'Flag Off' this morning comes with an
unusual surprise. The local girls school
marching band is here to perform for us.
What a performance! Upbeat, in step, on key..... I
am told that this band has won many awards,
nationally. I think all of us enjoyed the music and
appreciated the hard work and many hours these
young women have put into such an amazing
band.
am told that this band has won many awards,
nationally. I think all of us enjoyed the music and
appreciated the hard work and many hours these
young women have put into such an amazing
band.
That afternoon........................................................................................................................
So, we are off to the island of Penang, Pearl of
the Orient. You can see the excitement in every
one's faces as our convoy approaches the jetty to
board the ferry to the island. It has been another
hot day and some of us are ready to strip off
some clothes, get changed into our bathing
suits, and head for the ocean for a refreshing dip
...............me first!!!
It is about a 20 minute ride on the ferry to the
island, and most of us come out of our cars to
stretch and enjoy the cool breeze at the front of
the ferry as it ploughs through the water. Some of
us take pictures of the island as the ferry
approached the jetty and others show off their
souvenirs from the Padi Museum. Did I tell you I
bought a 'Kris', a Malaysian sword?
(Horn sound) Our ferry has arrived at the jetty on
the island of Penang. We quickly get back into
our cars to get ready to disembark. The cars
slowly pull out of the ferry and make their way into
the city. I really have to give credit to the police
force again. What a task. What an
accomplishment.
the Orient. You can see the excitement in every
one's faces as our convoy approaches the jetty to
board the ferry to the island. It has been another
hot day and some of us are ready to strip off
some clothes, get changed into our bathing
suits, and head for the ocean for a refreshing dip
...............me first!!!
It is about a 20 minute ride on the ferry to the
island, and most of us come out of our cars to
stretch and enjoy the cool breeze at the front of
the ferry as it ploughs through the water. Some of
us take pictures of the island as the ferry
approached the jetty and others show off their
souvenirs from the Padi Museum. Did I tell you I
bought a 'Kris', a Malaysian sword?
(Horn sound) Our ferry has arrived at the jetty on
the island of Penang. We quickly get back into
our cars to get ready to disembark. The cars
slowly pull out of the ferry and make their way into
the city. I really have to give credit to the police
force again. What a task. What an
accomplishment.
Approaching the island of Penang. You can see the ferry that is
used to shuttle Passengers and cars to and from the island.
used to shuttle Passengers and cars to and from the island.
This is a pictures of our convoy of cars
entering the ferry for transport to the island.
entering the ferry for transport to the island.
First stop on the island - Fort Cornwallis. We
park on the street nearby and walk toward the
fort. There to greet us at the entrance is the Lion
Dance Troop. If you haven't seen one of these
performances, you are missing something Truly
Asian. The beat of the drums and the show of
skill in maneuvering the 'lion head' can be quite
entrancing.
Inside the fort, lunch is served 'campfire' style.
Very creative set up, which compliments the
location. This is basically how the occupants of
the fort used to have their meals in the past. Little
stalls are set up offering the local dishes of the
island. We browse through each stall filling up
our plates and sit under a huge shade tree for
relief from the sun. After lunch we are entertained
by a local dance troop and then get a chance to
discover the fort on our own.
park on the street nearby and walk toward the
fort. There to greet us at the entrance is the Lion
Dance Troop. If you haven't seen one of these
performances, you are missing something Truly
Asian. The beat of the drums and the show of
skill in maneuvering the 'lion head' can be quite
entrancing.
Inside the fort, lunch is served 'campfire' style.
Very creative set up, which compliments the
location. This is basically how the occupants of
the fort used to have their meals in the past. Little
stalls are set up offering the local dishes of the
island. We browse through each stall filling up
our plates and sit under a huge shade tree for
relief from the sun. After lunch we are entertained
by a local dance troop and then get a chance to
discover the fort on our own.
Residents of the fort coming out to see what the fuss is all about
Trishaw riders taking an afternoon nap
under some shade trees
under some shade trees
We are off to the Padi Museum.
It is only right to have a Padi Museum in the 'Rice
Bowl' of Malaysia and that is in the state of
Kedah. Surrounded by rice fields, Kedah is the
number one rice producer in the country.
The Padi Museum is situated in the town of
Gunung Keriang, 8km from Alor Star. It was
opened in October 2004 and its main objective is
to exhibit materials and items used in the
cultivations of padi over the years. It also
includes the latest padi technology. We are
required to remove our shoes before entering the
museum.
The Padi Museum is over 12,000 sq.meters and
has three levels. I especially enjoyed the cave
like spiral staircase leading up to the observation
deck, which is an artist view of the countryside.
Various types of T-shirts, handicraft and
souvenirs are sold in the souvenir shop,
including a variety of traditional snacks such as
the 'Kedah biscuit',
It is only right to have a Padi Museum in the 'Rice
Bowl' of Malaysia and that is in the state of
Kedah. Surrounded by rice fields, Kedah is the
number one rice producer in the country.
The Padi Museum is situated in the town of
Gunung Keriang, 8km from Alor Star. It was
opened in October 2004 and its main objective is
to exhibit materials and items used in the
cultivations of padi over the years. It also
includes the latest padi technology. We are
required to remove our shoes before entering the
museum.
The Padi Museum is over 12,000 sq.meters and
has three levels. I especially enjoyed the cave
like spiral staircase leading up to the observation
deck, which is an artist view of the countryside.
Various types of T-shirts, handicraft and
souvenirs are sold in the souvenir shop,
including a variety of traditional snacks such as
the 'Kedah biscuit',
The top level of the Padi Museum is a revolving observation
deck, which is an artist panoramic view of the countryside.
deck, which is an artist panoramic view of the countryside.
Bicycles were used to transport bags of rice
The traditional outfit of the women who
tended the rice fields
tended the rice fields
Local 'Mat Bags' sold at the souvenir shop
| Fort Cornwallis The site where Captain Francis Light landed in 1786. Originally a wooden structure, the fort was rebuilt between 1808 and 1810. Named after Charles Marquis Cornwallis, a distinguished Governor General of India, the fort was designed to protect the harbor from attacks. Much of the old fort still remains today. The grounds have been converted into a public park with an open air theater, Cannons retrieved by the British from pirates still keep guard over the old fort. The most famous of the old cannons is the Seri Rambai, which dates back to the 1600s. Local beliefs have it that infertile women can become fertile by placing flowers in the barrel of the cannon and offering special prayers |
Lunch served 'camp style' at Fort Cornwallis
The Trishaw - A means of transportation in
the early days. Today, the Trishaw is a tourist
attraction
the early days. Today, the Trishaw is a tourist
attraction
Next, we are off the the Padi Museum..................................................................................
An onlooker to all the commotion of have
guest from all over the world
guest from all over the world
Proceed to the Botanic Gardens, the schedule
says ..... so off we go. The Botanic Gardens,
more popularly know as 'Waterfall Gardens'
was established by the British in 1884. The
sprawling 29 hectares of flora and fauna is the
'green lung' for metropolitan Penang. Although
there was much to see and do in the park, what
captivated me most was the monkeys running
loose in the park. Take a look at the pictures.
says ..... so off we go. The Botanic Gardens,
more popularly know as 'Waterfall Gardens'
was established by the British in 1884. The
sprawling 29 hectares of flora and fauna is the
'green lung' for metropolitan Penang. Although
there was much to see and do in the park, what
captivated me most was the monkeys running
loose in the park. Take a look at the pictures.
Have you heard of the Cannonball Tree?
Next, the Botanic Gardens.....................................................................................................
Time to check in at the Holiday Inn Beach
Resort, Batu Feringghi.
Refreshments welcome us at the door as we
arrive at the hotel. As usual there is a scramble
at the reception counter, everyone trying to get
checked in as fast as possible. Hey, this is an
island and the beach is waiting for us ....I don't
blame them.....I'm part of that mad crowd too!!!
I make my way to the beach. I pass through the
coffee house and the pool area. What a
beautiful surrounding. Everyone is in a happy
mood. The sun, sand, water ... and food ....can
anyone ask for more???
Resort, Batu Feringghi.
Refreshments welcome us at the door as we
arrive at the hotel. As usual there is a scramble
at the reception counter, everyone trying to get
checked in as fast as possible. Hey, this is an
island and the beach is waiting for us ....I don't
blame them.....I'm part of that mad crowd too!!!
I make my way to the beach. I pass through the
coffee house and the pool area. What a
beautiful surrounding. Everyone is in a happy
mood. The sun, sand, water ... and food ....can
anyone ask for more???
The beach area at the Holiday Inn
I take off my shoes and sink my toes in the
sand. I look around and see all my fellow
media friends already stripped to their bathing
suits and sprawled out on the lounging chairs.
Gosh, they were fast checking in. Have to find
out their secret of getting through the line. They
already have a tan going.
There is a loud sound coming towards me. It is
behind me and as it get louder, it starts to
scare me. I quickly turn around almost trying to
get away. I stop in my tracks.....because it stops
in its tracks. It is a beautiful brown horse. "Want
to ride on the beach lady?" says the horseman.
That sounds exciting. I start to pat the horse
and ask the man what he calls his horse.
"Ringo" he says. I continue to pat Ringo and he
seems to like it. "How old is he?" I ask, not
wanting to get up on a young horse. I came this
far without breaking any bones and I'd like to go
home intact. "Oh, he is about 7 years old" he
says.
We negotiate the price and I get up on the
horse. I have ridden horses before but that was
a long time ago. "Madam, would you like to ride
him by yourself?" he ask. "Yes, I would" I say.
What an exhilarating experience.....riding a
horse on the beach. Sun shining down on me,
breeze blowing through my hair, waves lapping
on the beach, the sound of Ringo's
footsteps......I feel like I am one with nature and
nothing else matters.
But wait.....there's that familiar sound
again.....galloping sound......here comes three
other horsemen. "Lady, do you want to race?"
sand. I look around and see all my fellow
media friends already stripped to their bathing
suits and sprawled out on the lounging chairs.
Gosh, they were fast checking in. Have to find
out their secret of getting through the line. They
already have a tan going.
There is a loud sound coming towards me. It is
behind me and as it get louder, it starts to
scare me. I quickly turn around almost trying to
get away. I stop in my tracks.....because it stops
in its tracks. It is a beautiful brown horse. "Want
to ride on the beach lady?" says the horseman.
That sounds exciting. I start to pat the horse
and ask the man what he calls his horse.
"Ringo" he says. I continue to pat Ringo and he
seems to like it. "How old is he?" I ask, not
wanting to get up on a young horse. I came this
far without breaking any bones and I'd like to go
home intact. "Oh, he is about 7 years old" he
says.
We negotiate the price and I get up on the
horse. I have ridden horses before but that was
a long time ago. "Madam, would you like to ride
him by yourself?" he ask. "Yes, I would" I say.
What an exhilarating experience.....riding a
horse on the beach. Sun shining down on me,
breeze blowing through my hair, waves lapping
on the beach, the sound of Ringo's
footsteps......I feel like I am one with nature and
nothing else matters.
But wait.....there's that familiar sound
again.....galloping sound......here comes three
other horsemen. "Lady, do you want to race?"
Riding horses on the beach
Off to the beach......................................................................................................................
Later that evening......................................................................................
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.
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
on 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.
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
on 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 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 balancing of 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 free!!!
People, is it going to be a good year!!!
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 balancing of 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 free!!!
People, is it going to be a good year!!!
Riding the trishaw to the Khoo Kongsi
Chingay demonstration
A henna tattoo
Lion statue guarding the Khoo Kongsi
| The Khoo Kongsi is one of many kongsi, or traditional "clan-houses", in Penang where Chinese families gather to worship their ancestors. The original building was started in 1894 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. |
Dinner at the Khoo Kongsi
The dragon dance troupe greeted us at the entrance.
| You can feed the monkey at the Botanic Gardens |
| Keep Fantastic Malaysia in your favorite folder |
New York City
Working with
| Working with Malaysia Healthcare |
| Fantastic Malaysia |
| Beautiful places, beautiful people, beautiful Malaysia |
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |