Penang, Malaysia
July 2013
Jurassic Park
Location : North Butterworth Container Terminal
Early in the morning, as the sun slowly creeps up from the horizon, the hinges of the huge metal dinosaurs creek as they slowly come alive and start the work day...
Makan Sutra, Singapore & Newton Circus, Singapore
Location : Red Garden Food Paradise, Jalan Penang
At over 30,000 sq ft, it is one of the largest in Penang with 200 tables and nearly 30 stalls serving all types of food under one roof - local Penang specialities like Mee Goreng, Char Kueh Teow, Curry Mee, Hokkien Prawn Mee and many other famous dishes around the world - BBQ Seafood, Thai, Indian, Filipino, Chinese, Fusion Japanese, Hainanese Chicken Rice, Fish Head Curry, Western Food and Nonya Desserts. The food's worth being a glutton for...
National Day Parade, Singapore
Location : Colonial District
On the same night (Saturday) as the NDP rehearsal in Singapore, fireworks lit up the sky in Penang. These were part of Bon Odori Festival 2013 held in the Esplanade Penang. In clusters, they burst open, sending their colourful sparks across the night sky and warmed the hearts of all those present...
Somewhere In Holland
Location : Car-Free Zone
As part of its cleaner and greener campaign, the Penang State Government has introduced Car Free Sunday in certain parts of Georgetown. The campaign was launched on 11th December 2011 by Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng and incorporates stretches of roads within the heritage core zone. Car Free Sunday has encouraged families to come out with their children, roller blading, cycling or generally enjoying the quietness of the streets...
Peace Hotel, Shanghai & Raffles Hotel, Singapore
Location : Eastern & Oriental Hotel, Farquhar Street
The Eastern & Oriental Hotel (popularly known as the E&O) is a colonial-style hotel in Penang that was established in 1885 by the Sarkies Brothers. The sea-fronting hotel is known for its luxurious accommodation and restaurants. Be it at dawn or in the light of evening chandeliers, both the facade and the interior gleam of the majesty of a bygone era...
Mount Faber, Singapore
Location : Penang Hill
These are mobile viewfinders. Every morning, the Indian caretaker will ride up the hill on his bike and place a row of them overlooking the expanse of scenery below that is Georgetown. And every evening, after sunset, he unlocks each and every one of these brightly-coloured viewfinders and ferries them back on his bike. Thus is his daily routine for tourist dollars...
Gotham City, New York (Fictional)
Location : Upper Penang Road
Just days before the super moon in July 2013, the moon was already big, white and bright. When blocked by the angular structure of a building, it looked really ominous. Watch out! The Penguin and Joker could appear any minute...
Church of the Nativity, Singapore
Location : Church of the Assumption, Farquhar Street
The Church of the Assumption was founded in 1786, when Captain Francis Light first came to Penang, Malaysia. It is located in Farquhar Street, George Town, within the Heritage Core of the city. This church was the seat of the Bishop of Penang from 1955-2003 and it is also a World Heritage Church. Step into it and feel the passage of time pass by...
Sri Mariamman Temple, Singapore
Location : Sri Mahamariamman Temple, Queen Street
Built in 1833, the Arulmigu Sri Mahamariamman Temple or Queen Street Indian Temple is the oldest Hindu temple in Penang, Malaysia. Also known as Mariamman Temple, like its namesake in Singapore, it features fascinating sculptures of gods and goddesses over its main entrance and facade...
Somewhere In Australia
Location : David Brown's Strawberry Hill, Penang Hill
Alfresco dining in the open amidst cool crisp evening air and surrounded by the sounds of nature, far away from the hustle and bustle of city life. So unlike warm and humid South-East Asia...
Malacca
Location : Streets
Along tourist spots in Penang, trishaws abound with riders waiting for passengers to ferry for a small fee. Today, on car-free Sunday, senior citizens were given a treat by 94.5 FM as they were given a ride around downtown Penang. Smiley faces abound as they enjoy a leisurely ride along the peaceful city streets...
Padang, Singapore
Location : Esplanade, Penang
The Padang, or field, outside Fort Cornwallis was where parades, military practices and sporting events were held. Today it is called Padang Kota Lama, or Field of the Old Fort, but many locals simply call it The Padang. It is also emptier today than it was during the colonial era. The Penang Sports Club (Cricket Section) and the Penang Recreation Club used to have their clubhouse on the Padang (similar to the structures still standing on the Padang in Singapore)...
Toa Payoh, Singapore
Location : Campbell Lane
Battery-powered cars like these were the delight of kids in the 20-30 years ago as they were offered in open spaces in HDB estates like Toa Payoh. It is endearing to see them again here in another country in this age where kids in Singapore entertain themselves on iPads and iPhones...
Phuket, Thailand
Location : Batu Ferringhi
Available for rental to skim the waves. More likely that you will end up bouncing your butt on one and hitting your jaw with the handlebars due to the strong waves...
Johor Bahru, Malaysia
Location : Busy roads outside Prangin Mall
Prangin Mall is located near the Komtar bus interchange where dozens of Rapid Penang buses drive through enroute to other locations round Penang island. To be safe, cross the road only at the traffic junctions...
Pontian, Malaysia
Location : Air Itam
Away from the bustle of city life, eating becomes a simpler affair as locals park their bikes and dine alongside roadside stalls serving all types of delicious local cuisine. No need for carparks, no need for kopitiams, no need for fancy restaurants and cutlery.
Pulau Ubin, Singapore
Location : Air Itam
As the bus moves away from the city, the houses decrease in height to single-storeyd zinc-roofed huts like these. Just like the ones in Pulau Ubin...
Mount Hakodate, Hokkaido
Location : Penang Hill
Like the butterfly that lights up at night to attract the squid, Georgetown at sunset lights up, speck by speck, until a sea of glittering diamonds lie beneath the 830m Penang Hill. Across the Penang Straits the lights continue into the mainland town of Butterworth. 1 diamond, 2 diamonds, 3 diamonds...
Sanya, Hainan, China
Location : Batu Ferringhi
A clear expanse of private beach for each hotel located within a bay with clean waters and soft white sand. Sounds just like Sanya with its stretch of five-star hotels and their own exclusive private beaches. Better still, the one here is empty of people with huts all unoccupied...
Somewhere In England
Location : David Brown's Strawberry Hill, Penang Hill
Have your afternoon tea in a cottage with "mantelpiece" lined with the finest crockery and glasses, or have your supper at a table and while your time away by the sofa with a vase of fresh white roses...
Victoria Peak, Hong Kong
Location : Penang Hill Railway
Somewhere In Beijing
Location : Bayview Hotel
These two posters look like something you will find in a Beijing museum. In actual fact, they are just replicas found in a nightspot in a hotel.
Marina Bay & Tanjong Pagar, Singapore
Location : Georgetown
StarHub had something to say about their coverage. So they flew their airship all over Singapore from 2000-2002. Likewise, Sephora had something to say about their products. So they flew their airship all over the port area of Penang. Maybe they have a new line or promotion for port workers?
Chinatown, Singapore
Location : Tai Tong Restoran, Cintra Street
Dumplings that ooze out juices every time you bit into one. Fishballs that bounce when you cut them with a scissors. Crispy prawn balls that crunch with each bite. Wash everything down with premium Pu'Erh Tea. That's yummy Tai Tong dimsum...
Armenian Church & Supreme Court, Singapore & Stock Exchange, Brussels
Location : St. George's Church, Farquhar Street
St. George's Church on Lebuh Farquhar is the oldest Anglican church in Southeast Asia. The landmark church was completed in 1818 at the initiative of the Penang Colonial Chaplain, Reverand Robert Sparke Hutchings (best known for his later founding of the Penang Free School) and consecrated on 11 May 1819 by the Bishop of Calcutta, Thomas Fanshawe Middleton. On 6 July 2007, the church was declared one the 50 National Treasures of Malaysia by the Malaysian government, and underwent a major restoration in 2009. Step into the church every Sunday at 0830h and 1030h to attend a service...
Godzilla-Predator Hybrid, Tokyo
Location : Cintra Street
It's something that will pop out of a Japanese anime movie. A creature of your wildest nightmares that is assembled from recycled parts that attach themselves to its body and become part of its impenetratable armour. With this titanium and steel bodyplate, it is practically indestructible!
Ahem.
This is just an action figure found in an optical shop.
Plaza Singapura, Singapore
Location : Gurney Plaza
The taitais' favourite budget store is there in Gurney! Only that each item is at RM5, which doesn't make it much of a bargain most times. (RM$2.5 = S$1)
Paris, France
Location : Macaron Cafe, Gurney Plaza
Pierre Hermé, Ladurée, Château Blanc... A macaron is a sweet meringue-based confection made with eggs, icing sugar, granulated sugar, almond powder or ground almond, and food colouring. French? No. Malaysian. Recommended by the Tiger Tales, the inflight magazine of Tiger Airways, and a lot cheaper than most of its competitors at RM3 each. A bite of it brings one back to the sweetness of Paris...
Bintan, Indonesia
Location : Batu Ferringhi
Located at the border between the pool and the beach, these little huts provide shelter (more often, "storage space") for swimmers' barangs. They are so like the ones at Bintan where masseurs ply their trade to give hotel guests a good rub down after a day of swimming...
Ah Gong's Front Porch, Singapore
Location : Love Lane
In days of yore, Ah Gong had a cane furniture set in his front porch. It consisted of a few cane chairs which were airy yet sturdy and a wooden table just like this. On the table was a pack of red or blue poker cards, or maybe the occasional SIA set. If there were guests, a few Tiger Beer coasters were placed...
Sources
Disclaimer : The linkages are purely the colourful perspective and limited world view of Merlion Wayfarer. They represent what she linked them to at first glance. For enjoyment purposes only. Do not bash her up!
