Wat Chaiya Mangalaram (Reclining Buddha Temple), a Thai Buddhist Temple which is a popular tourist attraction in Penang.
Colour statues of mystical creatures and dragons "guarding" the entrance of the temple.
Statue of the Reclining Budhha is the main attraction of the Wat (temple). Built in 1957, this status is 33m long and 10m high, making it the largest in Malaysia and third largest in the world.
The foot of the statue of the reclining budhha. They are huge, aren't they?
Penang Botanic Gardens, a place to see monkeys!
A Cannon Ball Tree.
Flower of Cannon Ball Tree
Lanterns along the stairway leading up to Kek Lok Si Temple @ Air Hitam. Kek Lok Si Temple was founded more than 100 years ago, is one of the most popular attractions in Penang.
Beautiful garden and pond at the Kek Lok Si Temple ground. Abundance of lanterns everywhere in Kek Lok Si.
The 7-storey high Pagoda of Rama VI (aka 10,000 Buddha Pagoda) is the main attraction of Kek Lok Si Temple. Built in 1930. This pagoda combines a Chinese octagonal base with a middle tier of Thai design, and a Burmese crown; reflecting the temple's embrace of both Mahayana and Theravada Buddhism.
A large prayer hall.
Interior of the large prayer hall. Very beautiful and intricate wall and ceiling designs.
The whole ceiling in this small prayer hall is covered by lanterns!
Candles lighted up by believers.
From here, one could get a good view of Air Hitam and its vicinity.
Foot of Bukit Bendera or Penang Hill.
This tram moves like a snail!
View of the city, from Penang Hill. Penang island is connected to Seberang Prai in the mainland of Peninsular Malaysia by Penang Bridge which was opened in 1985.
Not that many high-rise buildings in Penang.
Komtar Building. This 65-storey building is the tallest in Penang.
A tram seen on our way down.
Khoo Kongsi clan temple, one of the best examples of Chinese temple architecture and craftsmanship in SEA that was built in 1906. This was our first-stop in exploring George Town's heritage trail by foot.
Khoo Kongsi displays fine stone carving, wood carving, painting on wood and fresco paiting. Just look at the details of this part of the roof of the temple.
One of the two "Indian Guards" guarding in front of the temple.
Another "Indian Guard", armed with a rifle.
The front wall of the temple, a very complicated stone-carving.
Painting on the wall in the temple.
Another fine work of wood carving - the centre piece of the main hall of the temple.
Another view of the roof-top.
Trishaw ride is another not-to-be-missed in Penang. We went on it for a 3-minute ride from Khoo Kongsi to our next destination.
Kapitan Keling Mosque, crowned with onion-shape copper domes, is the largest historic mosque in George Town. This mosque is used by Muslims 5 times a day, everyday of the week.
A cannon on the ground of the Kapitan Keling Mosque.
The minaret of Kapitan Keling Mosque.
There is also a cemetery.
Sri Mariamman Hindu Temple, viewed from Kapitan Keling Road. The oldest Hindu temple in town.
A coconut juice seller at Little India.
Little India. We found this place dirty and noisy (loud Indian music). In fact, we were shocked to see two dead rats along the corridors!
Penang Peranakan Mansion. This was one of the shooting sites for the Little Nyonya drama that was a hit in Singapore!
Lots of red lanterns on the mansion ground.
A very impressive place not to be missed! This mansion showcases more than 1,000 antiques and collectibles, including intricate and beautiful Nyonya embroidery work, that represent the Peranakan culture.
One of the rooms with a Tok Panjang (long table). Just look at the splendid designs and interior.
Many Tok Panjang are on display in this Mansion. This is just one of them.
A framed embroidery work. Many are on display on the second floor of the mansion.
This area on the second floor (near the staircase) showcases lots of Peranakan jewelry and embroidery work (on the walls).
Lots of handmade beaded sandals, a characteristic work of the Nyonyas.
Kebaya dresses.
A typical Peranakan bridal chamber (1900's to 1920's). Featuring red and gold carved Namwood canopy bed and bedroom suite.
Nyonya bride's wedding crowns.
A dressing table.
See what are placed under the bridal bed!
A very old camera.
Nyonya wares porcelain sets. Featuring the Phoenix and Peony. Imported from China, from the emperors Tung Zhi and Guang Shu eras (1962 - 1908)
This twin-chair placed facing the balcony, is very unqie.
Balcony.
Wash basin.
Vaseline Glass Epergnes from England. Table centrepieces used for displaying flowers (trumpet vases) and fruits (the base)
A western style setting.
Another western-style Tok Panjang.
Pictures showing the mansion before and after restoration.
A room behind the mansion.
Looks like a room to entertain guests.
Kitchen area.
Molds for making nyonya kuehs.
Spices used for making nyonya cuisins.
St George's Church, the oldest Anglican church in Malaysia.
Penang High Court (back view)
A relative small museum but worth the visit. Photography in the museum is not allowed.
Penang District Court.
Penang High Court (front view), opposite District Court.
Sri Pinang Hall
This fountain next to the Town Hall is one of Penang's many Victorian memories. It was donated by Koh Seang Tat, who in 1869 entertained the Duke of Edinburgh at his new residence along the present Duke Road.
Penang Town Hall, which has a ballroom and theatre, was where the town's elite gathered for social function.
Penang City Hall.
Cenotaph, dedicated to those who died in World War I.
Fort Cornwallis.
Kachang Puteh man in front of Fort Cornwallis.
Queen Victoria Memorial Clock Tower.
Betel Nut structure.
Gurney Drive food centre.
Said to be the world's largest toy museum, this place indeed has a large collection of toys but I think too large the collection for such a small floor area. The shelves are of poor quality and not properly maintained (full of dust!).
Golden Sands Resort by Shangri-La @ Batu Ferringhi Beach.
Batu Ferringhi beach.
Variety of beach activities such as aquabike, para-sailing, horse-riding are available by the beach but take at your own risk!
Sunset at Batu Ferringhi Beach.
1926 Heritage Hotel, the oldest Hotel in Penang.
Tropical Fruit Farm at Telok Bahang.
King of fruits - durians.
Do you know what these are? We saw them for the first time. They are dragon fruit plants!
A young yellow-skin dragon fruit.
Red-skin dragon fruit.
Tamarind (or assam).
We were shown many types of tropical fruits during this visit, many of them were unknown to us, just like this one. I forgot its name!
A soursop-look-alike fruit. Again, I can't remember its name.
???
Belinjau (or Melinjau).
Putat
Soursop
Our guide said these are used to make Ribena drinks!
Pulasan which look like Rambutan when ripen.
Jackfruit, said to be largest fruit in the world.
Telok Bahang dam, seen from tropical fruit farm.
Lots of scorpions and ...
giant millipedes.
Mexican Red Knee Tarantula.
Leopard Gecko.
Queensbay Mall, the largest shopping mall in Penang. It is really huge. One day is not enough to cover all the shops and boutiques.
Chinese New Year decoration at Queensbay Mall.
Watch movie here! This is from China.
The miniatures are fantastic work of a master from China.
And this is the man! End of album.
