131206 Pulau Pinang

About 36 hours after arriving home from the Middle-East and a quick trip to Bratislava for work, I was on my way to Penang, Malaysia.  This time though, I flew over the Pacific Ocean from LAX, on an Airbus A380 double-decker.  While I always enjoy the excellent service of Singapore Airlines, even in economy class, I did not find any difference between the A380 and any other long-haul airplanes manufactured around the same year.  An economy seat is a seat in coach is an economy seat.  The age of the aircraft may have more influence on passenger's comfort than its model.  Obvious point, maybe.

Cloudy weather welcomed me to the island of Penang, Malaysia, also known as Pulau Pinang.  After checking into my hotel, I took a short walk around George Town, which is the capital of island of Penang.  I started at the ruins of Fort Cornwallis, then proceeded along the Esplanade, and turned toward the center of town.  But heavy rain set in and I had to return to my hotel.

Penang, Malaysia: a view from my hotel.

Along the Esplanade in Penang, Malaysia.

Queen Victoria Memorial Clock Tower.

The week was taken up by work.  The Malaysian distributor representing my company was very accommodating.  A conference room was rented at the hotel where I was staying for the conduct of business.  Consequently, my commute for the week was a short elevator ride.  The hotel is within walking distance from one of the top shopping center in Penang.  I was able to enjoy tasty local cuisine during lunch breaks.

Every evening, my local host took me to various locations, from hilltop restaurant to hawker centers, to experience all kinds of delicious cuisines, ranging from Malay to Thai to Indian.  One evening, we were in a covered passageway, with a wall covered with a photo collage.  One of the pictures was of a celebrity chef.  Regardless of whether this particular famous cook did eat here or not, all dishes were great.

Food court in an alley between 2 buildings.

Work finished earlier than scheduled on the last day.  Taking advantage of this situation, my host took me on a little tour of Pulau Pinang.  Our first stop was a street stall near Kek Lok Si Temple.  The only dish served there is Penang Laksa, a fish noodle soup.  There were so many customers; we had to share a table with another person.  My host was worried I might dislike the strong taste of this dish.  But I found it to be delightful and delectable.

Making Malay laksa on the street of Penang, Malaysia.

We then proceed up a narrow covered alley, lined with booths on both sides, selling various types of merchandise.  Kek Lok Si Temple is a beautiful and impressive complex built on the side and at the top of a hill.  The architecture is mainly Chinese with influence from Thai and Burmese.  The operations of this temple are supported by "donations" from the faithfuls.  One can "purchase" prayer ribbons, candles, lanterns and customize them with names and special requests. While this concept may seem strange and questionable to Western mindset, it is perfectly logical and acceptable to the local people.  It is no different than passing the contribution basket during a service in a Christian church.  After all, pagodas, temples and churches are worldly institutions with their earthly needs.  With that in mind and since I enjoyed this elegant complex, I wished to contribute to its upkeep.  I was introduced to the program to re-roof one of the larger buildings.  For the modest amount I donated, my name was written on a tile for its new roof.

Teaching his children to pray at the Kek Lok Si Temple.

Writing my name on a tile to be used in re-roofing the Kek Lok Si Temple.

Kek Lok Si Temple.

After a quick visit to the gigantic bronze statue of Kuan Yin, the bodhisattva of compassion, and its surroundings, my host drove me to base of Penang Hill.  We took the funicular to the top which is the highest point of Pulau Pinang.  There was a large crowd that very nice day, savoring the spectacular sights and the amenities of the local resort.  Unfortunately, the afternoon haze prevented me capturing the picturesque views.  While there, we hiked to the Monkey Cup Garden.  The caretaker of this garden gave us a personal tour of this fascinating place.  A monkey cup is a plant with a pitcher like structure at the end of each leaf, filled with sticky nectar to attract and trap insects.  The diversity of these nepenthes was amazing.  Even though these carnivorous plants are the feature attraction, the garden also has many other interesting plants too.  At the end of the tour of the garden, the guide introduce me to a very large black scorpion.  In spite of its intimidating size, I had no fear of having it on my forearm.  As it dug in its feet to fight gravity, it imparted a ticklish sensation. 

Vampire monkey cup.

Show-off.

My last full day in Penang ended with a delightful dinner with my host and his wife at a popular street corner full of stalls selling a variety of appetizing dishes, from fresh fruit juice to char siu noodle.  The large crowd there testified to the deliciousness of the food at that location.  Had my stomach have room, I would sample every menu item on that street corner.

Making curry mee on the street of Penang, Malaysia.

Making fresh fruit juice on the street of Penang, Malaysia.

Dinner on the street of Penang, Malaysia.

Since my flight out of Penang did leave until late afternoon, I ventured out one more time before sunrise.  The Masjid Terapung, also known as the Floating Mosque, was my choice destination.  It is an elegant building projected out to sea.  Unfortunately for me, the tide was low, exposing the sandy beach below.  The people tending to this mosque were very friendly in welcoming me in, even at those early hours.

Masjid Terapung Tanjung Bunga, also known as the Floating Mosque.

On my way to the airport, I requested the taxi driver to stop by the Fu Xing Gong Temple, commonly known as the Snake Temple.  The snakes are said to come there on their own.  And people are at this pagoda to worship Buddha, not the snakes. 

Fu Xing Gong Temple in Penang, Malaysia.

During my layover at Singapore Changi Airport on my journey home, I discovered the new Terminal 3 has an amazing tropical butterfly garden.  A first at an airport and a welcome distraction.  Even though their island home is small, everything the Singapore people do is first class.

Butterfly garden at the Changi International Airport in Singapore.

This trip was my last for the 2013 calendar year.  And what a year it was.  I had the very good fortune of benefiting from the hard work of colleagues through out the world, from Singapore to Europe and the US.  I was able to visit many countries, cities, towns and localities other people dreamt of.  I thank each and every colleague.  On a few trips, I had the pleasure of the company of my lovely wife.  I thank my beautiful spouse for being so patient when I went on these business trips and welcoming me home every time.  

I so look forward to 2014.

More pictures of my trip to Pulau Pinang, Malaysia, are posted at https://picasaweb.google.com/108013863525571472697/131206Penang02.  And as always, your comments and critiques of this blog and associated pictures are welcome.  Thank you for visiting.

Enjoy,
Paul