Having gotten ourselves settled, it was time to head out and do the serious work of being international travel visitors.
A bit of background on Penang and the city of George Town (correctly written as two separate words). Penang is an island. George Town is a city on the island. Unlike Melaka with its centuries of history and multi-cultural overlay of conquest and integration, Penang was not an historically significant place until the late 1800's when the British established George Town (and Singapore as well) in an effort to beef up their influence and control on trade in the Straits of Melaka area. I discussed how the British were about to dismantle Melaka to strengthen the influence of George Town. Eventually, the location of Penang/George Town was not ideal for the purpose of trade control. It began to wither away. Then tin was discovered in the area with an economic boom resulting. George Town became an economic center of the Malay area held by Great Britain. This led to immigration from many areas. However, one of the major ones was Chinese.
During this whole time period of the 18th and 19th century, the was an on-going exodus of Chinese from the Fukien region of China which had gone from prosperous trading economy to poverty due to the late Ming Dynasty closing China off to trade from the outside. Hence the major influence in Penang/George Town resulted from this Chinese immigration with the establishment of clan structures with connections to the homeland. For more information on the history of Penang go here.
With that highly incomplete historical background (hardly worthy of mildly well known historian let alone a Celebrity Historian...and yes I am plugging this Celebrity Historian guy...and being paid big bucks to do so! He buys me lunch once in a while.) let's get on with the photos!
Let's here if for the British Empire with its Town Hall and City Hall Buildings
Why does a city need both a 'town hall' and a 'city hall'?
A fine example of multi-cultural, architectural scaffold sheathing
We were all set to go to the Penang State Museum...however, found it is closed for reasons no one is quite sure of or when it was planning to open again. (Sigh ☹️)
Put there is lovely historical architecture all over this UNESCO Heritage city.
Lovingly converted into a Starbucks. We call this Progress
Some are not pleased
It is the 'official' New Year's holiday and there was some big biking event.
Talking to one of the bikers, turns out this is an around the island ride of 80 kilometers!
There were many opportunities for candid people photos
I got a particular kick out of this scene with a young Mother helmeted up, ready to get on the motor bike with her Husband
Walkways
WHAT! I DON'T BELIEVE IT
The (so far) one and only pedestrian walk light seen on our trip
Peranakan Mansion
The Peranakan are the Malaysians of Chinese descent and they make up a distinct culture within the community.
I found the family temple quite interesting in that the images were much more realistic than in the big temples we've visited.
There were all kinds of examples of highly detailed craft and artistry in gold, beading, etc. This is a design done with particular blue feathers from a humming bird!
George Town is also know for its very substantial Clan Houses that served the Chinese clans over decades and decades. We plan to visit this one the tomorrow.
The multi-cultural is everywhere. Below is an Indian Muslim Mosque
Which is located on a street of Chinese shops
Gastronomy
We ate at a restaurant associated with the Peranakan Mansion which serves a style of cooking known as Noyanya (referring to the Matron of the Peranakan family)
These were Radish Cakes similar to those served in Cantonese style dim sum but with a flavor of the Malaysian fish paste, Balacan. Quite yummy.
We had two dishes with Chicken - Chicken Kapitan and Chicken Rendang that were excellent
Miscellaneous
I think this speaks for itself
Cat contemplating Cats
Thank goodness someone is making vegetarian interesting
It is a Islamic country. This is a must
I know you are waiting for this...would stand in line for it
When I saw this, I thought it really weird, especially the picture of the guy.
Then I looked up the two terms, Shirodhara and Shirovasi, and they are legitimate Ayurvedic medical treatments using oils
Is this an equation?
3 comments:
very enjoyable summary! But can't help reading "international travel visitors" as a gussied up name for "tourist"
I think Starbucks is just a fine inheritor to assume the colonial mantle from prior empires. Who else will spread the gospel of pastel de natas?
I like to think that *I* am making vegetarians interesting, by living my best life.
Did you try the frog porridge?
No Frog Porridge has passed these lips. I've tried frog a number of times. Not something that I find unappealing, just nothing to write home about.
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