the Pearl of the Orient

Penang (Pulau Pinang, 槟城) is a state in Malaysia, located on the northwest coast of Peninsular Malaysia. Penang is the second smallest state in Malaysia after Perlis, and the eight most populous. Literally translated, Pulau Pinang means the “Isle of the Betel Nut” in Bahasa (Malaysia’s national language). Penang was born when English captain Francis Light persuaded the Sultan of Kedah to cede Pulau Pinang to the British East India Company. The capital city of Penang is George Town is listed as UNESCO world heritage city together with Malacca on 7 July 2008.

I went to Penang for 3D2N trip together with my friends by taking round-trip flight from Valuair and we overnight at so called limited service hotel, Tune Hotel. We spent most of our time  in Penang by visiting Buddhist temples all around Penang.

Tune Hotel

This is our Penang trip itinerary, as follow -

Depart from Changi Airport, Singapore to Penang International Airport

Day 1

• having breakfast at hawker center near the Penang International Airport — I ordered Penang Hokkien Mie
• Snake temple and some temple nearby
• Fort Cornwallis
• St. George’s Church — unfortunately, the church is closed for renovation until further information
• Goddess of Mercy temple
• having lunch at Penang road — I ordered Assam Laksa, Pasembur and Chendul. I really like the Assam Laksa, especially its soup. Hmm yummy.
• Kek Lok Si temple
• having dinner at New Lane — I ordered Fried Rice
• Upper Penang Road — known as the nightlife area in Penang

Day 2

• having breakfast at hawker center near hotel — I ordered Wanton Mee
• Burmese Buddhist temple and Thai Buddhist temple
• Gurney Plaza
• having lunch at New World Park — I ordered Bulacan Fried Rice
• Penang Hill — we didn’t climb up to the hill actually, just take a look around the entrance
• Batu Ferringhi and night market
• having dinner in Taiwan Fast Food Restaurant at Gurney Plaza

Day 3

• bought Tau Sa Piah — the popular Penang’s local snack
• having breakfast in a Dim Sum Restaurant at Chinatown
• KOMTAR and Prangin Mall
• Quensbay Mall
• having lunch in Pizza Hut at Quensbay Mall

Depart from Penang International Airport to Changi Airport, Singapore

Land of the Morning

Discovered by explorer Ferdinand Magellan in 1521 and colonised by the Spanish for more than 300 years, the Philippines is known for its stunning natural beauty and its warmed people. The geography and history of the Philippines, coupled with its assimilation of diverse foreign cultural influences, has created a unique identity that known as Filipino.

In corporation with Ayala Museum, the Asian Civilisations Museum presents to you its special exhibition about the the cultures of the Philippines from 16 October 2009 to 10 January 2010. Land of the Morning: The Philippines and its People explores the identity of the Filipino poeple, an eclectic blend of diverse local cultures with Spanish, Chinese, Southeast Asian and Islamic influences. It features more than 290 rare and important artefacts such as ancient gold, Catholic icons, tribal artefacts and contemporary artworks from the Ayala Museum, National Museum of the Philippines, the Central Bank of the Philippines and private collections.

Ancient people in the Philippines did not bury their dead body in coffins. They placed the remains of their ancestors in human-shaped jars along with glass beads, shell ornaments and iron blades.