Penang - continued

Lots of tripping around the past couple of days. We have been out to Batu Ferringhi via Tanjong Bungah (where we used to live) - so many changes and this area is now in danger of overdevelopment. There are multistory buildings on hillsides that used to have regular landslips. Hope the foundations are good or that they are all insured.  Saw the old house in Wee Hein Tze as we went through on the bus but didn't stop to take pictures - too many changes and it doesn't feel familiar anymore!

Spent some time looking through some of the older areas of George Town which are now under UNESCO listing. We started off at Kota (Fort) Cornwallis where the first Europeans set up camp in 1786...

where we spotted Francis Light surveying his kingdom. For those who may be unaware, Francis Light was the business partner of James Scott, my research topic. :)  Then off to St George's Church on Farquhar Street...

 

Then a walk down Pitt St now known as Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling or Harmony Street as it features a mosque, Indian temple and chinese temples.

 

Last night we went up Penang Hill but unfortunately the haze was dreadful and we were lucky to see the lights of Air Itam below.

 

Today we went to Pulau Tikus to look at the Burmese and Thai Buddhist temples which are opposite one another in Burma Lane. The Burmese temple was abuzz with activity as there is a festival tomorrow. The temple has changed since our last visit with a new building now behind the existing temple.

 

(More pictures for you when I get home Cho :)

 

Then across the road to the Thai temple to see the Reclining Buddha...

 

Tonight we had our last opportunity to eat Penang makan and we went to a street stall in Transfer Rd. Food was great. We had murtabak at this stall last night and tonight Peter had the same while I had nasi goreng.  It bucketed down just as we were finishing and we were kept amused by the stall owners putting out buckets to catch the rain before washing the floor with stiff brooms.  Ah Penang, moments like that are priceless :)