Yes, I missed a few days (had a tech glitch) but now hopefully I’m getting back on track. I’ll try to narrate our day and co-ordinate the pictures so you’ll understand what I’m on about. This is from last Friday 27th.
Tania, our flatmate, had a rare day off work so Shane & I suggested we all go out for lunch. Tania being in agreement decided on just where to go only to get us lost. This is not hard in the back alleys of UNESCO protected Georgetown. Eventually we found the cafe she was looking for and after a lunch that Penang is famous for Tania headed off to do some tasks while Shane & I wandered the streets investigating whatever we found. These first four photos are generally indicative of the area in which we were walking. The old colonial architecture is now preserved here and this is what makes the town so interesting. The 4th pic is one that Shane spotted in a window that took her fancy. I’ll try to show more of the architecture as we move on. We were now at an area known as “Little India”.
A bit further along and we came to a beautiful little Chinese church with fantastic detail in the decorations and design. I can only hope you can see the details in these next 8 pics. The first 3 are obviously external shots but if you can have a close look at the rest you’ll see the stone carvings in the pillars and the details of the alters and artworks.
After we’d taken a few pics of this church we then crossed the intersection when I noticed what looked like a small alleyway to nowhere. One advantage of being a foreigner is that you can always claim ignorance as an excuse for getting lost so I wandered up this alley and quickly had my socks knocked off. Wow! Hidden from the street was the Hock Teik Cheng Sin Temple. What a surprise finding. Not knowing for sure if we should be there or not I ventured further in towards the front door to be welcomed in where Shane& I took heaps of pics and climbed to the upper level. Again the detail in the temple’s decor have to be seen to be believed. very ornate and very gorgeous.
We satisfied our need to take photos and moved on up the street. The next photo is taken from just outside of the HTCS temple while the rest we clicked as we dragged our tired bodies up the street. Notice the 2nd picture. This is one of the 52 (or so) famous street art murals all around Georgetown. They are made from iron rods bent and welded together with each artwork telling a story. The 3rd pic is taken under the roof of the building in the 1st pic of this group. It was a very interesting pawnshop/antique wares shop. They also hired out pushbikes and electric scooters.Finally the two pictures of the clocks amused me for some reason. The pendulums tied in with the theme of the clock. Under the sunflower the (blurred) pendulum was another flower and behind that the pendulum in the sea shells clock was a fish. There were endless themes and I wished I could carry one home with me. The last two shots are general street views.
Absolutely knackered we got the free CBD shuttle bus (called a CAT bus) to Komtar (the transport hub of Georgetown), shopped at GAMA (a supermarket) then hobbled home. We were so tired all we had for tea was wine, crackers & cheese before bed.
That will have to do for now. Don’t forget YOU can add your comments or questions to the blog. You’ll only need to submit your name & email the first time you comment. I don’t spam you so its safe!
See you later.
Gaz
They’re only taken with our mobile phones. Must just be my talent!
How’s your knee going? You should be off crutches by now I think. Hope it’s going OK. Give Sandra a hug for us.
G & S
good photos gary