Penang: Pearl of the Orient Reinvented

Under the new administration of Pakatan Rakyat and DAP, they have shown everyone what a clean and corruption free government can do to the country. The Pearl of the Orient of Penang has been reinvented and brought back to its former glory; in terms of economy as well as tourism and heritage preservation. While all the other states are losing money and tourists due to open corruptions and deadly crimes, Penang is the only state making money even with its limited resources. With more money in the coffer, the administration in turn used it to reinvent the tourism sector as well as heritage preservation of the city now that it is recognized under UNESCO's World Heritage Site. Walking on the tourist friendly streets is a pleasure for everyone with informative signboards everywhere to highlight prominent landmarks. Now there is also a new craze in town called the street art hunt initiated by the state government to encourage more tourists in the old streets. I have never felt safer anywhere in Malaysia walking down the heritage trail hunting for street arts, good food and also at the same time learning the history of Penang. Good job CM Lim Guan Eng, DAP and Pakatan Rakyat. You have done us voters and Malaysians proud.

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Penang and Phuket Combo Trip

Hello all readers. Sorry for the lack of updates. I have been away for holidays and then bogged down with multiple backlogs and work. I took a trip to Penang for my colleague's marriage. Penang food is superb and I don't mind returning there for more.

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Continuing on from Penang, I took a flight to Phuket for my vacation. This small coastal town is the gateway to even more beautiful islands like the Phi Phi Islands. The scenery is just amazing and out of this world. In Thailand, one will not leave the country without trying out the massage. The Thai massage is just so good and cheap. For a person like me who doesn't like massage, I enjoyed it for the first time and did it almost everyday while enjoying the sunset by the beach. What a beautiful life!

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Penang '10

Here are some pictures taken around Penang; particularly the "Tan" jetty which offers great panaromic view of ships in the distance and rustic look of wooden houses on stilts perched above the sea. Big thank you to jonsern for being the tour guide/driver/photographer for the weekend.

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Penang 09

Here are some shots from my weekend stay in Penang. It changed a bit since my last visit 4 years ago. Now there is a huge shopping center at Queensbay. For seafood, forget about crossing the bridge and going to Bkt. Tambun. There is one on the island itself which is even better. Forgot where is the place, but it is located near the Penang Hill.

Going up Penang Hill is a hassle. Perhaps the effect after my trip to Mount Takao in Tokyo. The trains at Mt. Takao are brand new, fast and air conditioned. But the trains here are old, slow and stuffy; with only fans providing ventilation to suffering passengers stuffed in overcrowded cars. The wait for the train is long too.

Anyway, big thank you to Jonsern for being a great host.

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