PENANG, MALAYSIA MARCH 20,2008
Penang is a state in Malaysia located on the northwest coast of Peninsular Malaysia by the Strait of Malacca. Penang may be the most famous island in Malaysia. Priceless architecture centers mainly in Georgetown, the capital of the “Pearl of the Orient”. Its endless rows of 100 year-old shop-houses and colonial villas give Georgetown its distinctive atmosphere.
Penang was venue to several blockbuster movies, such as “Anna and the King” (the Jodie Foster version) and the French film “Indochina” (in which Catherine Denuve starred).
Our tour started with a 197-step climb up the Penang hill to the Kek Lok Si or Temple of Paradise. It is the largest Buddhist temple in South East- Asia and dedicated to the Goddess of Mercy and reflects the Chinese influence.
The Reclining Buddha Temple features the traditional Thai Buddhist temple.
The Dharmikarama Temple was a stop representing the Burmese style.
It is funny to be visiting all of these temples just a couple of days before we have one of the holiest days in the Christian calendar Easter.
After a lunch where we were entertained by some very talented Malaysian dancers we traveled to the Penang Butterfly Farm. Here, just as with the orchids in Singapore, I had trouble selecting which of the pictures of these beautiful creatures to attach.
At the end of the visit there was an enormous Rhinoceros Beatle that Judy thought it would be nice to have a picture with.
