'Love Boat' Restaurant

 Used to be where marriage matches were made. Was in a sorry state of decay. 

But now getting a new lease of life.  I had dinner here in 1992 or 93.  I will again,  hopefully later this year.

Phoenix and Dragon dance.

The dragon does not chase the Phoenix, as you might image,  he chases the pearl of wisdom.  The spinning ball always leading him on. 

The bird circles the dragon and seems to be mocking the poor dragon's efforts to gain the wisdom he seeks.

CNY at 1st Ave.

All the Penang Malls this year seem to have been competing to house the biggest and best lantern.  Like a giant jelly fish hanging over your head!!

 We were there this day for the lion, tiger and I don't know what animal dance.

 After a lot of head shaking and generally intimidating the general public,

Mildred and friends decided to go up the escalator and create chaos on the first floor.

Seemed a good point in the proceedings to go have afternoon tea. Very nice kaya toast they do.

Penang Airport Refurbish.

All the turmoil of change was worth it.  A new wave has broken over the old airport halls.  Back to a Penang easy pace again.  Great, clever design.

E&O

 The new wing and car park for the E&O opened just before Christmas. Not as pretty as the old part,  so pictured that.

 Blue sky and green sea.

When the water front garden is fully open,  perhaps E&O can boast the longest of all sea front lawns, as it did in days gone by.

Genting Hill,...Again?

We keep going back.  This model is made completely from Carlsberg beer cans.  Even the rigging. the time it must have taken.

And the girls insisted on durians...........but at another table.  They whiff,  you know.

Francis's Garden house.

The place where Captain Light built his garden house, Suffolk House, on his pepper estate.  This is not the original house Francis built, some time between 1786 and his death in 1794, but a later residence which has been restored to it's 1818 glory.  It don't look much but it is such a gem I have archived images in The Gallery.  Follow link for more photographs and information on this treasure of a  house.

But we were there for afternoon tea, don't you know.

Guaranteed to make my soul mate happy!!!

Straits Quay.

Another new mall complex.

 Firs and palms.  Nice.

 These places are still very quiet, empty even.  So, come before they are discovered.  Really great to sit and sip your coffee in the quiet.

A bell in a belt.  Cute.

Penang hill - Year End 2011

 Bonding in the Botanics.  Or are they comfirming rank?

 No excuse.  I love PH.  Could move here and cut the cars cable.

David Brown's done out for Christmas.  Had the place to ourselves.  Another magic moment.

Towards Batik Pulau.

Another place needing a car for us to visit.  The road across the hill opposite our flat. Love these hills.

 Clear to see the new development.  BUT the old town centre is still there.  Long be it so.

Relau Met. Park

Who would have guessed that this lovingly cared for park was here?  Right next to the Relau Villa.  Part of the park is in the old Villa's grounds.  Doubly hope that the heritage effort reaches Relau.  What a place this would be with a restored Villa complete with swimming pool.

Has hill jogging for the fool hardy and a collection of all sorts of fruiting trees.  Magic.

Relau Villa

 We could have walked to this place. but we are softies.

 All the decaying wood work has been cleared and the remaining faced brick core of the building is in quite good condition.  Really hope the heritage guys and gals turn their attention to this little gem.  check out this LINK for more info on the Villa.

Shrine close at hand, complete with thieving monkey,  bless them.

Sam Poh Temple

We took advantage of Linden's visit as an excuse to hire a car and visit a couple more of the places where the buses don't go.

 

The main man.  Cheng Ho.  This guy's doings makes Christopher look like a novice and his ships dinghies

The work on the second Penang island/mainland bridge is well progressed.  Could be finished end 2013.  With 40% more cars recorded arriving on the island than leaving before Christmas,  not sure we should have a new bridge leading to an island car park.