Doll House - Black and White

 Pictures framed and hung. Roast chicken for lunch.  Sometimes I think I must be out to lunch.

At the back of the dinning room a pantry.  The first model furniture I have made in years.

Penang Life - Dawn.

An exceptional morning sky.  could be due to volcanic activity in Sumatra or the pesky smog we are suffering at the moment.  But amazing, if only for 5 mins.  Had to dash for the camera.  The sky was changing so quickly.

Book - Chinese Houses of South East Asia.

By Ronald Knapp.  A lovely book, covering houses built by the Chinese sojourners and settlers in SE Asia during the Victorian and Edwardian period. Countries covered include not only Singapore and Malaysia but also, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia and the Philippines.   For me the book was a real find, it having loads of lush interiors photographed for each of the houses described.  On top of the architectural interest, Ronald also researched the background as to who had the houses built and a potted history of the house and it's inhabitants through to the present day.  To round off things off, the book ends with descriptions of  the houses some of the SE Asia settlers went back home to China to build. 

Chinese New Year - 2014

As usual, 15 days of fireworks and all sorts of entertainments around the island.  So what do we do?  Stay at home and avoid the crowds!!!  Here a full sized atap roofed house built inside Queens Bay Mall.  Why?

Book - The New Machiavelli.

A good read, if you have any interest in the workings, or none workings of the political machine. 

Book - Nelson's Battles

We have recently joined the Penang Library.  Our local Bayan Baru branch is housed in a single shop space in the mall opposite us here in 1-Sky.  The total area given over to shelving for books is smaller than our living room here.  So,  what are the chances of finding in there a book, written in English, on events from over 200 years ago in Europe that had a profound effect on the future of the British Empire?  Well, a very good chance it appears.  Amazing.

Penang Life - Genting Hill

We also tripped up Genting hill for lunch. 

Not a good day for the old photography, since Penang seems to be suffering from Cambodian/Loas smog these day.  The east and then west monsoon used to bring sailing ships here, now they bring smoke.

Penang Life - Betong fishing village.

We had a drive around the island with Chris in his motor,  just to inspect the estate, you understand, and called in at Betong to buy some fresh fish for tea.

We weren't the only ones, loads of folks came with the same idea.  De fish was delish. 

Penang Life - Ernest Zacharevic Exhibition.

Ernest Zacharevic is a young Lithuania-born artist who has been "making a scene" on the streets of George Town for a year or so now.  His usual canvases are the dilapidated shophouse walls around the town area.

For this, his solo exhibition in a little more conventional setting,  well a disused art deco bus depot dating from the 50's, he has canvases of discarded items....OK, he has painted on rubbish.

 Very striking art works they are too.

 His work around the town has certainly entertained the tourists and locals alike and has encouraged not few imitators.

 Mind you, Johor State didn't rate his work very highly, they whitewashed over his street art in JB recently.

 Never mind, Penang loves his work.

 Wonder how this exhibition space will move on to the next event?

Ernest seems to have created a permanent presence for himself here.

Penang Life - Air Itam Dam

A revisited to the dam at dusk.

On this visit we spotted a monkey with a very young baby.  Cursed myself for not bring my Canon.

No problem this this guy making a quick-stage-left exit.  Who you looking at?  this is my patch.

Penang Life - THAIPUSAM holiday from the balcony.

 Everyone was in holiday mood this day, from post hopping lion dogs

 to the lads at footy,

 and young ladies out for a stroll.

Even our local bull had his party hat atop his crown.

To end the day we were treated to one of Penang's colorful dusks.  Magic.

Friends of the Gallery Photo Show

A new exhibition on the Gallery,

Friends of the Gallery

Ten friends, 40 images from 14 countries.  Click the link to view in a separate window.

Penang Life - Artist in Residence.

Gek in her studio,  a shelf 19 storey up in the Sky.

Penang life - The Green Corridor

Malaysia, the country of strong colours, in this case shocking green.  A shock on the way to the loo. Turned the corner and wham!!!  Amazing how a colour can freak you out.

Penang Life - New Year's Eve 2014

A treat from our balcony, looking towards the east and Queensbay Mall, 5 mins of crazy fireworks to welcome in 2014. 

Penang Life - Boxing Day

 The old bungalows,  still in need of much TLC.

 And KOMTAR which perhaps also needs some attention these days.

But that is not our concern up here in the cool Hill air.  Another lovely, and quiet lunch at the Bellevue Hotel, which is getting some TLC.  The snakes are back but safely contained in glass cases.

Penang Life - Christmas Day

 

For peace and quiet,  the southern most tip of Penang - Gertak Sanggul.

Gek discussing the options for our sea food dinner, fresh from the boats.. 

China House

A riveting read.  Time for a 'selfie'.  Where did that stomach come from?  I hadn't ordered yet.

Bomba Station.

Back to the street.   Before 1909 the police handled fires, causing confusion for this poor chap.  Pick my rifle or my hose?

Don't be fooled by the girlie pink decor,  these guys have some serious machinery in there.

Made in Penanag - Nonsense Me.

OK, I lied.  Not so stuffy.  Giving myself nightmares.

Made in Penang - 3D Interactive Art

 

The idea is to go and stand by the larger than life figures and strike a suitable pose,

 play the saxophone for Ramlee,

 help makeup a Chinese Opera singer,

or use a henna cone to decorate an Indian beauty.

I am, of course, too mature for all this frivolity,  but Gek did chance her hand with the snake.

Made in Penang - Models

A new attraction in the Heritage Zone on Weld Quay, a 3D and interactive art museum along the lines of Ernest, our resident Lithuanian street artist.  The models attract me of course and i was hoping to arrange to meet the creator,  Khoo Chooi Hooi, but he has taken himself off to China

 

 The water front scene is some 30 + feet long and took Chooi Hooi a year to make.

Love the detail and the individualised faces on the figures,

Very impressed was I.

Penang Moon

Who needs to go into space when you can see the wonders from Earth?  No tricks, honest!!

Penang Life

The most chilled taxi drivers on the planet?