2/11/23
After 6 sea days we have now arrived in Asia. The first indication that we are in Asia was the humidity!! Our first stop is Penang, Malasia.
Penang referred to as the pearl of the Orient or gateway to Asia is a city where European culture is intermingled with Eastern customs, colonial buildings stand next to attap houses. Penang is a Malaysian state located on the northwest coast of Peninsular Malaysia. It is the 7th largest container port in the world.
After docking and as the sun was starting to rise I headed out for a day of exploring Penang! As we boarded the bus it was hard not to notice the bright décor with the fun window drapes. Then the tour guide started singing every other sentence. I think he thought he was trying out for a talent show!!!
Our first stop was the Chung Keng Kooi Mansion, previously a private home belonging to a Chinese Capitan, who was the head of the Hai San secret society. He had seven wives and the last one was only 22 and he was 74 her dresses were on display and she was tiny. The decorative borders on the house were made out of colorful rice bowls that were broken into unique shapes. This house was used in the movie Crazy Rich Asians.
Next was the Thai Buddhist Temple, which houses the fourth largest Reclining Buddha in the world, measuring 108 feet, check out the painted toenails!
Our next stop was at the Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion, a stately Chinese dwelling built by the merchant Cheong Fatt Tze at the end of the 19th century, the mansion has 38 rooms, 5 granite-paved courtyards, 7 staircases and 220 vernacular timber louvre windows. It served as Cheong’s private residence as well as the seat of his business activities in Penang.
Then we were off to the countryside up steep winding roads with a quick stop at a local fruit and spice stall. After an hour of the bus navigating the steep climb we arrived at the Butterfly farm and the fun started.
The Butterfly Farm was set in beautiful landscaped gardens and features over 100 species of live butterflies. The butterflies were everywhere and at one point I had 8 on my hat. Sorry no picture of that as I was too focused on taking pictures of the beautiful butterflies. I am really excited about my butterfly pictures as I was so patient getting the shots even though there were people everywhere who were not paying attention and bumping into me and putting there phones in my way. Meditation is paying off and no tourists were sacrificed in my pursuit of the pictures!!!
Yes, I was the last one back on the bus but I was not late I still had 6 seconds.
Traveling back down the windy road along the coast made for a beautiful sunset.
We travel though the night and tomorrow will be Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
I’m leaving too many comments using the word “amazing” BUT I cannot come up with a better description. Your voyage has got me amped up to go to the local travel agency and start my own tour. Wow.