Penang Kek Lok Si Temple 2009

Welcome to Kek Lok Si Temple

The Kek Lok Si Temple is a Buddhist temple situated in Air Itam in Penang Malaysia and is one of the best known temples on the island. It is the langest Buddhist temple in Southeast Asia.

姓周桥桥民搭上入遗列车 全槟第一家水上民宿

搭上乔治市入遗列车，姓周桥出现槟城第一家水上民宿！

自从乔治市申遗成功，具有商业头脑的姓周桥桥民周秀萍（31岁），随之发动全家人将水上屋转为民宿，并备有晚餐、自由餐、游艇出海游、住宿看日出的一站式享受。
周秀萍指出，水上屋的姓周桥拥有逾百年历史，而且座落在古迹核心区，身为桥民有必要给予积极推动，让文化古迹“活起来”；将水上屋转为民宿，除了可让国内外游客感染姓氏群聚浓郁色彩的氛围，也深切感受在海上生活的体验。

热情好客　全家动员推广民宿
周秀萍说，早在2004年就已经萌起推广姓氏桥的念头，当时在亚洲探索（Asia explorers网站）号召下，集合了60位网友前来她的家，在她所推广的“午餐加游艇出海”的配套下，度过难忘的水上屋初体验。
身为民宿总策划的她表示，她们一家向来热情好客，因此带着可结交国内外好友的目标，积极将家里转变为民宿，父母亲负责煮食招待、远在英国的二妹负责产品及配套设计、三妹负责姓周桥网站更新、四妹及五弟则负责协调宣传与招待，相信群策群力下肯定做好。

水上屋体验　可化解压力
她指出，目前家里有5间房，其中2间将转为民宿用途。在她的眼里，水上屋的生活是居住在高楼的人家无法体会到的，“每当我工作感到压力时，一回到家里看着海、望着蓝天，什么压力都消失得无影无踪。”
除了提供民宿，她表示游客也可乘坐游艇出海，观赏市区美丽的海岸线，行程可包括旧关仔角、帆船中心、槟城大桥等，胥视游客的要求及气候、海浪的许可。
“小时候，父亲经常驶船载着一家人出海，我们向渡轮上的乘客招手、看海上养鱼场、到停泊在海上的其他国家船只参观，童年的回忆与众不同。那时我想，以后长大要让更多人欣赏到这般好景。”
她说，目前家里也备有预定晚餐或自由餐，家里一般可招待2至3桌的客人，可一尝母亲的拿手住家菜，比如鱿鱼炒、咖喱鱼头、甲必丹鸡、鱼炒黄姜等，至于自助餐还提供道地小吃。

通过电邮接订单
“由于生意刚刚起步，因此都是通过电邮预定方式接受订单。”有关网址是www.mychewjetty.com。
她说，自乔治市入遗后，来自国内外的各种族游客，都纷纷电邮给她询问民宿的详情。“今早我一打开电邮，就连续接到7、8个来自全国各地的电邮，询问有关民宿配套。”

佳节呈献特别配套
她说，一些具有意义的节日，如中秋节、岁末庆典、情人节我们都会特别配套呈献。“如果今年岁末的烟花在旧或新关仔角绽放，我们计划出船从海上看烟花。这是我们在过去曾办过的。另外，也将在情人节设立海上浪漫套餐。”

周秀萍盼政府放宽条件　以获取商业执照
周秀萍透露，由于姓氏桥属于临时地契（TOL），因此担心申请不到商业执照；为此她希望州政府放宽申请商业执照的条件。
她说，申请商业执照必须符合数条件，包括排污系统、消防配备的完备等，由于姓氏桥属临时地契，加上没有排污系统，唯恐成为推广姓氏桥的阻力。她表示将尽速申请商业执照，以投入操作，希望获得国州议员协助。
她也希望州政府尽速推广水上游艇活动，让姓氏桥效法泰国水上屋，让游客乘坐游艇体验水上风情，成为另一闻名遐迩的景点。

陈耀威民宿初体验：8月12日凌晨至13日早晨
陈耀威：“第一次睡在姓氏桥水上屋，一极棒！我有2个选择：冷气房或露台，当然是露台。木板、涛声、天空、凉风，都那么贴身。老实说，太兴奋了，睡不着，三更半夜起来拍照。
睡在露台没想象中会摇动。是那么的平稳。半夜偶会大浪一阵。约4时半，竟有鸡啼声，“姓周鸡”每隔15分钟啼一次，直到清晨6时。
清晨除了水声、鸡啼、还有不远处传来的渡轮启航鸣笛以及更远的回教徒祷告声丰富的“声态”环境。
6时15分起身，周家民宿忙备早餐。在露台享用早餐也很爽。吃完，我们上舢板沿着海岸线走，从海上观赏清晨的乔治市，挺兴奋。

Tropical Spice Garden

Located on the shores of Teluk Bahang, just 3 kilometres away from Batu Ferringhi. Tropical Spice Garden offers a tranquil retreat from the hustle and bustle of nearby city life. There are more than 500 living specimens of lush and exotic flora from all over the tropical world, including those from Indonesia. There are three undulating Garden Trail leading visitors to 11 distinct Garden Rooms, which feature special plant collections with educational signage displaying their names and uses and unique garden features.

Opening Hours: 9.00am to 6.00pm

Penang New Relax Place ( Fish Spa )

Doctor fish is the name given to two species of fish: Garra rufa and Cyprinion macrostomus. Other nicknames include nibble fish, kangal fish, and doctorfishen; in non-medical contexts, Garra rufa is called the reddish log sucker. They live and breed in the outdoor pools of some Turkish spas, where they feed on the skin of patients with psoriasis. The fish are like combfishes in that they only consume the affected and dead areas of the skin, leaving the healthy skin to grow, with the outdoor location of the treatment bringing beneficial effects. The spas are not meant as a treatment option, only as a temporary cure for symptoms, and patients usually revisit the spas every few months. Some patients have experienced complete cure of psoriasis after repeated treatments, but due to the unpredictable nature of the disease, which is strongly influenced by endogenous factors, this may simply be regression towards the mean.

Garra rufa occurs in the river basins of the Northern and Central Middle East, mainly in Turkey, Syria, Iraq and Iran. It is legally protected from commercial exploitation in Turkey due to concerns of overharvesting for export. Garra rufa can be kept in an aquarium at home; while not strictly a "beginner's fish", it is quite hardy. For treatment of skin diseases, aquarium specimens are not well suited as the skin-feeding behavior fully manifests only under conditions where the food supply is somewhat scarce and unpredictable.

Church Of St. Anne Bukit Mertajam

History of the Church of St. Anne Bukit Mertajam

It was at Batu Kawan, as early as 1833 that Catholics first originated in Province Wellesley. They were mainly Chinese and Indian. It was from here that the Catholics gradually moved to Permatang Tinggi, Macang Bubok and Bukit Mertajam. By 1840, the Chinese Catholics started settling down at the Bukit Mertajam foothill.

The early priests were all Frenchmen and they visited Bukit Mertajam from Batu Kawan. In 1846, the first visiting priest, Fr. Adolphe Couellan decided that there was a need for a chapel and built one just below where now stands the hill top St. Anne's statue.St. Anne was (and still is) a very popular patron saint amongst the French. Naturally, the chapel was named after her.

From 1860 onwards, priests residing at Permatang Tinggi chapel took over the visiting to the St. Anne's Parish. In 1865, Fr. Maistre who was the first visiting priest from there, built a bigger second chapel. It was located lower down, closer to where the old St. Anne's church is. Today you can still see the remains of this chapel just behind the well of Saint Anne's water.
In 1869, Fr. Allard came as the first resident priest. Fr. F.P. Sorin arrived in 1875 and he built the first church and it was ready in 1888. Fr. Sorin died on 26th July (St. Anne's Feast Day), 1907, in Teluk Wang and was buried at the entrance of St. Anne's old church.

The stained glass set featuring St. Anne and also a set of three bells from France were installed at the old church in 1896 by Fr. Charles Grenier. During the Japanese occupation the bells were dismantled. Only one of them has been recovered.

In 1938, Fr. Laurent was here briefly and during his time, he organised the first church choir with Datuk Wong Pow Nee as the choir master. That same year, Fr. Joachim Teng took over the parish. It was he who bought the land where the Kim Sen school and the second church are now located. In 1941, the war broke out and masses were disrupted as the Japanese occupied the church land. The situation was back to normal after the war in 1946.

In 1948, "Emergency" was declared and the old church grounds became a prohibited area due to communist activities. The residents were resettled and church services were held in the Convent.

In 1957, the second church was built by Fr. Thomas Chin. This is the church next to Kim Sen school which has been called the "new church" for the last 45 years.

The Centenary Celebration of the parish was held in 1969 under Fr. P. Grandvuillemin.

Fr. Peter Pang who took over as parish priest in 1977, built a permanent altar shed in front of the old church and also the parochial and reconciliation halls at the old church compound. He also installed the statue at the top of the hill after fire destroyed the shrine there.

Fr. Augustine Wong arrived in 1984. He removed the shed in front of the old church for a clearer view. He also reinstalled the stained glass behind the altar, which was damaged and one of the original bells which was recovered. In 1987, he built the shrine of Our Lady of Fatima at the second church and improved on the parochial and reconciliation halls at the old church. These were used for masses, retreats, and meetings as well. In 1988, the Centenary Celebration of the old church building was held.

The St. Anne's water fonts were altered to what they are today in 1997, soon after Fr. Michael Cheah was assigned as Administrator for the parish.

Penang National Park

In the northwest corner of Penang Island lies Taman Negara Pulau Pinang. This discreet nature reserve straddles 1,266 hectares of coastal hill dipterocarps, mangroves, beaches, and rocky shores. In Peninsular Malaysia, it ranks second in size to Taman Negara. Although some parts were logged until the early 1970's, the forest remains largely intact.

As a metropolitan national park, it has potential for world heritage listing. Many species of flora and fauna - including rare and endangered ones - thrive here, barely 45 minutes from the city centre.

Well-planned access and infrastructure will strengthen the park's potential for eco-tourism. There are no roads - only trails, boardwalks, and walkways.

Taman Negara Pulau Pinang sends out a strong message about sustainable development. Just as Muka Head's antique lighthouse still guides ships safely to port, Taman Negara Pulau Pinang shines like a beacon of hope for preserving our natural heritage.

Snake Temple

Snake Temple (蛇庙) was built in 1850 in the memory of the renowned Chinese monk Chor Soo Kong, the Snake Temple is situated in the small town of Bayan Lepas and is famous for the fact that it has pit vipers living on the temple ground. Legend has it, that Chor Soo Kong, who was also a healer, gave shelter to the snakes of jungle. After the completion of the temple, snakes appeared on their own accord.

Today the snake population of the Temple of the Azure Cloud is very small, due to the urbanization of the area, but you can still see them coiled up on the altar tables, and touch them if you are brave enough. Some devotees from as far away as Singapore and Taiwan come to pray in the temple on Chor Soo Kong's birthday (the sixth day of the first lunar month).

Penang Hill Railway

The Penang Hill Railway is a two section funicular railway which climbs Penang Hill from Air Itam, near George Town on the island of Penang in Malaysia. The total journey takes about half an hour, with passengers changing cars at the mid-point station. The train may stop at other intermediate stations upon request.

Construction of the railway took place between 1906 to 1923, at a cost of 1.5 million Straits dollars. The railway was opened to the public on October 21, 1923. New cars were provided in 1977.

The lower section of the funicular has the following technical parameters
Length: 907 metres
Height: 319 metres
Maximum Steepness: 50.5%
Cars: 2
Capacity: 80 passengers per car
Configuration: Single track with passing loop
Journey time: 11 minutes
Maximum speed: 1.4 metres per second
Track gauge: 1 metre
Traction: Electricity

The upper section of the funicular has the following technical parameters
Length: 1313 metres
Height: 367 metres
Maximum Steepness: 51.3%
Cars: 2
Capacity: 80 passengers per car
Configuration: Single track with passing loop
Journey time: 13 minutes
Maximum speed: 1.8 metres per second
Track gauge: 1 metre
Traction: Electricity

Enjoy your holiday in Penang Hill !!!! The highest hill in Penang island !!

Penang Top Places

Penang Top Places

Penang Butterfly Farm
Visitors to this 0.8-hectare farm will see over 50 species of beautiful exotic butterflies, frogs, scorpions and other insects. The farm has over 3000 live butterfly specimens and a mounted insect display.

Forest Recreation Park
This 100-hectare park has a forestry museum that is built with timber. Visitors of the park can spend the day exploring, on the many footpaths, as the park is home to cool refreshing streams and numerous species of flora and fauna.

Penang Hill
Popular among tourists and locals alike, Penang Hill is 830m above ground level. Visitors will enjoy a cool respite from the humid heat below as they visit the gardens, restaurant and hotel up here. At dusk, the panoramic view is especially beautiful as Georgetown begins to light up. To get to the top visitors can use the funicular rail service, which takes 30 minutes, or walk, which will take about four hours.

Botanical Gardens
This magnificent 30-hectare garden has existed since 1884. Also known as the Waterfall Gardens because of the stream that cascades through from Penang Hill, it houses a diverse range of tropical flora. Within this garden are the orchid house, palm house, herb garden and cactus garden.

Kek Lok Si Temple
Located on top of a hill at Ayer Itam, close to Penang Hill, this temple is reputed to be the largest and most beautiful temple in South-East Asia. To get to the top, visitors will have to walk up steps lined with stalls selling souvenirs, food and other various items. Here visitors will see the Ban Po Thar (10000 Buddhas Pagoda), a seven-tier 30m high tower that is said to be of Chinese (at the bottom), Thai (in the middle) and Burmese (at the top) design. Visitors will also see a three-storey shrine where a large image of the Thai Buddha resides. Standing high above it all is a striking figure of Kwan Yin, the goddess of mercy.

State Mosque
This mosque is a fine example of elegant modern architecture and can accommodate up to 5000 worshippers at a time.

Wat Chayamangkalaram Temple
This colourful temple, with its Thai architecture, houses a 33m long gold-plated reclining Buddha. Visitors should also visit the Dhammikarama Burmese Buddhist Temple across the street too. The first Buddhist temple in Penang, its gates are flanked by two large stone elephants.

Khoo Kongsi Clan House
This kongsi (clan house) was built in 1898 by master craftsmen from China. One of the finest kongsis in Penang, with its intricate carvings, beautiful statues, colourful tiles, richly ornamented beams and paintings, it is not to be missed.

Kapitan Kling Mosque
It was built in the 19th century by Penang's first Indian Muslim settlers. Its yellow façade and single minaret reflects Moorish influence in its architecture.

Fort Cornwallis
One of the oldest sights in Penang, it is where Francis Light set foot in 1786. Originally built with wood, it was later replaced with stone. Today, it has an open-air amphitheatre, souvenir shops and a gallery. While the battlements are still studded with cannons, the most famous among them is the Dutch cannon with its chequered past.

Batu Ferringhi
The long nice beach numerous large hotels, restaurants, transport rental services, and souvenir stores, suitable for relax.. and enjoy uour sunset