Walking along the streets of Georgetown, Penang

Pearl of the Orient, Penang had always maintained a special bond with visitors to the island  with the pre-war buildings and the diversity in culture which many are still intact. The mentioned of Penang associates the  state with Nasi Kandar, Him Heang/Ghee Heang Tambun biscuits, Penang Cendol, Fried Kuey Teow, Pasembur with the focal point for food being at Gurney Drive.

It was during a recent visit when I decided to walk along the streets around the heritage row to witness myself if that area had changed much now that Georgetown had been accorded Heritage City by the UNESCO.

Keep a look out along the streets and be amused with the old charm of Penang.

So it is true that each year everyone needs a "re-charge" as this poster said it all with Power 2009. True to the need to keep up with technology, this service provider comes complete with website/blogs. (mobile number had been deliberately erased .... no free advertising here!)

Further down the road, chance upon a stck of water meters and was just wondering if error in billing for consumption do happen.

No slowdown in Penang arrivals

The Star, Tuesday November 25, 2008
By ANN TAN

GEORGE TOWN: The economic slowdown may have resulted in some belt tightening but it does not seem to have affected the number of holiday-makers flocking to Pe­­nang.

Malaysian Association of Hotels Penang Chapter president Marco Battistotti said the average hotel occupancy rate for international hotels here this year-end has in fact increased by 1% to 2% compared to 2007.

“For November and December, city hotels are recording 85% to 90% occupancy while beach hotels are registering 80% to 85% .

“We are confident that Penang will continue to attract tourists since it is a value-for-money destination,” he said yesterday.

Battistotti said that hotels in Penang have not reviewed their rack rates this year despite the steep fuel hike earlier and the increase in electricity tariffs.

He said the Unesco World Heri­tage Site listing for George Town had also given foreigners more exposure on Penang.

Rasa Sayang Resort and Spa and Golden Sands Resort’s director of communications Suleiman Tunku Abdul Rahman said they were not feeling the pinch at the moment.

“Bookings for December are picking up and so far, those who made early reservations are still keeping their bookings,” he said.

Suleiman said the resorts were expecting full occupancy in Decem­ber.

City Bayview Hotel general manager Derrick Tan said the hotel recorded an occupancy rate of 75% to 80% this year.

“So far, we are doing reasonably well and we do not see a big problem with the current economy.”

“We are quite optimistic with the rate this year but I dare not predict for 2009,” he added.

Kings of Tennis are here!

Tennis fans, head to the Pearl of the Orient and UNESCO Heritage City of Georgetown from November 14-16!

Kings of Tennis are here to thrill! What promises to be a weekend with lots of excitement and tennis, tennis, tennis ... where the Team America takes on Team Europe represented by 10 of World Number Ones in Big Bang Penang!

For accommodation, look here.

Melaka & Georgetown Heritage Trail

With the declaration of Melaka and Georgetown as UNESCO World Heritage City, we can expect more funds being poured into conservation project to enhance the cities with their latest acquired status to the world. The education efforts on the significance of the declaration by UNESCO and the heritage sites should be promoted not only in foreign countries but locally.

Recent efforts by American Express Foundation to re-generate interest in local heritage sites through Melaka and Georgetown Heritage Trail is commendable and should form the catalyst for many more large corporations to come forward to play their role as a corporate responsibility.

The following maps produced by the Foundation provide clear direction to users to find out what the heritage sites are all about and value it's existence.

Melaka Heritage Trail Map

Georgetown (Penang) Heritage Trail Map

For accomodations in Penang and Melaka, check here as your room reservations are directly with the hotels.

George Town to have 3-day celebration

Source : The Star Friday July 11, 2008 MYT 4:03:22 PM

GEORGE TOWN: Fireworks will light up the night sky at the Esplanade here on July 26 as Penangites celebrate George Town's listing as a World Heritage Site.



A three-day celebration will be held within the historical enclave of the city, with cultural shows, free trishaw rides and clan jetties' visits for tourists, flower mural painting and tree planting to commemorate the occasion.

Penang Municipal Council president Datuk Zainal Rahim Seman said Friday the council was allocating about RM150,000 for the celebration which would start on July 25.


On July 26, the Yang di-Pertua Negri (TYT) Tun Abdul Rahman Abbas and the Unity, Culture, Arts and Heritage Minister will grace a cultural show at the Esplanade from 8.45pm to 11pm.

"There will be some fireworks display that night to commemorate the historic event and an acceptance of a declaration of George Town's listing by the TYT. The whole event will be held in a very traditional setting,'' Zainal told reporters after Friday's full council meeting.

The three-day event will kick-start with thanksgiving prayers held at various places of worship.

* Students from five inner city schools will take part in a flower mural painting on the road along Jalan Padang Kota Lama at about 9am on July 25

* Cultural activities will be held at the marina bay at Weld Quay on July 26. Tourists and locals will get to enjoy free rides on 50 trishaws and visit the homes at the seven clan jetties to experience for themselves the living heritage of the city from 9am on July 26.

From 6pm to 9pm, tourists will get a chance to enjoy cultural programmes held at the various heritage buildings such as the Khoo Kongsi and the Cheong Fatt Tze mansion.

* On the final day, another cultural show featuring ghazal and dondang sayang performances will be held at the Upper Penang Road flea market from 10am to 6pm.

Zainal said in view of George Town's listing, the council faced more issues and challenges.

"Our main priority now is to keep the town clean and for this, we would need the co-operation of the people,'' he said.

He added that the council would have to ensure a comprehensive and proper traffic system to ensure tourists would be able to move around the heritage enclave without any hindrance.

"Council officers would be going around the heritage trails to ensure that any barriers which obstruct pedestrians or hinder the smooth flow of traffic would be removed,'' he said.

He added that the council would also be trying its "very best'' to track down owners of dilapidated buildings in the inner city so that they could improve the image of the buildings.