Traipsing in Penang, Malaysia

I was temporarily decommissioned of my spot in Cebu and was sent to conduct a five-day training in Penang, Malaysia. I stayed there from April 5 to April 13.

After the five-day training, two new-found peripatetic friends toured me around the island. Luke Chin, a Malaysian who doesn't seem to know how to frown and a self-admitting tourist in Penang offered to drive us around with the admission that he sometimes take wrong turns. Jeffrey Belleza, a fellow Filipino engineer working in Penang who seemed to know every nook and cranny of the island was our tourist guide.

I will always be grateful to these two kind persons who made my last day in Penang worthwhile.
I'll return the favor if they pay Cebu a visit.

I have decided not to include the full account of this adventure in words. Below are the selected snapshots I have taken during the whole day adventure which ended up with a fine dinner in Nando's, a restaurant of Luke's liking (for photography enthusiasts, you know what snapshot means).

The sun shown brightly that day casting harsh lighting conditions. I have not taken time enough to think of apertures and shutter speeds, as well as exposure compensations. The contrasts were just too high. Instead, I allowed myself to enjoy and went on clicking to "capture the moment."
(The pictures below are optimized for LCD monitors, however some may appear too dark...)

PENANG HILL
At 830m above sea level, Penang Hill is the highest summit in Penang. Cool and breezy, the hill is a popular tourist destination. It offers its visitors a funicular train ride to its peak. Operational since 1922, the 30-minute ride is an adventure in itself with two train transfers and people squeezing and standing during the sluggish climb. At the top, one could view the panorama of Penang.

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The facade of a Chinese temple at the base of Penang Hill.

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Inside the Chinese temple.

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Luke and Jeff in the entrance gate.

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Inside the train on the way to the top.

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On the top of the hill with the cloudy city view at the back.

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The Hindu temple undergoing repainting.

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With the Hindu deities at the back.

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The Penang Hill Mosque

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Heading for Batu Ferringhi

The long lines for the train in Penang Hill took most of our time in the morning. At nearly past 12NN, we headed for Batu Ferringhi. This is a renowned beach retreat in Penang. Along the way, Luke made a point by proving to us he doesn't mind taking the wrong turns, characterized by his expression "Oh, too late!" when Jeff points to the right direction. We intended to have lunch at the Batu, but high gastric levels prevailed. We took lunch in a roadside Chinese restaurant.

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A Hindu temple on the way to Batu Ferringhi. Taken inside Luke's car.

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Taking the shade in Batu Ferringhi.

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The Ship

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PENANG BUTTERFLY FARM
This well-planned butterfly farm is said to be home to hundreds of species of butterflies and other lepidopterans, arachnids and scorpions. The butterflies are fluttering in the air along with artificial mists, so it was very hard to take close-ups. The other collections of amphibians, fowls, tropical fishes and flowering plants add splendor to the farm.

From Batu Ferringhi to the farm, we traveled mainly along the coastline of the island. We also passed by the Floating Mosque and the Tropical Spice Garden which Luke dismissed with his new line: "There's nothing much."

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The pupae station.

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In the pupae station, with a newly emerged butterfly.

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Leaf insect. I mistakenly tried to pull it thinking that it was an odd looking leaf.

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A member of the stick insect species.

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Butterflies sipping the juice of pineapple slices.

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Jeff on the bridge of the tropical fish pond.

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Luke on the bridge, requested for a different perspective.

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Mandarin ducks.

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Taking the shade near the horse-shoe crab station. The horse-shoe crabs however proved to be very mobile. The four shots I made were all blurred.

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Inside the insectarium.

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Beatles on Display

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St. Anne's Church
This century-old church resides within the small township which retains a respectable patronage. The church was constructed in 1888. The remains of the priest who had the old church built lies in the center of the old church's floor.

This church is located in the mainland and we had to pass through the posh Georgetown and the Penang Bridge. The "Oh, too late" expression became prominent in this leg.

It was drizzling when we arrived at St. Anne's Church. We ended the day with malling at Queensbay.

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Silverton Building

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Passing through the Penang Bridge. Taken inside Luke's car.

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Old St. Anne's Church

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The new St. Anne's Church at dusk.

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