An Islander's Perspective of Penang
Lorong Toh Aka (Toh Aka Lane) is located at the heart of the heritage zone in George Town and is an old and rather narrow street. The street was said to be the home of iron smiths back in the old days. Rows of pre-war heritage style townhouses line up the street and majority of these houses belong to the Cheah clan community.
A view of the old Macallum Street Ghaut PDC Flats, one of the earliest low-cost high rise residences in Penang. These flats were built by the Penang Development Corporation (PDC) in the 1980s following a land reclamation.
A number of old back alleys in George Town recently went through a ‘beautification process’ as new colorful tiled walkways are being built for people to take a stroll along these rustic alleys.
Located along Victoria Street and built in 1878, Boon San Tong Khoo Kongsi is is one of the two ancestral temples which belong to the Khoo clan in Penang.
Pre-Covid scenes from the Penang Thaipusam festival held in 2019.
During the festival, the breaking of the coconuts is a ritual practiced by Hindus as an act of cleansing and also to symbolize the renounce of one’s ego at the feet of the presiding deity Lord Muruga (usually carried on a chariot). The most notable or intriguing scene from this festival is the kavadi-bearers, devotees who usually had their bodies pierced while undergoing a pilgrimage during the festival.
Thaipusam this year is on 18 January.
Penang Esplanade is currently host to a multitude of lantern sculptures which light up during the night, showcasing the various iconic or famous landmarks from around the world. The sculptures are placed there as part of the state’s domestic tourism events during the pandemic period.
There is also a pair of mythical creatures made of paper lantern at the same area: https://travel2penang.org/2021/03/26/esplanade-street-art-dragon-and-phoenix-lantern-sculptures/
