Tropical Spice Garden Penang 16 Dec 2010

x After our visit at Penang Butterfly Farm at the morning, we went to Tropical Spice Garden during our way back to the hotel, as we had planned earlier. And it is just 3km from Batu Feringghi where we stayed, it is within a jungle valley that is both educational and enlightening."

The Tropical Spice Garden is a privately-funded agro-tourism project endorsed by the Penang state government. It is open to the public since November 27th 2003, the garden is landscaped on original jungle terrain covering roughly 8 acres.

Actually from so many attractions and activities in the Garden, we just managed to walk thru the Garden Trails, and managed to explore one of the 3 designated trails only -  Spice Trail. Others are the Jungle Trail and Ornamental Trail. We had spend about a nearly 45 minute walk. It is approximately 500 varieties of tropical flora specially selected from all over the world landscaped on natural jungle terrain.

And throughout the Garden are different themed Garden Rooms featuring special plant collections such as Spices and Herbs Terrace (plants valued for medicinal and culinary uses), Water Garden (marginal and aquatic plants), Bamboos Garden (clump-forming plants), Crotons Wall (plants with attractive foliage and inconspicuous flowers), Cycad Room (palm-like plants up to 280 million years old), Ferns Walk (non-flowering plants with spores up to 400 million years old), Gingers Walk (plants with stunningly beautiful flowers), Banana / Heliconias Bank (plants with large leaves and colourful flower bracts), Jungle Trails (tropical rainforest plants), Ornamental Valley (flowering plants, trees, shrubs and herbs) and Sugar Terrace (sugar-producing palm trees), with educational signage displaying the names and uses for each plant.

Transition points in between the Garden Rooms are created in the form of numerous child-friendly Garden Features such as stream crossings, doorways, hammocks, gazebos and pergolas.

The Garden was designed in such a way that one should be able to hear the relaxing sounds of running water at almost any vista. The stream that runs through the core of the gardens is based on perfect feng shui principles - the water flows from top to bottom to the sea and the mountain is at the back.

Water features provide the relaxing sound of running water at waterfalls, ponds and streams, providing a cooling and soothing sensation. The use of waterways provides an alternative habitat for a more diversified ecosystem and also serves as an irrigation network.

Pavilions, gazebos, gateways, bridges, benches, steps, sign posts and decking have been constructed out of a variety of Malaysian seasoned and mature hardwoods including chengal batu, meranti and teak, salvaged and recycled for use from demolished warehouses and pre-war houses in Penang.

Benches built with more than generous proportions and deep seating are strategically positioned throughout the Garden for visitors to relax and fully take in the sights and sounds.

We did not go to the Visitor Centre which is located in a picturesque Straits Colonial holiday bungalow - Lone Crag Villa - overlooking the sea, with a built-up area of about 5,500 square feet. As we did not know it it is located at the hill top. It corporate a Cooking School which accommodate kitchen and cooking class facilities, dining facilities. Visitors can do a booking to learn the Malaysian recipes.

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Besides that, Three Monkey Restaurant which set on top of Lone Crag, offers an unparalleled panoramic view of Teluk Bahang bay. Dine alfresco enveloped by jungle trees or find shelter under the double tiered 'alang alang' roof whilst you enjoy a fresh serving of the best Thai-Asian delights or simply enjoy a cool lime soda after a walk through the garden. We did see the signage but did not go up, we thought that was just another ‘expensive restaurant’…

There are a Gift Shop and a Garden Shop too, which we did not go as well. Actually, by end of the trip to the Garden, all of us are very exhausted already, and hungry too. Two consecutive  Farm and Garden in a row. Mummy can feels that Annabelle is tired already. But never the less, great outing for both.

Resources: http://www.tropicalspicegarden.com

Penang Butterfly Farm 16 Dec 2010

The first thing that we did at the morning is going to The Penang Butterfly Farm. It is not difficult to look for. It is the first tropical butterfly farm ever set up in the world, was founded in 1986. It is located in Telok Bahang, a fishing village located north of the island.

Penang Butterfly Farm is sanctuary to an average flying population of 4,000 Malaysian butterflies from 120 different species, including some very rare and famous ones, like the Indian Leaf (Kallima paralekta), the endangered Yellow Birdwing (Troides helena) and the Rajah Brooke's Birdwing, arguably Malaysia's most well-known insect.

		Penang Butterfly Farm 16 Dec 2010 VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

There are a lot of attractive ‘living stations’ here, such as

• Egg & Caterpillar Station
• Butterfly Pupae Station
• Ixora Corner
• Giant Millipede Station
• Giant Scorpion Station
• Soft-shell Turtle & Alligator Snapper Station
• Orchid Corner
• Malaysian Snake Station
• Iguana Station
• Stick Insect Corner
• Leaf Insect Station
• Nepenthes (Carnivorous Plant) Corner
• Malaysian Lizard Station
• Tropical Fish Pond
• Water Lily Pond
• Water Monitor Lizard Station
• Oriental Water Dragon Station
• Mandarin Duck Station
• Horseshoe Crab Station
• Tortoise & Terrapin Station
• Insectarium
• Insect Museum

Other than the above, there is an Auditorium which incorporated a AV Room for show time; an Art Gallery and Artifacts & Tribal Art Gallery, Souvenir Outlet, Leppidio Insect Gift, Fruit Stall and Café.

The children enjoy the farm, seeing all those interesting insects and butterflies. It is quite an educational trip for them.

George Town Heritage Walk 16 Dec 2010

After the visit coming back from the tours of the Temples, Bother Andrew and Sister Agatha were wondering want to go to George Town for a walk.

By seeing both Issac and Annabelle were so tired, Mummy and Daddy had decided that Mummy will stay at hotel and looked after them, let both kids have a rest instead. Eventually both also did not have a nap and play in the room.

Daddy came back with actually a lot of interesting places and buildings photos with him. Should come back next round and take the trails again!

		Georgetown Heritage Walk 16 Dec 2010 VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

A Relaxing Afternoon at the Beach 15 Dec 2010

After we check-in the Hard Rock Penang, immediately we went to the Cafe and eagerly to have our lunch. All of us were so tired and hungry.

Before Mummy was able to get into the restaurant, Annabelle just held my hand, and said to me in a pity and tire face, “Mummy, Belle is very tired and sleepy. I want to sleep…”

Then, Mummy just told Daddy that, probably asked him to pack some food for me or help me to order a room service so that I can have the lunch in the room, while Belle is sleeping.

Who’s know?

This naughty Belle ran to the room, she is eyeing on the titbits that placed on the beverage counter, and asked me to open for her. Hmmm….this was actually what she is ‘sleepy’ about – eating the titbits not tired and sleepy.

Well, no choice then Mummy just ordered the Nasi Goreng with the Satay as my lunch in room, while she is playing and enjoying her titbits.

After the children having their bath and afternoon nap, we went out to the hotel beach and take along all of our toys ^^…

The children just like to play the sand on the beach. Daddy had bought 2 bags of vehicles toys just for this Penang trip as he knew that we are staying at Batu Ferringhi.

Both Issac and Annabelle were digging, filling, and pouring, and also had the opportunities to watch other activities happened on the beach.

Beach is a sandy area ad a great place for children to explore! Here is some of the items or activities that we were doing for our own sand play session:

• Make a hill of sand, pat it down all around, then, starting at opposite sides, dig through to reach each other’s hands
• Play hide-n-seek with toys by burying them under the sand, then trying to find them
• Smooth out an area of sand and make hand and footprints
• Dig a hole and fill it with water, then watch the water disappear
• Bury our legs in the sand, feels the sand
• We even walked down to the seaside and feels the water
  

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Snake Temple Penang 15 Dec 2010

It was almost noon time when we arrived at the Snake Temple, and it was really a hot weather! As usual, there are a few of souvenirs stalls at both sides of the temple.

The Snake Temple, also known as the Temple of the Azure Cloud, was built in 1850. Founded by Priest Chor Soo Kong for the Taoist worshippers, this temple is a sanctuary for the said 'holy and harmless' pit-vipers which are believed to be the 'servants' of the deity. These venomous snakes can be seen coiling round the pillars, beams and potted plants within the temple compound.

Amongst the 'residents' at this temple are Wagler's pit vipers and green tree snakes. What makes these snakes unique is they'll do no harm to the visitors. It said to be slightly 'doped' by the incense smoke drifting around the temple during the day, but at night they will slither down to eat offerings given by visitors.

There is a photography stall just specially to take photos with the snakes for the visitors. We did it! And, so excitedly Issac and Annabelle too use their hand to touch, and feels and hold the cold big yellow snakes. Oh, my god, Mummy myself also quite afraid when want to touch the snakes! But, both of our brave kids did it! Of course, Mummy did take a lot of photos of that too!

There is a snake exhibitions besides the temple. There are a lot and kinds of snakes which exhibits. And, we are so fortunately, got to see the king of Cobra, and how the ‘snake man’ playing with the Cobra. Really excited and a great chance for able to see that.

Then, after the Snake Temple, ends our short Penang tour guided by Dave. He drove us back to the hotel and check-in.

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Source from http://www.virtualmalaysia.com/

Kek Lok Si Temple Penang 15 Dec 2010

 

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After our visit to the Thai and Burmese Temples, we headed to the Penang's most popular attraction, the Kek Lok Si Temple. And it is said to be the biggest and most beautiful Buddhist temple complex in Malaysia. It is also one of the first being built in the South East Asia region. Driving and passing through all the small stalls along the hillside way up to the temple, really feels like just want to stop the van and come down and shop…There are a lot of food stalls too…Yummy…yummy…

Arguably the largest and most beautiful Buddhist temple complex in Malaysia, the Kek Lok Si temple, which is also referred to as the 'Temple of Supreme Bliss' or the 'Pure Land Temple', covers the expanse of a sloping, east-facing hillside at Air Itam, just to the west of the city of Georgetown.

As we walked into the temple's compound, we quickly noticed that there is a big and huge a 30.2m bronze statue of the Kuan Yin which replaced the previous white plaster Kuan Yin statue which was damaged due to a fire a few years earlier. The bronze statue is located on the hillside above the pagoda while the head of the previous statue which survived the fire is preserved and placed on the right hand corner of the new statue.

There is an additional ornate shelter for the Kuan Yin statue was constructed. 16 carved dragon pillars were built, carrying the top of three concentric octagonal roof. The Kuan Yin stand still on the hillside and overseeing the beautiful Penang Island.

There are large boulders that bear inscriptions of Chinese verses, beautiful sculptures which represents the 12 Chinese Horoscope. The serene air and peaceful ambience of the compound grounds reflects the tranquillity borne of meditation and prayers within the temple's interior. The children were most happy to see the big compounds and the koi inside the pond.

One of the most impressive feature of the temple is the 'Ban Po That Pagoda', or the Pagoda of Ten Thousand Buddhas. As the name goes, this pagoda is made of octagonal tiers adorned with quite a number of statues of the Buddha. This pagoda was built in honour of Bodhisattva Tsi Tsuang Wang, an enlightened soul who, despite having attained the state, declined to enter Nirvana and chose, instead, to help bring others to salvation.

There is an inclined lift which carry the visitors up and down the hill. The kids had their first experience of sitting the lift, it was quite a fun one, as they can see through the clear tempered glass window. There is a souvenirs shop and a few praying halls, but we just do not have much time and rush for our next and last destination – the Snake Temple…Szzzz…

Source from http://www.virtualmalaysia.com/

Dharmikarama Burmese Temple Penang 15 Dec 2010

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After Wat Chayamangkalaram, we just walked across the street, is another place of serenity that invites meditation and much appreciation of the Buddhist religion, the Dharmikarama Burmese Buddhist Temple. It is a famous Burmese temple in Georgetown City in Penang too.

It is under renovation when we were there, upon entering the temple, there are pieces of crafts stones on the floor, all over the place laying in front of pillars. The children just ran freely in the temple.

The temple holds dear the image of Buddha in every corner. From the many statues of Buddha in different poses of meditation, donated by temple devotees, to the beautiful murals depicting scenes from the journey of Prince Siddhartha before he finally became Buddha and reached the state of Nirvana.

One of the most notable features found in the temple is the pair of Panca Rupa, or 'Guardian Protectors of the World', standing over a replica of the world globe. These mystical beasts are said to be the masters of water, land and air, with appendages of various animals – the head of a lion with a trunk like an elephant, body of fish, wings of the mystical Garuda, ears and hooves of a horse and horns of a deer.

There is a charming fish pond and Boddhi tree within the pagoda grounds.

The first Buddhist temple in Penang, the Dhamikarama Burmese Buddhist Temple was consecrated in 1805. One of two major Buddhist temples located within the Theravada Buddhist (mainly of Thai and Burmese origin) enclave surrounding Burma Lane, the Dhamikarama temple was built on land donated by a Buddhist devotee known as Nyonya Betong.

The temple is also the place to be, since many festivities such as Wesak Day and the Water Festival (known as Thankyan) are celebrated with worshippers young and old splashing water at each other and at passers-by in much the same fashion as the 'Songkhra' festival celebrated in Thailand.

There are small souvenirs stalls just in front of the entrance of the temple, selling various of souvenirs from range of key chains, small Buddha statues, T-Shirts, umbrellas, etc.

Brother Andrew and sister-in-law Minah even went for some ritual ceremony which believe by the followers can earn some good luck by doing so.

Source from http://www.virtualmalaysia.com/