Early on our last day in Malaysia we cruised into George Town on the island of Penang where things were much the same as in the rest of Malaysia which we have seen. Developing. But Penang may be doing so a bit faster than some others. Here, again, are some images to illustrate my impressions of this island.
This historic building which can’t be destroyed is surrounded by an ultra modern mall and then other old buildings are left to waste away because families fight over the rights or no one wants to pay to maintain them or the funds dried up to finish building them in the first place, and thus we noticed an abundance of abandoned buildings.
My trip completely around the island showcased both technology of the personal type
and of the “Silicon Valley” type, which is a major part of their economy.
Malaysia is a Muslim dominated country which allows a certain freedom of religion to others and although it’s no way near what Bali was like there are Mosques and temples of various faiths all over so I was happy to see a few churches as well. My tour today included stops at two temples (as every tour in this part of the world has) but I didn’t go in or take pictures of them even though the architecture is interesting because I just can’t enjoy the fact that there are other gods being worshipped there.
We had a Malaysian lunch at a Sands hotel on the beach and were so hot that we all wished we could jump in the pool but, alas, there was no time and besides we hadn’t brought our swim suits.
The rest of our 7+ hour tour consisted of an eduction in the spices and the fruits which grow on the island and which account for its place in the history of the spice trade. We visited a spice farm and a small garden where we learned about growing and using lemon grass, dragon fruit, durian, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg and mace, mangoes, bananas, star fruit, ginger, curry leaf, and many others and then we visited a large road-side stand selling all of the above. It was an education that I wish I had written down in a book so I could remember it all.
In case you are wondering which is which.
We had rambutans for breakfast here on the ship, I’m happy to report!
For all the times we have been shown nutmeg and mace this was the first time I have seen it in its covering. And so ends our time in Malaysia and we are now sailing to Thailand.
Once again, thank you, Jenni, for posting! We feel as if we are standing there next to you. I saw pictures of rambutan – a thorny covered fruit. It might be my favorite of all time. Hope you get to try one if you haven’t yet. As in other pictures, I’m so surprised to see so few people. The buildings are truly spectacular! The apt buildings are gravity defying! Keep having fun! John
I liked the fruit market! So colorful! (Puzzle?) And it sure looks like it’s already a developed city! Not just developing!