Jackamy - Georgetown, Penang

Georgetown, Penang

Jackamy

Paul & Derry Harper

Thu 2 Dec 2010 00:42

Friday 3rd December

Georgetown is one of Malaysians most visited cities. Founded in 1786 by Captain Francis Light as a base for the British East India Company in the Malay states, the town, which was named after the Prince of Wales soon developed into the state's economic and cultural hub. Georgetown has a great feel, with it's traditional wooden shophouses, well preserved colonial buildings, and the Malays, Indians and Chinese living in harmony, there is a lively, colourful, electric vibe to the city.

Our morning was filled with sight seeing, there were many temples and mosques as well as interesting, quaint little streets with shophouses tucked here there and everywhere. First stop was the Kuan Yin Temple. Dedicated to Kuan Yin, or the goddess of mercy, this temple was originally constructed as a shared Hokkien and Cantonese temple and community centre. Its foundation stone was laid in 1800, making it one of the oldest Chinese temples in Penang. Kuan Yin is perhaps the most worshiped of Chinese deities, and also much revered by Buddhists and Taoists. Associated with peace, good fortune, and fertility, she is portrayed with 18 arms.

Beautiful flower offerings........Breakfast in a side street

Kuan Yin Temple

Incense sticks burning at the entrance

We bought four birds and set them free as it's good luck

A short walk along the road and we came across the Masjid Kapitan Kling, the oldest and best known historic mosque in Penang, founded around 1800 by Caudeer Mohudeen. He was a prominent member of the island's Indian Muslim community and bore the title Kapitan Kling, or Captain of the Klings. Kling was a term employed at that time to describe Tamil Muslims, also called Ghulia, who formed the bulk of Penang's Indian Muslims.

Masjid Kapitan Kling Mosque

On the opposite side of the road from the mosque is the Sri Mariamman Temple, a typical southern Indian temple with elaborately carved and painted gopuram, or tiered entrance gateway of a Hindu temple. Dedicated to the deity Mariamman, or Great Powerful Mother, this is Penang's oldest Hindu temple. Artisans were brought from Madras to create images of the goddess Mariamman in all her aspects. Subsequently a 23 ft high gopuram was added, with sculptures of about 38 Hindu deities.

Sri Mariamman Temple by day..............and night

We took a walk along Campbell Street for the boutiques mentioned in the guide book, but unfortunately most of the shops were closed. One stretch of the road was dedicated to Gold shops so there were armed guards out on the street. We had a bit of fun with them, posing with their guns and checking to see if they were loaded, which they were. I think they enjoyed it as much as we did, a break to their daily routine.

Campbell Street

There are colours everywhere!

The shophouses or 'Five Foot Ways' were originally used by builders from Guangdong in China. This style of Chinese shophouse has long been associated with the former Straits Settlements of Singapore, Penang and Melacca. The widespread presence of five foot ways in Singapore and urban Malaysia is attributed to Sir Stamford Raffles, who decreed that all shophouses should have verandas that form continuous and open passages. Characterised by load-bearing gable walls and massive roof beams that span the building, these shophouses extend over the narrow sidewalks forming a sort of covered walkway and providing shelter from the sun and the monsoon rains. The sidewalk can be further shaded by lowering split bamboo blinds.

Indian snacks............Chinese tea

After walking around for hours exploring Georgetown but also looking for somewhere to eat we ended up back at Sri Ananda Bahwan and once again the restaurant was jam packed! A taxi driver later asked us how we knew to go there, apparently it is the best place to eat, where all the locals go. Lucky us!