The Penang Hill Railway existing funicular train makes its final run on the 87-year-old track. After 21st Feb 2010, the system will stop for a RM63 million upgrading project. The upgrading of the Penang Hill Railway will take seven months. When completed, the new trains will take visitors up Penang Hill non stop, unlike the present system where visitors have to change trains at the middle station.

DESPITE the shutdown of the Penang Hill funicular train service up to the hill, tourists and locals wishing to admire the magnificent views of the island from atop can still do so by taking 4WD rides to the peak.  Drive is pleasant & takes approximately 20 mins for one way trip.

Return Trip ticket :  Rm 15.00 per adult /  RM 7.00 below 12 years

Chartering service is also available.

Lorong Toh Aka

Toh Aka Lane, also written Tok Aka Lane, is a narrow lane with much character within the core zone of George Town’s Unesco World Heritage Site. The lane has three arms forming the letter “T” – one arm leads out to Beach Street, another to Malay Street while another ends at the back gate of the Acheen Street Mosque.  Carnarvon Lane also ends at Toh Aka Lane.

Toh Aka Lane is said to have been named after a Chinese person whom the Malays called “Tok Aka“, or Grandpa Ah Ka. The profession along Toh Aka Lane during the early days was ironwork, and its inhabitants are mostly Cheah clansmen of the Cheah Kongsi. For that reason, Toh Aka Lane is often known among the Hokkiens as Phak Cheek Kay, or Ironworks Street.

The proximity of Toh Aka Lane to Acheen Street Mosque means that it once served the Malay settlement on its western side, which has since shrunk in size, as George Town of the 20th century evolved to be more homogenously Chinese.

The Paradise Band is one of Australia’s most popular worship bands and features some of the nation’s finest musicians and songwriters. Hailing from Adelaide , Australia the band takes its name from its place of origin, Paradise Community Church, which has always been a place well known for its worship.

The music is energetic and vibrant with flavours reminiscent of Hillsong United. However, the band’s retains a unique flavour with a passion , energy and sound all of its own. The band’s aim is to raise up worshippers and declare a message of great faith. To experience the Paradise Band “Live” is to see people encounter God’s presence and move closer to Him.  Check out their past albums ” Adore” ; ” Over & Over” and ” Only by Grace”.

This special worship concert was hosted by Penang First Assembly of God from 11th to 12th September 2009 at Hunza Sanctuary as well as Traders Hotel, Penang.

Here are some favourite photos to share:

Traders Hotel , Ballroom

Worship Session at Hunza Sanctuary

Location: New World Park, Penang. ( Shot with Eos 30D with Tokina Fisheye 10mm to 17mm f3.5 -4.5 DX )

Bangun: Penang Clan Jetties Arts Project

Lost Generation Space (KL) in conjunction with Anak-anak Kota (Penang) presents Bangun: Penang Clan Jetties Arts Project , a multi-arts project consisting of workshops, exhibitions, performances and music. This series of events is to be held on and around the Chew Clan Jetty, Weld Quay Road, Georgetown.

Bangun is an ongoing series of contemporary site-specific art projects focusing on history, heritage, community and culture.  For this project, Bangun will bring its focus to the Clan Jetty communities of Penang. Artworks and performances will relate to the culture, history or future of the Clan Jetty communities.

Workshops in poetry, dance, theatre performance, installation art, shadow puppet making and performance among others will be conducted during the week.  Workshops are free and open to people of all ages and will culminate in performances and presentations in a program to be run over the weekend.

Artists from Penang, KL and several international artists will facilitate the workshops and also present their artworks and performances in the weekend program of events.

This program is interesting, thought-provoking, educational, experiential and a lot of fun.
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Lost Generation Space was established in early 2004 by a muhibbah group of artists.  In existence now, it has entered a unique space of development and operation. Though situated in the capital city, the space has a certain quietness and edginess that comes from being off the beaten track. This self-managed experimental space aims at encouraging originality, creativity and individuality as well as contemporary arts. It provides an alternative space for exhibition and performance which are innovative, growing and new. Beginning as a small group and now moving towards the public, Lost Generation Space aims to insinuate itself into the multicultural artistic atmosphere at large. More than just a place that brings together artists, it will also provide a platform for a multilayered artistic culture. Since 2006, Lost Generation Space has begun its artist residency programme for local and foreign artists. In 2004, 2005 and 2007, Lost Generation Space organised art festival. This event was the prime activity of Lost Generation Space. It provided an exploratory domain for contacts and interactions among artists and audience.

Anak-anak Kota is a Penang-based non-profit arts education organisation founded since 1999, which explores and provides innovative and best practice non-formal arts education for young people through collaboration with local and regional arts educators, artists and communities.

Published in Arts and Culture, Events, Featured, Happenings.

It has been a year since  George Town was listed as Unesco World Site & this wonderful city celebrated the 1st anniversary in style…

The day started off with free boat rides at the Lim Jetty, home to a priceless piece of Penang’s history and a living heritage that serves as a reminder of one of South East Asia’s most important maritime ports.

What a joy to be able to see & experience the life & special view of Penang from the sea.

As Penangnites, we should always be proud of our heritage & seek to preserve, protect & promote it.

Here are some of my favourite snapshots from the boat ride for memories.  Enjoy.

Eastern & Oriental Hotel, Penang.

Penang Postcard Competition 2009

This competition is jointly organized by Penang State Tourism Development, Culture, Arts & Heritage and KDU College Sdn Bhd, Penang. The objective of the Penang Postcard Competition is to use the postcard competition to generate interest in Penang tourism, culture and heritage.

The themes of the Penang Postcard Competition are:

•    Penang Heritage & Culture
•    Penang Scenes of Every Day Life
•    Penang the Modern Quirky and Humorous Side
•    Penang Food
•    Penang Flora and Fauna

Participants may send in as many entries/themes as they wish. However, a participant can only win one (1) prize.

•    Prizes for both categories
•    1st Prize – RM2,000
•    2nd Prize –RM1,500
•    3rd Prize – RM1,000
•    2 Consolation Prizes – RM500 each

An official prize presentation ceremony will be organized at a stipulated date at KDU College Sdn Bhd Penang campus’s foyer for which selected participants shall be invited to attend.

For more information,  visit :  Penang Post Card Competition 2009