Friday, February 09, 2007

My Penang - Day 1


Segara Ninda
Five of us visit Penang on the weekend. Segara Ninda, the guest house that we stay, belonged to Ku Din Ku Meh, the governor of Setul (at that time Setul was the province of Kedah under the domination of Thailand, but later became Ampur Satun, a part of Songkla Province, Thailand). Ku Din received the title of “Phraya Purminard Pakdi” or “The Devoted King” by the King of Siam.
The house situated on the Upper Penang Road which is very very bustling at night, surrounded by night club. Good for the one who enjoys night life. The present owner of the house who is the grandson of Ku Din Ku Meh.



The Lovely Blue Mansion
The Mansion of Cheong Fatt Tze who came to Penange penniless but had become one of the most historic and colorful personalities of the era, “One of China’s last Mandarins and 1st Capitalists”, that Dutch and British authorities ordered their flag be flown at half mast throughout their colonies when he passed away in 1916.
The house which was adorned with “feng shui” elements which sent out a call for Gods of prosperity, health and good luck, “had been restored and received the UNESCO Most Excellent Heritage Conservation Award in 2000.
The blue exterior paint which I found out later, happened to be indigo paint which washes off with every rainfall but since the paint is organic, it preserves the "health" of the walls and prevents cracks.
http://www.cheongfatttzemansion.com/

We end the evening by planning to have dinner at Gurney Drive, we get lost and are offered a ride to another food center by a local guy. The seafood at this small shops complex are quite good with approximately Baht 200 per person. Sorry no picture.

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