Georgetown, Penang UNESCO World Heritage Sites - Celebrations - 25th to 27th July 2008 for all ex-Exellers

The historical Straits Settlement cities of George Town and Malacca have just been classified as Unesco World Heritage sites.

The two towns constitute a unique architectural and cultural townscape without parallel anywhere in East and Southeast Asia,” said the citation on the Unesco Heritage list website. Malaysia had been bidding for the prestigious listing since 2004.

The core areas encompass the historical sites of George Town, including the Lebuh Acheh historical enclave and sites such as the Lebuh Acheh Malay Mosque, Jalan Mesjid Kapitan Kling Mosque, the Goddess of Mercy Temple, Sri Mariamman Temple, Khoo Kongsi, St George’s Church, Assumption Church, St Xavier’s Institution, Convent Light Street, Little India, the museum and court building, the commercial area of Beach Street, Fort Cornwallis, Esplanade, City Hall, the clan jetties and the port areas.

Listing George Town and Malacca on the World Heritage List would definitely help to boost the tourism in both states in a long run.

The historic centres of Melaka and Georgetown in Malaysia have developed over 500 years of trading and cultural exchange between east and west, imbuing both places with a unique multicultural heritage.

In Georgetown, the capital of Penang, the new world heritage site comprises the old 18th-century town grid along the waterfront, as well as the surrounding historic and multicultural neighbourhoods. A true melting pot of architecture and culture, Georgetown was founded in 1786 as a base for the East India Company. But its most popular attractions are probably now the Kapitan Keling Mosque, Khoo Kongsi and Sri Mariamman Temple.

Here, in Georgetown Penang there is a line up of programme to celebrate UNESCO listing of Georgetown as a World Heritage Site from 25 to 27 July 2008.

We all, Exellers are indeed very proud of such listing by UNESCO World Heritage Site for Georgetown and Congratulations to all who make such a rare listing by UNESCO a SUCCESS !!! SYABAS to ALL....

So to all fellow Exellers & Friends, let's celebrate and "LET THE PARTY BEGINS"

25 July 2008

26 July 2008

27 July 2008

DURIAN PARTY..what a feast we have on 05Jul08 attended by ex-Exellers

H'ng & family was the 1st to arrive at the view point at 1230hrs waiting for the rest followed by Jaya & family. This view point was a good meeting place and from here you could get a good view of South Eastern part of Penang. Pulau Kendi was easily seen from this point and the whole forest terrain was a awesome sight with many durians tree sighted.
The last to arrive was NK & family and thus with about 20 of us, we proceed to the durian farm in Balik Pulau. Roll call of Exellers participating this year durian party were : Vivian,Shirley,Rebecca,Low,Siew-Siew & hubby,Jaya & family,NK & family, CS Ang & family,H'ng & family and Gary & friends later joined all of us at the orchard farm. Many durians of branded varieties were served ang heh, bak u, hor lor, D112, D64 and the old actress "Lin Fong Chiao".

The cost was shared among all the adults ( children eat for free) and is was only MYR20 per person with total amount of MYR300 worth of durians opened for our feast.

As some of us could still go for Balik Pulau Jalan Baru hokkien mee & laksa, we thus proceed to wipe up a bowl of this each and it was indeed a very hearty & full meal for the day.
It was indeed a well rewarded day spend together and this gathering is once in a rare occasion where ex-Exellers could come & gather to catch up on old times & rekindle with good fond memories during Exel era.
For those who could not make it for this year durian party, don't worry as we will have another Durain Party next year, and if possible make it a point to attend as after all this will take only 3 hours of your weekend precious time. . Never mind if you hate the smell of durians or dont't eat durians as it is the company and friends together that matters as all good things in life are best shared.

Penang Bon Odori Carnival-19 July 2008 - Be there all ex-Exellers to support

A traditional Japanese festival with dance and drum performances held to welcome the homecoming of ancestral spirits and the organiser is The Consulate-General of Japan, Penang.

For this year, "Penang Bon Odori Carnival 2008" would be held at the Esplanade (Padang Kota Lama) on Saturday, 19 July 2008 from 6pm to 11pm
.

Bon Odori Festival in Penang, like in other parts of the world, is celebrated with great enthusiasm. Bon Odori is observed during Obon, which in turn is Buddhist holiday that originated in Japan to pay tribute to the ancestral spirits. The customs of this festival varies from one region to another but the traditional celebration includes a Bon dance with people dancing to the tune of musicians and singers of the Obon music around a wooden building.

More about Bon Odori ........

This Buddhist dance festival is celebrated as a reminder of the gratefulness one should feel toward their ancestors. Bon Odori originates from the story of a Buddhist disciple who envisioned his deceased mother in the Realm of Hungry Ghosts where she was endulging in her own selfishness. Greatly disturbed, he went to Buddha and asked how he could release his mother from this realm. Buddha advised his disciple to perform some charitable act in memory of his mother. The disciple did this and, thus, saw his mother's release for the Realm of Hungry Ghosts. He also began to see the true nature of her past unselfishness and the many sacrifices that she had made for him. The disciple, happy because of his mother's release and grateful for his mother's kindness, danced with joy. From this dance of joy comes Bon Odori or Bon Dance, a time in which our ancestors and their sacrifices are remembered and appreciated.

Today the Bon Odori Festival participants continue this custom as they dance in traditional Japanese dress, including kimonos, yukata (cotton kimonos), and hopi coats (short coats styled like a kimono top). The dances may include the use of fans, castinets, straw hats or cotton towels and recall both daily life in Japan and rememberance of ancestors.

The festival in Penang will see many stall selling food, Japanese & local as well as promotion of Japanese products during this time.

So folks, make a date to be at this festival and Enjoys to celebrate another festival happening in Penang......

Visit "SMOKEY JOE BBQ" Delights at Penang Bon Odori...be there...have F U N