"Penang - Pearl of the Orient" a Penang Travel Page by Restless-in-kl

Though I was born here, I was not raised here as my dad was transferred a lot. Now, it's where my parents and my sis call home. I have come to know it better now during my visits on weekends or holidays.

This picture was taken from my sister's apartment overlooking Gurney Drive.

As mentioned in my homepage, this is THE food paradise of Malaysia. I just can't get enough of it.

Found a great little restaurant called Hot Wok serving these delicious Nyonya food (Nyonya refers to mixed Malay-Chinese parentage) with a cosy ambience. So you really get a fusion of taste that's both spicy, hot, tangy and absolutely appetising.

11 February 2006 was the day Thaipusam was celebrated.

It's is a colourful celebration of the birthday of Lord Subramaniam, one of the paramount Hindu deities and son of Siva.

A feature of the festival is the carrying of a kavadi, a semi-circular structure that is decorated with colored papers, tinsels, fresh flowers, and fruits as a form of penance. During that day, roads are transformed into a fairyland of lights. Devotees and penitents carry Kavadis. Some have entered a trance, and pierced their cheeks, tongues, or foreheads. Apart from carrying kavadis, other forms of devotion are practiced, such as honey or milk offerings.

The fesitivities begin on the very eve of the auspicious day. The Silver Chariot carries the image of Lord Muruga from the Chettiar Temple in Penang Street to the Nattukkottai Chettiar Temple at Waterfall Road. This procession starts at dawn and ends at sundown. During the process the crowds smash coconuts and make offerings of incense, fruits, flowers, and money as the chariot stops at every Hindu shrine along the way, followed by a stream of kavadi bearers.

Excerpt from http://www.pulaupinang.com/events/thaipusam.shtml