Wednesday, March 28, 2018, George Town (Penang), Malaysia

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Capital of the Malaysian island of Penang, George Town has long been a crossroads. Resting on the Strait of Malacca, it served as an important port on the prosperous trade routes between Madras and Canton.  Today, it is a glorious celebration of culture, one of Asia’s most colorful corners.  Malays, Indians, and Chinese all share a past here, as a ride around town via a pedaled trishaw will show.  George Town’s unique city-scape features shops from colonial days, Buddhist and Taoist temples, and kongsi, brightly painted clan houses that traditionally open their doors to all who share a surname.  The town’s rich literary past includes temporary residents such as Rudyard Kipling, Somerset Maugham, and Noel Coward.
George Town, named a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its unique blend of colonial and Asian architecture. One of the first British settlements in Southeast Asia, it was founded as an entrepôt, a trading post where goods were imported, stored and exported again. George Town exudes British influence at every turn. 
Today Diane and Larry each took different shore excursions.  Diane went to a batik factory to watch a demonstration and to make a small sample.
Hand drawing wax borders prior to applying diluted dyes.
 Stamping wax borders on material prior to applying very diluted dye.



In the mean time Larry went on a city orientation excursion.
George Town is the oldest city in Malaysia, the capital of the state of Penang.






 Methodist church.

Seventh Day Adventist church.
Baptist church.


 World famous wall painting (per our tour guide).





 St. George’s Church was built in the Palladian style in the early 1800s for the colonists.










 A quick stop at a hotel for toilet use.  Wow, what polished floors.
 Trishaws of old.




Locals working on the troubles of the world!
 Polo field across from the city hall.










 Fort Cornwallis.













Due to high property taxes, many emmigrants built homes on stilts over water close to shore.


The Sultan Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah Bridge or Penang Second Bridge is a dual carriageway toll bridge in Penang, Malaysia.  It connects Bandar Cassia (Batu Kawan) in Seberang Perai on mainland Peninsular Malaysia with Batu Maung on Penang Island.  It is the second bridge to link the island to the mainland after the first Penang Bridge.  The total length of the bridge is 15 miles with length over water at 10.5 miles, making it the longest bridge in Malaysia and the longest in Southeast Asia.  China Harbour Engineering Co Ltd, a main contractor for the second bridge was expected to start work on the second Penang bridge in November 2007 and complete the project in 2011, but the completion date was then postponed to May 2012, and later to February 2014.  Construction started in November 2008.  To reduce the cost of construction, its design was then modified to resemble the first cable stayed Penang Bridge.  The bridge has been built with a large loan from the People's Republic of China to continue and maintain the economic relationship between China and Malaysia.  The bridge was officially opened on 1 March 2014 at 20:30 MST and was named after the fourteenth Yang di-Pertuan Agong, the late Tuanku Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah of Kedah and was assigned with the route number E28.

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