The other day I came across a few pictures which I had taken from my cell phone, in Penang. These spontaneously clicked shots were a expression of how much I loved the city! Well the photos are candid and of course, they sum up the entire story for me..
The island derives its name from the beetle nut tree which is called 'pinang' in Malay. This circle in the heart of the city reminds us of this nomenclature!
When we visited George Town for the first time, I regretted not having my camera...but I could not resist capturing the charm of Fort Cornwallis in my cell phone!
George Town is the symbol of Penang's colonial heritage. Listed as a World Heritage site by UNESCO, Penang has colourful old time buildings donning the streets.
Outside the fort were small stalls selling ice creams and 'Rojak'. Rojak is a local delicacy made with sliced fruits and prawns. What I cannot forget is the reaction of my vegetarian friends, after they realized the existance of prawns in the dish!
Penang is Malaysia's food capital with many specialities like Ice Kachang and Chandol, both made up of shaved ice and topped up with cream, fruits and beans! This one is Rojak!
I know the next picture isn't great, but yes, the beaches at Batu Ferringhi are just too wonderful to unwind after a hectic week!
The Batu Ferringhi night market! It opens up only at night (of course :P) and you can buy just about everything and bargain to your heart's content!
And I know things get more interesting in the night :P..
There is more coming up.. in Part II !! :)
Going back to my last post, I wanted to post memories which are very close to my heart. Childhood memories for me are tantamount to my granny's old house in Dadar. So whenever I see any of those pre-independence buildings in Mumbai I apparate back in time. The house had been inhabited by four generations of our family, beginning with my great grand father.
That was a building with high ceilings, wooden staircases and carved balconies... Sunlight filtering through the colorful mosaic on the window panes. It took you back in time.. One window opened to the hustle 'n bustle of a big city and the other to quiet narrow lanes. Well, even if that had been my second home till I finished school, I haven't been to that house for close to nine years now!
Hweeps ..! It just seems it was yesterday when...
I ran into an old man while taking my first bicycle lessons - arrogant oldie scolds poor child me - gives me free traffic rule gyan - later turns out to be grandfather's friend - shit ..
The moms go shopping - me and cousins recreate water kingdom in the kitchen - freaked out in the selfmade swimming pool - folks harrowed - never left home alone ever since..
Even worse moms dragging us to shopping with them - (well those were days I used to hate shopping (how dumb of me ..!! )) - irritated cousin - kicks a roadside dog - dog chasing us from Plaza to Shivaji Mandir - finally finds cousin's butt between his teeth ..
Neighbour had F-O-U-R Poms at home - I was chased multiple times by these creatures .. same/different .. I don't know..I don't care..
The food - Dadar Chowpatti - sev puri - Great Punjab - still my favv..
The fights - the teasing - uncontrollable mischief - troubling unwanted guests - broken tube lights - and finally harassed grand parents ..
LOL.. I can still see these images... in the tone of Sepia ....!
