Like so many other bleary-eyed early-risers, we find ourselves standing in the dark waiting for sunrise to reveal the iconic temple of Angkor Wat. The sounds of frogs, crickets, and insects surround us. The murmuring crowd and the music playing in the background, don’t take away from the magic and the anticipation. Continue reading Angkor Wat
We discovered Urban Sketchers when we were planning a trip to Penang, Malaysia. During the three months that we’ve spent in George Town, we’ve participated in their Sketching George Town event and two of their weekly scheduled sketchwalks.
Here is a video consisting of short video clips and photos taken during the recent sketchwalks we attended.
If you find yourself in Penang, be sure to look up Urban Sketchers Penang. You’ll be welcomed by a friendly and talented group of passionate sketchers.
There always seems to be a celebration or festival happening in George Town, Penang.
Earlier this month, the Poh Hock Seah Temple on George Town’s famous Armenian Street hosted the 3-day birthday celebration of the Taoist God of Prosperity, Tua Pek Kong.
We went to check it out and took some video while we were there. Here’s the result.
Other events were scattered around the city and included a lighting ceremony of the festival archway and lanterns and a nighttime parade with colorfully lit floats.
When most people think of a tropical beach vacation in Southeast Asia, they generally think Thailand. More specifically, they think Phuket or its neighbor Krabi. To be sure, they are both drop-dead gorgeous, but they are also incredibly popular… and crowded. In fact, over 5.3 million tourists flock to Phuket each year. If you are looking to people-watch, party, or shop, then Phuket is a great choice. If you’re dreaming of a peaceful island getaway, then you may want to choose another destination. Why not consider Langkawi, Malaysia? Continue reading Langkawi: Island Paradise
There are many beautiful Chinese temples in Penang. They tend to be a mix of both Taoist and Buddhist religions. As such it is not surprising to see images of Taoist deities alongside the Bodhisattvas of Mahayana Buddhism, all within the same temple. Many temples were erected and are maintained by Chinese family clans that immigrated to Penang.
They are beautiful to look at and we love to slip in for a quick visit as we are passing by. Here are a few that we enjoyed. Continue reading Chinese Temples in Penang
We arrived in Penang, Malaysia just in time for the George Town Heritage Celebration, which is geared toward honoring the unique multicultural charms of this heritage rich city. This years event was themed “Living Legacies”. A number of events, open houses, displays, and markets were set up to showcase traditional cuisine and crafts that have been lovingly practiced and passed down through generations.
Malaysia being a Muslim country and us not having much familiarity with that rich tradition, we decided to attend an open house at the Lebuh Acheh Interpretation Center to view a gallery and a demonstration devoted to Islamic Calligraphy. Continue reading Islamic Calligraphy in Penang
Batik is a textile art and craft with ancient origins. Designs are created on cloth by first applying wax and then fabric dyes. There is some debate about the exact origins of batik, but it can be traced back at least 1,500 years to Egypt and the Middle East. Samples have also been found in Turkey, India, China, Japan and West Africa from past centuries. Some of the most well-known batik traditions are to be found in Malaysia and Indonesia.
Malaysians are very proud of their batik heritage and it is considered a national symbol. It’s also one of the most popular souvenirs for travelers visiting Malaysia.
During our 3 month stay in George Town, Penang we took a batik class and visited the Batik Painting Museum Penang. Continue reading Malaysian Batik in Penang
Ipoh is the capital city of the state of Perak in Malaysia and the country’s third largest city. We spent 2 weeks at the M Boutique Hotel in Ipoh where we could easily explore the city’s heritage trail, many British Colonial era buildings, and its famous food.
For us, the city’s true beauty lies in its natural surroundings. Just 5kms from the city you’ll find picturesque limestone mountains dotted with dramatic cave temples. We visited some of the most popular: Sam Poh Tong Temple, Ling Sen Tong Temple and Perak Tong Temple.
Each temple offered something unique and we enjoyed them all, but if I had to pick, I’d probably choose Sam Poh Tong Temple for its beautiful garden.
Continue reading Ipoh’s Cave Temples
When we were planning to set off on our year-long travel adventure, we knew that we were going to take a lot of photos. We debated whether or not to purchase a “real” digital camera or simply rely on our iPhones. With our limited luggage space and tight budget to consider, we decided to stick with the iPhones and purchase a few accessories to maximize their usability. We are four months into our trip and we have no regrets.
1. The iPhone Wrist Strap
There is something incredibly comforting about using a camera with a wrist strap or a neck strap. In the past, I’ve often been taking photos with my iPhone and been paranoid that I’d drop it or set it down and lose it. Then, I came across this iPhone Wrist Strap on Photojojo.com. It’s given me the confidence to whip out my iPhone to take photos while ziplining, riding an elephant, careening down the road in a Tuk-Tuk, and lots of other situations where I would have felt is was too big of a risk that I’d drop it. Honestly, I use it whenever I am holding my iPhone, not just for photos. Continue reading Travel iPhoneography
Each morning, just before dawn, I hear the day’s first Adhan calling George Town’s Muslims to prayer. It’s coming from the nearby Kapitan Keling Mosque, the oldest in Penang. As I’m waking, the lyrical and hauntingly beautiful sound reminds me that I’m in Malaysia, where Islam is the official religion. Not being Muslim or from a place where the call to prayer is commonly heard, it seems equally exotic and comforting. It’s easy to be enchanted by it. Continue reading Kapitan Keling Mosque
Meandering Family: Beyond the Nest 