Walk Zone: Pulau Tikus - Penang's Most Liveable District?
6 min read
While George Town was illustriously named after King George III (1738-1820) of Great Britain, Pulau Tikus more enticingly means Mouse Island.
Walk Zone: Air Itam - Once the de facto Capital of Penang
6 min read
Air Itam (Black Waters, a commonplace name throughout the Malay Peninsula) is an inland town in Penang Island. Located at the northeastern foothills and blessed with vibrant natural environs, its modern history is related to agricultural and plantation trade, and to ecological preservation.
The Man Who Sets Up Chowrasta Market Every Morning
1 min read
At 3am, when the fried bee hoon seller arrives, Tan helps her set up the stove before proceeding to the more demanding task of moving the pots and trays of food from the economical rice seller’s car to her stall.
The Creative Industries as Cultural and Economic Catalyst
8 min read
In the normal practice of evaluating education through measurables and eventual market worth, the need to encourage creativity in students is often neglected as it is considered to be a talent that is inert, and not one which can be developed.
Covid-19 or Not, Life Continues for These Heritage Traders
3 min read
Ng Kee Cake Shop is one of the oldest traditional Chinese bakeries in George Town. Its decadent bakes include kaya puffs, tao sar pneah (salted bean cake) and coconut tarts, which are also served as offerings during major Chinese Lunar holidays, like the Ching Ming and Hungry Ghost Festivals.
Handicrafts are More than Just Knick-knacks
3 min read
The handicraft industry was a thriving value-added service for Penang’s free port, but times have since changed. Previously hampered by slow production speed, the uniqueness of individual handicrafts is now threatened by mass production exacerbated by technological growth spurts.
The Art of Architecture
4 min read
Ar. Mei Chee Seong, 48, founder of ALM Arkitek in Penang which is a multi-disciplinary firm engaging in the practice of architecture, urban design, town planning, interior design, green building and heritage building conservation introduced me to the concept of “timescaping”.