25/7/2009 Georgetown - UNESCO World Heritage Site Part 4

While on my way to the Khoo Kongsi, I came across a statue which is not there previously.


Many people were taking photos with the statue




The statue moved (shocking), actually it's a performer who pretends to be a statue. In this photo, the "statue" can't withstand anymore and laughed, so he taken a deep breath and continue to pretend as a statue

After finish snapping the photos of the "statue", I realized there's an entrance to a temple not far from the "statue", so I decided to explore the place.


The entrance to another temple


Small entrance to a temple with big compound


Closer look of the temple


An ancient ferrule installed on the main door at the entrance

After spending 20 minutes there, I headed to my last destination - Khoo Kongsi, which is not far away.


The Chief Minister of Penang - Lim Guan Eng, was outside Khoo Kongsi


The entrance to Khoo Kongsi, a red carpet was laid on the floor to welcome the V.I.P, though I am not one of them :P


An old lamp post and the old window looks classic to me


The famous Khoo Kongsi of Penang, unfortunately I was unable to snap the whole Khoo Kongsi



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The Bengali guard statue, it's said to watch over the Khoo Kongsi


Some ancient sign boards


The architecture of the building is amazing


Another side of Khoo Kongsi





After spending an hour there, I left the place and went for my dinner (supper indeed).

25/7/2009 Georgetown - UNESCO World Heritage Site Part 3

After the dragon dance ended, I headed to the Indian Temple that I visited just now for the following Indian cultural shows. The first performance was the traditional Indian classical musics performed by two musicians using the traditional Indian music instruments - Sitar, a 21 strings instruments and Tabla, a popular traditional Indian percussion.

The 2 musicians not just played the classical Indian's songs which are so different from present Indian's songs, as it's easy listening, but they also played a Chinese song, which is the main them of an old TVB series - Once Upon A Time In Shanghai and a Malay song with the instruments.


This is Sitar, the base of it is made with pumpkin which has been cut into half


This is Tabla, the smaller one is made of wood while the larger one is made of brass

After the classical Indian music presentation, it was followed by a Traditional Indian dance performed by a few young ladies.









After the dance, it was followed by another Indian dance.


More people and more props for this dance



After the dance, I headed to the Chinese temple nearby to watch the Chinese Opera as well.








Backstage musicians


Smile~


After a while, I only realized the story of the opera is about the famous judge - Justice Bao


Justice Bao with his sheriffs


He actually had four sheriffs

After spending 20 minutes at the temple, I decided to head forward to my last destination of the night, Khoo Kongsi.


As I was on my way, I came across the flowers stalls located besides the temple


There was some Malay musicians playing their traditional musical instruments as well




To be continue.....

25/7/2009 Georgetown - UNESCO World Heritage Site Part 2

When the clock reached 6:30 PM, the Lion Dance begun at the compound of the Han Jiang Association.













Followed by the 24 Drums performance. The 24 Drums was started in Johor, Malaysia back in 1988. The 24 Drums represents 24 periods within the Chinese (Lunar) Calendar, which includes 立春，雨水，惊蛰，春分，清明，谷雨，立夏，小满，芒种，夏至，小暑，大暑，立秋，处暑，白露，秋分，寒露，霜降，立秋，小雪，大雪，冬至，小寒，大寒 (Unfortunately, I do not know how to translate all into Chinese, as I only understand few of the periods.) and each of the drums is play by one drummer.




The drum written 大暑, which means major Summer


The drum written 立春, which means beginning of Spring


The 24 drums are play by 24 drummers







After the 24 Drums performance, there was a martial arts performance.


As there are too many audience surrounded the performers, I only managed to snapped one nice shot

After the martial arts presentation, it was followed by Dragon Dance.


The Dragon head


The Dragon chasing the Dragon Ball




The musicians for the Dragon Dance


To be continue.....