Penang Odyssey [Part 2]

Wake up, Wake up, Wake up...

It is 9.30am. We woke-up and make self cleaning. Then we proceed to downstairs for breakfast.

This boy always posing by the time I took photo. See who's behind them...

My cup of MILO...


At 10.10am, Kuantan contingent departed to College General. Ok, what is actually College General? This college is a place where Catholic priests was born. It also known as College of Matyrs because many relics of matyrs were kept in this college. The college was founded in year 1665 at Ayuthia, Siam by the MEP missioneries. Then changes to few places until it finally settle in Penang in year 1808.


Upon arrival in college ground, we were welcome by Bro. Gregory. Of course, his trademark, "iziau no!" Father Eugene brought us in a simple tour to the chapel. The chapel situated on the hill facing the sea. Very fantastic view. I wonder who was the architect and engineer.

You gonna go up to the chapel...

Tiring face after climbing the steps...

According to Father Eugene's story, the chapel was one of the pioneer building in the college. So, after some calculation, the chapel was 200 years old. The chapel adopt French architecture.

Inside the chapel, there were relics of matyrs. They were former students of the college once upon a time. The matyrs were executed because of their faith in Christ. On the left wing of the chapel was relics of European matyrs while right wing was for Asian matyrs.We spent few minutes to pray and take group photo. It was fantastic for varsity students who visit a 200 years old building.

These three boys naughty trying seminarian cassocks.


Our odyssey continued to the college museum just one stone throw from the chapel. The museum was officilally decalared opened in 19 June 1997 by Rt. Rev Anthony Selvanayagam, Bishop of Penang. The building was former residence for the professors and formators.

The entrance of the museum.

Billy was here on 30 September 2008.

Journey of College General from 1665 till 1808

At ground floor, there were 2 sections, early missonary in Far East & old assets from the college. 1st section, we know the history of the College General much better. We saw many historical monuments and books which were used to spread good news of Christ in Asia region. During that time, any attempt to spread Western culture was not allowed (refer back history book). Many methods were used to teach local poeples about Christian. They were beheaded for defending their faith. Many locals were executed in Indo-china, China & Korea.

This was the teaching in Korea which beared on a scaft wear by women passed from village to village.

Another section was the old assets of College General. Picture below will show you the assets.

old school type writer.

old school washing machine.

bicycle for the priest to go for mass.

old cathedra

Now we move to 1st floor. It contained sacred vessels and rooms of the professors long time ago.
There were seven rooms at 1st floor. There were many sacred vessels displayed. I think this place is better for altar servers to study. We also visited the rooms which were used by MEP professors.

Dictionaries.

Baker to make host for Holy Eucharist.

We did some cleaning on the first floor.




We have lunch of char siew at 1.00pm. We can see happy faces after the lunch.


Happy face after ate char siew.

An hour later, we left College General for island tour. We went to Teluk Bahang and Batu Ferringhi. Then, at 3.30pm, we arrived at hotel and rest.

At 8.00pm, all varsity students decided to go to Gurney Drive, one of the famous attraction in Penang. So I was thinking I have 4 objectives to accomplish. Namely:
1. Eat Penang Char Kueh Tiaw.
2. Sip Penang famous Asam Laksa.
3. Melantak Nasi Kandar
4. Cool down with Penang Cendol.

We walked few minutes to find hawker stall to have dinner. Finally, we found an open air stall. I was impressed when entering the stall. I was welcomed by bontot ayam bakar, my favourite dish. Ok. We ordered 40 bontot ayam that night. Fantastic aaaa....

Here is my several pieces of 40 pieces of bontot ayam.

As planned, we ask for Penang Char Kuey Tiaw. 1st objective accomplished.

We enjoyed that night very well. We stopped for a while to taste Penang Asam Laksa. 2nd objective done. Jojon cannot miss her burger. (FYI: She loves burger very much)Nyam2...

While went back to hotel, rain suddenly poured down. We were all wet. We reached hotel at 1am. Aunty Camelia spied us from the window. Adoh... Kantoi eh...


Continue in Part 3...

Penang Odyssey [Part 1]

According to Church Bulletin Bil 37/08, there will be a trip to Penang in conjuction of 200th establishment of College General. Wow! That's great. Aunty Camelia said you must pay RM160 for the trip. Ok, it is cheap for me going to Penang 4 days 3 nights by paying RM160. Peluang jangan ditolak.

So, the day came. 29 Sept @ Monday. That morning, we woke up late. Gosh... My alarm cheated me. Sure left behind. After this gonna buy new one. In the midst of rush, I forget my tooth brush. Ceh... never mind la. Luckily, the bus still in church compound waiting for YB's (lambat datang) to board the bus. Sorry to everybody in the bus who patiently wait for us. As the bus start moving, we stopped at few destinations to pick up parishioners who join the trip. The 8hours journey started after the bus passed the Gambang Tol. I enjoyed the journey in dreamland. Zzzzz...

Our bus stopped at Temerloh R&R for breakfast. I just bought Dutch Lady Full Cream UHT Milk. Hope no melamine inside. After stopped in 1 hour, the journey continue towards Gombak. Boring la. So, I continue to sleep. I thinked they recited the Rosary prayer along the way.

Suddenly I felt the bus rocking. I woke up...Aiya... the tyre burst just below my seat. Now I know that I am quite heavy. We stranded at KM395.2 PLUS highway. Somewhere around tanjung malim. This was second time I stepped my feet on Perak ground. I saw the tyre partially damage. We wait about 1 hour 20 minutes to recover all the failures. To ease the tension, Mosses and his group entertained the passengers by singing PAKE TOME- TOME song plus the action. Atleast cool down the situation. .

pake tome tome pa pa...

See the operation of changing tyre and a bursting tyre.

We was stranded here....

After all the break down recovered, we praise the Lord cos we can continue our journey.

We passed by beautiful scenery of Ipoh limestone.

I as usual entered to my dreamland. Still 4 hours to go. We stopped at Tapah R&R for late lunch. As we arrive at Plaza Tol Sg. Juru, waaaa.... heavy traffic jam! Luckily the driver was not Billy or Dexter. We managed reach Penang Bridge after few minutes.

This was sweet memory for most of us when we across the bridge for the first time. All of us watched the sceneries through window although it was not clear due to heavy rain. So, our first destination in Penang was Church of Immaculate Conception, Pulau Tikus. We attented the healing mass. There, we met Bro Gregory. First word from his mouth, "iziau no" mean kau bah tu.. (common Kadazan conversation). We were happy to meet Bro. Greg here since he left Kuantan last year.

After the mass, we check-in in Good Hope Hotel, Jalan Kelawei. Nice hotel but... as we entered the room, I shocked because the door for bathroom a little bit transparent. Adoh... not privacy la... Hantam ja la said Gibson. Kita kan semua lelaki. Ok fine. I just nod my head.

Moses have a nice view to take a shoot of transparent door.That night, I slept well.

The endeavour continue in Part 2...