Penang Odyssey [Part 3]

Selamat Hari Raya...

It's 10.30am. We clean ourself. Sunddenly, the phone ringing.

Billy: Hello, good morning.

Father: Hello. Hi. Good morning. Check out time is 11.30am. Meet at hotel lobby.

Billy: Ok. Thanks.

So, all of us check out from the room. We waited all contingent members to go downstairs. While waiting for others, we bought breakfast (maka almost afternoon). I played song Sayang Kinabalu through my Sony Ericcson K810i. Together we sung that song. All together joined singing Sayang Kinabalu.

By 11.30am, we left Good Hope Hotel. As usual, we had city tour around Georgetown. Gibtson wanna become penarek becha...

We dropped down at St. Francis Xavier Church.

It was one of the western architecture church in the island. We went inside the church. According to a stone, the building was built in 1951.

One thing attract our attention was the ceiling. It was made from pinang leaves I guess. Then we try the echo effect by singing doxology AMEN. Sounds good. Better implement in St. Thomas Church, Kuantan.

We went outside to the grotto. When I was kneeling down, I saw a stone which origin from Lourdes.

After praying for a while, we continued our journey went down towards KOMTAR.

We passed a unique telephone post.

And take a rest for a while.

Near Pasar Chowrasta, we found cendol @ ais kacang. Without wasting time, all of us ordered cendol.

My cendol = RM1.60. Mission no.4 accomplished.

All of us enjoyed our cendol. Same thing with Father Eugene.

Nyam, nyam... Delicious...

Then we stopped at 929 Kopitiam. The owner was Mr. James Lee. He told me the 929 means his wedding day was on September 29. We could not find any rice, so we just ordered Char Kueh Tiaw again. Uncle Henry came and sponsored our drink and rojak buah. Thank you Uncle Henry.

After lunch, we walked to KOMTAR led by Uncle Henry.

We had a tour around the complex. Quite old school but big. We passed Uncle Lim Guan Eng's office. How lucky we were if he was there. Can you imagine the CM of Penang say hi to you.

We proceed to Perangin Mall next to the KOMTAR.

At 2.30pm, we boarded the bus went to Kek Lok Si Temple, famous pagoda in Penang. We reached there around 3.00pm. The place so crowded because of Raya holiday.

Below the bridge, we found... most wanted meat in my place... BIAWAK!!!

There we bought T-shirt with special price. Then we went to tortoise pond.

We went futher up until the pagoda. The pagoda was built for The Goddess of Mercy.

We departed from Kek Lok Si Temple at 4.30pm. Next destination was Wah Tai Biscuit factory. As I entered the shop, I was welcome by Bah Kut Teh soup. Apa lagi. Try ja. Then saw a gigantic tongkat ali.

We went around the shop and tried all the specimens until finish. Before leaving, I bought a packet of biscuit. Wednna bought packets Bah Kut Teh ingredients.

This is Kuih Kapit. Made in Penang not in Kapit, Sarawak. I guess that pork floss might origin from Kapit.

Somewhere around 5.30pm we arrive at Stella Maris Retreat Centre where we spent our last night in Penang. Immediately after check-in, we ran to the beach and jumped into the sea. Finally we manage to swim in the sea after few day in Penang.

Many games and activities we did at the beach.

1. We buried our bos

2. Water wrestling

3. Long jump

4. play anak ayam

5. 360 flip flop

We enjoyed the evening so much.

That night we had our dinner at Tanjung Tokong Open Air. We ate Nasi Ayam Claypot.

Nasi Ayam Claypot= RM5.00


Happy face after ate claypot

Then we take our sweet time by sitting at the beach.

Tommorow must wake up early because tommorow morning we will go to the bicentenary celebration of College General.

continue in Part 4

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...