'What's On Penang' Jan/Feb 2012

What’s On Penang

www.whatsonpenang.com |

January 2012

Your guide to Getting the most out of Penang Hotels, Restaurants, Nightlife and so much more...

Thaipusam & Chinese New Year Marco Battastotti On Working Your Way to the Top Danny Wong Berlin Bier Houz Founder On a Mission Vintage Bulgaria Vintage Hospitality Dato Dr Chan A Very Busy Man Regular Features Penang Property Football Crazy Boyz Toyz

What’s On Penang

2012 & The Year of the Dragon What’s On Penang

During the Chinese New Year celebration, thousands of devotees will turn up for the annual lighting ceremony at Kek Lok Si Temple in Air Itam.

Running from January 19 through until February 19, Kek Lok Si Temple will light up every night at 7pm until midnight to symbolize peace, luck and prosperity.

Xong Ci Fa Cai! What an eventful time of year this is for us all in Penang. We have the incredible spectacle of the Hindu Festival, Thaipusam, coinciding with the Chinese New Year.

The first day of the lunar calendar falls on January 23rd this year and you definitely do not want to miss out on the celebrations.

The majority of the main celebrations fall on the first two days where you can watch animated lion and dragon dance performances accompanied by energetic drums, gongs and cymbals. This year we welcome back the Year of the Dragon.

Thaipusam is shortly after that on February 7th this year. This annual Hindu festival where devotees perform various rituals and carry ‘kavadis’ as acts of devotion and penance is an amazing experience, one I promise that you will never forget.

Recover from that and for the romantics amongst us, we have Valentine’s Day on February 14th and did you know that January 26th is Australia Day! The Langkawi Ironman in February is a must-do for any endurance race goer. A challenging international endurance marathon that tests athletes’ abilities, this race offers stunning surroundings in which to push yourself to your limits (or watch others do the deeds while you sit back on the beach and sip cool drinks).

Approximately 230,000 light bulbs and 10,000 lanterns are used to light up the temple.

The most oustanding scene is the Pagoda of Ten Thousand Buddhas, it is over 35 metres in height and is reputed to be one of the largest pagodas in Malaysia, which can be seen from several kilometres away.

Hokkien New Year (Thni Kong Seh) Hokkien New Year is celebrated widely in Penang.

The Hokkien community in Chew Jetty is celebrating this year’s Thni Kong Seh in a grand scale. Come and see what it’s all about; January 30-31.

Now I’m really looking forward to all of that! www.whatsonpenang.com

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Around Town...

Chinese New Year

Venue: Kek Lok Si Temple, Air Hitam

Date: January 29th (1500 2400hrs)

Date: January 19th February 19th

Chinese New Year Cultural & Heritage Celebration will feature a historical touch of the art & cultures of all the clans in Penang but also an understanding of the core moral values of the Chinese.

The temple lights will be on throughout this period and is open to the public late into the evening to celebrate Chinese New Year.

Penang World Music Festival

Music...

Venue: Quarry Recreational Park, Botanical Gardens.

Date: March 30 - April 1 After a three year hiatus, the Penang World Music Festival returns.

With music genre ranging from blues to salsa and reggae, the upcoming PWMF 2012 is definitely not an event to be missed.

Chor Sor Kong Deity Birthday Local Culture...

Chinese New Year

Venue: UNESCO World Heritage Site, George Town

All welcome to join in!

Venue: Snake Temple, Bayan Lepas Date: January 28th (0700-2300hrs) Penang’s famous Snake Temple is dedicated to the deity Chor Sor Kong. The 6th day of Chinese New Year is his birthday.

Chor Sor Kong is regarded as a protector of snakes.

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Fantastic display that has to be seen!

St Valentines Day Venue: Various Penang Date: February 14th Valentines Day is fast approaching and for all you romantics amongst us, there are many options to celebrate in style.

Ranging from shopping promos to candlelit dinners, check our website for full details: www.whatsonpenang. com

Chap Goh Meh Venue: Various Penang Date: 6th February Celebrated on the 15th nght of the Lunar New Year, it is also known as the Chinese Valentine’s Day. On this night, with the full moon shining down, young ladies of marrying age venture out to popular sea promenades to throw oranges into the sea, wishing for a good soul mate.

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This Month Thaipusam

Penang

Malaysian GP Venue: Sepang International Circuit

Date: 7th February (0600 2300hrs)

Date: 23-25 March

This all day procession starts in Little India and travels out to Waterfall Road near the Botanical Gardens.

Renowned as one of the most prestigious motorsport events, the world’s finest drivers challenge each other at the Sepang International Circuit.

On the day before, old coconuts are smashed along the roads where the Chariot procession will take place.

Don’t miss the chance to take in the hottest action on the track!

Penang Markets

Gurney Paragon

Weekend Market Venue: New World Park

Little Street Market Venue: Upper Penang Road Date: 29th January Flea Market Venue: Straits Quay Date: 4th February

17th Tour de Langkawi Date: 24 February - 4 March Le Tour de Langkawi 2012 is expected to feature 22 professional teams including three local teams.

With a new tagline ‘Ready For the World’, the 17th edition of Le Tour de Langkawi promises to be a trendous event.

TGI Friday are running an opening promotion as are many of the other new tenants.

How To Get Listed?

Easy! Just send in your event information to: info@whatsonpenang.com Or register online whatsonpenang.com

at

Listings are free but information must be submitted by the 14th day of the month prior to publication.

Sports & Art...

Venue: Northern Malaysia

Tenants surrounding St Jo’s are Goku Roku Ramen, Pacific Coffee Co, T.G.I.Friday’s, Brussels Beer Cafe, The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, and Meet Fresh.

Shopping...

Date: 21-22 January

Gurney Paragon has now opened its doors. The newly renovated St Jo’s @ Gurney Paragon has been officially opened

Around Town...

Venue: Little India - Waterfall Road

Inclusion is not guaranteed and is at the discretion of the editor.

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Learning Mandarin Mandarin is the world’s 2nd most important commercial language, after English.

sound pronounced with a change of tone changes the meaning of the word.

Learning Mandarin is essential to access this massive market and will become even more important as China continues to grow.

From the aspects of read, write, speak and listen, it takes a longer time to master the basic skills.

One of the major reasons that many people find learning Mandarin very difficult, is the fact that it is a tonal language.

This means that the same

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Just mastering the 4 tones perfectly and being able to write the Chinese characters with the correct steps and strokes, unfortunately, is not enough.

English Hello Goodbye Thank You Welcome

Chinese Ni Hao Zaijian Xie Xie Bukeqi

Chinese characters can’t be interpreted word by word, sometimes it changes according to the context.

This is where most of the beginners, not surprisingly,

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get confused. One character may have more than one meaning or pronunciation.

Well, relax,enjoy and have fun when learning Mandarin, after all it’s comforting to know that over 836 million people have already mastered the language!

This article was kindly contributed by Cindy Teh, teacher of Mandarin. For more details please see her full bio on page 66.

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Bringing Authentic Italian to Malaysia When it opened little over a year ago in Ampang, KL, Spasso Milano was a nice boutique Italian restaurant with more than a little promise.

On first visit, you would be greeted by friendly staff and a contemporary atmosphere, with seriously tantilising aromas coming from the kitchen – this, plus the food itself, is what kept bringing people back time after time.

The lunch crowd was strong, and despite horrendous traffic on Jalan Ampang, one of the busier arterial routes in KL, a growing dinner crowd emerged appreciating Chef Felice Martinelli’s genuine Italian fare.

With growing popularity, the team behind Spasso saw their chance to share the passion for all things Italian, and launched their first outlet in Penang, at none other than

Sliced Home-smoked Duck Breast & Avocado, drizzled with Hazelnut Oil

Straits Quay.

Nestled in a great spot overlooking the marina entrance, and close to all the amenities, Spasso Straits Quay had the added advantage of alfresco dining, outside, whilst looking at the million dollar yachts being moored there.

Beautiful view, stunning cuisine, excellent wines, made for a great combination, and

has helped to build up a great following by loyal Penangites.

With Penang’s first true woodfired pizza oven, Spasso not only offered the same great dishes previously experienced in KL, but also offered Penangites the opportunity to try authentic Italian pizza – crispy thin crust, mouthwatering toppings, all prepared in a genuine wood fire pizza oven.

The latest addition has been a move to KL’s prestigious Pavilion. The new outlet in Pavilion will offer even more retail products, as well as inhouse dining and take-away options.

Its original wood-fired pizza oven will still produce those crispy thin crust pizzas’ we’ve come to love, and especially sourced Italian gourmet items will now be available, along with fresh bread and cakes

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These sentiments are echoed

by Chef Felice Martinelli (Head Chef), “it’s been amazing to see how Malaysians have embraced true Italian food, and I am so happy that we will now be in a location where we can share this love for great food with even more people”.

Mouth Watering Wood-Fired Pizza

from the kitchen, and great wines from the cellars of Italy.

You can dine-in and savour a hearty authentic Italian meal from Chef Felice’s kitchen, or take away the core ingredients so that you can try the same at home. All-time favourite, the anti-pasti lunch buffet, is being extended to offer new selections, adding to Chef Felice’s already 160-strong list of anti-pasti items.

Freshly prepared every day, with regular rotation of items to ensure that there’s always something different, the popular buffet has

Assorted Mushroom in Cream Sauce, Topped with Crispy Beef Bresaola

returned with even more taste tempters. No better way for a delicious lunch with friends, or a business meeting on the go, with great food and ambience. Priced from RM 28++, it certainly has to be one of the best value lunches the city has to offer.

Spasso’s new wine lounge, a temperature controlled wine room, allows you to sit and relax before or after your meal, with a bottle of your favourite chianti and maybe a cheese platter or indulgent desert, or hold a casual, yet productive, meeting in this relaxed private space. With low tables and sofas, the wine room becomes the perfect chill out space in the bustle of Pavilion.

Restaurant Manager, Angelo Picca, commented “it’s great for us at Spasso Milano to be closer to our customers in the heart of KL. We love food, and we love seeing our customers enjoy the experience that we provide. We know that they’ll love our new location, and we look forward to continuing to delight everyone with our cuisine and hospitality”.

‘Spasso Milano: Authentic Italian, No Passport Required’ is on cue to set and exceed new cuisine benchmarks in Pavilion, and the team is looking forward to sharing their love for all things Italian.

Chef Felice Martinelli and Spasso Milano recently took home a Gold Award in the 2011 round of HAPA (Hospitality Asia Platinum Awards), in the Most Trendy Casual Dining category, recognizing the culinary skills and style of the restaurant.

For northern region fans and travellers alike, Spasso Milano is also open on Penang’s Straits Quay. Keep an eye out over the next few months, some new surprises are planned, which we are sure you will all really enjoy.

This article was kindly contributed by Craig Selby of Orchan Consulting. His full bio is on page 66.

Spasso Milano Pavilion is located at Lot 6.44 & 6.45, Level 6, Pavilion, or telephone (03) 2148 0688 to make a reservation.

Spasso is open seven days for lunch, all-day dining, and dinner (Monday to Sunday: 10:00am to 11:00pm [last order 10:30pm]). www.whatsonpenang.com

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Vintage Bulgaria Vintage Hospitality The First thing that strikes you when you approach Vintage Bulgaria in Sungai Kelian, Tanjong Bungah, is the huge sign with the colours of the national flag, red, white and green. The second thing and the 2nd longest lasting memory you will take away with you is the decoration, you feel as if you have wondered into a Hansel & Gretel story with an authentic country cottage feel from the high country of Eastern Europe.

This effect is carried throughout the whole building from cellar to attic. They even have a faux fireplace in the cellar room whose low ceiling creates even more atmosphere, as if that was possible.

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The whole ambience is romantic, rustic and so very, very timely as I visited there with my wife just 2 days before Christmas. The cottage was complete with Christmas Tree and simulated snow effects.

The only thing that was not there, thank goodness, was the roaring fire, with the temperature in the 30’s it certainly was not needed.

I went to Vintage Bulgaria to find out about this highly regarded restaurant from one of the owners Silviya Georgieva.

For Christmas in the tropics is all about imagination and memories if you come from colder climes.

Frequenting her now neighbouring Ingolf’s Kneipe German Restaurant and Bar, many times gave her the inspiration to open Penang’s first Bulgarian restaurant.

Silviya has lived in Malaysia for 7 years coming from her home country Bulgaria with her husband for work reasons but soon fell in love with it here on Penang.

Her parents owned a restaurant back home and with their daughter and grandchildren now living in Penang, decided that they should sell up and come and live in the tropics and this led to the family owned restaurant that is Vintage Bulgaria.

So, the parents see to the food authenticity and preparation, the daughter sees to the operating of the restaurant and the son-in-law created the décor and atmosphere as Robert is a renowned theming consultant.

This family business is a team effort that works extremely well as each member of the

family has an eye for detail in their respective fields.

The first question most people ask when I mention Vintage Bulgaria is where is Bulgaria?

So, to stop people asking here is the answer that Silviya gave to me. Bulgaria is an Eastern European country that borders Turkey and Greece to the south, Romania to the North, Serbia and Macedonia (both former Yugoslavian countries) to the West and the Black Sea to the East.

If you want to know what the Bulgarian food is most similar to you would have to think Greek/Turkish and Mediterranean flavours.

If you are a vegetarian who cannot stand the sight of meat please do not put yourself through the torment of visiting

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taste!

Then there are the wonderful range of salads like the Shopska Salad which is as close to a Greek salad that you would be hard put to tell the difference with tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, topped with Feta cheese and traditional olive oil dressing.

a Bulgarian restaurant as there is plenty of meat in both variety and portion sizes.

It most definitely does not mean that Bulgarian food does not cater for vegetarians, far from it. There are several wonderful traditional meatless dishes such as Lyutenitsa Bulgarian Relish - a blended spread of cooked tomatoes, peppers and herbs, served on freshly toasted bread. Similar to Hummus, but without the chick peas, the wonderful flavours of the peppers and tomatoes develop in your

There are plenty more examples so balance out your meal with meat and vegetable dishes or leave out the meat completely if that floats your boat.

For Meat Lovers - MEAT WARNING - The following description may be offensive to non-meat eaters so read at your own risk!

Another traditional dish is Kyopulo - now this one is very similar to Babba ghanoush with grilled eggplant (Aubergine), roasted peppers, garlic and herbs blended into one of the loveliest and most more-ish dips you will ever 12

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The biggest surprise I took away from my visit to Vintage Bulgaria was not the decor or the food.

I knew I would like the food and the decor took me back to Europe in an instant but I only ever knew Bulgarian wine as poor, unrefined and very sweet and heavy when I last (and First) tried it over 30 years ago.

Vintage Bulgaria could have taken the easy route when it came to wine and served readily available wines from other countries but Silviya and her family knew that Bulgarian

OK, now down to the meat of the menu.

Appetizers of note for us were the Orley Wraps, bacon wrapped around a cheese centre and cooked to mouthwatering perfection or even the Volcanic Sausage which is a sliced pork sausage (homemade) served with a spicy sauce.

A traditional favourite is the Oxtail soup which is rich in flavour and creamy in texture.

mouth as the herbs slowly identify themselves one by one.

Bulgarian Wine

Now we get to the Signature Dishes: Bulgarian Platter - A classic 360 grams mixed grill of homemade Kebapache (grilled spiced mince pork and beef), Kyofte (meatball), Karnatche (another variety of pork and beef spiced sausage) and succulent pork fillet.

Traditional Sizzling Plate - 600

wine had blossomed and developed into a respected and under-rated wine and as with their food they did not want to compromise on their wine offering.

Vintage Bulgaria ships in its own Bulgarian wine and as said above it knocked my socks off.

The red I tried was full bodied and deep in flavour but surprisingly light on the palate.

The wines go so perfectly with the menu that if you drink wine, drink Bulgarian wine when you visit Vintage Bulgaria.

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so full we only managed to try two.

The Sweet Pumpkin Pie and the Chocolate Crème Brule both were exquisite and worthy of a visit in their own right!

grams Tender cuts of boneless pork, chicken and smoked pork sausages served on a hot plate with grilled capsicums, mushrooms, tomatoes and onions.

Roast Pork Djolan - A 1.2 kg whole crispy oven-roasted knuckle of pork served with a homemade barbeque sauce.

Baby Pork Ribs - 700 grams of Roasted tender barbeque smoked rack of pork ribs.

Crown Roast Pork - 1.2 kg of

Traditional roast pork ribs in homemade barbeque sauce.

Bulgarian Shaslik (Chicken or Pork) - 400 grams of marinated boneless chicken or pork cuts skewered with vegetables and grilled to perfection.

Mixed Sausage Platter - 360 grams of grilled home-made Karnatche, Kebapache and smoked sausages.

One for the fish lovers!

Seafood Sensation - 320 grams of fresh prawns, squid and salmon fillet cooked with garlic butter sauce.

There is so much more on the menu besides; such as the page full of chicken dishes: Chicken: Kiev, Stroganoff, Cordon Bleu...

Fish dishes even pages beef dishes.

or of

The desserts were to die for and as we were so well entertained and 14

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The menu is vast and interesting and no matter how big your appetite you will have to revisit many times before you have eaten your way through the menu.

Then when you have done that they will probably have changed the menu slightly as they have already changed the menu once to my knowledge in the mere 3 years they have been open.

My advice is to get yourself there now to start on this epicurean journey because if you like food you will love Vintage Bulgaria.

Vintage Bulgaria 1E Jalan Sungai Kelian 11200 Tanjong Bungah Penang, Malaysia 11200 Tanjong Bungah, Penang, Malaysia 04-898-1890

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Top 10 Dragon Movies As the Chinese New Year, The Year of the Dragon, approaches we thought it time to look up those Dragon Movies from our past, present and possibly the future.

This is my choice; chosen purely for the joy that the movie brought into my life or for the memories of days long gone but fondly remembered. Do you have any others that I should have considered? and Norton added much to the story, and were both absolutely excellent. Hopkins gave the performance you’d have expected from him in his role, and this was also notable for a fine performance as Fiennes’ blind girlfriend .

tattooed, punk computer hacker named Lisbeth Salander (Rooney Mara). As they work together in the investigation, Blomkvist and Salander uncover immense corruption beyond anything they have ever imagined.

Definitely see this one.

No.3 - Enter the Dragon (1973)

No.1 - Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000) The disappearance of a magical jade sword spurs a breathtaking quest for the missing treasure. Li (Yun Fatt Chow) is embittered by the loss of his jade sword, and his unrequited pursuit of Yu (Michelle Yeoh) is further complicated by the mysterious intrusion of an assassin. The identity of the assassin is gradually unveiled as another poignant tale of love begins to ravel with that of Li and Yu against the backdrop of Western China’s magnificent landscape.

No.2 - Red Dragon (2002) This was actually very good, and most enjoyable. Fiennes 16

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Lee passed from this world very young, leaving a legend and a pair of shoes that have never really been filled. For most Americans, this is the only Hollywood film worthy of mention with his name in the cast.

Worth seeing for the sets and settings alone, this film is driven well by its fast pace, simple but engaging story line, and the sheer talent of Bruce Lee. No.4 - The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo (2011) This English-language adaptation of the Swedish novel by Stieg Larsson follows a disgraced journalist, Mikael Blomkvist (Daniel Craig), as he investigates the disappearance of a wealthy patriarch’s niece from 40 years ago.

He is aided by the pierced,

No.5 - There Be Dragons (2011) If this movie was not about the origins of a controversial institution (Opus Dei), and a controversial episode in European history (the Spanish Civil War), people would not have said many of the things that have been said.

Encontrarás Dragones is not the official biopic of San Josemaría Escrivá, though everything that is narrated about him in the movie

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has historical support. The movie is well directed, the photography is excellent and it’s recreation of pre-war Madrid is simply astonishing.

Besides, it is a story that

The French connection is Richard, the head of the vice squad, who intends to kill the drug lord then frame Jian. Jian ducks a bullet and escapes with a tape of what really happened.

By chance, Jian turns to Jessica (Bridget Fonda) - a US farm girl who is one of Richard’s hookers - for help.

She has her own problems, including the fact that Richard has her daughter locked in an orphanage to keep Jessica on the streets and silent about his activities.

Can Jian protect Jessica, rescue her daughter, and give Richard the kiss of the dragon?

compels viewers to consider topics such as forgiveness, love, hope, and goodness.

A movie everyone should watch. No.6 - Black Dragon (2003) One man’s life is altered by the hand of fate. A supersecret government agency with an even more secret drug that has fallen into the wrong hands.

After the government’s “accidental agent” does their bidding, will the latest secret weapon ever be free?

No.7 - Kiss of the Dragon (2001) Liu Jian (Jet Li), a police officer from China, comes to Paris to help the vice squad apprehend a Chinese drug lord and his unknown French connection.

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No.8 - How to Train Your Dragon (2010) Long ago up North on the Island of Berk, the young Viking, Hiccup, wants to join his town’s fight against the dragons that continually raid their town.

However, his macho father and village leader, Stoik the Vast, will not allow his small, clumsy, but inventive son to do so.

Regardless, Hiccup ventures out into battle and downs a mysterious Night Fury dragon with his invention, but can’t bring himself to kill it.

Instead, Hiccup and the dragon, whom he dubs Toothless, begin a friendship that would open up both their worlds as the observant boy learns that his people have misjudged the species.

But even as the two each

take flight in their own way, they find that they must fight the destructive ignorance plaguing their world.

No.9 - DragonHeart (1996) The story begins a bit slowly but once the dragon appears it’s a fun and fascinating movie to watch.

For me, the dragon was the only endearing character in the movie with Dennis Quaid playing the good guy, .

In all, a fun movie. At any rate, the movie is pure medieval fantasy and theology but entertaining enough for kids and adults.

No.10 - Pete’s Dragon (1977) Disney’s combo of live action and animation didn’t end with “Mary Poppins.”

No, no; it lived on with “Pete’s Dragon” from 1977. It’s a nice little film about an orphan who finds a nice, magical dragon.

From that point onward, it’s a grand old big adventure.

This is great Disney fun; no bad stuff, and always 100% G-rated!

“Pete’s Dragon” is a great movie for people aged 3 to 103. Don’t miss it!

The source for these reviews and just about every imaginable fact you could ever want to know about Movies, comes from IMDB.com (Internet Movie DataBase) and our thanks go out to them for so much that is Movie related that we do not have the space here to share it all, Thank You IMDB. com.

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Welcome the Year of the Dragon at Straits Quays Gong Xi Fa Cai by-the-sea™ Tanjung Tokong, Penang, 04 January 2012 – Start the Dragon year auspiciously with a monthlong Gong Xi Fa Cai by-the-sea™ themed celebrations at Straits Quay festive retail marina from 06 January to 06 February 2012.

Straits Quay will be decked with custom-designed Chinese New Year decor elements anchored by an impressive centrepiece at Straits Court, the mall’s main courtyard and visitors will have great photo-taking opportunities throughout this festive season.

Weekly happenings that will surely appeal to young and old alike include the Dragon Dances where the dragon will mimic the movements of the River Spirit in a sinuous manner. Another interesting performance is the Drunken Lion Dances, in which a real lion’s antics are presented in a lively and entertaining manner. This dance is said to be auspicious and invites good luck. The intriguing Chinese Mask Changing Performances, an ancient art form that has enthralled audiences for centuries, will also be something to look out for.

Straits Quay’s line-up of other captivating performances include the Traditional Lion Dances with Laughing Buddha, Acrobatic Lion Dances on Stilts, Chinese Acrobatic Performances, Singing performances and 24 Thundering Drums Performance.

Be there for the special appearances by the God of Prosperity and the well-loved Fu, Lu Shou (representing the ideals of Prosperity, Happiness & Longevity) to spread good luck and prosperity to shoppers and Chinese Orchestra Performances every Saturday & Sunday, (except on the eve of CNY).

The weekly Chinese New Year Fairs will feature festive stalls with mandarin oranges, CNY plants, cookies, Bak Kua and more. Plus learn engaging new skills at the workshops: Traditional & Modern CNY Cookies Baking, Lion Dance and Creative Paper Dragon & CNY Decorations Making workshops. Prior registration is required.

During the month-long celebrations, shoppers spending RM88 and above in a single receipt from any shop in Straits Quay are entitled to redeem a packet of specially designed ang pow packets from the Customer Service Counter while stocks last.

The fun-filled month will culminate with Chap Goh Meh celebrations on 6 February 2012 at the waterfront. There will be special entertainment for this last evening of the Lunar New Year festivities, climaxing with a traditional orange throwing ritual at the waterfront, an activity which is traditionally popular with those seeking life partners.

For more details, visit www.straitsquay.com 20

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Marco Battastotti Working Your Way to the Top For many of you out there Marco Battistotti needs no introduction, for those of you that do, he is the General Manager of both The Eastern & Oriental Hotel and the Lone Pine Hotel.

him to many interesting and exciting places. He spent several years learning his craft in England and has rubbed shoulders with many a personality, politician and even Royalty.

He is the Chairman of the Malaysian Hotel Association (Penang) and involved in many aspects of tourism related initiatives on Penang and indeed Malaysia. To those that know him and to many that do not know him but know of him, he is affectionately called ‘Marco’.

He has worked in challenging times and circumstances which have tested his resolve and his people skills to the ‘nth degree.

Marco started his career at a very early age, straight from high school. Coming from a dual nationality background, half Italian and half German he grew up and became an early traveller with frequent visits to Germany from his hometown in Northern Italy.

A Hotel career seemed the logical choice for Marco and it has been one that has taken

Being raised in Italy and with work stints in Egypt and Libya he learned to work in a variety of cultures dating back millennia and certainly has been surrounded by history nearly all of his working life.

Coming to Penang a little under 5 years ago he spent the first 4 years as General Manager of the ‘G’ Hotel on Gurney Drive from its opening in January 2007 until just under one year ago when he handed over the reins to Peter Nast (the current G.M. of ‘G’ Hotel), on the conclusion of Marco’s second 2 year contract.

Not wanting to leave Penang, as this little island of ours had grown on Marco, when offered the opportunity to manage the Grand Dame of Hotels, The Eastern & Oriental Hotel as well as The Lone Pine Hotel, he of course jumped at the challenge. The position had become available when Michael Saxon the incumbent

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was promoted within the E & O Group to Director of Hospitality.

The E&O had been through a major rebuild, renovation or as some have called it a renaissance project that closed the doors to the Grand Dame in late 1996, shortly after its acquisition in 1994

by Dato’ Terry Tham, with an estimated reopening in 18 months’ time which was ultimately delayed until early

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2001.

Now, ten years on the E & O Hotel has ventured into a further expansion due to the success that this luxury heritage hotel has had and also undertaken an ambitious project of developing a new wing annex which will be completed during 2012.

Originally 28 floors but reduced to 15 due to heritage compliance,the annex added 139 further suites, increasing the total number to 240. More than doubling its previous capacity.

This again is not new to Marco as he has also taken on the Lone Pine Hotel at a time of completed renovations and a near doubling of capacity from 50 to 90 rooms located on Batu Feringhi’s famed beach.

The annex targets a more business-related audience and with his 4 years of corporate hotel experience at ‘G’ Hotel this is something he could take in his stride.

We hope to bring you a detailed history of the hotel and an insight into what we can expect from them in 2012 in a future issue.

The E&O and the tremendous history that runs through her very veins, started more than 125 years ago from its

opening in 1885 through to its heydays of the 1920’s and 30’s. The Hotel went through a period of adjustment when the last of the famed Sarkie Brothers, Arshak, lost control of the Hotel due to an over generous nature and a world recession. The likes of which have now visited us in Asia twice more, in 1997 (causing the delay of the renovation works from 18 months to over

5 years) and more recently in 2008.

This unusual situation of being joint General Manager of both hotels means that Marco has his plate full and must rely on his able team of managers at both hotels to operate at the highest level.

In addition to the responsibility of these Hotels he has the Conference and meetings Centre at Straits Quay which also houses a number of apartments which come under his management as the

guests are part of the E&O hotel.

As if all this were not enough for this charismatic Italian he also holds the post of Chairman of the Malaysian Hotel Association (Penang) with 45 members with hotels of 3-star and above. (I never realised that all hotels/ guesthouses had to belong to a recognised body or association before being granted a license to operate).

This role covers not just liaising between the hotels and the Government on many issues but also sees Marco at the forefront of most tourism initiatives from planning and conceptualisation, through to press releases/launches. He has a close relationship with Federal Government as well as local ministers and officials.

Marco carries an air of calm but I imagine this to be the result of his years of experience, more swanlike perhaps, as below the surface he must be paddling at full speed just to keep up with all that he has on his plate. www.whatsonpenang.com

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What’s On Penang

Penang’s Little Street Market - Hidden Gems He captures Georgetown Heritage architecture like nobody else I have seen. Have a look at his website - www. image-hall.com.

Well, my first visit to Penang Little Street Market, Upper Penang Road, was only last month and I was totally amazed at the range and quality of everything on offer.

I had the good fortune to meet the Ladies from the International Women’s Association (IWA) who do an absolutely fabulous job keeping the international communities connected and informed, not to mention meeting up for some excellent cheese and wine parties and of course the charitable causes they support and champion on Penang.

Any ladies out there that have not yet joined or wish to know more can go to their website at http://www.iwa-penang. info or email them at info@ iwa-penang.info.

The whole market experience is half flea market, half craft fair.

The music was exceptional and it was a great afternoon out in the blazing sun.

Plenty of food and drinks on offer of the home-made variety and we had to buy some of the exceptional herb plants at the Urban Gardens stall run by James Rozells .

The quality of Mark Halls photography deserves a mention to say the least.

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Add in the live entertainment of varying styles (I’m talking live music, martial art displays,

Photo courtesy of Mark Hall

ballroom dancing, Chinese drums, etc..) and you really would be hard pressed to find a more enjoyable hour or so wandering through Penang at its best.

Penang Little Street Market (PLSM) is held on the last Sunday of the month and this month (January) falls the weekend after Chinese New Year, so you can be sure to find many new things on offer and goodies to eat.

What’s On Penang

Of Cupids When I think about romance, the last thing on my mind is a short, chubby winged guy in a diaper coming at me with love infused arrows. I don’t get it why Cupid was chosen to represent Valentine’s Day. To borrow a quote from Shakespeare, “Love is smoke made with fume of sighs.”

If we reflect on the words of the famous Bard, to dream of sighing suggest it is a sign of impending joy, where the more profound the sigh, the greater the happiness.

So, in our modern age of text based emoticons and short messaging, where abbreviation reigns; and where paradoxically, relationship seems to be shaped around high-tech communication rather than speech – would it not jive with modernity that Valentine’s Day be represented by heart shaped smoke followed by the * sigh * emoticon: ♥:-<

A neoliberal friend loved the idea of remodeling the symbol to sync together with times and further suggested his best idea yet – why not introduce a “Buy a Single Person a Beer Day” and we’re not talking of cheap mass produced beer, but real beer.

And for added measure “Throw a Party in Your Yard Week” or “Everybody Hookup and Celebrate Choices Month”.

There’s much more to romance than just Valentine’s, pink hearts, swirls, flowers and cupids for that one day of the year.

So, here’s to celebrating Love and Life – Happy Valentine’s all year through!

Finally, to set you in the mood, the ultimate love poem, a classic and one of my personal favourites by E.E Cummings:

This article was kindly contributed by Maryam Wong. Please see her full Bio on page 66.

“I carry your heart with me” i carry your heart with me (i carry it in my heart) i am never without it (anywhere i go you go, my dear; and whatever is done by only me is your doing, my darling) i fear no fate (for you are my fate, my sweet) i want no world (for beautiful you are my world, my true) and it’s you are whatever a moon has always meant and whatever a sun will always sing is you here is the deepest secret nobody knows (here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud and the sky of the sky of a tree called life; which grows higher than soul can hope or mind can hide) and this is the wonder that’s keeping the stars apart i carry your heart (i carry it in my heart)

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What’s On Penang

Poon Choi At Ho Ho Food World Seafood Restaurant Our first encounter with Poon Choi was some four to five years back, while on a business trip to Kuala Lumpur.

And our first home-cooked Poon Choi was in 2009, since then we have been looking and tasting this unique Hakka delicacy when opportunity strikes. There were good ones and bad ones, and there is a variety of versions that are available on offer by many established restaurants.

Poon Choi is traditionally a Hakka dialect delicacy that is myth to have fed a Song Dynasty Emperor who was seeking refuge from the ensuing Mongols.

As the Hakka’s live in the mountainous regions with scarcity in luxurious ingredients and a not so plentiful life, they prepared and cooked what was the best ingredients they could manage or find and layered them into a wooden basin that was then served to the emperor and his loyal subjects.

As time goes by, this unique dining practice has turned into a delicacy that has found its way to Hong Kong’s Yuen Long and made famous by the constant exposure in TVB serials and Hong Kong movies.

Our most recent encounter was at HoHo Food World, where we had the privilege to experience what they could deliver in terms of flavours

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and ingredient selections in a private sampling session prior to it being officially included in their menu and for 2012 Chinese New Year

Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s On Penang

celebrations.

radish and Chinese cabbage.

The Poon Choi is made to order through a lengthy preparation and cooking process which usually takes up to 8 hours. Thus, the Poon Choi is only available by reservation of at least one day before dining.

The gravy of the Poon Choi has a light sweet, earthy and nutty flavour with a creamy end from the yam used. It is not soupy like those with have encountered previously, it had a thick consistency which we have been searching for.

It is all prepared by their chef who has had years of experience in preparing Chinese cuisines in reputable restaurants in Penang and Kuala Lumpur.

The most luxurious would be the firm and springy sea cucumber, the flavourful fish

maw, the earthy dried scallop and dried oysters, the savoury sea asparagus and freshly fried prawns, and last but not least the smooth firm abalone.

Note that they serve individual abalone for each individual diner, and their Poon Choi caters to 5 persons for the smallest order and up to 12 diners for the biggest set available.

Then there was the well prepared creamy yam and chicken, the smoky roast duck and chicken ham, the firm clam slices, the irony green broccoli, and an array of stewed mushrooms, carrots,

HoHo Food World Address: 1301, Bagan Bukit Tambun, 14110 Simpang Ampat, SPS, Pulau Pinang.

Tel: +6016 5205535 This review was kindly provided by Gourmet Food Services. Please find their full details on page 66.

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What’s On Penang

Someone Who’ll Watch Over Me Award-winning play Someone Who’ll Watch Over Me will be back in Malaysia to the delight of local fans.

The Actors Studio’s critically acclaimed production that played to full houses and rave reviews in early 2011, will be restaged for a limited time in Kuala Lumpur with the support of The Australian High Commission from 8 to 12 February 2012 followed by a tour to Penang from 16 to 19 February.

The star-studded international cast - Charles Donnelly (UK), Kingsley Judd (Australia) and Gavin Yap (Malaysia) - will be reprising their roles in this gripping play inspired by a true life abduction case under the direction of multi-award winning director Joe Hasham OAM. Both Donnelly and Judd have played the same roles in the hugely successful Scottish and Australian productions, respectively.

In 1986, Irishman Brian Keenan was abducted on his way to work in Lebanon.

Held in solitary confinement for two months blindfolded and with his hand and feet shackled, he was later moved 30

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Arts & Cultur

to another cell where he befriended British journalist John McCarthy.

Keenan’s case was highly publicised in the media but it was only four and a half years later that he was released.

He went on to write an autobiographical book called An Evil Cradling which won the Irish Times Literary Prize for Non-fiction in 1991.

In the stage play, Donelly plays the English academic who

was kidnapped like Keenan and thrown into a windowless cell in Lebanon occupied by two other hostages – an Irish journalist played by Judd and an American doctor played by Yap. With absolutely no contact with the outside world, the three men strive to survive not only physically but mentally as they wonder what awaits them.

Shakespeare On Penang Get ready for a wild and hilarious romp as one of the world’s most popular shows, equally loved by both Shakespeare lovers as well

ral Roundup as non-Shakespeare lovers, is finally coming to Malaysia!

The Compleat Wrks of Wllm Shkspr will be staged at klpac from 21 to 25 March followed by a tour to Penang from 29 March to 1 April 2012.

Theatre does not get crazier than this - three actors taking on the Bard’s 37 plays with 63 different roles in 90 minutes! The lightning speed and at times manic comedy first premiered at Edinburgh Festival Fringe and spent nine successful years in the WestEnd. This upcoming production follows on from the previous Someone Who’ll Watch Over Me and likewise will

What’s On Penang

be directed by Joe Hasham OAM and stars international actors Charles Donnelly (UK), Kingsley Judd (Australia) and Gavin Yap (Malaysia).

“We will be jumping into The Compleat Wrks of Wllm Shkspr after the more conventional Someone Who’ll Watch Over Me. It is a complete 360 degrees turn which only a stellar cast can pull off and I am glad I have one. For those who think Shakespeare is boring, you must watch this. It is also a chance for Shakespeare fans to see the Bard’s work in a different light. It is great because a high-schooler can and will enjoy the show and so can his or her parents” said Joe Hasham OAM.

Someone Who’ll Watch Over Me Date & Time 16 Feb 2012 – 18 Feb 2012 @ 8:30pm 19 Feb 2012 @ 3pm

The Compleat Wrks of Wllm Shkspr Date & Time: 29 – 31 March 2012 @ 8:30pm 31 March – 1 April 2012 @ 3pm Venue: stage 1, penangpac 3H-3A-1, Straits Quay, Jalan Seri Tanjung Pinang Tanjung Tokong, 10470 Pulau Pinang.

Ticket Price: RM48 / RM28 (students, disabled, TAS card members & UNHCR cardholders) Call / Walk-In: penangpac @ Straits Quay +604 8991 722 / 2722 Online: www.ilassotickets.com Promotion 20% discount for those who purchase tickets to Someone Who’ll Watch Over Me and The Compleat Works of Wllm Shkspr (abridged) in a single receipt.

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What’s On Penang

PenangPAC Program January - March 2012 THREE and a half MEN (CNY Edition) Presenter: Malaysian Association of Chinese Comedians Date & Time: 3 – 4 Feb @ 9.00pm Venue: Stage 1, penangpac Tickets: RM38 February 2 0 1 1 saw the Malaysian Association of Chinese Comedians perform in Penang for the very first time.

Their show entitled “Internal Affairs” played to a laughing a n d appreciative audience of 600. This year MACC are back with their latest show - THREE and a half MEN (CNY Edition) LIVE IN PENANG.

THE OWL WHO WAS AFRAID OF THE DARK Presenter: Gardner and Wife Theatre Venue: Stage 1, penangpac Date & Time:

8 – 9 Mar @ 10am

10 Mar @ 11am & 3pm

11 Mar @ 2pm & 5pm

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klpac SYMPHONIC BAND Presenter: klpac & penangpac Venue: Stage 1, penangpac Date & Time:

3 Mar @ 8.30pm

THE SANDPIT: WOMENSIS

4 Mar @ 3pm Presenter: Pocketsize Productions Date& Time: 15 - 18 Mar @ 9.00pm Venue : Stage 2, penangpac The Sandpit: Womensis is a play by KS Maniam exploring a woman’s internal struggle as she negotiates the complex terrain formed by the realities of her polygamous marriage, tradition and culture.

In her story, we see an individual’s search for a voice within a multicultural landscape fraught with explosive tensions from the moral confrontations she faces. Who wins?

Who loses? What are her choices against the monumental weight of culture and circumstance?

The Sandpit: Womensis will be directed by Chee Sek Thim.

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Thaipusam - The Legend

Thaipusam is a special day for worship of Lord Muruga (also known as Subrahmanya or Thendayuthapani, the son of Shiva) and is celebrated in a very grand manner at all Murugan temples.

The six most sacred and wellknown temples devoted to Lord Muruga, are known as the ‘Aaru Padai Veedu’.

Lord Muruga is considered to be the son of Lord Shiva - the Hindu God of distruction and the brother of Lord Ganesh - the most famous elephant headed god of India.

There are many legends surrounding Thaipusam, here are a few of the more colourful of them.

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The Legend A rich legend lies behind the origins of Thaipusam. Popular narration goes that the great Saint, Agasthya, instructed his student, Idumban to uproot two hills called Sivagiri and Shakthigiri belonging to Lord Murugan and bring it back to him.

As commanded, Idumban flew to Mount Kailai Range where the hills rested and picked them up ready to fly back.

But alas, Lord Murugan had other plans. He wanted to

Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s On Penang

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What’s On Penang

Today, thousands of Hindus carry kavadis as offerings to the Lord during Thaipusam.

The kavadis symbolize the hills of burden that Idumban shouldered.

Another version starts with a demon named Tharakasuran who was troubling the Rishis and Saints.

Lord Muruga was called by his parents Lord Shiva and Parvati and given the job of destroying the asuran.

Lord Muruga set off with the blessings of his parents, to destroy the demon.

He carried twelve weapons, eleven of which were given by his father Lord Shiva and the ‘Vel’ given by his mother Parvati.

test Idumban’s mettle and devotion to his master. He reduced his size, to that of a small child and promptly stood atop one of the hills.

Suddenly Idumban found that he couldn’t carry the hills anymore. To his bewilderment, a child was standing haughtily on the hill.

Idumban humbly requested the boy to get down. When the child refused, Idumban flew into a rage and tried to attack him, only to find himself falling like an injured bird.

Lord Murugan then reverted to his original self and appeared before Idumban. “I am pleased with your courage and determination,” he said.

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“Your devotion to your guru is admirable. I now bestow on you the honor of being my guardian” Lord Murugan then proclaimed that henceforth, those who carried kavadis to see him, would receive his blessings.

Lord Muruga destroyed Tharakasuran on the Pusam Nakshatra day in the Tamil month of Thai and hence Thai Pusam is celebrated in all Murugan temples.

In another legend, that on a Thursday in the Hindu month of Thai that also happened to be the day of Pusam star and pournami (full moon), Shiva and Parvati were engaged in an ecstatic cosmic dance, as Brahma, Vishnu, Indra and the Devas watched. This indicates that this is a day ideal for worship of Shiva.

According to yet another legend, as Shiva was imparting a mantra to Parvati, Subrahmanya eavesdropped on them.

For that error, Parvati laid a curse on him, in line with the rule that even a son, if erring,

What’s On Penang

must be punished.

To be redeemed from her curse, Subrahmanya offered hard penance at Thirupparankundram. Pleased with his penance, Shiva and Parvati manifested before him and lifted the curse.

The day on which Parvati’s curse on Subrahmanya was lifted was a Thai Pusam. It is thus a special day for worship of Lord Subrahmanya.

Yet another legend has it that

Kaveri, grieving that she had not secured the eminence acquired by Ganga through her position atop Shiva’s locks, sat under a peepul tree on the banks of Sara Pushkarini and offered penance to Narayana.

Pleased

by

her

penance,

Narayana appeared as a baby in her lap. That day when he manifested thus was, again, a Thai Pusam.

No matter what the legend, the rites that are followed are fairly similar. On Thaipusam day, devotees make offerings to Lord Muruga for eradicating the ills that afflict us. These include what is known as the Kavadi.

The benefits that the devotee gains from offering a Kavadi to the Lord are a million-fold greater than the little pain that he inflicts upon himself.

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Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s On Penang

The Kavadi - All Explained If you attend the Thaipusam festival you will see the gory site of hundreds of young men and women with spears through their cheeks and carrying grotesque weights suspended from their body by hooks placed into the skin.

gets awakened. This is also a method that ultimately leads to the supreme state of devotion.

The Kavadi has various shapes and sizes, from the simple shape of a hawkerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s storehouse (a wooden stick with two baskets at each end, slung across the shoulder) to the costly palanquin structure, profusely flower-bedecked and decoratively interwoven with peacock feathers.

In all cases the Kavadi has a good many brass bells adorning it and announcing it as the Kavadi-bearer draws it along. As the Kavadi-bearer very often observes silence, the bells are the only eloquent signs of a Kavadi procession.

This is known as Kavadi and is an offering to the Lord Murugan.

Generally, people take a vow to offer the Lord a Kavadi for the sake of tiding over a great calamity.

Though this might, on the surface, appear a little mercenary, a momentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s reflection will reveal that it contains the seed of supreme love of God. The worldly object is achieved, no doubt, and the devotee takes the Kavadi; but after the ceremony he gets so God-intoxicated that his inner spiritual being 38

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The two baskets hanging at each end of the Kavadi contain rice, milk or other articles that the devotee has vowed to offer the Lord.

The more devout among them, and especially those who do it as a Sadhana, collect these

articles by begging. They travel on foot from village to village, and beg from door to door. The villagers offer their articles directly into the basket of the Kavadi. The Kavadibearer continues begging until the baskets are full or the avowed quantity is reached, and then offers the Kavadi to the Lord.

Some keen devotees undertake to walk barefoot from home to one of the shrines of Lord Subramanya, bearing the Kavadi all the way

Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s On Penang

especially those who do it as a spiritual Sadhana, impose various forms of self-torture.

Some pass a sharp little spear through their tongue, which is made to protrude out of the mouth.

Others may pass a spear through the cheek. This sort of piercing is done in other parts of the body also.

and collecting materials for the offering. They have to walk a hundred miles sometimes!

of a Pandaram, a Saivite mendicant. It consists of a saffron-coloured cloth, a conical scarlet cap, and a cane, silver-capped at both ends. Lord Siva, the Supreme Pandaram Himself, loves to wear this dress. The Pandaram lives on alms only.

The bare chest of the Kavadibearer is covered with several rudraksha malas.

The Kavadi-bearer observes strict celibacy. Only pure, Sattwic food is taken; he abstains from all sorts of intoxicating drinks and drugs.

He thinks of God all the time.

The people who place the articles in the baskets also receive the Lordâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s blessings.

The Kavadi-bearer is required to observe various rules between the time he takes up the Kavadi, and the day of the offering.

He has to perform elaborate ceremonies at the time of assuming the Kavadi, and at the time of offering it to the Lord.

He also puts on the dress 40

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Many of the Kavadi-bearers,

The bearer does not shave; he grows a beard. He eats only once a day. The spear pierced through his tongue or cheek reminds him of the Lord constantly. It also prevents him from speaking.

It gives him great power of endurance.

The Kavadi-bearer enjoys a high state of religious fervour.

He dances in ecstasy. His very appearance is awe-inspiring; there is divine radiance on his face.

Devotees often experience the state of feeling united with the Lord. Sometimes the Lord enters them and possesses them for some time.

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Happy Chinese New Year (for the Chinese Buddhist or Taoist).

In Malaysia, race is often equated with religion due to historical circumstances. But it is possible to be Chinese and Christian/or Muslim.

Chinese New Year is a celebration of spring and the end of the winter solstice according to the lunar calendar.

The Dragon, a creature of myth and legend is the fifth sign of the Chinese Zodiac, which consists of 12 animal signs.

In ancient China, the celestial Dragon represents an emperor and power. Today, it is the ultimate auspicious symbol signifying success and happiness. Associated with thunder, lightning and arousal, the Water Dragon personifies creativity at its best.

May the celestial Dragon bring great good luck to everyone this new Chinese Lunar Year!

The Lunar New Year celebration lasts for 15 days. There are lots of very particular traditions. Here are some of my favourites:

XX Before New Year’s Eve, clean the entire house to get rid of any of last year’s dirt (I wish), then put all brooms and brushes out of sight.

XX Pay all your debts (again...

I wish), and resolve all outstanding quibbles with family, friends and neighbours.

XX Buy red things. And flowers. And red, flowers.

XX Arrange oranges and tangerines and candy on circular trays.

XX Put fresh dollar bills in red packets (angpows).

XX On New Year’s Eve reunite with close family members at family reunion dinners.

XX Open all the windows to let out the old year. Keep the hall light switched on overnight to usher in the new lunar year.

XX Pay respects to ancestors

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Some communities have blurred the boundaries between religion, culture (folklore and mythology) and tradition. My family do not lose our Chinese-ness as a result of being born Chinese Catholics, for religion supersedes Chinese culture.

I still observe some of the traditional CNY “do’s” and “don’ts”, as do my daughters, who are of mixed Arab-Malay/ Baba-Chinese and Muslim heritage. Worshipping, offering food at altars and welcoming fortune gods into their homes are among a few traditions that Chinese Christians/ Catholics or Chinese Muslims do not partake in.

XX On New Year’s Day don’t wash your hair.

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there was magic in every little thing I did. In reality, the only thing magical now, is if I am still able to find the magnetic strip on my card intact.

On that note Kong Hee Fatt Choy! Angpow gaia lai!

Literally translated – “Happy Chinese New Year, bring on the angpows This article was kindly contributed by Maryam Wong. Please see her full Bio on page 66.

XX Exchange oranges CNY goodies.

XX Don’t sweep the floor.

XX Don’t cut anything. drop XX Don’t chopsticks.

your

XX Don’t break any glass.

XX Don’t say the number four or mention death.

XX Don’t borrow money.

or

lend

XX Don’t fight.

XX Don’t quarrel.

XX Think positive thoughts.

XX Think luck.

XX Wear red.

XX Wear new clothes and new shoes.

XX Give children two angpows because happiness comes in pairs.

XX Wish everyone Kong Hee Fatt Choy!

and

Chinese New Year is all about non-stop, scrumptious, culinary tripping. Throw in lion dance, fire crackers, fireworks, angpows, gambling, karaoke and drinking sessions with friends and family, and you have a fun-filled, if not rowdy and festive celebration.

Steamed fish is a must-have during Chinese New Year.

Fish is pronounced as yu in Mandarin, and it sounds identical to another Chinese character, which means “abundance.”

Fish is therefore, always served, to signify a year full of wealth and fortune.

The best part of the festivities for me is the setting off of fire crackers and fireworks during Chinese New Year eve. For some reasons I cannot explain, fireworks during Chinese New Year are different, even though they all look the same.

For that brief moment in my stolen adult life, I am a child again. When I was a child,

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Chinese New Year Chinese New Year is the longest and most important celebration in the Chinese calendar The Chinese year 4710 begins on Jan. 23, 2012 Chinese months are reckoned by the lunar calendar, with each month beginning on the darkest day Legend has it that in ancient times, Buddha asked all the animals to meet him on Chinese New Year, 12 came, and Buddha named a year after each one He decreed that people born in each animal’s year would have some of that animal’s personality Those born in dragon years are innovative, brave, and passionate

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A Boutique Heritage Hotel

A n O a s i s i n t h e H e a r t o f H e r i t a g e Pe n a n g 2 3 L ov e L a n e , Pe n a n g i s a u n i q u e b o u t i q u e h e r i t a g e h o t e l s e t w i t h i n i t s o w n w a l l e d g a r d e n i n t h e h e a r t o f h i s t o r i c G e o r g e To w n , P e n a n g .

The hotel is made up of four heritage buildings restored extensively – a n A n g l o - I n d i a n B u n g a l o w, a S t r a i t s E c l e c t i c b u i l d i n g , a 1 9 2 0 ’ s J a c k Roof Annex and an Indian Shophouse. The ten-room proper ty is furn i s h e d w i t h t h e ow n e r ’s p r i v a t e c o l l e c t i o n o f a n t i q u e a n d v i n t a g e f u r niture , the result being a spectacular boutique stay with charm and character unlike anywhere else .

2 3 , L ove L a n e , G e o r ge t ow n , 1 0 2 0 0 Pe n an g, M a lay s ia Te l : + 6 0 4 2 6 2 1 3 23 E mail : e n q u ir y@2 3 l ove la ne . c om

We bs it e : w w w. 23love la ne . c om www.whatsonpenang.com

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Dato Dr Chan Kok Ewe A Very Busy Man Dato’ Dr Chan Kok Ewe is a very busy man who has achieved much in his life already and is now charged with the dual roles of CEO of Island Hospital as well as the responsibility of Chairmanship of The Penang Health Association.

Island Hospital has been open for a little over 15 years and is currently undergoing an expansion that includes the building of a multi storey car park to cope with the ever growing number of local patients.

As a private hospital, Island Hospital is dependent upon its reputation and reliant on its satisfied patients to spread the word. The word that has been going around for more than 15 years is of not only how professional the staff are and how good the quality of service is from start to finish but also how quickly any patient is treated.

level of communication. The speed of service and quality of care would impress anybody.

Increasingly, people are travelling outside their home countries for medical treatment, driven by factors such as more affordable costs, better specialization and quality of medical care, short waiting periods, and to tap advanced technologies.

This is to a large extent the reason that Penang is regionally the place that foreigners travel to when they need medical treatment.

This is labelled as Medical Tourism but Penang has only just touched the tip of a global iceberg when it comes to this market. The majority of inbound medical tourists are from neighbouring Indonesia where the people who are in need of medical treatment, and who have the money to pay for it, decide to spend

their money in Penang.

A much larger market for Penang’s elected surgical tourism lies further afield in the Middle East, Europe and even America.

Globally, medical tourism is a rising trend, and at an expected global revenue of RM 244 billion in 2010, Malaysia has a lot of growth potential to tap into the medical tourism market as well as target new markets.

Malaysia still has low exposure in countries with a potential customer base and needs to catch up with countries like Thailand and Singapore that have already established their advantage and global market share.

This market is currently being led by the likes of Singapore and Thailand but with the global financial grip tightening

All of this is achieved at far better and more affordable prices than just about any of Malaysia neighbours could boast of.

I was amazed to learn that a procedure here on Penang could actually cost as little as 1/3rd of the price it would cost in ‘The West’ for at least a comparable level of professional skill, Equipment and in many cases a better 46

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Dr Chan Kok Ewe, second from left, receiving award

Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s On Penang

Medical Tourism Medical Tourism is where a foreigner chooses to have a surgical procedure here in Penang.

This is not just for cosmetic surgery but in the majority of cases could be for a hernia, heart condition, or any other non-emergency case.

and the recent political and natural disasters that have befallen Thailand creating their own set of problems, an opportunity has opened up for the Malaysian/Penang Health industry to benefit from.

The number of medical tourists visiting the country for medical tourism has more than quadrupled since 2003 to hit approximately 425,500 in 2009, and Malaysia was expected to receive 519,000 medical tourists in 2010.

The majority of the visitors are from neighbouring countries such as Indonesia (69 percent), Singapore (12 percent) and Japan (4 percent) seeking more affordable or more professional medical treatment.

Whilst Indonesia still leads, the trend does show a slight increase from Singapore and the Middle East over the last couple of years due probably to the global credit crunch.

The increase was also contributed as a result of the newly introduced air route by

AirAsia which was now able to bring in new patients directly from Surabaya into Penang.

In addition, domestic and international tourist arrivals to Penang has increased to 4.1 million in 2010 from 3.3 million in 2009 and is expected to further increase in the years to come as a result of the progress of transforming Penang into a city of international standards.

The cost of providing this high level of service is not reflected in the prices being charged.

The treatment received here on Penang is quite possibly the most cost effective medical treatment available anywhere in the world.

If Malaysia intends to look toward Western and developed countries, then another factor would be JCI accreditation.

Most hospitals in Singapore are already accredited, whilst most in Malaysia are working towards applying for accreditation now.

JCI

accreditation

allows

A foreigner from Europe, for example, can fly with his family to Penang. Stay in a hotel or apartment and have the procedure they require whilst their family are close at hand enjoying a holiday at the beach.

After the procedure and the patient is released from hospital and the patient can recover in the comfort of the bosom of their family.

This all achieved whilst enjoying the tropical climate which in the majority of cases will actually speed up the recovery time.

All of this is done at a cheaper price (inclusive of the family holiday) than a private hospital could provide for in their home town!

patients to pay for treatment under U.S. health insurance plans.

The Medical Tourism industry here on Penang, needs to be targeted with a much more focused and innovative campaign than has been the case in the past.

With the right approach there are millions of dollars more to be earned for Penang. But it needs a holistic approach with every aspect of the medical tourism program catered for. www.whatsonpenang.com

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Danny Wong Man On a Mission One of Straits Quays earlier openings was Berlin’s Bier Houz which opened on December 28th, 2010 and recently held its one year anniversary party.

Danny Wong is a man on a mission. A mission to bring his unique brand of German Bier Haus to the masses.

On things unique, Danny even has a unique way of spelling the house bit; it’s Houz with a zed! This epitomizes Danny’s attention to detail and marketing awareness, differentiating the brand and setting Berlin’s Bier Houz apart from other versions of this tried and tested format.

Danny, a founder and Director with Berlin Bier Houz, originally came from a modest background where his parents could not afford to pay for his further education. So Danny had to work his own way

through.

Now, with 20 years in Food & Beverage behind him he has helped create, shape and manage this fledgling chain into a force to be reckoned with.

In 1997 he went off to London to further his experience and, naturally for him, gravitated towards Chinese restaurants for work.

He spent his free time in pubs as this is where you socialise in England, something Danny found a little difficult to get used to at first.

In Malaysia, certainly from his experience, spending so much time as the British do in pubs when they are not working he would have been considered as a ‘good for nothing’ or an alcoholic back home!

He found it fascinating how entire families would spend time together, particularly on Sundays, with the parents inside drinking and the children outside playing in the garden or purpose built playgrounds, weather permitting.

Drinking in England was comparatively much cheaper than it is in Malaysia and there was far more choice in beers than in Malaysia when he left home.

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Danny Wong

After more than ten years in England Danny was starting to feel the pull of home and decided to come back in 2008. He had left just before one financial crisis and returned in time for the next!

He knew he was looking for a job that was in the F&B industry but was looking for something to utilise his European experiences. He decided to marry the two knowledge centres he had acquired, namely European food and beers.

He landed a position with Brussels Beer Cafe, a new bar concept with Belgian beers and food.

This was right up his street and also included another learning curve as Belgian beer is World renown for having the widest possible choice with over 500 beers brewed in tiny

What’s On Penang

witnessed queues outside to get a table, so get there early for the evenings and take advantage of the crazy hours!!

little Belgium. Belgian food was also of the highest quality and probably the least known of Europe’s cuisines.

After a while Danny realised his dream was to run his own business and started looking for partners to set up his own European Pub. He saw many Irish pubs on the market and had just left a Belgian operation so looked at the growing trend of German Pubs and Bistro’s and looked for opportunities there.

He saw that the majority of existing German places were restaurants that served beer rather than pubs that served food so here was the opening he had been looking for.

The first Berlin’s Bier Houz opened, in Ipoh, his wife’s hometown and a city with a growing nightlife scene.

This was soon to be followed

by Straits Quay, Penang and then a second Penang outlet but at the other end of the Island at Queensbay near to the Eastin Hotel.

Danny put to good use his knowledge of beers and ciders and proudly not only carries what he believes to be the biggest selection of beers in Malaysia, but also has exclusive beers not found anywhere else on Penang.

Each unit of Berlin’s Bier Houz is themed around a common idea but each one is slightly unique. This is a refreshing change from the cookie cutter pub operations where you cannot tell the difference from location to another!

The Straits Quay location has the trendous benefit of an outstanding location.

Overlooking both the Marina packed with a mouthwatering assortment of yachts and cruisers and the Straits themselves, makes Berlin’s Bier Houz an ideal daytime venue as well as an evening hotspot.

Many

times

we

have

One such example is Lowenbrau, a delightful and refreshing German beer.

We talked at length about the differences in cultures between England and Malaysia and in particular how Brits like to drink for it has often been said we live what is called a “drinking culture”.

The British social scene is based around meeting in a pub and drinking. Eating out in pubs has made a come-back with gastro-pubs cleaning up the reputation of British pub food which was at an alltime low back in the 1970’s to probably an all-time high now.

Berlin’s Bier Houz is very much a pub that serves food and as opposed to being a www.whatsonpenang.com

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Berlin’s Bier Houz Opening Hours: 11:30 am – 1:00 am (Mon – Thurs, Sun); 11:30 am – 2:00 am (Fri – Sat) Over Chinese New Year: 22-23 January (Sun-Mon) Open 5.30 pm 24-30 January Open usual hours as above 31 January-1 February Closed 2 February Open usual hours resume Contact: 04-899 8887 Address: 3E-G-3B, Straits Quay, Jalan Seri Tanjung Pinang, Tanjung Tokong 10470 Penang

restaurant that sells beer.

Having said that I can’t remember an occasion when we have visited Berlin’s Bier Houz and not ordered, at the very least, the chips and curry sauce as this is the type of food that needs to be eaten when you are drinking.

Berlin’s Bier Houz is reasonably priced and happy

hour, or crazy hour as it is called at Berlin’s Bier Houz, is even more affordable with a pint of beer starting out as low as RM15++.

Berlin’s Bier Houz has a great selection of beers, German pub food and a real English pub atmosphere with a pool table and a proper darts board.

Something that Danny is keen on is to promote these pub games more and is looking at creating a darts and pool league where competitions are held between rival establishments.

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Of all the pubs at Straits Quay Berlin’s Bier Houz certainly seems to have built and maintained a regular following and I think the pub games would go down well.

With the 2012 Olympics coming up in London later this year we will be organising a ‘What’s On Penang’ Pub Games Olympics. Any pub Olympians out there , watch this space!

What’s On Penang

James The Sommelier Argentinian Wines ‘Wine honors the soul, so honor it with yours.’

Argentinian wine: The Late Bloomer In keeping with the private nature of most SouthAmerican countries, Argentina has kept its wine growing cards very close to its chest.

Not, as you may imagine, as a consciously seedy attempt to maintain a superior poker hand but with a more modest motive.

This humble country, until recently, didn’t think it had

anything to hide in the first place!

Despite having a heritage of superior agricultural knowledge born from the need of ancient civilizations desperate to flourish WITH nature (something their European counterparts would have found abhorrent), they had put no emphasis on the fact that they grew wine in harsh climates with technology hardly changed from what

was handed down from their ancestors.

Certainly, a late bloomer in the wine world but one which has huge potential to blossom.

It was only until recently that Argentina saw the potential of exporting its wine to the world.

Until the late-1990s Argentina produced the most wine outside of Europe but had no worries with the fact that most of it was unexportable.

Also, (I think describing it as a country full of drunks would not quite gel) the reason the world only began to experience the taste of Argentinian wine during the last ten years is because it was made only for internal consumption; stemming from a historical need to…… probably get drunk, actually.

The vines planted were more concentrated on quantity rather than quality, something which now is being reversed with huge investment from

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French swear allegiance to, was ignored.

Malbec, known traditionally in France as Cot or Auxerroir, was mainly grown in the Cahors region and produced what they dubbed as ‘the black wines of Cahors,’ a tribute to Malbec’s intensely dark robe.

global wine companies aimed at developing the resources, methods and attitudes of wine production to a competitive standard.

Undoubtedly, Argentina’s rising fame comes handin-hand with its astounding effort of re-inventing a grape which, like most things the

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However, this tough, hard-man image is slightly contradictory to Malbec’s growing character, like a camp body-builder for example. It is a grape that is highly susceptible to rot, frost and mildew- things which the climate in Argentina negates due to the dry conditions as well as the high altitude. That, coupled with the integrated irrigation systems found in areas such as Mendoza and San Juan, means that Malbec may have finally found its rightful home in the world due to this synchronistic terroir.

Interest in Argentinian wine is certainly beginning to peak, then. This added to the fact that wine-tourism is also booming in the country itself.

Wine-tourists from around the world are astounded by the depth of quality vs. price of wine all over the country with free wine tours and tastings available at almost every vineyard.

Particularly in the northwestern desert interior, tourists appreciate the fact that water supply is still dictated by complex and sophisticated irrigations systems build by the ancient Huarpes people designed to bring water from the Mendoza river to the arid plains.

In the words of Robert Parker “By the year 2015, the greatness of Argentine Malbec wine will be considered as a

What’s On Penang

gift… this long-ignored grape’s place in the pantheon of noble wines will be guaranteed.” I would give it a go if I were you. Not as poetic, I know, but true all the same.

TIPS: Come to our Argentinian food and wine paring on February 21st This article was kindly contributed by James Springer of That Little Wine Bar. For more details on James please see his bio on page 66.

That Little Wine Bar Wine Classes If you are interested in finding out more information about wine and would like to enhance your appreciation join our wine classes at: That Little Wine Bar 54 Jalan Chow Thye 10050 George Town +604 226 8182 info@thatlittlewinebar.com www.thatlittlewinebar.com/ournews.html That Little Wine Class is a cycle of 4 x 1 hour classes every week on Wednesday at 6.30 pm.

The course covers Wine Etiquette, Geography of Wine, All About Grapes, and the Language of Wine Tasting. Each class includes at least 2 different wines to taste.

The aim is to give you all the basics of enjoying wine and the confidence to be able to order wines you like and know what you are ordering.

Participants of all 4 lessons will receive a certificate of graduation.

The cost is RM 25 per class, including service and tax (RM 100 for the whole course, payable on the first lesson). We are now taking bookings for the next course, please call for dates and further details.

www.whatsonpenang.com

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Penang World Music Festival Returns!

After a three year hiatus, the Penang World Music Festival (PWMF) is coming back- bigger and better than before!

Music lovers will be in for a good treat as the band lineup is a potpourri of wellknown international and local musicians coming together to serenade them with rousing world beat that will keep them dancing amid the resounding rhythms of nature.

With music genres ranging from blues to salsa and reggae, the upcoming PWMF 2012 is definitely not an event to be missed.

Organized by Penangâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s State Tourism Development and Culture Office, PWMF 2012 promises to be an exciting event to look out for this year!

The has

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tourism appointed

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office UCSI

Communications Sdn Bhd (UComms) as the event management consultant, to ensure the smooth running of the festival.

To be staged at the picturesque Quarry Recreational Park, Botanic Gardens from March 30 to April 1, 2012, the upcoming festival will feature musicians from all corners

of the world from places like Africa, Australia, Philippines, Colombia, South Korea, Russia, Mongolia and Bali.

Together with the local Malaysian bands, they will orchestrate a world beat that will definitely rock the Pearl of the Orient.

Among the 18 bands to perform at the festival include Maite Hontele from Colombia, Kalja Riddim Klan (Vanuatu), Gus Teja World Music (Bali), Beoga (Ireland), Tori Ensemble (South Korea) and Wild Marmalade (Australia), Loyko (Russia), Altan Urag (Mongolia), Guinee Percussions (Africa), Phong Nguyen Ensemble (Vietnam), Griff Trio (Belgium), Will Crummers and the Rarotongans (New Zealand) and Grace Nono and Bob Aves Group (Philippines).

Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s On Penang

They will be joined by Malaysian bands with the like of Aseana Percussion Unit, Didit Dinai, Penang Dhol Blasters, Kumpulan Minang Moh and Geng Wak Long.

The beautiful landscape garden at the Botanic Gardens will provide the magical backdrop to the openair festival which will start from 2pm with the musical workshop.

Other programs at the festival include the Kidzworld

workshop which will be from 5pm to 6pm and the night concert which will commence from 7pm.

There will also be a festival bazaar offering a wide selection of food and beverages, souvenir items, handicrafts and the performers CDs for festival goers to enjoy.

Tickets to the festival are now available online at www. ticketxpress.com.my, priced at RM90 per day for adult and RM45 per day for a child between five and 12 years old.

Three-day tickets are also available and are priced at RM220 each for adult and RM120 each for child.

Beside online, tickets are also sold at all Discovery Overland Holidays offices (tel: +6 013 3398113) and Penang Tourism Development and Culture

Office (tel: +6 016 4110000).

Hard Rock Hotel Penang is the official hotel for the festival and the internationalchain hotel will house all the musicians and the invited media during the festival.

The organising of the festival is also supported by Virtual Malaysia, KDU College, Penang Campus and Straits Quay.

A preview show will be held at Hard Rock Hotel on March 28, 2012 and another at Straits Quay on March 29, 2012. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t miss it!

More Information www.penangworldmusic.com

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What’s On Penang

Evergreen Laurel Hotel Penang’s 5-star Evergreen Laurel Hotel is strategically located along the famed Gurney Drive overlooking the serene seaside, within walking distance from the latest shopping complex and hawkers centres.

A deluxe Business cum Leisure hotel, providing 368 elegantly designed spacious guestrooms with uninterrupted view of the Sea or Georgetown and Penang Hill. All rooms are equipped with LCD TV with Astro Channels and complimentary broadband connection for unlimited usage.

Savor the International and Chinese Cuisine in Café Laurel and Evergarden Restaurant with a spectacular ocean view. The Lobby is the perfect place to meet for leisure or business to unwind with our live band performance.

The elegance Ballroom and function rooms are well prepared to accommodate for corporate conventions, banquet reception and cocktail parties.

The Health Club has complete facilities, including Poolside Bar, Indoor & Outdoor Gym, Tennis courts, Sauna Jacuzzi and Kids Club and the Business Centre is fully equipped with the latest communication tools and secretarial services.

53 Persiaran Gurney, 10250 Penang, Malaysia TEL: (604) 226-9988 / FAX: (604) 226-9989 E-MAIL: elhpen@evergreen-hotels.com WEBSITE: www.evergreen-hotels.com

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What’s On Penang

From Chanel to Little India I was excited to have friends descending on Penang during the last holiday season. They had been living abroad in Europe for many years now.

Shopping is my least favourite past-time, but in Malaysia, it is impossible to socialise without being in a mall. “When in Rome, do as the Romans do”. I do think it is possible to live in Rome, yet not be of Rome, though.

It’s insane!!

My mind bounces off as we enter Gurney Plaza. I am there, but I am not there. My eyes gloss over the make-up counters; Dior, M.A.C., Bobbi Brown, Chanel; spoilt for choice, colour havens for any fashionista.

Holiday Seas PENANG POSTCARD COLLECTION: 1899–1930s Khoo Salma Nasution and Malcolm Wade

‘Serious collectors or scholars of postcards, as well as casual readers, are sure to delight in this richly illustrated and beautifully designed volume’ – Peter Zabielskis

Visual history / Heritage Third Reprint, 2011  ISBN 978-­‐983-­‐28850-­‐0-­‐0 Special Offer Price RM110

PORTRAITS OF PENANG: LITTLE INDIA Our first stop is the Gurney Plaza shopping mall, where we went looking for Chanel’s red lipstick for our Mademoiselle who was insistent on using a certain shade of red for Christmas.

Honestly, Gurney Drive is not the same. It’s not the place I once lived. Why? There are just way too many people, new condominiums and a new premier shopping complex now. Not that I have some special patented right over the promenade, but still.

Have you even tried going there on a Saturday evening?

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Ooi Cheng Ghee

‘This is not only a work of art; it is a personal statement by an observant and intuitive artist, perceptive of the moods and sensitivities of a culture that is living’ – Andrew Sheng

Photography / Ethnography 2011  ISBN 978-­‐967-­‐5719-­‐05-­‐9 Special Offer Price RM90

HERITAGE HOUSES OF PENANG

Khoo Salma Nasution and Halim Berbar

‘Khoo’s words are brought alive in the book by the award-­‐ winning Berbar’ – Marina Emmanuel

Architecture / Heritage 2009  ISBN 978-­‐981-­‐23280-­‐6-­‐9 Special Offer Price RM75

What’s On Penang

I watch my friend deliberate her choice of red or dark red, and finally we are done.

We move from the airconditioned Chanel counter, where a red lipstick costs RM 98 to the chaotic, sweaty streets of Little India to get our eyebrows threaded for RM 5 – the real reason for the day’s outing.

In our world, it seems there is no high life, nor low life.

It is natural to go from one

son Offer

spectrum to the other. We wear our Nikes and Birkenstocks, sling our Gucci’s and park our Peugeot cabriolets, but we also sit on the pavement, whilst waiting to have our brows threaded.

Next, we headed for a much needed caffeine fix at Lighthouse Coffee. There is nothing like a big long chin wag with a bunch of friends over an afternoon of orgasmic cuppas. My fellow

caffeine junkies nodded in agreement that Lighthouse is Penang’s gem for a good fix, sans coffee art or otherwise.

Thanks to the packed crowd, you could overhear every one else’s conversations, you get a slice of someone else’s life.

My guests were hungry so we wondered down to a very

To celebrate the Chinese New Year festivities Areca Books has put together a special offer on five of its outstanding titles

PERAK POSTCARDS: 1890s–1940s

Abdur-­‐Razzaq Lubis, Malcolm Wade and Khoo Salma Nasution

‘the authors’ expertise is brought to bear on every image, each one carefully sourced, dated and historically interpreted... like a rolling story that you can dip in and out of your leisure’ – Ilsa Sharp, The Edge

Visual history / Heritage 2010  ISBN 978-­‐967-­‐5719-­‐01-­‐1 Special Offer Price RM110

HERITAGE TREES OF PENANG

Simon Gardner, Pindar Sidisunthorn and Lai Ee May

Richly illustrated with 72 original watercolours and over 1,200 photographs, this invaluable guide is a beautiful and authoritative companion to Penang’s botanical inheritance.

Botany / Environment / Heritage 2011  ISBN 978-­‐967-­‐5719-­‐06-­‐6 Special Offer Price RM90

For orders and inquiries contact: Yeap Ee Ban or How Kooi Nee Tel: +604 -­‐ 262 0123 / 261 0307  Email: arecabooks@gmail.com Between now and 22 January 2012 you can buy any of these five books direct from the publisher at special promotional prices. Includes free postage and packing to West Malaysia.

Editorial: 70 Lebuh Acheh, George Town, 10200 Penang, Malaysia Book Showroom: 120 Lebuh Armenian, George Town, 10200 Penang, Malaysia

Follow us on Facebook www.facebook.com/arecabookspenang www.arecabooks.com

packed hawker stall at the Pulau Tikus market for some yummy char koay teow with duck egg and laksa lemak. I have been meaning to go there for ages but have just never found the right time to go.

Having guests in town is fabulous. Not only do you get to show off your city but it reminds you to re-visit your favourite old haunts and enjoy new things that have cropped up in your own backyard.

This article was kindly contributed by Maryam Wong. Please see her full bio on page 66. www.whatsonpenang.com

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Regional Property Investment Trends The Current State of the Regional Market Asians tend to look to the West for many things from fashion to technology but it is a global trend for institutions worldwide to look to the Asia Pacific region for property investment opportunities.

This is because the property markets here are growing with a stable political climate.

Institutions and individuals look for guaranteed capital gains and this is what can be found in this region.

The main beneficiaries of this growing trend are Singapore, Malaysia and down under, Australia.

Public and private global funds will invest in Singapore while South East Asian funds

will go to Australia.

Then, the Middle East, Singapore and South East Asian Funds will invest in Malaysia.

Investors select the countries they wish to invest in for wealth preservation after taking into account conditions such as growth opportunity, freehold land titles, stable political climate and early funds transfer with minimum restrictions.

In this region, only Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong and Australia have a high quality land title system that serves as the backbone to property developments in these countries.

Malaysia has many favourable conditions that foreign investors look for.

For one, Malaysia inherited

a combination of the Torrens System of Land Titles Registry, where the property ownerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s right is indefeasible, and the UK freehold land titles system, that makes Malaysian property investment grade.

Secondly, the strong banking and financial system in Malaysia helped fuel the property market at the property development stage.

Credit is easily available to homebuyers and investors and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not only confined to locals, credit facilities have also been extended to foreign investors during the last 5 years.

Due to the intense competition amongst financial institutions and banks, credit facilities are aplenty and accessible by all, locals and foreigners alike.

Therefore, they are deemed responsible for sending new property launch prices to dizzying heights.

Malaysians have been experiencing higher disposable income due to the strong economic growth here

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in the past 8 years.

This has further fuelled the local property market with more Malaysian investors and homebuyers jumping onto the property investment bandwagon.

Malaysian investors do not only buy properties on home ground but also look outside the country to New Zealand, Hong Kong and the US for investment opportunities.

In addition to this, our mild tropical weather also plays a role in attracting the interest of foreign investors, especially those keen on getting away from the bitter cold winter months or from arid dry summer months.

Malaysia tends to cross border transactions by from Singapore, UK, Europe, South and Canada.

get retail property investors Australia, of France

Property News Penang’s latest lifestyle mall, Gurney Paragon developed by Hunza Properties Bhd (HPB), officially opened its restored heritage building centerpiece, “St Jo’s@Gurney Paragon” building on Monday, 16th January, 2012. See over for more pictures.Property News.

Penang-based property developer Belleview Group, will unveil new projects with a development value in excess of RM500 million this year in the northern region.

Its managing director, Datuk Sonny Ho, said besides two launches on Penang island, the company is also set to launch its first condominium project in Alor Star, Kedah.

Michael Geh

This article was kindly contributed by Michael Geh, Senior Partner of RAINE & HORNE INTERNATIONAL. His full bio is on page 66.

Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Chor Chee Heung is confident that the local property market will continue to thrive despite the economic slowdown in European countries. www.whatsonpenang.com

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Paragon Grand Opening

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Ray Rozells And The JazzHats (Frankie Chai (Bassist), Ken Ooh (Piano) rocked the crowds at Monday 16th January’s opening ceremony with several classic covers performed with style and pinache.

This seasoned performer plays regularly to the Gurney crowd at ‘G’ Hotels ‘G’ Spot lounge every Wednesday night and also plays at The Hard Rock Hotel in Batu Feringhi.

They played in front of the heritage building of St. Jo’s which had just been opened and under the amazing twin residential towers known as East & West Towers, which are the highest residential towers on Penang.

Opening only a small percentage of the entire project just now there are some 400 units in total that will be available to Penang shoppers when the remainder opens its doors to the public, planned for later in 2012.

That means that there are 599,000 sq ft yet to come and will bring many names that are familiar yet many that are not serviced before here on Penang. Names such as Hokkaido Ichiba Japanese restaurant, Urban Fresh supermarket, and TGV Cinemas Sdn Bhd.

www.whatsonpenang.com

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Our Contributors

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Maryam Wong

James Springer

Craig J Selby

“Logistics by profession, Social Activist by passion.

Functionally insane, sophisticated Bohemian, an Advocate of Friends, Freedom and Thought: When I am not getting stressed, I write - writing defines me. I am constantly trying to understand my place in the world and I have found that literature is the best way to see myself.

The characters are mirrors of my own soul.”

James writes the newsletter for That Little Wine Bar with the aim of inducing the culture of wine into Penang.

While drawing on contemporary points of interest, his unpretentious look at the sometimes stifling world of wine has helped many Penangitesand ex-pats alike get to grips with a beverage often deemed too complicated.

James also holds monthly wine courses at TLWB.

Craig is the Managing Director of Orchan Consulting Asia Sdn Bhd, a boutique public relations agency operating out of KL and Penang.

With an avid interest in the broader hospitality industry, he regularly contributes to publications within lifestlye and F & B sectors, as well as human interest stories.

Check out www.orchan.asia to see more.

Michael Geh

Gourmet Food

Cindy Teh

Michael Geh is Senior Partner of Raine & Horne International Zaki + Partners Sdn Bhd. He has been active in Property, Consulting for the past 18 years. Professionally he is a Chartered Surveyor & International Real Estate Agent.

“Gourmet Garden is the initiative by Jason Wong & Gill Giam, the founders, writers, photographers, tasters, bottle washers and all.

Our intentions are simple; they are to share our experience be it good or bad with fellow foodies.”

“I started teaching mandarin, conversation and writing classes, at end of 2009.

Adult and kid students taught from a wide range of nationalities including Chinese, Malay, Indian, Japanese, German, Danish, Swedish and Eurasian. ”

www.whatsonpenang.com

What’s On Penang

Map and Con

Police, Ambulance, and Rescue: 999 Fire: 994 Red Cresent: (603) 4257 8726 St.John’s Ambulance: (603) 9285 1576 Telekom Malaysia Directory Service: 103 Telekom Malaysia Operator Assisted Calls (Domestic and International): 101 Tourism Infoline: 1300 885 776 Tourist Police Hotline (HQ): (603) 2149 6590 Enquiries: (603) 2149 6593 Customs: (603) 8787 2312 Tourism Malaysia Offices Address: Pejabat Tourism Malaysia Negeri Pulau Pinang, 56th Floor, KOMTAR, Penang 10000 Tel: (604) 264 3494 / 263 4941 Fax: (604) 262 3688

AirAsia: 03 8775 4000 Air Malaysia: 04-262 0011, 262 1403. address is Ground Floor, KOMTAR, Penang Super Nice Bus Company: 04-3316359 /3232116

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ntact Numbers

Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s On Penang

Bayan Lepas International Airport: 04-643 4411 Immigration Department: 04-261 5122 Penang Hill Railway: 04-829 9412 Penang Island Municipal Council: 04-262 4400 Penang Port: 04-263 1553 Consulates in Penang Australia [61] 1-C Hutton Lane, Phone:+60 4 2631114 Fax:+60 4 263-3320 publicaffairs-klpr@dfat. gov.au Germany Plot 205-206 Jalan Kampung Jawa Free Industrial Zone 3, Phone:+60 4 6415707 Indonesia [62] 467 Burma Road, Phone:+60 4 2274686 United Kingdom 3rd Floor, Standard Chartered Bank Chambers, 2 Beach Street, Phone:+60 4 2625333

Japan [63] Level 28, Menara BHL, 51 Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah, Phone:+60 4 226-3030 Thailand 1 Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman, Phone:+60 4 226-8029 / 226-9484, thaipg@tm.net.my Visas: 9AM-noon, closed on Malay and Thai holidays. www.whatsonpenang.com

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Golden Sands Resort Unveiling The Segway US-based personal transporter Segway has made its debut at the Golden Sands Resort.

Golden Sands Resort is now offering Segway rides to its guests as an activity.

It offers no-emission; selfbalancing transportation and is the first of its kind to be found on a hotel property in Penang.

This is part of the resort’s Corporate Social Responsibility programme in order to safeguard the environment and reduce the resort’s carbon footprint.

Computers and motors power the Segway. The user commands the direction of the Segway by shifting their weight. Segway personal transporters can go up to 12.5 mph or 20 kmph.

Segways work best in areas where there are curbs, ramps and pavements.

These personal transporters are used for work and leisure and are classified in certain countries as a legal vehicle.

In Malaysia, Segways are confined to use on private property only. The Segway deal was made possible thanks to a partnership with Custom Lifestyle, the authorised distributor for 72

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Segway Malaysia/Vietnam.

Bruno Cristol, general manager of Golden Sands Resort, said “We are pleased to present the Segway to our resort guests and to the local Penang community. We hope that this new activity will be well received and will provide entertainment for both young and old. We are a familyorientated resort and we hope

that this will enhance the overall experience for guests and families, especially those between the ages of seven to 99.”

Cristol added, “A Segway ride is a quiet, reliable, responsive and eco-friendly, way of exploring the resort without overexerting yourself in the tropical heat.”

What’s On Penang

Segway rides at the Golden Sands Resort are open to resort guests and the public.

Rides are 15 minutes per session and are priced at around MYR 20 per person for resort guests and around MYR 25 per person for the members of the public (subject to 6% government tax).

The Adventure Zone - For Kids of All Ages The Adventure Zone, a unique family entertainment centre opened its doors to the public on 28 November 2007.

The “Hyperglide Astra Drop” slide has a height of 18 feet (5.5 metres) and a length of

The rides are available from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm, seven days a week.

Patrons who utilise the Segway have to be at least 110 cm in height and 45 kg in weight.

There will be a five-minute free trial for the rider to get used to the Segway personal transporter and three safety marshals are on standby to ensure a safe ride.

The Segway rides run through the newly landscaped, partly shaded fun track, which includes the following terrains: garden, urban, speed, bridge, water, highland and beach.

The resort offers three packages that are comprised of the fun ride on the resort’s specially designed track, an eco combo tour around the Golden Sands Resort and Rasa Sayang Resort and Spa, and team building and/ or fun group activities. Plans are underway for night lights featuring LED lighting.

For more information, call the Golden Sands Resort, Penang, directly on (60 4) 886 1911 or e-mail reservations. gsh@shangri-la.com.

one playground for the family, catering to toddlers from two years’ old to adults,” said Andrew Casci, the Adventure Zone’s director of recreation.

50 feet (15.2 metres), while the “Double Drop” slide, with a ball pit exit, stands 20 feet (6.1 metres) tall and has a length of 48 feet (14.6 metres).

The first of its kind in Penang, Malaysia, the Adventure Zone is located at the Batu Feringgi beachfront between the Golden Sands Resort and Shangri-La’s Rasa Sayang Resort and Spa.

The “Demon Drop” slide is aptly named, offering a hairraising ride with a vertical drop of 24 feet (7.3 metres) and spanning 75 feet (22.9 metres).

The Adventure Zone is a comprehensive indoor playground housed within a 10,300 square feet (957.87 square metres) complex.

Designed by UK specialist David Taylor of Taylor-Made Play Equipment Ltd, the entire facility was built at a cost of RM3.5 million.

The highlight of the Adventure Zone is the thrilling drop slides, available in three levels, categorised as the “Hyperglide Astra Drop,” “Double Drop” and “Demon Drop” slides.

Aside from the drop slides that occupy half of the multistorey complex, the facility isdivided into three zones to cater for different age groups.

“The drop slides, which have been proven to be extremely safe, offer a high level of enjoyment for both children and adults, and have been built in compliance with all UK and Malaysian safety regulations. It is truly an all-in-

Other facilities at the Adventure Zone include the multi-use reception, a retail and snack counter, an art and craft room, child friendly restrooms and two themed birthday party rooms, one seating 40 and the other 60. www.whatsonpenang.com

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What’s On Penang

Football Crazy English Premier League hasn’t actually changed that much since last month.

Manchester City still on top 3 points clear of neighbours Manchester United, with Spurs 2 points further back in 3rd place.

The FA cup 4th round saw the two Manchester clubs square off yet again and following City’s emphatic win last time round was eagerly awaited.

In the end it was one of the most entertaining and bizarre games of the year so far.

United were 3-0 up at half time, City down to ten men having had skipper Kompany

sent off after 15 minutes.

Looking for revenge on their earlier 6-1 embarrassment,

you would have expected a United onslaught in the second half.

However, Mancini made some astute tactical changes at half time and City soon clawed 2 goals back. Despite setting up an enthralling finish, United held on to win 3-2.

January transfers so far, have been very quiet, bordering on nonexistent.

Gary Cahill moved from Bolton to Chelsea as expected but the two big surprises have been the return from retirement of Paul Scholes to injury-hit Manchester United, and for Arsenal the return of Golden Boy Thierry Henri.

Henri scored the winner on his return and Scholes scored on his first full outing.

Not sure what that says about the young talent coming through, that both teams have turned to oldies out of choice.

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What’s On Penang

However, under former midfielder Antonio Conte they have turned a corner, are unbeaten in 18 matches in this campaign and a point clear of champions AC Milan.

In the Champions League, battle resumes on February 14th with the first knockout round.

Pick of the matches are AC Milan v Arsenal and Napoli v Chelsea.

But it’s going to be an odd sensation not having the Red Devils to watch at this stage of the season.

That’ll teach them to spend some of the money from sale of Ronaldo on a world-class, creative, midfield dynamo.

In Germany Bayern slipped up losing to Moenchen Gladbach, but still manage to stay top of the table.

But it is a closely chasing pack of 3-4 clubs that is bearing down on them, Schalke and Dortmund at the head of that pack.

In Spain we had a hugelyanticipated match up between the top 2 Madrid and Barcelona in the cup.

Barcelona won.

Juve had almost become the laughing stock of Italy over the last couple of years.

The biggest, most successful and best supported club in the country, they stumbled to two seventh-placed finishes in a row and even missed out on European qualification this season.

I honestly don’t feel they have ever successfully replaced Roy Keane, let alone Cristiano Ronaldo.

And with presumably the curtain finally coming down on the careers of Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs this year, those are some mighty big boots to fill for someone!

In the league however, Real Madrid are five points clear of Barcelona and having scored 63 goals this season so far, are looking very impressive.

In Italy, it’s tight at the top.

Juventus lead by one point from AC Milan and then Udinese, Lazio and Inter follow closely behind. www.whatsonpenang.com

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What’s On Penang

Boyz Toyz - Girls Gadgets Auto Roundup

The 2012 Honda Jazz Hybrid will soon be coming to Malaysia, February 2012, according to an insider source within a prominent Honda authorised dealer.

The highlight is of course that the Jazz Hybrid is the cheapest hybrid model in Japan, undercutting the likes of the Insight, the CRZ, the Civic Hybrid, and the Prius from Toyota. With tax concessions here in Malaysia on Hybrid cars we can expect some very attractive pricing on the new version.

DRB-Hicom Bhd, a government-linked company involved in the local assembly and distribution of cars for Suzuki and Volkswagen among others, has been announced as the buyer of a 42.74 percent stake in Proton from Khazanah Nasional Bhd, the investment arm of the Malaysian government, beating out competition from Proton Chairman Datuk Seri Mohd Nadzmi Salleh.

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Mercedes-Benz Malaysia has launched three models at a go, a testament to its confidence after 2011’s record sales performance, which propelled Mercedes-Benz to become the leading premium brand in Malaysia.

The three new models—the four-door CLS coupe, the SLK roadster and the C-Class Coupe—cater to relatively niche segments, so they are unsurprisingly fully-imported.

The CLS 350 has arrived for RM 760,888, followed by the SLK 200 for RM 460,888, and the C180 Coupe and C250 Coupe for RM 305,888 and RM 388,888, respectively.

Compulsory usage of rear seatbelts became law on January 1, 2009 but because there were certain models which did not have the seatbelts installed when they were first sold, the government allowed a 3-year grace period for them to be fitted.

Proton, Perodua and Honda agreed to provide the seatbelts for free to their

customers during the 3-year period.

That grace period ended on December 31, 2011, so now passengers have no excuse for not using seatbelts when the vehicle is in motion.

You have been warned!

Cool Gadgets

Ok so I know we don’t get the chance to wear a woolly hat too often out here in the tropics, but if we did this is the one I’d choose!

“The iHat is an innovative piece of headgear for anyone that wants to listen to music, keep warm and be cool, all at the same time. Simply plug the iHat, which has built -in speakers, into your iPod or MP3 player and just groove along as you go. It’s perfect for travelling, especially to cold climates!

What’s On Penang

This version 2 model features two light-up graphic equalizer panels that pulsate in time to the music making you look super cool.”

Not so sure about that bit!

($100) packs enough USBready juice — 6,000mAh — to keep your gadgets running for days without needing a “real” recharge, and thanks to its rugged aluminum and steel construction, you won’t need to baby it when you’re out on the trail.

iPod shuffle is tiny (1.8” tall x 0.3” thin) and will hold up to 4 gigs of music. I’m sold.

Ever dropped your phone in a puddle, bathtub, toilet, or even a pool? Most of us have, and the end result isn’t pretty.

The pitch-black Tag Heuer Formula 1 Stealth Watch is just the wristwear needed for those who like to keep it dark. The 42mm-sized watch features a black face, black lume, black-gold hour markers, and a stainless steel case with an all-black titanium-carbide coating. The only hint of color comes from the red-tipped chronograph hand. Now that’s cool!

Plan on being away from power for more than just the afternoon? The Mophie Juice Pack Powerstation Pro 78

www.whatsonpenang.com

But now that’s one last thing you’ll need to worry about when you’ve got Liquipel protecting that $500+ smartphone.

Just in time for Valentine. Let your pillows do the talking next time you want to say “I love you” to your bed partner.

The devilish engineers at Apple keep finding ways to make the new iPods appealing. I don’t need this thing but I want it. The new iPod shuffle has VoiceOver. It tells you what song is playing and who is playing it. The new

Liquipel permanently bonds on the molecular level to your device, inside and out, making sure that water doesn’t get in and that your phone keeps working.

If there was a Swiss Army knife of sharpeners, this would be it. The AccuSharp knife sharpener requires no oils or stones and in a matter of seconds sharpens knives, (even serrated knives), cleavers, axes, machetes, and many other cutting tools, all for under $10.