Story by Chan Lilian
Pix by Alissala Thian
PENANG is once again in the limelight and for a very good reason too.
In fact, there are nine reasons that every Penangite can be proud of.
On Feb 14, which is Valentine’s Day, CNN had featured an article titled “9 reasons to visit Penang that have nothing to do with street food”.
In a press conference in Komtar on Feb 15, Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng announced the proud achievement.
“This report by CNN which was published on Feb 14 which is Valentine’s Day is a show of love for Penang. I want to let everybody know that the success of Penang is not only about Penang’s delicious foods. Penang has more to offer. This time, CNN has mentioned our arts, green areas, music, forest reserves, Penang Hill, martial arts, culture and even the Hungry Ghost Festival,” Lim said.
“CNN had also listed Penang as the second best place to visit in the world. Now we receive another accolade,” he added proudly.
In the article, Marco Ferrarese of CNN had written: “Truth be told, if I’d spent my eight years living on this Malaysian island just because of the capital George Town’s great eats and atmospheric shophouses, I’d either be seriously overweight or completely blind. Because even without the food and the decadent buildings, Penang is a very special place. It’s also a rich tropical egg-yolk that’s hard to break for first-timers. Here are nine ways to go beyond George Town’s gentrified facade and get to know some of the real multi-ethnic, artistic and natural depth that the entire island of Penang has to offer.”
Indeed, Penang’s attractions have ranged from foods to ghosts.
All the more for us Penangites to say “I Love Penang!”
For the full story, please visit http://edition.cnn.com/2017/02/14/travel/penang-travel-attractions/index.html
Photo : habitat
Caption : The Habitat at Penang Hill, which is said to be built to preserve and appreciate a 130-million-year-old ecosystem, was featured in the article .
The nine reasons:
1.Penang’s eclectic arts scene
2.Ancient stick-fighting
3. Underground music
4. Potehi Glove Puppet Theater
5. Hungry Ghosts Festival
6. Balik Pulau
7. Penang Hill and Malaysia’s smallest national park
8. Multi-ethnic artisans
9. Thaipusam Festival