Saturday, April 18, 2009

Fort Cornwallis, Penang

Penang is one of the World Heritage Site. Yes, I mean there are handful of colonial heritage to be spotted anywhere in this small island. I am the man who like wandering around with camera and showing off every beauty available.

The foreground of the first picture is Fort Cornwallis where Captain Francis Light first set foot on this island in 1786. In the background is the Penang Harbour Lighthouse. Climbing up the lighthouse and looking forward we can see Peninsular Malaysia. If you would have shouted loud enough you should receive a shouted reply across the Straits of Melaka from me who stay in the mainland. There is red flash from the lighthouse in every two seconds. I do not think it serves any navigational purpose but much of giving us a heads up that it have survived for over 120 years.

On the other side of Fort Cornwallis, here is the Jubilee Clock Tower that was build to mark the Diamond Jubilee year of Queen Victoria. It is interesting to share that the clock tower look more like a minaret of a mosque from which Muslims are called to pray.

This is the place where people gather around for the New Year Countdown. When the clock strikes twelve, the clock tower should be proudly announcing we are entering to a new era, but most of us must have refused to accept that we are getting older by another year.

7 comments:

Rick (Ratty) said...

It looks like a very nice place. Our east coast has buildings that look a lot like what I see in your pictures for maybe the same reasons. British influence from that time was worldwide.

Yeo KeeHui said...

It is good to remind ourselves of the rich heritage that we have. I believe the local authorities must continue to monitor them and do the necessary maintenance works. Undeniably, they will always be the pride of the surrounding people.

Mike said...

Rainfield this is one place i visited when last in Penang. Being a Brit I like to see bits of our colonial past and how it blends in with modern day Malaysia.

I am pleased Malaysia has chosen to preserve such sites.

The colonies, good or bad are an important part of history.

Funnily enough I almost chose to retire to Penang.

roentare said...

Similar to you, I like to wander and hang around the streets with my camera. There will be always interesting stuff to photograph and spend the time in a mindless way

rainfield61 said...

Ratty: It looks sure as a good place as the name "Pearl of the Orient" stated. Penangite always feels proud of the abundant greenery and the rich heritage.

Yeo: Do share the same view with you. The government of the people must continue to work hard to upkeep all these.

Mike: But finally you have choosen Bangkok. Haha..
Colonisation is part of the history and there is always no right or wrong answer to it.

roentarre: This is simply enjoying to have a digital camera around. It is too convinient compared to years of anologue camera.

The Retired One said...

I love the historical places too!
Nice pictures!

The Retirement Chronicles

rainfield61 said...

Hi The Retired One: Glad to to see you are back.