Penang Day 5

It was a gloomy start in Penang on day 5. I was hoping the weather would be better but it still did not deter us from going out. After all staying in the apartment the whole time would be boring right?

The first place of the day was Leong San Tong Khoo Kongsi or Khoo Kongsi temple for short (GPS N 5 24.850 E 100 20.264). It's a magnificent clanhouse hidden amidst the crowded gridiron of terrace houses and shophouses. It was not easy to find the temple and we nearly missed the entrance because it looked like a normal alley if you didn't notice the signboard. The entrance fee is RM5. We enjoyed our stop there. The architecture is really breathtaking and there's so much detail to the design. So intricate.

The view from my room at Golden View Serviced Apartments. Gloomy morning.

Khoo Kongsi temple - magnificent looking clanhouse.

Grand stairway to the three prayer halls.

Our attentions were drawn to these beautiful, intricate carvings on the walls.

In the large courtyard, facing the temple is a stage for Chinese Opera.

According to my hubby, each carving here tells a story.

I thought these kind of books only exist in the movies. It's so precious that they have enclosed it in a glass case.

The view of the temple at night is even more beautiful. This picture is in their musuem.

Many of us were fooled when we saw this because at one glance we thought there were real people dining there. This dining area is part of their kitchen.

One part of the kitchen. A tiny child model there. Hehe.

Zi Yu, my niece is interested in the kitchen.

The last time I saw this kind of cupboard was at my auntie's house many years ago.

If I didn't see this piece of information in their musuem, I wouldn't have known that the movie 'Anna & The King' was filmed here.

Father and son at the back part of the temple.

Next, we visited the Pinang Peranakan Mansion. (GPS N 5 25.070 E 100 20.471) I was interested to visit this place just because the mansion was used as one of the main drama set for this drama I watched before called 'Little Nyonya'. You cannot miss this mansion because it was painted bright green. The entrance fee for adult is RM10 and kids enter for free. Once entering the mansion, you can see antique furnitures, unique architectures and decoration all restored in good form. If you are into history, antiques, architectures or culture, I'm sure you'll find a visit to this mansion worthwhile.

Pinang Peranakan Mansion

The entrance to the mansion.

As you enter, this is what you see. That's the main staircase.

This is the front hall.

The children sitting on a typical antique peranakan bench.

This is a table for playing cards. Peranakan style.

She was considered a beauty during her time.

The husband of the lady in the pic above. The guide said he looked a bit like Leslie Cheung and Chow Yuen Fatt combined.

We are all seated at the family's dining hall.

This is the dining hall for western guests.

An old piano seated beside the main staircase.

This is the second storey.

This is the opium chair, long enough for a person to lie down.

Antique stereo system that can play old vinyl records.

This is what they call 'toilet' in the olden days. :P

A very old TV.

If I'm not mistaken this is a modern wedding dress after the British influence.

'Gung gung' and 3 of the grand children sitting on the love chair.

Antique camera. Imagine if we were to still carry this camera around. I won't even bother taking pictures!

Nyonya shoes.

A daughter's bedroom. Looks like a day bed right?

A future seamstress?

Traditional nyonya attire.

The girls want to be in the pic also. 'Kacau' only.

The wash basin and potty in the wedding chamber.

The bed in the wedding chamber.

The wedding head gear.

The dressing table in the wedding chamber.

The way leading to the cafe kum kitchen.

After lunch at Sin Hwa Kopitiam ( GPS N 5 25.848 E 100 18.768) for the tasty and famous Char Kuay Teow, we went to Toy Musuem (GPS N 5 27.903 E 100 17.740). This Toy Museum is at Jalan Tanjung Bungah and the entrance fee is RM10 for adults and RM6 for children. If you are still a child at heart, you will be happy to see the many types of toys featured in this musuem. One thing, I didn't enjoy about the museum was it seems badly maintained and there's a musty smell in the musuem. Anyway, we went there for the sake of the children otherwise I don't think I will be interested in the musuem.

Jack Sparrow : Savvy?

Lara Croft who likes to raid tombs. :P

Master Yoda, may the Force be with you.

Darth Vader: I am your father. He gives me the creeps.

Obi Wan Kenobi:You can't win, Darth.

Batman the Dark Knight. I don't understand why the Cheshire Cat and Pluto is with him. LOL.

Spiderman, who has great power and great responsibilities. ;)

One of my favourite Disney cartoon, The Little Mermaid.

Joseph was attracted by toy cars.

Shrek and his children?

The children showing 'suk suk' something they found interesting.

The chamber of horrors. Eee..

Barbie dolls!

Since the Toy Musuem is on the way to Batu Ferringhi, we went to Batu Ferringhi beach. The children had fun the most, dipping in the sea. Driving along the coastal road in Batu Ferringhi also gives a scenic view of the sea and beach. It was just relaxing.
 

Batu Ferringhi beach.

Joseph enjoyed playing with the water and sea shells.

Han Yang looked so happy playing with his father.

Suddenly there was a naked boy at the beach!

Joseph wants to go further into the sea. His clothes and diaper got all soaked up with water, so he wanted to get out of them and be naked. 

My father in-law managed to persuade Elizabeth finally to play in the sea.

My brother in-law playing sand with the kids.

Elizabeth only dared to stand in the water.



The rest were just happy sitting in the water.

 We went back to the apartment to get ourselves cleaned up and later went to Ocean Green Restaurant near to Gurney Drive to have seafood for dinner. The restaurant is just by the sea so you can hear actually hear the sound of waves splashing. But since the restaurant was crowded with people, the sound of waves were drown by the sound of people talking. Nice ambience and nice food. Worth a try.

Ocean Green Restaurant just beside the Gurney beach.

Paulaner beer. Not bitter at all.

Our quite scrumptious dinner. LOL.