You are currently browsing the monthly archive for October, 2008.
Some time back I met a guy named Travers. He told me he was a painter, an artist. So I wanted to see some of his work. It turned out he is a reproduction painter. Not just “a reproduction painter”, but a high quality painter. I was quite astonished by the quality of the work. It makes me realize that there is a market for high quality reproduction painting. Think about it, who can afford a real Monet, Renoir or Rubbens in the living room? True, not many, not me at least.
travers painted Van Gogh's Sunflowers
But still people would love to have them. This Travers paints them meticulously identical. And he does that amazingly good, he’s, what I would call, a natural! See for yourself what this guy can do. And if you are interested, he can mail you your favorite painting. If it is Van Gogh, Renoi, Rubens or Karel Appel.
With the inclusion in the UNESCO
Heritage, Penang once more becomes a hot spot tourist attraction. The inclusion was not really unexpected as Penang, and in particular the old Armenian Quarter has plenty to offer to visitors. With it’s long Chinese and Malay heritage, it is here where you can find some of Malaysia’s history back in the form of amazingly beautiful building and temples.
Although a large chunk of the heritage is Chinese, there’s plenty to see for the people who are interested in the Malay part of Penang’s heritage. Still, the main attractions are the Chinese temples of the 5 clans in Penang. The Khoo Kongsi temple is probably the most extravagant of all. Some claim it’s too commercial. That may or may not be, fact is that this temple is a perfect example of the Chinese society and worshiping.
penang heritage
There are plenty of other temples. Very interesting is also the mix of Chinese architecture with typical Malay building. The tourist board has set up a tour along all the main places worth to visit. Be sure you bring a map because it’s not always clear where you can see what (though guides are certainly not essential).
The Penang heritage trails go all around the heart of George Town. Even if you come for shopping or being lazy at the beach, the trail will certainly caught a lot of attention and pleasure.
Penang is since many years a main tourist attraction in Malaysia and a must visit. With inclusion in the UNESCO heritage, it became once more an essential visit
The 7th Heaven Cafe & hostel in Yangshuo is since long a favorite of me. Why? Simple: good food, good rooms, good prices and owners William and Linda are good friends. They run a decent business and the 7th Heaven is only one of their three businesses. There is little doubt that the 7th Heaven is a great cafe but if you want to stay in a more stylish and relaxed place, there’s no place like the Snow Lion Resort, just outside of Yangshuo town center, away from the crowds. Highly recommended!
Snow Lion Resort
Although Tai Chi is usually not on the map of “to do” things in Yangshuo. There is however an excellent school in Yangshuo were you can study Tai Chi and other Chinese martial arts with high qualified teachers. Mei is one of them, she’s in fact one of the few female Traditional Wushu Advanced Trainers in China and multiple and a multiple gold medal winner in various international contests.
If you ever thought about learning Tai Chi by the master herself, this is where you have to go to.
Mei at her school in Yangshuo
Of all Malaysian islands on the east coast of Malaysia, Perhentian is one of the best to visit. There are excellent dive grounds around you want to explore, you expect top notch dive resorts. And in case you don’t dive, you can take a snorkel and enjoy the underwater beauty too.
Here is a lot more about Perhentian, beaches, hotels and diving
