On 7 July 2008, George Town was, together with Malacca, formally inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is officially recognized as having a unique architectural and cultural townscape without parallel anywhere in East and Southeast Asia.(wiki).
The World Heritage Convention defines "cultural heritage" as a monument, group of buildings or site of historical, aesthetic, archaeological, scientific, ethnological or anthropological value. Georgetown in Penang surely falls well within this definition as Georgetown has a group of buildings that are steep in history, beautiful and reflect more than a century of culture unique to this Pearl of the Orient. (http://penangtalk.com/unesco/)
I was very excited to take a tour of this lovely place.
On our second day in this lovely town, we rented bikes to take us along Georgetown and to see how it was called a Heritage Site.
As you go along the streets of Georgetwon, you will see the old buildings that has been there for many years.
Lithuanian artist Ernest Zacharevic is leaving his mark with beautiful wall painting of children all across historical Georgetown. The artworks are funny, fascinating, and very much open to everyone’s interpretations. (www.onlypenang.com)
To give you a brief preview of one of the Art Walls, please watch this:
|
It was only more than a year ago but some of the paintings were already faded.
Sad to see but at least I have seen some that were still somewhat in good condition.
Ernest’s neighbour, who is actually famous wooden clogs painter, Mr. Ng Chai Tiam, Armenian Street Art Cafe
“Little Children on a Bicycle” Mural, Armenian Street, George Town, Penang
“Reaching Up” Mural, Cannon Street, George Town, Penang
The Awaiting Trishaw Paddler by Desmond Yeo
This is all that is left from the Chew Jetty Art Wall. Maybe because it's within the sea and the seasalt might have ruined the paint that were used.
Children on the Swing, this was painted by Louis Gan.
The Step by Step Lane is not an actual street sign.
"Sister and brother playing basketball" - street art located at Gat Lebuh Chulia, just the street of old Kwong Wah Yit Poh building, opposite of the “Children on the Swing” Penang street art.
As you go along the streets of Georgetown, you will see some other Art Walls that are also fascinating.
Overall, Penang is a great place for food trip, food trip and more food trip! If you are into arts then you will definitely enjoy the Art Walls and will probably be inspired to create your own Art Wall at your backyards.
More than anything else, being in Penang with good friends is definitely a plus and I always suggest to travel with friends and families to create memories that will definitely last forever!
Budget for three days and two nights stay would be RM 500
per person. This is a conservative budget if you want to enjoy the food, the souviners and the food again!! Hehe!!
Xoxo
No comments:
Post a Comment