By Jerry Hall
Penang is such a popular tourist destination and has been visited so many times over, it will be impossible for travelers to recount something that has not been recounted before! In short, a visit to Penang will not be complete if one does not tread a path, follow the road, get around, knock around, go places, sightsee or peregrinate for nowhere else in South East Asia will you find a more peaceful and pleasing island.
One of the main attractions in Penang is the Christendom's St. George. The popularity of Christendom's St. George is far-reaching, touching the religious as well as the secular. Churches named after him are found in many parts of the world, including the historic city of George Town, Penang. St. George has also served as a fountain of inspiration to writers (like Shakespeare), artists and musicians. The most famous depiction of St. George was his battle with a ferocious dragon (such as the one shown here from The Catholic Community Forum) and it is this mortal combat with which the Saint has most often been captured by artists - on canvases, medals and tapestries.
The one located here, on the corner of Lebuh Farquhar and Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling is historically significant in this part of the world because it is the oldest Anglican Church in Southeast Asia.
Visiting national parks, museums and heritage buildings is a favorite pastime of many Malaysians. Such outings allow and encourage us to appreciate our natural and man-made heritage, many of which are threatened by the onslaught of modern development. There are some who even go as far as to say that such recreation fosters closer bonding between family members, but we'll delve into that later.
Although well known amongst all Penangites, most Malaysians and some tourists, an introduction to one of Malaysia's more better known landmarks dedicated to a most interesting member of the animal kingdom - the Lepidoptera, otherwise more commonly referred to as the butterfly, is still relevant. The Penang Butterfly Farm (PBF), the first tropical butterfly farm ever set up in the world, was founded in 1986. It is located in Telok Bahang, a fishing village located north of the island.
Talk about dreams coming true and ideas taking shape. Out of the strength came forth sweetness - and one man's lifelong fascination with butterflies has resulted in a 1 hectare (and growing!) home and sanctuary to a wide variety of insects, reptiles, fishes and plants. Protected from natural predators and unfriendly environments, butterflies in this sanctuary turn into little Methuselahs, living for as long as 14 days. In their natural habitats, the average lifespan would be about three days.
So what makes butterflies such mesmerizing creatures? What's the attraction? Why a whole farm for such a fragile and short-lived creature?
Come Visit Penang, famously known as the Pearl of the Orient. Discover the magical Island in the East.
About the Author: For more information about Penang Island or Malaysia, see http://www.PenangIsland.Info. Come and be amazed with the sights, great food and multicultural community.
Source: www.isnare.com
