35 MARCH 21 MALAYSIA, PENANG

PENANG: MELTING POT OF THE EAST, began in the 1786, when English Captain FRANCIS LIGHT struck a deal with the SULTAN OF KEDAH. He acquired PENANG n behalf of the East India Company in return for protection against its powerful neighbors.
The place was then more than a swampy, malaria-infested area. To clear the place, he loaded ship‘s cannons with silver dollars and fired them into the jungle to encourage faster cleaning of the thick undergrowth by the laborers.
In 1832 traders and settlers came from Europe, India, China, the Malay Archipelago, Thailand and Burma.















DISCOVERING GEORGETOWN BY TRISHAW













VICTORIA MEMORIAL CLOCK TOWER built in 1897, Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee

















ST. GEORGE’S CHURCH dating from 1818. In front a memorial to Capt. Light.

City Hall & Town Hall reflecting the English architecture

Little India:

MAHAMARAIMMAN TEMPLE Built in 1833, with ornate features in the walls and doorways. Decorated with sculptures of gods and goddesses.

FOOD STALLS.

STORES SELLING SPICES AND SILK SARIS.

Beggar at the entrance of the Temple

KHOO CLAN ANCESTRAL HOUSE. Built in the 19th century when the Khoo clan was at the height of its wealth and eminence in PENANG society. The Khoos were among the wealthy Chinese traders of the 17th century. The Kuhn dynasty can be traced back for 40 generations.

ARLINE & THE CHEFS: TOBIAS, head chef of Regent 7 Seas, JUAN head chef of the EASTERN & ORIENTAL HOTEL and Chef BEN !!

34.- MARCH 20 MALAYSIA

MALAYSIA: We were very impressed with our guide’s information!
Became independent in 1957. Today with 26 million people and freedom of religion, Buddhist, Muslims (the majority) and Christians live in harmony.
60% Malays, 30% Chinese, 7% Indians, 3% East Malaysians . 2 million from foreign countries.
30 years ago it was an agricultural nation. Today, it’s a developing country where :
They have a high standard of living and a very strong economy:.
10% rich
$5,000 US average income
45% in Manufacturing PC components, rubber gloves, palm oil for cooking and cosmetics..
Since 1985, they manufacture 55% of their cars!
Tourism: 17.6 million tourist last year. Majority from Singapore
Producing "ANCHOR" beer with high alcohol content. (In a Muslim country???).
Marriages are 10% down in the last 10 years. Economically independent women do not marry.
No welfare .Unemployment 4%
Retirement @ 56 years old
KUALA LAMPUR: Means :muddy confluence" in Malay. The city was born in 1857, when miners discovered tin between two murky rivers and Chinese traders promptly set up shop.











Many parks and green areas around the city.

Architecture with Islamic design: The Petronas building, icon of the cit, with 451 meter high, is the highest twin tower in the world. 60% occupied by the Petronas oil company. The best managed oil government company..

AZIZ SHAH MOSQUE, one of the country’s most beautiful structures. Referred as the BLUE MOSQUE, its 470-foot minarets are the world’s tallest. Completed in 1988 with a capacity of 25,000 people

Many beautiful buildings from the British colonial administration during the 1880's

THEAN THOU TEMPLE, 3 stories high, built in 1985,. One of the biggest Chinese temples in Southeast Asia. Patron GODDESS HOU

Heaven Goddess

National Monument: 50-foot high bronze monument in honor of to the soldiers that died during different wars. Designed by the acclaimed sculptor Felix De Weldon. (Iwo Jima) Constructed in 1966

ROYAL PALACE. The King is elected every 5 years by 9 sultans, heads of districts. The Primer minister, runs the country and is also elected every 5 years,

33.- MARCH 16 BANGKOK, THAILAND

THAILAND With a population of 63 million people. 90% Buddhist and the rest Muslims and Christians.
The 80 years old king has been in the throne for 60 years, making him the longest still serving.

BANGKOK: (City of Angels) by the CHAO PRAYA RIVER (RIVER OF KINGS) has been the capital of Thailand since 1782 . Population:10 million people.

There are two Bankoks, the ancient with its long and fascinating history, temples and shrines and the modern metropolis embracing Eastern and Western trends.
The biggest improvements: The new modern and functional airport. SKYTRAIN opened in 1999, Subway opened in 2000 and good highways.

DAMNERNSADUAK FLOATING MARKET


Traditional long-tail boats with outboard powerful engines, take you for an exhilarating ride to the market, through marshes and stilt houses along the river.




Thai-style canoes laden with colorful and succulent fruits navigate their ways through the canals, providing an exciting and interesting look at the traditional Thai way of life.

After bargaining, a must, they put their products in baskets and reach the buyers who put their money while retrieving their purchases.

Along the banks of the market, there are many canoes where all kind of foods are being prepared. Soups are the most in demand.

NAKOM PATHOM, the tallest pagoda in the world.

A Buddhist student ready for the ceremony when he will receive his orange robe, becoming a monk.

32.- MARCH 15 VIETNAM, HO CHI MIN CITY (SAIGON) 3

THE MEKONG DELTA

MEKONG RIVER

HOUSES ON STILTS ALONG THE RIVER SHORES

All type of boats and ferries, many with an unusual "eye" painted on their bows to frighten off evil underwater spirits.

PHOENIX ISLAND: 3,000 people live in this island and worship the COCONUT MONK RELIGION. Believing that if they eat and drink coconut they will go to heaven.

Visiting one of the many islands in the delta, we saw the traditional homes of farmers and fisherman.

Through a maze of small canals we witness the every day lives of the dwellers.

Sampan ride in a small canal.

TRAINING A PYTHON

31.- MARCH 14 VIETNAM, HO CHI MIN CITY (SAIGON) (2)

THIEN TEMPLE (Taoist ) 300 years old.






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The incense offering lasts 7 days. In a written message you ask for your wishes to be granted. All of you, dear readers, were included in our prayers for good health and happiness !!

TRADITIONAL WATER PUPPETRY, once the entertainment of Kings and Emperors, Since 1211 under Ly dynasty










CHO LON MARKET where the locals do their shopping. With a busy and crowded trading atmosphere.
























Incense

30.- MARCH 14 VIETNAM, HO CHI MIN CITY (SAIGON)

SAIGON, VIETNAM'S Capital with a population of 7 million people, was renamed after the unification as HO CHI MIN CITY, known also as "HCMC".















CENTRAL POST OFFICE












There are 3 million scooters in HO CHI MIN


Waiting at a traffic light.










Parking lot.












Former PRESIDENTIAL PALACE, now known as the REUNIFICATION HALL and converted into a Museum.










Chinese and Russian tanks, breaking through the gates and bringing the government down.

29.- MARCH 13 VIETNAM HUE (2)

The Perfume River

TU DOC, the most romantic emperor of the Nguyen Dynasty, had thousands of laborers builiding his tomb in 1867. With its own lake and pine forest, theater, working place, Fishing pavilion and Poem Pavilion. Despite having 100 wives and numerous concubines, he would escape here to relax and writer poetry.

TU DOC'S TOMB

The Fishing pavilion and Poem Pavilion.

We went for a surprise: ROYAL DINNER.
We were dressed as emperors, empresses and mandarins and led to a private room by musicians playing traditional music of HUE.

Exquisite food, artistically presented.

2 singers accompanied by musicians playing hundreds of years old instruments