pg tour

Singapore Dance Theater is Coming to Town!

2010-04-06T06:11:00.000-07:00

Attention all contemporary and classical ballet lovers, Singapore Dance Theater is coming to Penang!

The Singapore Dance Theatre (SDT) was founded in 1988 by Goh Soo Khim and the late Anthony Then. Under the directorship of Goh Soo Khim, SDT has developed into a premier professional dance company that has grown from seven to 24 dancers. Over the years, The Company performs five to six seasons, including the widely popular Ballet Under The Stars (BUTS) at the Fort Canning Park.

The Company will open the act with Piano Concerto No. 2, Opus 102, with Glow-Stop as the second piece, and Swan Lake Act II as the finale.

The Penang performance is sponsored by Crest Ultrasonics, and supported by Lee Foundation, the Sunway Group, and the National Arts Council, Singapore

Featuring Piano Concerto No. 2, Opus 102 by Edmund Stripe (UK/Canada), Glow-Stop by Jorma Elo (Finland), and classical excerpts from Raymonda and Swan Lake, Spotlight on Singapore Dance Theatre is a perfect introduction to the verve and vitality that is synonymous with SDT's unique identity as a company that is equally adept at these challenging and varied genres of dance.

Piano Concerto No. 2, Opus 102 (music composed by Dimitri Shoskatovitch) by Edmund Stripe, is a 20-minute piece that features 7 female and 9 male dancers on stage in a fast-paced and exciting work. Audiences will probably find the music of the first movement of this choreography familiar as it was featured in the Disney movie, Fantasia 2000. When it was first performed in the Company’s Ballet Under The Stars platform in 2007, this piece was described by Straits Times review June Cheong as “a sprightly affair of flashing feet and fast turns… (where) the female dancers dazzled with their fleet-footedness… (and) their male counterparts entertained with a series of quick turns.”

Created for the American Ballet Theatre, Glow-Stop has been described as "dynamic and devilish” with gravity-defying gyrations, kinetic and static from one moment to the next. Set to music by Mozart and Philip Glass, Glow-Stop engages the audience in a breathtaking flow that is reminiscent of a light that is switched on, then off, in rapid succession, in an unfettered passion of movement that is the trademark of Elo. At its Singapore premiere within the 2008 Singapore Arts Festival, Straits Times reviewer Tara Tan called it “the gem of the evening” and praised the dancers, who “evoked poetic imagery of broken dolls and at times, moved across the stage like red rose petals discarded in the wind.”

Raymonda divertissements and Swan Lake Act II are perennial favourites of ballet-lovers. With dazzling costumes, showstopping movements and music that engages the senses, these excerpts from classical ballet productions will showcase the Singapore Dance Theatre’s distinctive grace and artistry. During its Company premiere in December 2007, international publication Dance Europe reviewer Jamaludin Bin Jalil lauded SDT for “a valiant effort” that “demonstrated that it is indeed capable of competently presenting one of the classics of the ballet repertory.”

For its second staging in December 2009, Straits Times reviewer Stephanie Burridge said that “the dancers were technically strong and… the company performed creditably.” She also commented that SDT’s performance of Swan Lake was “a surprising, breathtaking ride for the audience”.

Date: 15th April 2010

Day: Thursday

Time: 2000 hours - 2200 hours

Location: Dewan Sri Pinang

Free seating at Dewan Sri Pinang (RM20 - for floor seats and RM10 for gallery seats). Call SDT Penang Hotline - 04-6467866 & 012-4072426 for reservation.

Some sneak preview on what Singapore Dance Theater is all about..their previous performances, do enjoy it :-)

For more info on the SDT Malaysia Tour, please click here

***Edited from George Town, Penang's facebook***

*We do provide transportations for those interested to go to the event in a big group (8-10 people) and the transportation fees can be negotiated. Those students who desired to go with all your friends in a big group, don't hesitate to contact us via email pgtourism09@gmail.com

Tropical Fruit Farm

2010-03-15T07:56:00.000-07:00

The weather nowadays is as hot as like sitting in the oven during the noon while during that time, most of us will be thinking about having a bowl of ice kacang or cendol but why not, try something special. Rather than ice kacang or cendol, how bout free flow of fresh fruit juices? Sound tempting??

That's right, Penang Tropical Fruit Farm has it all. The farm located at the hilly-terrain of Teluk Bahang of Penang which is about 800feets above sea level and covering 25 acres of the area. The Tropical Fruit Farm was developed back in 1993 with a few main objectives which are to conserve the rare and exotic fruit trees, to educate and promote to the locals as well as foreigners of the gift that our land is blessed with and to play a positive role towards agriculture and eco / agro tourism amid the intensive development in our state’s rural areas.

For the record, the farm currently has a long list of various fruits that touches the mark of 250 different species ranging from A to Z fruits and the list is still growing claimed the management of the farm. Fruits available in the farm: Assam Gelugor, Avocado, Butterfruit, Delicious Monster, Guamo, Hog Plum and Indian jujube; just to name a few. I have no idea how those fruits look, smell and taste like...with all the funny names.

Doesn't matter with the fruits' name la...what's matter most is the package provided by the farm. The farm does provide a tour package which is RM25.00 per person while the BBQ lunch buffet is at RM35.00 per person and BBQ dinner buffet is at RM45.00. However if you take both tour and buffet together, it will be much much cheaper; RM48.00 (lunch) and RM58.00 (dinner).

The Buffet Menu

- Free flow of fruit juice.
- Barbecue lunches are only available on weekends from 12pm - 3pm. No bookings are necessary.
- For lunch during weekdays require a minimum of 20 pax. Subject to confirmation (not applicable for walk in).
- For dinner at a minimum of 40 pax.

Main Course Soup

- Beef
- Mushroom

- Chicken

- Mutton Salad

- Fish
- Fresh Garden Vegetables

- Squid

- Sausage Dessert

- Satay (Chicken)
- Fresh Cut Fruits

- Fruit Ice

Special
- Cendol

- Curry Chicken with Bread
- Fresh Fruit Juice (Free Flow)

- BBQ Pineapple

- BBQ Banana

For more info, you all always log in HERE

*We do provide transportations for those interested to go to the farm in a big group (8-10 people) and the transportation fees can be negotiated. Those students who desired to go with all your friends in a big group, don't hesitate to contact us via email pgtourism09@gmail.com

12 Years Twa Pek Kong Grand Float Procession

2010-03-03T08:28:00.000-08:00

Walking down the street where all the floats are stationed before the procession start, there are people from different races walking here and there busy snapping pictures of the floats. Yes, it is a very Chinese religious 'thingy' or Taoism to be more exact but seeing many of Chinese, Malays, Indians and tourists (more or less those Ang Moh) faces making it like a grand Malaysia Event in Penang.

We, Hokkien people said the procession was 'LAU JUAK', the Malays would say 'MERIAH', the Indians would say 'SEREPPA IRANTHATHU' (not sure Jeremy gave me the correct term or not -.-) and those Ang Mohs would say 'PLEASANT or MERRY'. Indeed, the procession was pleasant and merry as it makes George Town more lively on that night. Even the clock is ticking at 12.00am, I can still see lines of people crowding and waiting for the procession to pass by.

The procession fall on the 15th of Chinese New Year according to the lunar calendar (28th February 2010) which is also in conjunction with Chap Goh Meh and Twa Peh Kong's birthday. The procession took nearly 6hours to completed the designated routes which is nearly 10km in length. The procession was participated by 52 different floats from different temple communities and accompany by various deities such as Na Zha, Guan Kong, Tua Peh, Ji Peh and many more. The floats are build with a wide range of theme covering from futuristic theme to eco-friendly theme.

Before the Grand Procession start:

People flocking around at the junction of Pitt Street and Chulia Street

Float No. 35 Group Picture

Twa Pek Kong's Tiger and the two beer girls below; either Carlsbery or Tiger

Preparing for group picture too

Floats lining up along Beach Street

Still preparing...

Listening to 'arahan' (instruction) before depart to each station..

Devotee praying to the Na Zha sitting on the sedan chair

NeZha or Na Zha (Protection Deity) providing protection to Twa Peh Kong all along the procession

The legendary Guan Yu (read Guan Kong) guarding the Twa Peh kong float from evil spirits

Smoking the main altar with wood incense

Accepting RM100 notes only..haha

Twa Pek Kong go global..currently accepting Canadian Dollar, Australian Dollar and American Dollar too

The VIPs..

Wondering what this plate for and what is written on it

Start performing even before the procession started..

Good balancing skills

Looi Por Hor Huat 24 Thean Koon (24 Heaven Guards)

The Grand Float Procession:

Super mini float carrying 3 little cute girls

Chingay, a form of performance to pay respect to Twa Peh Kong and other deities

Devotees carrying the Na Zha statue sitting on the sedan chair

Dragon boat carrying Choy San (State Government Float)

The 24 Heaven Guards floats (made from lorry..haha)

Saw this last December in Chingay parade, remember?

Random float

The Eight Immortal (Journey to the West drama - Sun Wukong friends)

Futuristic huh??

Choy San (God of Wealth) giving out sweets to the crowd along the procession

Temple replica on the float

Na Zha statue with Twa Peh Kong statue in the background

Beautiful Floats

Closer View...not sure what is this deity, maybe is Goddess of Mazu

The Nine Emperors' float

Sea theme float (see that barracuda?)

Two tiger guarding the float

Siamese Buddha

Not sure what is this deities too..anyone good in Mandarin?

Bearing the deity spirit along the procession

Cute little cubs

Hei Bai Wu Shang (Hokkien call Tua Peh and Ji Peh) join the procession

Taiwan Na Zha's costume

Pictures of various floats

The main float bearing the century old sedan chair which seldom on display

And the Albino tiger

Penang Chinese New Year Cultural & Heritage Celebration 2010

2010-02-23T11:16:00.001-08:00

The one day celebration was held last Saturday (20/02/10) around the George Town UNESCO World Heritage Site which consists of Acheen Street, Armenian Street, Cannon Street, Ah Quee Street, Soo Hong Lane, Chulia Street and Kampong Kolam. And of cos, such celebration should not be miss by us, so we grab our camera, ride down to George Town and enjoy the celebration.

It was a full scale celebration as there are both locals and foreigners flocked the area and as many as 13 stages were set up around the town which hold different cultural and heritage performances along the day. This year celebration touched mainly on the four Chinese core moral values which are 'Faithful, Filial Piety, Etiquette & Justice'.

The celebration was so big that it had to be separated and labeled as different area such as Faithful Area, Etiquette Area, Filial Piety Area, The old Penang Memory, Justice Area, The History of Clan House in Penang, Native Place Region, Wushu Area, Art and Culture Zone and Traditional Handicraft Zone. And each labeled area stand for it own name where the area will exhibit respective performance accordingly.

Faithful Area

Located where TeoChew Association is. We took this opportunity to visit TeoChew Association as it is open for public on that day. It is actually close for public as the building is something like a memorial area for ancestors of Chew I guess.

Filial Piety Area

Located just outside Lim Association. Stressed more on charity and doing good deed. So you can see alot of Tzu Chi stalls set up there to raise fund and of cos, I did some donation. :-) There are also a lot of exhibitions along the road to educate people on how to cultivate good karma by doing good deed and talk was carried out by Tzu Chi personnel.

Etiquette Area

This area was focus more on the teaching of Confucius. A stage was set up there just to play the story of Confucius. Besides that, there are well-wishing lanterns area where all the lanterns are tied with all the well-wishes.

Justice Area

Where the majestically 'Tua Pek Kong' is out for display to the public and he is giving out some sign that he is ready for the procession this coming Sunday. As well as the story of the Romance of the Three Kingdoms (San Guo Yan Yi) is exhibited. The story is summarised into cartoon scripts which made easy for the people to understand rather than reading those 3 thick novels of the story. ps: I am reading it too.

The Old Penang Memory

Located in the compound of Cheah Kongsi. The stage put up a performance on how the old Penang people look like (old as in 80's). So please do expect those girls and guys with the big specs and 'karipap' hair. What really amazed me was to watch those people dance like in 80's by shaking their ass, chest and shoulder (like watching in the tv those Chinese 80's show, u know). Well, this make me imagined how my dad and mum dance the tune of 80's during the time they both are still dating each other..haha. Besides that, there are stalls set up by charitable body to raise fund such as doing wishing tree and selling 'Hapiness Candy'.

ps: Sing Chow, you know what I am talking bout. He apparently donated RM2 for the 'Hapiness Candy' (3 candies in a wrapping) and we when up to Cheah Kongsi and we saw Choy San (God of Prosperity) giving out to the people for free.

The History of Clan House in Penang

Located along Armenian Street. Where exhibition of different clan houses of Penang and their history such as the famous Khoo Kongsi, Yap Kongsi, Cheah Kongsi and many more.

Wushu Area

Of cos, wushu performance la...playing swords, striking spears, fighting with wooden chairs..bla bla bla

Native Place Region

Display on the culture and customs of Chinese. I mean typical Chinese culture and customs such as the tang yuan celebration, Pai Thi Kong and a lot of customs that I don't even know.

Well, I always tell my friends (not Penangnites) that coming to Penang is to eat, eat and eat. And of cos, one day celebration in Penang without hawkers' foods will not be a Penang celebration, right? So there you go, stretches of hawkers' foods lining up along the different streets specially cater for the people both locals and foreigners to have the taste of Penang.

There are also listless of performance being performed along the days of the celebration such as the chingay performance, lion dance, dragon dance, stilting performance, 88 drummers performance, 24 festive drums performance, Chinese orchestra, Chinese cultural show, Chinese opera mask changing, Chinese classic songs performance, Chinese oldies chorus, Malay kompang performance,.....well, I tell you what...I can't list down all because it will be super long if I do.

Do enjoy some of the pictures we took on the celebration.

Uncle busy showing of his skill in making rattan baskets

Banner for the named area

Inside TeoChew association

Again

Welcoming Arch

Dance according to the tune of 'Red Cliff'

The Story of Confucius

The 88 and 24 festive drummers

Opera Performance

Shirt printing via hand

Dance to the 80's tune

Wishing tree (He tried throwing almost 10++ times before he successfully 'stuck' his wish on the Wishing Tree)

Hapiness Candy which did not make SChow very happy thou...haha

Tua Pek Kong

Choy San giving out the 'Hapiness Candy' for FREE but we paid RM2 for it..now you know why SChow is not happy with the candy

Beautiful Khoo Kongsi at night

The celebration ended with the blasting colours of fireworks in the night sky of Penang. See ya in 2011.

Happy Chinese 'Hu' Year

2010-02-12T05:48:00.000-08:00

First of all, we would like to wish all the readers a very prosperous and auspicious Chinese New Year. According to the Chinese Animal Zodiac, this year will be the Tiger Year so do expect a lot of roaring here and there and everywhere.

This year Chinese New Year celebration in Penang will be slightly different from other previous years as there are many events lining up in the schedule along the Chinese New Year period.

13th February 2010 (Saturday)

Family Reunion

It is the custom for all the Chinese family to have reunion together which signify the family are united and meet back after a year of separation due to overseas study or work.

14th February 2010 (Sunday)

Chinese New Year

Welcoming the year of Tiger, all the temples are expected to be packed like 'can of sardin' and beware of the burning joss sticks all around you. But of cause, this only applied to those going to the temples and pray. :-)

20th February 2010 (Saturday)

Penang Chinese New Year Celebration 2010

We missed out last year celebration so we have no idea what it is all about but we will post a link HERE to guide the readers on what the celebration is all about.

Objective: Introduce traditional Chinese culture in a grand manner and celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year

Time: 1500hours to 0000hour

Venue: Penang Heritage Site, Malaysia
Street: Armenian Street, Acheen Street, Kapitan Kling Mousque Street, Cannon Square, Ah Quee Street
Admission: FREE

21th February 2010 (Sunday)

Jade Emperor Celebration / Thni Kong Seh

In the Taoism belief, Jade Emperor is the Taoist ruler of Heaven and all realms of existence below including that of Man and Hell. To read more about the Jade Emperor, please click HERE.

Jade Emperor celebration in Penang is celebrated as a grand as possible as it is also known as the Hokkien New Year. According to the old folks:

"The Hokkiens somehow angered one of the Chinese sect in China which wanted a revenge by killing all the Hokkiens. The Hokkiens went into a sugarcane plantation for hiding but the pursuers continue to chase after them. Fearing for their life, the Hokkiens prayed to the Jade Emperor for his mercy and help. Miraculously, heavy rain poured on earth which extinguished the fires started by the pursuers and caused them to leave. The Hokkiens were safe then and it was the midnight of the 8th day of the Chinese Lunar calendar. Therefore, the day is celebrated with prayers of thanksgiving."

Upcoming Annual Thaipusam

2010-01-20T00:15:00.000-08:00

This year Thaipusam celebration falls from 29th - 31th January 2010. Thaipusam is a celebration for the Hindus which believes that on this day, Goddess Pavarthi gave her son, Murugan (Lord Murugan) the invincible vel (spear or lance) to defeat the evil asura (demons). Thus Thaipusam is a commemoration of the triumph of good over evil.

Two states which are expected to hold major celebrations are Penang (Waterfall - Botanical Garden) and Selangor (Batu Caves). This year, the Penang state government is expecting about 1 millions of devotees and tourists to flock the area for the celebration.

A rough information about Penang Thaipusam celebration:

Venue: Waterfall Temple

Time: 29th Jan; noon till 31th midnight

Attire: Casual (try not to wear attire that is exposing, respect the Lords and religions)

Entrance fee: Free

Going there: It is advisable to use public transportations (special bus specially for bringing devotees to Waterfall)

Some pictures show what Thaipusam is all about in the previous years.

For more info about Penang's Thaipusam celebration, you can always log on to HERE.

Chingay, Lion & Dragon Dance Parade

2010-01-03T06:06:00.000-08:00

On the27th December 2009, the Penang Chingay Associations as well as the Lion & Dragon dance troops hit the street of Penang with their stunts and skills. This event is held annually after Christmas and this year parade brings up a new concept of 'Bangsa Malaysia' as we can see not only Chinese but Malay and Indian too joining the parade.

The parade is led by many Miss'es' of Penang and Miss'es' Pesta.

People are entertained by one of the best school band in Penang - Pipes and Drums of St. Xavier's Institution and Penang Chinese Girls School Band.

The uniform guys ensure the smooth of the parade :-) Thank you, Rela.

Float specially made by the Penang Chingay Association which is mounted Penang landmark such as the Fort Cornwallis's cannon, the Penang bridges, the ferry and the proudly stood tall, KOMTAR.

And here come what we are waiting for in the parade, Chingay stunts and skills:

I wonder how they able to balance such a big flag pole with only their head, jaws, shoulders and legs o.O

The dragon dance troops showing off their skills - is not easy for the dragon to follow the fireball

And here come the lion dance troops pulling out their stunts to the crowds, noticed the orange lion? It needs the people to pamper.

The Indians' sticks dance contingent, haha and look at the light blue shirt guy. I wish him 'Merry X-Mas and Happy New Year' as he walk toward us and he start dancing and blowing his whistle.

Another float, quite creative because the elephant able to sprinkle water out from it trunks and I told my friends, 'the elephant is wetting the road all the way.'

The female (red) and male (light blue) Dai Tou Fatt (read - Big Head Buddha). It is believes that the Big Head Buddha is send down from the heaven to tame the lion. So as you can see the following picture that the Dai Tou Fatt is taming the lion.

Even iPhone had involved into a size of a human.

The parade started from Padang Brown and ended in Esplanade and is fun to see different races in Malaysia come together to participate and enjoy the parade.

About Us and the Concept

2009-12-28T09:42:00.000-08:00

We will keep it short and simple on what we do, provide and how our business concept works.

First of all, Pg Tour is established with parallel on our mission statement which is 'providing free and easy tour around Penang at a reasonable price'.

Our Vision: To spread and educate people mainly students about Penang tourist spots and helping people around Malaysia to attain as much as possible knowledge about Penang, at the same time, we are indirectly encouraging and promoting 'Visit Penang 2010-2012'.

Our Business Concept: We are providing 'free and easy' tourism where we will arranged the appropriate transportation to the planned destination/ location for those interested to go. Once our business start to operate, we will request suggestions and feedbacks on places with the preferable from the majority and we will arrange transportation to take tourists there and back at a reasonable price. So what the tourists should paid are only the transportation fee, once reached the destination, the tourists are free to linger anywhere they like and do whatever they prefer with the sufficient time given for the visit.

For more info or any inquiry, please don't hesitate to contact us at pgtourism09@gmail.com

Just drop your e-mail there and we will reply you as soon as possible :-)

Do stay tuned to this blog as we will keep updating on past, current and future events about Penang as well as on our tourism services such as packages, recommended places to visit in Penang and many more.


Main Course		Soup
	- Beef		- Mushroom
	- Chicken
	- Mutton	Salad
	- Fish		- Fresh Garden Vegetables
	- Squid
	- Sausage	Dessert
	- Satay (Chicken)		- Fresh Cut Fruits
			- Fruit Ice
Special			- Cendol
	- Curry Chicken with Bread		- Fresh Fruit Juice (Free Flow)
	- BBQ Pineapple
	- BBQ Banana