REVIVAL RALLY IN PENANG!

Hello and Shalom to all of you,

There will be a Catholic Charismatic Revival Rally this coming Saturday 14th August. It is held in conjunction with the Regional ISAO Leaders Conference (Charismatic Conference for Leaders). The conference will feature International speakers from the region and from England. While the conference is for the leaders, the Revival Rally is open to all. The Revival Rally will be a faithfill event with a parade of the nations. So, come and be blessed, come find healing in the presence of the Lord, come listen to God’s message and be revived, come and find strength to live life to the fullest.



The Revival Rally begins at 7.30pm but it is advised to come much earlier. It will be held at the St Anne’s Hall. Car Park at the church across the street. It is scheduled to end at 10.30pm to 11pm.



Invite your friends and family. Come and be blessed.

Tourism Ministry promote St Anne’s fest as a national event

The Tourism Ministry plans to promote the annual St Anne’s Novena and Feast at the St Anne’s Church in Bkt Mertajam here as a national tourism event.

Its Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen said the 10-day festival, which attracted about 100,000 local and foreign pilgrims, was an important cultural and religious event with the potential to boost tourism.

“Presently, the festival is merely listed in the state’s tourism calendar. We hope to include it in our national tourism calendar next year she said after visiting the church here yesterday.

The festival is touted as one of the world’s top 20 Catholic gatherings.
House of the holy: A priest leading Mass at St Anne’s Church in Bukit Mertajam yesterday.

“Religious tourism is one of the products that we want to promote to the world,” Dr Ng said.

She later presented RM20,000 to the church in conjunction with the festival.

Thousands of pilgrims took part in a candlelight procession which began at 10.30pm at the church.

They held candles, flowers and rosaries ahead of a group of volunteers, who shouldered a palanquin bearing the statues of St Anne and her daughter, the Blessed Virgin Mary.

The 30-minute ceremony was held soon after Penang Bishop Antony Selvanayagam, parish priest Monsignor Stephen Liew and several other priests celebrated an open-air Mass outside the church.

Also at the mass was Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng. The festival, which started on July 23, ends August 1.

Streets Come Alive, Unforgettable George Town

2nd Anniversary George Town UNESCO World Heritage Site Celebration
Click here 'Street Come Alive' programme list

Date: 7th July 2010
Time: 8am - 11pm
Type: Streets Celebration
Venue: George Town Heritage Core Zone

Indulge yourself in a full day of events throughout George Town including street cultural performances by the multicultural communities of Penang, a heritage "trea-shaw" hunt, open house to public and private heritage buildings, a shophouse trail, cemetery tour, and boat rides at the clan jetties. In addition, don't miss the chance to learn and get your hands on a variety of traditional crafts and foods from the numerous street stalls.

All of these exciting events will lead into an Unforgettable George Town night featuring a performance by the director of Beijing Opera, Ghaffar Pourazar; an Iranian-born, British-raised former computer animator, turned Chinese Opera performer.

All programs are free of charge unless otherwise stated

Open House: Public and Private Heritage Buildings
Time: 9.00am-5.00pm
Ticket Prices: FREE
Location: Penang State Museum, Penang Islamic Museum, Konsenih Building (Equator Academy of Art), Segara Ninda Residence, Wisma Kastam, Eastern & Oriental Hotel, Penang Tourist Guide Association, Carpenter's Guild, Hai Nan Association, Eng Chuan Tong Tan Kongsi, Yap Kongsi, Cheah Si Hock Haw Kong Kongsi, Ong Si Thye Guan Tong, Lee Sih Chong Soo, Han Jiang Ancestral Temple (Penang Teochew Association), Tsen Lung Fui Kon, Poh Choo Seah, Hock Teik Cheng SinTemple, Town Hall, Lighthouse, World Heritage Office, Anak-anak Kota, Penang Heritage Trust-PAPA, Sun Yat Sen Penang Base (10.00am-12.00pm), The Sire (House of Yeap Chor Ee), and Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion (1.30-2.30pm, limited to 120 pax). In addition, many other sites in George Town will be open to the public including Indian and Chinese temples, mosques, churches, tombs, and shrines.

George Town Shophouse Trail
Time: 9.00am-10.30am & 11.00am-12.30pm
Ticket Prices: RM10 per route, limited to 20 persons per route (pre-registration)
Enquiries: Fidel Ho, Tel: 012-456 5867 or email: fidelhoho@gmail.com

Visit some of the finest residential and commercial shophouses in George Town and learn more about this unique built heritage of Penang. We have two routes available for each time slot. Register for one route and participate in a rare guided tour of 6 shophouses. Even better, register for two routes and see all 12 shophouses! Tours are available in Chinese and English.

Cemetery Tour
Time: 2.00 pm & 3.00pm
Location: Protestant Cemetery, Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah
Ticket prices: RM 20 (pre-registration)
Enquiries: Penang Heritage Trust, Tel: 04-264 2631

"Jom Naiki Sampan di Perairan Laut Clan Jetties!" - Boat Rides at the Clan Jetties!
Time: 8.30am-11.30am
Location: Yeoh Jetty, Pengkalan Weld
Ticket Prices: FREE - Register on the spot

Come enjoy the scenery of the Clan Jetties by boat "sampan-sampan"! Learn about the history of these unique Penang communities through live reenactments of the pre-1970 daily works and activities on the Clan Jetties.

Heritage "Trea-Shaw" Hunt
Time: 8.00am-1.00pm
Location: Flag-off at Town Hall / Esplanade
Ticket prices: RM388 - limited to 50 trishaws
Closing date for registration: 28 June
Enquiries: Ederic Low, Tel: 012-409 2539 or email: treashawhunt2010@gmail.com

Hop on a trishaw! Experience this fun and exciting way of exploring our rich heritage treasures of foods, costumes, trades, local personalities, and heritage buildings.

Unforgettable Cultural Experiences at Masjid Kapitan Keling
Time: 10:00am-11:00pm
Location: Masjid Kapitan Keling
Ticket Price: FREE

Time: 10.00am - 11.00pm

* Exhibition on antiques and historical photographs.

Time: 2.00pm-11.00pm

* Interactive Indian-Muslim traditional food demonstrations including Nasi Kandar,
Nonbu Kanji, Kolkate, Somosa & Vadai, Idyiyappom, Passembor. Enjoy free porridge too!
* "Golden of Dates" Exhibition on the historical and cultural significance of the date fruit.

Time: 5.00pm - 7.00pm

* Demonstration of traditional Muslim games like "pallaguli" and "pamberem"
* Tour of Masjid Kapitan Keling

Time: 5.00pm - 8.00pm

* Teh Tarik demonstration - learn and try it out! Free flow of Teh Tarik.
* Crafts demonstration and exhibition including "Poo Malai", a Muslim tradition that originates from India and the Muslim "Kopiah".
* Original spices exhibition - Interactive demonstration on the use of spices in the preparation and cooking of Indian-Muslim dishes.


George Town Street Celebrations
Ticket Price: Free

Showcase of Traditional Food & Craft
Time: 5.00pm - 10.00pm
Location: Armenian Street, Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling
Chinese lantern making, Wayang Kulit, Batik demonstration, Henna, Antiques, Shoe painting,Tshirt printing, Chinese calligraphy, Beaded crafts, Rattan and bamboo items, Nyonya Manik shoes, Chinese frog buttons, Baba Nyonya collection, Penang & Malaysia postcards, Handmade crafts, Traditional Chinese eye massage; food including Eurasian food and pastries, Thai laksa, preparation of Putu Mayom, Nutmeg juice, Nyonya cooking, and more!

Meng Eng Soo Open Day
Time: 5.00pm - 10.00pm
Location: Meng Eng Soo, Jalan Pintal Tali
Indoor: Exhibition on Meng Eng Soo history and tea presentation
Outdoor: "Peddlers Court", Cultural performances - Wushu, Tai Chi, street artists, Chinese Orchestra

Lion Dance Performance on High Poles
Time: 7.30pm - 9.30pm
Location: Cheah Kongsi, Armenian Street

Vintage Heritage Penang Postcards
Time: 10.00am-10.00pm
Location: Cheah Kongsi, Armenian Street
Exhibition of old postcards by Penang Philatelic Society

Chinese Cultural Performance and Demonstration
Time: 5.00pm - 10.30pm
Location: Penang Teochew Association, Chulia Street
Traditional Teochew opera performance, Lion and Dragon dance, Chinese Kung Fu
performance, Traditional craft skills of cane weaving and batik design, Chinese Tanglung craftworks, and multiracial cultural dances and songs.

Indian Dance & Music Performance at Little India
Time: 7.00pm-9.00pm
Location: Little India
Ticket Price: Free

Experience and enjoy Indian Cultural Dance performance, Sitar & Tabla Performance, Kollattam & Horse dance, Nadeswaram & Urimimellam at Little India!

Malay Heritage Cultural Performance & Demonstration
Time: 5.00pm-12.00am
Location: Penang Islamic Museum, Armenian Street
Ticket prices: FREE

The Acheen Street Mosque (Masjid Melayu Lebuh Acheh), Koperasi Pelancongan, Islamic Museum, Boyanese community, Liga Muslim Pulau Pinang and other Malay groups will be showcasing traditional Malay performances including Nasyid, Marhaban, Kompang, Silat, Khat, Boria, Ghazal Parti, Sketches and Traditional Malay music and dance. Also on exhibition will be traditional Malay kuih-muih, bunga telur, hantaran, and a historical exhibition of Masjid Melayu.

An Evening of Unforgettable George Town Cultural Performances
Time: 5.00pm-9.00pm
Location: Khoo Kongsi
Ticket Price: FREE

Cultural performances from the different ethnic communities of George Town, Penang as well as international acts!

Featuring: Ghaffar Pourazar and Morimura Chie performing Beijing opera, Batak singers from Indonesia, Traditional Punjabi Vidda dance, Punjabi drumming, Indian cultural performances including Baratha Natyam, folk dances, stick dance, Kavadi dance, Silambam, fire eating, and juggling, as well as cultural performances from Penang's Malayali, Eurasian, Thai, and Penang Baba Nyonya communities.

Highlights

Ghaffar Pourazar and Morimura Chie - Beijing Opera
Ghaffar Pourazar, an Iranian-born, British-raised, former computer animator turned Chinese Opera performer, and Chie Morimura, a Japanese woman who is a founding member of the International Centre for Peking Opera - will stage a short excerpt from one of the most famous plays, "The Monkey King," based on stories of the mythical Chinese figure on 7 July, 5pm-9pm at Khoo Kongsi.

Top 12 must visit tourist destinations in Penang

1) Penang Hill升旗山

2) Batu Ferringhi Beach峇都丁宜海滩

3) Gurney Drive新關仔角

4) Kek Lok Si Temple

5) Penang Bridge檳城大橋

6) Fort Cornwallis and Queen Victoria Memorial Clock Tower康華麗堡 & 維多利亞皇后紀念鐘樓

7) Street of Harmony (St George's Church, Goddess of Mercy Temple, Sri Mahamariamman Temple and Kapitan Keling Mosque) 椰脚街& 華蓋街一带的 聖喬治教堂, 觀音亭、瑪哈瑪麗雅安曼興都廟、甲必丹吉寧回教堂

8) Penang Ferry and Tanjong City Marina檳城渡輪&丹絨帆船俱樂部

9) Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion張弼士故居

10) St Anne's Church 聖安納教堂

11) Penang State Museum, Cathedral of the Assumption and Penang Art Gallery檳州博物院, 蓋街聖母大教堂, 檳州藝術畫廊

12) Armenian Street (Masjid Melayu Lebuh Acheh, Islamic Museum, Khoo Kongsi, Cheah Kongsi, Yap Temple, Poh Hock Siah) 本头公巷周围的邱公司龍山堂, 回教堂, 回教博物院, 謝氏福侯公公司

Penang Top 10 Most Successful Hotels & Resorts

The Top 10 Best-Selling Hotels & Resorts in Penang

On the November 2009, Asia Web Direct KL held its Appreciation Cocktail Evening at UOA Bangsar. The response was encouraging, with more than 60 hotel representatives turning up for the event.

The annual event’s aim was to reward top-performing hotel partners for their outstanding performances and achievements throughout the year. Penang Top Ten Hotel awards have been handed out with Penang being the third best-selling region for AsiaWebDirect. Let us now have a look at the hotels which have made the Top Ten list for Penang:

1. Bayview Hotel Georgetown - -

Bayview Georgetown 3* 320 Room



Standing tall in the middle of the buzzing Georgetown, where the bulk of the island’s energy is centred, Bayview Hotel Georgetown does not only offer above-average accommodation, it is also surrounded by limitless leisure options including major shopping areas, excellent dining options and exciting historical attractions. The hotel is also home to Penang’s only revolving restaurant which serves sumptuous buffet dinner and commanding views of the city.

2. Bayview Beach Resort
Batu Feringgi 4* 366 Room





Overlooking the spectacular bay of Batu Ferringhi, Bayview Beach Resort is situated at the quieter end of the scenic beachfront. At the resort, luxury is standard issue, and each of its spacious, fully-equipped guestrooms and suites comes with a private balcony where guests can look out to the ocean or the lush surrounding hills.


3. G Hotel
Georgetown 5* 304 Rooms



This hotel Featuring a highly sophisticated and stylishly contemporary interior, G Hotel is the epitome of modern city accommodation. Consisting of rooms, suites and serviced apartments, the hotel offers accommodation which is not just pleasant in aesthetics, but also in function. Coupled with an ideal location which overlooks Penang’s most famous boulevard, Gurney Drive, G Hotel is the perfect choice in every way.


4. Copthorne Orchid Hotel
Tanjung Bungah 4* 318 Rooms



Copthorne Orchid Hotel

Located on a secluded and sheltered part of the beach at Tanjung Bungah, Copthorne Orchid Hotel bestows upon its guests an unparalleled sense of peace and privacy. With enviable facilities which include Jacuzzi with separate men and women sections, a Spa, WiFi connectivity and four F & B outlets, the hotel is a an ideal getaway for those who wish to get away from it all.

5. Parkroyal Penang
Batu Feringgi 5* 309 Room



Located on the scenic beaches of Batu Ferringhi, Parkroyal Penang offers an idyllic seaside retreat. Its 309 guestrooms and suites delivers sumptuous comfort and warmth in décor and furnishings, and come with a private balcony which offers unbeatable views of the ocean. With such a beautiful setting and other facilities to make your stay here more pleasant, such as a Spa, two bars and three restaurants, Parkroyal Penang makes it easy for you to relax and unwind.


6. Hydro Majestic Penang
Batu Feringgi 3* 326 Rooom



The perfect hideaway choice for a sun drenched vacation, rest and relaxation, family holidays or weekend getaways, located along the renowned Batu Ferringhi Beach stretch. All rooms have dramatic views of the Andaman Sea and inspiring sunset. Truly Penang’s warm and friendly hotel.


7. Berjaya Georgetown Hotel
Burmah Road 3* 323 Room



Located right in the middle of the city, where a host of dining and entertainment options are abound, Berjaya Georgetown Hotel’s central location provides easy access to Penang’s best. Together with gracious hospitality and warm, friendly service, the hotel offers a complete city accommodation.


8. Paradise Sandy Bay Beach Resort
Tanjung Bungah 4* 333 Room



Located at the heart of Tanjung Bungah, Paradise Sandy Bay Beach features superbly-comfortable guestrooms with sweeping views of the ocean, as well as a comprehensive range of facilities that would appeal to everyone from the leisure holidaymaker to the jet-setting businessman.


9. Tanjung Bungah Beach Resort
Tanjung Bungah 3* 200 Room



Welcome to Tanjung Bungah Beach Hotel, Penang, Malaysia. A precious gem along a stretch of white sandy beach with tranquil TANJUNG BUNGAH shimmering sea. The first hotel along Tanjung Bungah with its own private stretch of beachfront. Whether you're travelling on business or with your family, comfort and choice are yours at Tanjung Bungah Beach Hotel, Penang


10. Golden Sands Resort - By Shangri La
Batu Feringgi 4* 395 Room



A luxurious tropical getaway for both holidaymakers and honeymooners, Golden Sands Resort by Shangri-La offers spectacular views of the ocean from its 395 bright and spacious guestrooms, which have been given a welcoming and exotic Malaysian touch. Together with award-winning restaurants, an indoor entertainment venue called ‘Adventure Zone’ and a host of other facilities, you can be sure that your stay here would be as much fun as it is comfortable.


A leading family resort located on the famed Batu Feringgi Beach in Penang, the Golden Sands Resort is set to redefine the standard of four-star deluxe accommodation within the region as it nears the completion of its most ambitious redevelopment programme to date.

Scheduled for completion by mid December 2009, the RM40 million project that has been carried out in phases since May 2008 is giving the 30-year-old resort an exciting and reinvigorated outlook with contemporary design and state-of-the-art features.

Already a firm favourite with families as a holiday getaway, the new Golden Sands Resort is cementing its status as the market leader with an unparalleled range of facilities and services that are unique and a first in the industry

Awards
The Golden Sands Resort by Shangri-La, Penang has been honoured to receive recognition for our blend of Malaysian hospitality and contemporary luxury. Here are some of our most recent awards.

** The Award For Excellence (Platinum) 2005-2006, Hospitality Asia
** Excellence In Hotel Services 2004-5, Malaysia Tourism
** Top 20 Best Hotels & Resorts in Asia 2003, Asia-hotels.com
** Prime Minister's Hibiscus Award, 2002-3

Geography

Situated along the north-western coast of the peninsula Malaysia, Penang is Malaysia’s only “island state”. Locals are fondly known as Penangites, many of whom will proudly tell you that the state comprising a population of approximately 1.5 million, is a close-knit community of diverse ethnicities, cultures and dialects.

You can either cross the channel via the iconic Penang Bridge or by the ferry – the latter being a “must experience” simply because it is synonymous with holidaying here. Soon, visitors will have the option of using the new Second Penang Bridge which is expected to be completed in 2011.

The state is geographically divided into two sections:

Penang Island: an island of 293 square kilometres located in the Straits of Malacca with an estimated population of 721,500; and
Province Wellesley : a narrow hinterland of 753 square kilometres on the peninsula across a narrow channel whose smallest width is 4 km (2.5 miles). It is bordered by Kedah in the north (demarcated by the Muda River) and east, and Perak in the south and has an estimated population of 796,500.

The body of water between Penang Island and Province Wellesley is the North Channel to the north of Georgetown and the South Channel to the south of George Town. Penang Island is irregularly shaped, with a granitic, hilly and mostly forested interior, the highest point being Western Hill (part of Penang Hill) at 830 metres above sea level. The coastal plains are narrow, the most extensive of which is in the northeast which forms a triangular promontory where George Town, the state capital, is situated. The topography of Province Wellesley is mostly flat. Butterworth, the main town in Province Wellesley, lies along the Perai River estuary and faces George Town at a distance of 3 km (2 miles) across the channel to the east.