I've been fascinated by graveyards for quite a while now. Whenever I have the opportunity I enjoy exploring old cemeteries -- the older and more overgrown the better. The Protestant Cemetery at George Town, Penang, certainly fit the bill with the oldest known grave dating from 1789 and plenty of ancient trees obscuring the sunlight. … Continue reading Penang Photos Part 5: Cemeteries and Trishaws
George Town
Penang Photos Part 4: From Armenian Enclave to Street Burgers
Uploading photos to this blog lately has been a huge exercise in frustration. The free wireless connection for use of the residents in my apartment building is rarely turned on and never on a consistent schedule. The rare occasions that it's connected to the internet the speeds are extremely slow and it takes forever to … Continue reading Penang Photos Part 4: From Armenian Enclave to Street Burgers
Penang Photos Part 3: Shrines, Shophouses & Mosques
I spent much of the late afternoon and early evening walking through the center part of old George Town, an area filled with the temples of various religions. I spent considerable time walking on the grounds of a large mosque and then explored the nearby lanes which contained numerous heritage buildings and a few Chinese … Continue reading Penang Photos Part 3: Shrines, Shophouses & Mosques
Penang Photos, Part 2: Mostly China Town
As I walked down Lebah Farquhar (Farguhar Street) Wednesday afternoon, I failed to take photos of St. Xavier Institute and Convent Light Street as I wanted to focus my attention on Penang State Museum and St. George's Church. I also had a couple of photos of each from previous visits to George Town. The rear … Continue reading Penang Photos, Part 2: Mostly China Town
Penang Photos, Part 1: State Museum & St. George’s Church
Shortly after securing my lodgings Wednesday afternoon at NJ Books on Chulia Street, I headed off on a stroll of George Town's older districts just to the northwest of the main backpacker enclave. As I'd walked in this area on my previous two visits I was quite familiar with the local sites and had a … Continue reading Penang Photos, Part 1: State Museum & St. George’s Church
Selamat Datang from Malaysia
Greetings from George Town, Penang. I arrived here around 13:30 this afternoon and it was the smoothest journey south thus far, helped tremendously by good conversation during the minibus trip from Hat Yai this morning with a couple of Londoners. The girl actually teaches English to kindergarteners in Kathu, Phuket. Today was some sort of … Continue reading Selamat Datang from Malaysia
It’s Visa Run Time Again!
Well, I'm closing in on that 60-day limit again which means it's time for yet another visa run. As per the Penang Thai Consulate's interpretation of the rules, I can receive one last tourist visa there since I haven't done any 30-day extensions from within Thailand. As I understand it, this is the last of … Continue reading It’s Visa Run Time Again!
Anticlimactic Return to Stormy Phuket
I'm back in Phuket and it's been pouring rain since I returned to the province early Wednesday morning. My stay in Malaysia was fairly uneventful, my few accomplishments satisfying as I easily obtained my desired visa and had no hassles upon re-crossing the Thai border. I was unable to do much in the way of … Continue reading Anticlimactic Return to Stormy Phuket
Mark Joseph Jochim 