Sightseeing

A day of sightseeing around Georgetown area on 2nd Dec with Seetal after lunch.

Destination 1: Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion

Situated on one of Georgetown's oldest street, it was formerly the residence of Cheong Fatt Tze, a powerful Chinese trading and shipping tycoon in the late 19th century where success brought many accolades including the Vice Consul of China. After moving to Penang in 1880, he commissioned artisans and craftsmen from China to build a home befitting his social status. One of the largest heritage mansion in Malaysia, it was painstakingly restored by its present owners. With a built-up area of 3,000sqm, 38 rooms, five courtyards, seven staircases and 220 windows, its layout is based on feng-shui principles.

Note: did not enter the mansion as have to pay admission fee of RM12/person i think and that the guided tour will only start at 11am and 3pm which will last for an hour.

Destination 2: Cathedral of the Assumption

The whole view of the church.

The front view.

Cathedral of the Assumption was founded in 1786 at Church Street. It was so named because of the first group of Roman Catholic Eurasians from Kedah landed in Penang that year on the eve of the Feast of the Assumption. The church was later moved to Farquhar Street in 1857. The present building, erected by Father Manissol, openend in 1861. In 1955, the church was raised to the status of the Cathedral of the Diocese of Penang.

Destination 3: Penang State Museum

Located on Farquhar Street near Fort Cornwallis, the colonial-era building Penang State Museum was formerly the Penang Free School which was built in two separate stages, stage one in 1896, and when funds were adequate, stage two in 1906. The Penang State Museum is reputed to be one of the best state museum in Malaysia and exhibits paintings of Captain Robert Smith and the lovely engravings of William Daniell.

Other collections are former Penang Hill railway carriage, a handwritten Qur`an, old Malays weapons donated by the family of the late Dato’ Haji Fathil Basheer and etc. Divided into galleries dedicated to Penang’s historical communities, as well as particular historical events that took place in Penang, the museum houses a fine collection of old photographs, maps, historical documents, Chinese furniture, embroidery, costumes and other historical relics.

Note: admission fee is RM1 for an adult whereas secondary student is RM0.50. its worth the visit!

Longest Day Of The Year

Today, 21st June 2007 is the longest day of the year. On this day, the sun is at its most northerly point and this is why it is "the longest day".

During my walk for the day passing the Northumberland Street i saw this where the Newcastle City Council is having some leisure services for the locals or the foreigners who is interested to participate....

The Front View

Side View

Basketball

Impulse Gym

Mini Athletics

Lastly... Football

It looks like the locals seems to enjoy themselves having fun with the sports provided by the Newcastle City Council for the longest day of the year..... :)

A Tour Around Newcastle 2

As the weather seems to be fine today, i took the initiative to walk around and explore the other part of Newcastle city i.e. the Grainger Town (II) alone.

My journey for the day started at 2pm with the starting point at Monument Metro station/Grey Street.

The Monument

As have explained before, the Grey street is the jewel in the crown of Grainger Town, a clearly defined conservation area in the middle of Newcastle, which was the brainchild of property developer, Richard Grainger, who began his re-modelling of Newcastle back in 1834.

Walking down the street, i soon come across the impressive front entrance to the

Theatre Royal

It was opened in 1837. This beautiful Grade I listed building was massively renovated in 1986 and is now the third home to the Royal Shakespeare Company (after London and Stratford upon Avon)

Inside the Theatre Royal

Northern Goldsmiths

Look up of the building, there is a beautiful golden lady representing Venus atop an ornate clock where she'll always give you the time of day.

Laing Art Gallery

The Laing celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2004.

Emerge from the glass fronted entrance/exit, the next attraction that i find out is beneath my feet known as the

Blue Carpet

A tiled area completed in 2002 by artist, Thomas Heatherwick and winner of several art's awards.

Bigg Market

This is where medieval Newcastle citizens once sold and bought a type of barley known as "bigg"

Towards the top end of the paved area, i crossed by the

Rutherford Memorial

Possibly the most ironic monument in Newcastle as it commemorates John Hunter Rutherford, a Scottish doctor and educational reformer of the mid 1800s, and a strong advocate of temperance.

Revolution Bar

The grand interior reflecting its former history as a bank.

Heading downwards i come across the

St. Nicholas' Cathedral

I manage to went in the cathedral before it close and here is some of the pictures that i took inside....

The elegant Lantern Tower (1448) is particularly ornate and the cathedral's crowning glory.

After visiting the St. Nicholas' Cathedral, once again i enjoy some wonderful surroundings of Grainger's masterpiece before i headed back to Grey's Monument and Monument Metro station.

The Statue of Queen Victoria

And some of the surrounding pictures...

Alright, that's all for today's tour around Grainger Town (II)!!!!

Hope you have a nice time viewing the pictures....

A Tour Around Newcastle

Today, after almost 10 months in Newcastle for studies, i finally manage to find time to get out from my room to walk around Newcastle city. The first trip for the day is walking around the Grainger Town (I).

The starting point for the journey is at the Monument Metro station/Grey Station. I'll explain in details the places that me and my flatmate Shalu had visited or passed by during the walk.

The first destination : The Grey's Monument

Earl Grey, former Northumberland MP and Prime Minister has finally got it spot on by casting his gaze down the street which he gave his name to. Grey Street (voted the most beautiful in the country by the listeners of Radio 4 and the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment CABE) is indeed a magnificent sight and the work of visionary property developer Richard Grainger (B.1797)

Brunswick Methodist Chapel

It is one of the earliest of its type in North East England.

Old Eldon Square

This houses the city's war memorial: a bronze statute of St. George - the patron saint of the Northumberland Fusiliers - slaying a dragon.

St. Andrew's Church

Knock Knock Knock!!! Anybody home???

This church is located on Newgate Street where structurally the building contains more 12th century work than any other in the area making it "the oldest church of this town"

Co-op Building

Co-op building (which originally housed the Co-operative Wholesale movement), a great example of the Art Deco style, popular in the 1920s and 1930s.

Adjourning the Co-op is The Gate

The Gate, home to a plethora of a swish bars and restaurant.

The photos of me and SP carrying an umbrella as it was raining....

Blackfriars

The first thing you'll notice is the noise. There is none. This little haven is one of Newcastle's hidden gem and, befitting the quier air, was once home to Dominican friars who arrived here in 1239. The church that was once here was destroyed during Henry VIII's Dissolution of the Monasteries, but its outline is still visible today.

The West Wall

The longest section of the original town walls - built between 1280-1283 to protect the city which is still surviving today.

The Journal Tyne Theatre

Opened in 1867, one of the most important theatres in the country, housing its original 19th century stage machinery.

Newcastle Arts Centre

The Arts Centre is a great place to pick up a gift and houses a gallery and a potter's studio.

Assembly Rooms

Built in 1774

St. John's Church

Inside the church are a range of interesting features including a commemoration to Richard Grainger himself.

Heading back almost to the starting point, along the way we pass by the

Grainger Market

The market contains many shops which have been in the same family for generations, and is still home to one of the original Marks and Spencer's Penny Bazaars (built in 1895, with its shop front being the smallest, and oldest, still surviving today)

Finally, just before reaching back to our starting point, we past by the beautifully tiled Edwardian.

Central Arcade

It was built in 1906 which is another of Grainger's creations and the perfect way to end our journey through Newcastle's "golden heart".

That's all for today.... Hope you all enjoy the photos and the explaination given. :)

Have a nice day!!!