THE CHARM OF OLD GEORGETOWN

The newly refurbished Hai Kee Chan,
the ancestral home of the Chung family,
is now the Penang Peranakan Museum.

Oh how I love just love Penang! A recent trip in September 2014 to watch the Penang Philharmonic Orchestra brought back a lot of memories of old Penang, especially Georgetown, where I spend many a holiday during primary and secondary school vacations. 

My maternal grandparents were true blue Penangites, and although they stayed in Tanjong Bungah near the beaches, a day trip to busy Georgetown seemed to be a highlight, whether if they were doing their banking, shopping or just bringing their grandchildren for local hawker fare. 

Georgetown, now a UNESCO Heritage site, has received a complete revamp, making it a must for tourists seeking to experience what life was in old Penang. Much of the old buildings and localities remain the same but with some sprucing up, there is a great deal of charm to be had. So this is what Singapore was like during the 1960s and 70s! 

The ancestral temple of the Chung Family,
just adjacent to the Hai Kee Chan mansion.
Just admire the European-styled wrought iron fence.

Two shophouses on Armenian Street house
the Sun Yat Sen Museum and
a Museum of Chinese opera. 

The grand dames of Chulia Street,
where Penang does its shopping.

More Georgetown shop fronts on Chulia Street,
Kimberly Street, Penang Road and Victoria Street.

Near the Kuan Yin Temple on Stewart Street.

Signs of the times, when 007 and Kim Novak
were considered fashion icons of the age.

I bet these shops looked exactly
the same now as they did in 1965.

Penang Road at 9 am on a
Sunday morning: Deserted!

The pace of life in Georgetown
seems to stand still, and that's what
I love best about Penang!

PENANGUS DERELICTUS The Seamier Side of Georgetown

This nice building at the corner of Armenian and
Beach Streets is due for a clean-up.

Georgetown, the city centre of Penang, is full of charm and history, so little wonder it has gained the envied status of a UNESCO Heritage Site (something which has eluded Singapore thus far). However, with that comes responsibility to preserve and conserve the old buildings and architecture within the inner city.  

The Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion and Chung Family Mansion are examples of "grand dames" which had fallen into decrepitude over the years but have gained a new lease of life under responsible new owners. 

Many old buildings are not to be demolished, but when developers are slow to buy over some of these buildings for a complete makeover, an inevitable decay takes place. This leaves many eyesores, some of which are just next door to properly refurbished properties. It is hoped that with time and gentrification, these old buildings will finally be restored to their proud original state. (These pictures were taken in September 2014.) 

This front entrance near Love Lane
must have seen better days.

A barber shop on Armenian Street,
hopefully not of the Sweeney Todd variety.

Dilapidation on Muntri and Beach Streets.

The joy of rust, and stencils put to good use.

 

A old bungalow fallen on bad times,
on Burmah Road near Nagore Place.

There is a certain character to walls with
blistering plaster and faded advertisements.

Even Armenian Street has some shockers.

The famous backpacker haunt off Penang Road,
Ai Goh Hotel with the other great eyesore,
KOMTAR Tower.

Places of entertainment.
What's left of an old wall in New World, and the
now closed Odeon Theatre, where I once watched
Rambo III with my grandmother in 1988.

What a glorious mess, near Beach Street.

You won't want to come here at night!

Grubby backdoors, but one with a sense of humour.

Decaying walls in need of whitewash.



Sunday flea market on Armenian Street.
Anyone wants to buy a toilet seat cover?

Georgetown's loveliest feline.