Population are increasing each day (plus one in my tummy)...but land are scarce and people go vertical and horizontal all the way to overcome these problem. Skyline change every months and year..
We were in Penang last four days and noticed there are many development going on, works on Penang bridge extension is moving with cranes on barge, one barge is stranded at one small island not far from the bridge..Superstructure work is going crazy now...i could hardly see small boat passing by that area anymore.....it was a massive traffic, everybody are leaving the island and some are trying
Just before we approach the bridge, there is one area that has been reclaimed for a new project..not sure what it is..but it sure has made a dramatic impact not only on view, environment but also sentimental value..each day the mainland and the island is getting nearer without we realising it..
We spent time by the beach not far from the newly built Queensbay...the soil is dry and the green grass is struggling to survive, kids were running along the beach that have no white sand anymore and it is replaced with big hard boulders as protection..but the view towards Jerejak Island is just a plus point..and we could count every airplane that approached the airport from where we sit...I wonder what will happen in next ten or twenty years, will there be white sandy beaches with coconut trees with crystal clear water...or will it be replaced with indoor beach with artificial waves and sand and no more direct sun light and the smell of salt water is a thing of the past..? Are we preparing our Pearl of The Orient to be another artificial heaven just like one in Japan..?
When we were dating..back in 2000...we talked about having a house by the beach, live in Penang..eat all we can, enjoy the historical facade of old shophouses...but now those we just a dream..for me..I don't know about him...it is just a small island with everything..I mean every single things are there, but that is the downside...the road that I used to walk freely and do some sketches are now too crowded with vehicles, some shophouses has lost their historical value, ontricate facade treatment has been replaced by modern and funky signboard....fortunately there is still one shop that is facing the Island Motel still standing strong, same ambience, same people...except for those people are not a stranger anymore, they are my family now.....
Besides that, I think this island is starting losing its charm....people are hungry for development and they forget about their past and history.....
2 comments:
Hello Sue, you know, bila saya datang your blog, I always can feel the glow and warmth of your thoughts in your posting.
As well looking, admiring your beautiful paintings, in colours in pencils. I lupa mention about it before. You are one really talented woman.
Beautiful ladies always make me forget things, ha ha.
Mana ada future like this? Ha ha.
Holy Smoke! From what you described of Penang...pity and saddened feelings I get....the Penang of the 60's, 70's no longer around. Penang of the 80, 90's now heading the same way...
and you are right, 'losing its charm'. Just like Malacca too.
Quite a lot of my blog postings past few months have been of Penang....
and I too one time thought of migrating to Penang, get a house by the sea, preferably somewhere around Telok Bahang, or Balik Pulau.
At one time I even got an artist friend to design for me a wooden house, but exactly like a Malay kampong house, completel with open verandahs and on stilts, even with a coconut tree trunk steps up to the house...it was supposed to be my dream home, but due to certain unforseen circumstances, that dream like what you mentioned of Penang's developement...got 'lost'.
I have always loved Penang, the people, the friends and of course the food.
The many, many times with or without the moon sitting on the seawall at Gurney Drive, with ahemm, different SYT's those old days were beautiful, no highrises too....
Hmmm, wonder whether Sarawak has their charm still still? Ha ha.
Sue, you take it easy, drink lots of soya drink, and stay easy ya? Best wishes, Lee.
Thanx Uncle Lee..that is a huge compliment..i'm still trying to sharpened my skill...
Malacca and Penang are facing the same problem, that is the reason why Unesco won't list these two town under World Heritage..enforcement and law here is not that strong compared to UK..Its a pity when we have the gems but we don't polished it....
Gurney is way too commercial..no more Moonlight Rendezvous walk....
Still have ur heart on Sarawak huh...? :-)
Thanx again for ur visit to my humble abode
Post a Comment