As usual, holidays are when friends and families gather together for lots of foods and fun. Hmm…I just love the way the letter f is used here. While catching up with friends, one of them who is a nurse told us about the attractive life she has a maternity nurse in Dubai. Over there, she can help to deliver babies and those tales are enough to keep us glued for hours. Moreover, this woman now lives in a dubai furnished apartment and we were full of envy of her current lifestyle. She told us her place is beautiful like our five starts hotels here. She showed us photos of some of the self catering apartment in dubai where expats like the doctors stay.

Dubai is actually such a lovely place to stay. She told us that it is growing very quickly as a top vacation destination too and they have lots of Villas Dubai. However, the other thing she mentioned is Dubai is also becoming very popular among real estate investors who are looking to diversify their portfolio of properties. There are lots of rich guys there and she confided over wine and booze that she hoped to find one rich man there and married and never return home again. Naughty woman! Give her lots of alcohol and we get to listen to even more stories.

She explained that the reason why Dubai is becoming so popular among vacationers is that the area offers a lot to do. It makes for a great vacation for a couple or a family and she asked me to bring my family there and stay in one of these dubai hotel apartment. The beaches in Dubai are among the most beautiful in the area, and perhaps in the entire world.

That got all of us interested because she said there are plenty of activities to choose from in Dubai like the
Wild Wadi Water Amusement Park. They have large swimming pools and water slides; perfect fun for the entire family. In addition, the Dubai zoo is also among one of the more popular family destinations.

Now, will Dubai be our next holiday destination? We shall see.

*This is a SR*

None of the photos are enhanced in anyway.

This is the part of the Penang island and part mainland.

Komtar is that tall building.

Bridge. Duh.

Prai industrial estate and the Penang port in the distance.

But at least, in the previous two years, they have lanterns and also some flowers from China, Thailand, Singapore and Holland. This year, every where is bare. The above is the garden in the Botanicals Garden, Penang. There’s nothing over at this side.

They call this International Flora show? Come on! I think the Municipal Council of Penang or the Tourism Ministry shouldn’t label this event as international and claim it as part of the Malaysia’s 50th year of Merdeka (Independence) celebration. It is a shame to show to the tourists how little effort we put in promoting the country. Tourists come by the busloads. What will they think of us? Throwing a few pots of flowers and plenty of nursery/gardening shops and it is call international?

The Penang Botanic Garden has a long history and I am sure it deserves a lot more honour than this. Long, long ago, during the colonial times, the British have brought in plants from the South of America and places from far away to grow here. Doesn’t the efforts deserve some recognition? I probably had read too many novels but I find it very endearing and touching to know these British men who really have a love of plants and painstakingly brought these plants by ships to be nurture here.

It is shameful that our Penang State Government has failed to promote this part of history. Yeah, we want to celebrate our independence. But who are the people who line our beautiful streets with those huge cascading trees? Where did all these trees come from? Certainly, they can highlight the plants and its history?

There are so many of these adeniums on display. You know why? Because they are supposed to be good fengshui plants and fetch good price. Again, Penang State Government – where are our bunga rayas? You have failed us in not promoting the beauty of our country but too eager with the international name.

Firstly, the seasonal fruits are in abundance. Durians are available now so make a trip here if you are a durian lover.

Then the International Flora show is running for a week at the Botanical Gardens, starting from May 27th. If you love flowers and photography, come and enjoy taking photos of the lovely flowers. Oh well, there is much international flavour to it. I haven’t seen a tulip there before so to me, it doesn’t qualify as international yet. But still it is good exercise to take a walk at the Botanical Gardens.

And then, on June 8, there is the Penang Dragon Boat race.

So, come and enjoy our foods, sights and festivals.

This is a little reminder that the pagoda in Air Itam is at its best now. All the lights are in their full glory. I had not been able to make a trip there so far. The above photo was taken two years ago and I am not very pleased with the results. However, if you love to take photo, it will be the best place. Remember to bring a tripod along to get the best results.

While you are there, remember to sample the Air Itam laksa. Actually, Air Itam is one of the most unique place on the island because it has the most churches, temples, Indian temples and mosques within the same location. There are certain road where you can find all these places of worship lined side by side. So, if you do go, don’t forget to observe this part.