Pulau Pinang, 1976

When M first came to Pulau Pinang (and Malaysia) in 1976, he was a tourist, and I his tourist guide. I took him to all the places that other tourists/travellers also go to. Even for me, some of the places were a first-time visit then.

1. Fort Cornwallis

The cannon at Fort Cornwallis (1976)

2. Ayer Itam Dam

The Ayer Itam Dam (MB 1976)

3. Gurney Drive

Eating rojak at Gurney Drive (1976)

4. Queen Victoria Clock tower

M at the base of the Queen Victoria clock tower (CNB 1976)

5. Teluk Kumbar: One morning M went out to sea in a fishing boat with a relative of mine, Pak Ngah. My brother AW also went with them. They observed how fishermen have a hard time trying to bring back a bountiful catch.

Fishermen at the Teluk Kumbar beach (MB 1976)

6. Masjid Kapitan Keling

The cool marble floor of Masjid Kapitaln Keling was invitation
for a short rest before prayers (MB 1976)

7. Little India

Busy street in Little India, Georgetown (MB 1976)

8. Kek Lok Si temple, Ayer Itam

M & me at the Kek Lok Si Temple in Ayer Itam (1976)

9. Bukit Dumbar

M at Bukit Dumbar with my brother AJ, niece WH
& nephews RO & W Haslem (CNB 1976)

10. Sleeping Buddha at the Wat in Burma Lane

The sleeping Buddha (CNB 1976)

M & I with neighbours S Alias & Azhar (1976)

M in front of the Wat (CNB 1976)

11. Bukit Bendera/Penang Hill

The Bukit Bendera funicular railway (MB 1976)

12. Khoo Kongsi

M at the Khoo Kongsi with some friendly locals (CNB 1976)

I also drove us around the island, and M with his camera newly loaded, happily clicked away at almost everything. Malaysia and its climate, peoples and jungles fascinated him. Unfortunately, the film roll in his camera never budged, (remember there were no cards or digital cameras then), and what he got at the end of it all was zero, zilch! Anyway, at the end of the Pulau Pinang tour, as you may already have guessed, the tourist married his tour guide. End of story. Beginning of a new one!

M & me and my family after our wedding in Dec 1976