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Entopia Penang: A Tropical Butterfly Haven

Posted by Annette Johnson on August 4, 2024
Posted in: ASEAN, Malaysia, Malaysia, Malaysia ASEAN. Leave a comment

Penang Butterfly Farm opened in 1986. At the time, it was the first tropical butterfly farm in the world. It was what you might expect from a butterfly farm until it emerged from its cocoon in 2016 having transformed into Entopia.

Entopia Penang is located in Teluk Bahang in the Northwest corner of Penang Island. The journey from Georgetown to Entopia Penang is around 20km and it takes around 45 minutes to get to Entopia Penang from George Town (depending on traffic). At Entopia Penang it feels like there is something living everywhere you look.

Entopia Penang is split into two main parts: The Nature land Gardens (conservatory) and The Cocoon Indoor Discovery Centre. We explored all sections freely, and without time limit. The Nature land Gardens consists of pools, waterfalls, plants, trees and bushes. There are many butterflies and insects living freely in this zone. Flower displays provide a landing pad for the butterflies and allow you to get up close to admire the intricate beauty of these creatures. With its vibrant tropical gardens and a kaleidoscope of over 15,000 butterflies, Entopia invites you on an exhilarating adventure into the heart of nature. From the captivating indoor conservatory to the sprawling outdoor gardens, this enchanting butterfly park offers an immersive experience like no other.

A haven for Butterflies and a great opportunity to see many of them close up but still in a fairly Natural environment. Me and my camera had a fabulous time!

Street Art Penang 2023

Posted by Annette Johnson on June 3, 2024
Posted in: Malaysia, Malaysia, Malaysia ASEAN. Leave a comment

Penang, Malaysia is renowned for its vibrant street art scene. The island’s capital, George Town, is home to numerous captivating murals and installations that have become a major tourist attraction1. The street art history in Penang began in 2012 when Lithuanian artist Ernest Zacharevic created a series of interactive murals for the George Town Festival2. Since then, other artists have contributed to the city’s street art landscape. To explore Penang’s street art, you can embark on a self-guided walking tour in George Town.

https://youtu.be/kvsxhcZF_90?si=heagjzRNekMXgit7

Street Art Alor Setar

Posted by Annette Johnson on September 9, 2023
Posted in: Malaysia, Malaysia, Malaysia ASEAN. Leave a comment

I recently visited Alor Setar in Malaysia and found some beautiful and unexpected street art around the city. Alor Setar, the capital city of Kedah in Malaysia, is known for its rich cultural heritage and vibrant arts scene.

While Alor Setar may not be as renowned for street art as some other cities, it does boast a few notable pieces that add color and creativity to its streets.

Here are a few examples of street art you can find in Alor Setar Remember that street art is dynamic, and new pieces may appear while others may change or be removed over time. These were seen and photographed in April 2023.

Rumah Merdeka -Malaysia

Posted by Annette Johnson on September 9, 2023
Posted in: Malaysia, Malaysia. Leave a comment

I had the pleasure of visiting this lovely, understated home when i visited Alor Setar in April 2023.

The house is now a museum to the first Prime minister of Malaysia. About Rumah Merdeka Merdeka means a lot to every Malaysian. The word was chanting out seven times, profoundly, by the first Prime Minister of Malaysia, Tunku Abdul Rahman, at the ceremony of celebrating the independence day of Malaysia.

The House of Merdeka or Rumah Merdeka, indeed, is the house of the first prime minister of this land, Tunku Abdul Rahman. He is also known as Bapa Malaysia and Bapa Kemerdekaan.

The best option to see old Malay Mansion in fantastic condition. Tunku Abdul Rahman’s house was built on a piece of land that was previously owned by his mother, Che Menjalara, who subsequently bequeathed it to him. The Tunku originally built a wooden house here during the Japanese Occupation, in 1942, called it Rumah Jalan Baru. He rebuilt the lower portion of that house with bricks in 1953, but retained the wooden top part.

I hope you enjoy looking round it and its gardens as much as I did, very much a ‘get away from it all,” place..

Stockholm

Posted by Annette Johnson on June 8, 2018
Posted in: Sweden. Leave a comment

Back in 2006 when I had a owned a Canon EOS Rebel XT / 350D camera
I had a short weekend trip to Stockholm and I am so impressed with how crisp and clear the images are, but then again the air is super clean there!

You will see The centre /Palace/Government buildings as well as a ferry trip out to Skansen and the Islands.

Gaudi’s Barcelona

Posted by Annette Johnson on June 8, 2018
Posted in: Spain. 1 Comment

In 2006 I took my daughter on her very first trip outside the UK, in fact her first aeroplane flight anywhere!
The destination? Barcelona, we stayed in Vilinova La Geltru, but it was so very close by train to Barcelona we could not resist showing her the amazing sights of Gaudi’s Barcelona.

This video will show the Casa Mila.
When Gaudi built the Casa Milà in 1912, most people had no idea what to think of it. The shape of the building is completely unique and like nothing the city had ever seen before. It is covered in limestone, glass and marble, and shaped by several waves that have an amazing effect on the interior of the building. Originally it was built as an apartment complex but now it functions as a museum and a venue that hosts several different art and cultural events.

Hua Phan Menhirs, Hintang

Posted by Annette Johnson on April 10, 2018
Posted in: Lao People's Democratic Republic, Video. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

During 2013 I was travelling at the later end of a Year across Central Asia and SEA. Whilst in Laos which I covered extensively up in the North near Sam Nuea I visited these Menhirs. I hope you enjoy seeing them too?