Entranced (and possessed) in Sumatra
1 min read
Mysticism in Indonesia is at the base of faith and can be largely found in many aspects of everyday life. During a trip to Berastagi, a mountain town at the foo...
Something fishy in Kampung Sungai Udang
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A visit to Nibong Tebal is never complete without dropping by Kampung Sungai Udang. This fishermen’s village is located at the end of Sungai Kerian toward...
The trishaw maker of George Town
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Saw Chin Choon is a traditional trishaw maker in George Town. His workshop is located on Lebuh Stewart, just behind the Goddess of Mercy temple. He has been in...
Chowrasta,after the market closes
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Chowrasta Market is one of the oldest markets in George Town, Penang. Built in 1890 as a single-storey market to serve the nearby community, it underwent a majo...
The Kelantan floods
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Filling the gaps in the flood relief efforts by state and federal authorities have been hundreds of thousands of contributors and volunteers, big and small. Be...
Linked by Bike!
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Malaysia’s first public-sharing bicycle system, LinkBike, was launched in 2016. Within a year, the cheerfully blue bicycles have become a common sight on...
Compiling George Town’s cultural heritage
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While George Town’s historic cityscape and architecture were duly recognised by Unesco in 2008, of significant importance to the city’s inscription was its livi...
Penang: From dawn to dusk
Penang has more than heritage attractions on offer; there are also a lot of scenic sites on the outskirts. What’s more, at night, if you go far and look h...
The life of a living goddess
2 min read
In Nepal, there is a centuries-old Hindu tradition of worshiping pre-pubescent girls as manifestations of divine female energy. e Kumari Devi, or Kumari, is rev...
The dedicated carver
1 min read
In the heart of George Town there is a dying trade which has its origins long before the Second World War. Kok Ah Wah is a master in traditional carved signboar...
Charcoal Makers of Kampung Keluat
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It takes 360 hours for wood to turn into charcoal. The process starts with selecting good quality wood and gathering them into a kiln. Apart from a small chimne...
At the Heart of Bukit Mertajam
Bukit Mertajam, once an agricultural settlement, is today a prosperous commercial centre. The town gained attention from the British in the nineteenth century &...