VERY rarely does one come across a travel blog that explores the culture and heritage of a site with some depth. Last week iGeorgeTown, in its NetBuzz section, highlighted one such blog, where George Town and its many heritage spots are showcased.

Ivan About Town is the personal travel and heritage advocacy journal of Ivan Henares. He is Vice President & Trustee of the Heritage Conservation Society and Expert Member & Philippine Representative to the International Cultural Tourism Committee (ICTC) of the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS). He also serves as Corporate Secretary & Director of the Ateneo Alumni Association. This blog was named Best Travel Blog at the 2007 Philippine Blog Awards. Read here for more on Ivan.

Some interesting anecdotes in his four-part series on George Town are as below:

• "George Town in Penang is a living testament to the multicultural heritage of Asia as well as European colonial influences. As I stood in front of the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy Temple, I noticed a small Hindu shrine and stalls of garland makers. Just a few meters away was a joss stick maker. Down the same street as the temple is the Anglican St. George's Church. As I walked towards the church, a call to prayer echoed from the minaret of a centuries-old mosque".(Malaysia: Exploring the Penang heritage trail on foot, 24.11.09). Read here
• "Kongsi are organisations among overseas Chinese communities for individuals with the same surname. Khoo, Cheah, Yeoh, Lim and Tan Kongsi were known as the Five Big Clans (or Goh Tai Seh) that formed the backbone of the Hokkien community of Penang". (Malaysia: Penang's ancestral temples, clan associations & mansions, 25.11.09). Read here
• "Near St George's Church and the Church of the Assumption and close to the sea are an ensemble of structures that remind us that George Town was once a British city". (Malaysia: George Town and Penang's British colonial heritage, 26.11.09). Read here
• "Intangible heritage, particularly traditional trades and local cuisine, is very much a part of the Penang cultural landscape". (Malaysia: Traditional trades and food adventure in George Town, Penang, 27.11.09). Read here

Also read here for his write-up on his initial visit to George Town in 2007.  

Other news

• Boost to medical tourism: The Penang government is setting up a hospital consultative council for all private hospitals in the state in a move to boost medical tourism. Read here
• Penang Port invests RM1.1bil to upgrade facilities: Penang Port Sdn Bhd (PPSB), has invested RM1.1 billion over the last five years to upgrade infrastructures at the port and container terminal as part of initiatives to pump-prime the state economy. Read here
• Fresh evidence suggests conspiracy in RM40mil land deal scandal: The state government has found fresh evidence suggesting conspiracy in a land deal scandal that cost it RM40 million after they were sued by a quarry operator. Read here
• Guan Eng explains state's move to increase share equity: Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng today explained that the state’s move to increase its share in a company owning former state land was important and it would benefit the people. Read here
• Penang State Assembly celebrates golden jubilee: The Penang State Assembly has celebrated its Golden Jubilee with a pledge to ensure unity, basic rights, justice and uphold the law while striving for economic development. Read here
  

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