10 July 2010
As I was quite depressed and lonely, I decided to take a trip to Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion and the Peranakan Mansion just to celebrate the Penang Heritage Day which falls on 7 July. ( I was planning to go there long long time ago, but I was afraid to go alone!)
The trip was such a funny one as I met tourists from every part of this world. Let me begin with my first stop: Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion
Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion is a very unique and Feng-shui perfect mansion built by Mr. Cheong (of course!). Dubbed as the "La Maison Bleu" , the whole building is very blue (suits my mood anyway coz' blue is the color of depression!) The mansion has won the "Most Excellent Project" Award from the UNESCO and has become the foremost tourist destination. While I was there with a group of locals and foreign visitors, the tour guide brought us around and gave an excellent presentation of the mansion. (Standing ovation for her good show!). She told the story of Mr. Cheong Fatt Tze, from a penniless boy to how he become the most powerful person of the era. It was a great story and with all the pictures hanging around to facilitate the story...(yeah, you 've got the idea.) I actually enjoyed the company of the tourists as they were so friendly and I really admired how they cooperate with each other. The tour guide did not just explained but also asked questions to see whether we understand the Chinese culture or not. (Well, that's easy coz' ah-hem...I am a Chinese, duh..) It was a lovely afternoon to sit inside the mansion and enjoyed the breeze in the open air hall. The tour lasted 1 hour and I think it's worth every penny you spent on the tour. ( I don't want to tell the story coz' it is up to you to go there and see for yourself).
Ok, my next stop: Peranakan Mansion
Well, first of all: I am a Nyonya. I do wear sarungs and I always get this kind of stare like I am very weird for wearing a sarung...hmmm...(who says only the Malays get to wear it??)
This trip is to find out my very own heritage as well as getting to know my ancestors. It was a feeling that I don't even know how to describe: a mixed feeling of thrill, sad, delight, thankful and I-don't-know-what.
Secondly, this place is huge! I was lost just going around the mansion. It is like a maze with so many staircases. 'Little Nyonya' was filmed here. With all the colorful decorations of embroidery, silks, jewelleries, fine porcelain and glass, it was very mesmerising. I love those porcelain bowls, cups, saucers etc...if only I could bring it back with me...
This time the tour guide was a fierce one. I guess I can understand why he must be firmed on his ground. That's because the decorations are century-old and cost a fortune. As a curious tourist, one will always unable to control oneself from touching the things just to get the feel...hehe...But one just can't blame those tourists (including me) for touching because they are REALLY beautiful to touch!!
Well, I shall not elaborate anymore. One can see for oneself and it is worth to have a trip there!
ps: The first trip in CFT was fun because of an old couple. They know how to make people laugh
by elaborating on the guide's explanation.
pps: The second trip was humorous because there were 3 elderly ladies who loved to walk around and lost their way. The fun part was the tour guide had to go after them to get them back into the group everytime we moved to another room. The eldest one when seeing cheki, she sat down and played! (Mind you again, the table and chairs are antiques and really
creaky). This time it was the Granny who taught us how to play, even the tour guide had to
sit aside and let her talk! The granny was actually looking for her grandma's picture. She is
the great-grandchild of the original house owner. When finally the tour guide brought her
there, she was so unwilling to leave the room anymore.
Thanks to them that I felt so much happier after the trip. This has taught me a lesson: Never be afraid to go on your own. Nothing would be gained if you waited for someone to take you. After all, being lonely is NOT scary, it's freedom!
