Did you know that the "Pearl of the Orient" is also the "Silicon Valley of the East"? Penang is a place where high-rise residential condominiums and an industrial park co-exist with pristine beaches and ancient rain forest. Within a half hour drive you can quit the city for the high-pitched whine of cicadas in Penang National Park.
Assistant Governor Lee Li Fong arranged an excellent itinerary for us. Our first evening we were greeted by our host families at the bus station and treated to what seemed to us like a feast of Indian food. Various curries, tandoori chicken, fried fish, and naan were passed around the table.
The next morning I was particularly excited about our plan to visit Penang National Park. Though the park ranger was not on duty because it was the weekend, we had a knowledgeable Malay guide who introduced us to the rain forest flora: a fern that curls its leaves when touched, tree resins used for book bindings, and pitcher plants! At the end, we visited a meromictic lake, which contains saltwater and freshwater in separate layers.
The hike, about two hours long, was hot but worth it!
Yesterday evening our GSE team gave its first presentation, this one at the Intercity Meeting held in a hotel and attended by approx. 70 Rotarians.
This morning we toured the Adventist Hospital.
This afternoon our hosts escorted us separately on different tours of Penang, depending on our interests. Rotarian Michel Von Crombrugge took me to the Tropical Fruit Farm, where I learned about different fruit trees, their maturity times, and when the fruits are ripe. After the tour, we got to sample a variety of fruits, buffet style. There were at least a dozen! Did you know that pineapple grows on a low plant, not a tree? Did you know that dragonfruit, so popular here, is from Mexico? Have you ever seen a passionfruit flower, and how beautiful it is?
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