PENANG - MALAYSIA

PENANG SNAKE TEMPLE

The Snake Temple is one of Penang's 'Malaysia-Truly Asia' sight, to quote Tourism Malaysia. 

The Penang Snake Temple is about 3km from the airport in Sungai Kluang, Bayan Lepas. Built in honour of Chor Soo Kong, a Buddhist priest and healer, legend has it that the monk gave shelter to the snakes and when the temple was completed after his death, they moved in on their own.

After that, the snakes were believed to the disciples of the priest, so it became the home to several resident venomous Wagler's pit vipers and green tree snakes. The temple is also known as the Temple of the Azure Cloud or Pure Cloud Temple and was constructed in 1850 as a result of a generous donation from a Scotsman, David Brown, whom Chor Soo Kong is said to have healed of an incurable disease using local medicine.






There is a small exhibition annexe next door to the temple with the tanks containing snakes. The entry fee is cheap but it will be expensive if you want to take a photo while holding a snake.



Opening Hours:
06;00 - 19:00
Location:
Bayan Lepas
Price Range:
For temple -FREE
Snake farm: Adult - RM5, Kids - RM3

SIBU, SARAWAK - MALAYSIA

It is located at the confluence of the Rajang and Igan Rivers. The population is dominated by Chinese especially the Fuzhou as well as indigenous Melanau, Malay, and Iban.




IBAN LONGHOUSE

The trip to Sibu will not complete without taking the opportunity to visit Rumah Panjai or Iban Longhouse.The Iban longhouse is located at Rantau Bertebang, Pekan Wak. The Iban in Sibu still practice many traditional customs and retain their adat or traditional law.

The long covered gallery that runs the length of an iban longhouse is called ruai, and this is where you will greeted. A miring ceremony is frequently conducted to welcome visitors, where offerings of food and drink are presented to the local deities to ensure their good will. after the miring, guests will be invited to sample a glass of tuak, a potent local rice wine, and drink to everybody's good health.

Visitor are then entertained with traditional music, dances and games. After the locals have their turn, the guests are expected to join in the fun. Anyone who refuses will soon find themselves dragged to their feet by the young ladies of the longhouse and forced to take part in the dancing.

 shooting with blowpipe

After the entertainment, visitors may try their hands at shooting with a blowpipe, weaving a pua Kumbu, feasting on traditional Iban pastries such as Chuan and Sarang Semut, enjoy and experience the longhouse environment and the scenery of vast paddy field and the Mighty Rajang River.

The Ibans are a warm and hospitable people, and this hospitality, coupled with their rich and colourful customs and traditions, can be your most memorable experience.