A Traveller's Tale: A Gem of a Garden

It was not even time for lunch when our trip to Universiti Sains Malaysia ended. Someone asked me where we could go where one would not have to spend a dime and I suggested Penang's Botanic Gardens along Jalan Air Terjun in Georgetown. The Botanic Gardens which is also known as theWaterfall Gardens because of the cascading waterfalls nearby , was established in 1884 from an old quarry site and had Charles Curtis as the first superintendent. Originally it played a role in research and botanical activities but since being handed over to the previous Penang State Government, the Gardens function more as a park and most of the herbarium collections of Curtis and successive superintendents had been transferred to the Singapore Botanic Gardens. Even then, I suppose this little park where one does not have to purchase a ticket to enter is still a gem in its own right. Many gems in this world are free!


Visiting Penang's Botanic Gardens...



Quaint trees originating from South America...






Students taking a stroll in the park...






Manicured gardens...





Foreign tourists in the Botanic Gardens...


Comments

Liudmila said…
Incredible flower! Have you closer photos? Interesting.

I did not understand: where are the waterfalls?????
footiam said…
No closer photo and no photos of the waterfalls too. I think the waterfall there is only a small one but there are lots of monkeys in this garden; just that I don't take their photo anymore. They could chase you if you are not careful!.