Georgetown, located on the northeastern coast of Penang Island in Malaysia, is a vibrant city that offers a wealth of cultural heritage, historical significance, and tantalizing cuisine. This UNESCO World Heritage Site has a fascinating past and a thriving present. It is the place where my wife grew up in and her family still lives there. Basically I travel quite often to Penang every now and then. Hence, I would really love to share with you about what I know about Penang. Let’s delve into the 8 reasons why you should travel Georgetown:
#1 Historical Significance Established in 1786 by the British East India Company, Georgetown quickly grew into a bustling trading port. Its architecture reflects the blend of Eastern and Western influences, showcasing a captivating mix of Chinese, Indian, Malay, and British colonial styles. Strolling through its streets feels like stepping back in time.
#2UNESCO World Heritage Site In 2008, Georgetown’s historic center was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, emphasizing its outstanding preservation of multicultural heritage and historic buildings. This distinction highlights the city’s commitment to conserving its unique cultural identity and architectural gems.
#3Street Art and Murals Georgetown is renowned for its vibrant street art scene. The city has become an open-air gallery, with numerous captivating murals adorning its walls. The famous “Marking George Town” project by Lithuanian artist Ernest Zacharevic showcases interactive and thought-provoking artworks depicting local life and culture.
#4Culinary Delights Food enthusiasts flock to Georgetown to experience its delectable cuisine. The city is celebrated as a haven for food lovers, offering a diverse array of flavors influenced by Chinese, Indian, and Malay communities. From aromatic hawker stalls to charming cafes and upscale restaurants, Georgetown’s culinary scene is an adventure in itself. Food to look out for when you’re in Penang are char kuey teow, prawn mee, pasembur, nasi kandar, asam laksa, cendol, white curry noodle, rojak and many more!
#5 Festivals and Celebrations Georgetown comes alive with vibrant festivities throughout the year. The city celebrates a range of cultural and religious festivals, such as Chinese New Year, Deepavali, Hari Raya Aidilfitri, and Thaipusam. These celebrations showcase the harmonious coexistence of different ethnic communities and provide a captivating glimpse into their traditions and customs.
#6 Cultural Scene Georgetown is a thriving hub of arts and culture in Malaysia. The city hosts numerous art exhibitions, music festivals, and cultural performances, attracting artists and enthusiasts from around the world. The Penang State Museum and Art Gallery, located in Georgetown, offers a comprehensive exploration of the region’s rich heritage and contemporary art scene.
#7 Shopping and Entertainment Georgetown offers a diverse shopping experience, catering to every taste. From bustling markets and vibrant night bazaars to modern shopping malls, visitors can find everything from traditional crafts and antiques to fashionable clothing and local delicacies. After sunset, the city’s nightlife comes alive with trendy bars, clubs, and live music venues.
#8 Natural Attractions Penang boasts natural attractions like Batu Ferringhi Beach, Penang National Park, Tropical Spice Garden, Penang Hill, Botanical Gardens, and Monkey Beach. These diverse spots offer sandy shores, rainforests, gardens, hilltop views, and secluded beach retreats, providing visitors with a range of options to enjoy the island’s natural beauty.
Georgetown, Penang, is an enchanting city that seamlessly combines its rich history, multicultural heritage, and vibrant modernity. Its captivating UNESCO World Heritage status, tantalizing cuisine, and thriving arts scene make it an ideal destination for travelers seeking an unforgettable experience in Malaysia. Immerse yourself in Georgetown’s charm and discover the wonders that await around every corner. So it’s time to plan ahead your trip to Penang now and book your stay here!
KAO Men’s Biore Double Scrub Facial Foam range is better than ever at providing its users with a novel, refreshing sensation after each wash! Among the standout products in this line are the Micro Power Scrubs with Icy Menthol Infusion and the Black Tea Formulation, which is efficient in removing oil and pollutants.
With the use of the Advanced Japan Million-scrub Technology, the Micro Power Scrubs efficiently remove germs, oil, and debris that have built up deep inside pores, leaving behind clean, healthy skin.
Menโs Biore is constantly innovating to meet customersโ needs. Our simple yet effective one-step solution, though has been in the market for some time, still constantly offer newness to our customers. Our products undergo improvements every two years so that our customers can look forward to a new cleansing experience from the formulation, scent, to the packaging.
said Mr Nishimaki Akira, President of Kao Malaysia
In order to reflect Kao’s Kirei Lifestyle, which aims to live in a beautiful and clean environment, the Men’s Biore Double Scrub Facial Foam range has also been repackaged. And as a result, one can radiate confidence and take pleasure in the calm that nature has to give.
Men’s Biore Double Scrub Facial Foam offers 5 variations to pick from, including Deep Clean Extra Cool, Deep Clean, Bright Energy, Acne Solution, and Oil Clear, depending on your skin type or condition. The information for each version is as follow:
Menโs Biore Double Scrub Deep Clean Extra Cool Targeting blackheads, this double scrub variation uses the Black Mineral to cleanse 1.5x times more thoroughly, leaving skin cleaner and more luminous. After each wash, feel unbelievably cool and revitalising. works perfectly given the current heat!
Menโs Biore Double Scrub Deep Clean With Mineral Clay, this one provides 1.5x times more cleaning power. In a single step, it provides the consumer with both long-lasting oil control and deep cleansing. The deep-pore-cleansing oil-absorbing scrapes eliminate all pollutants, blackheads, and dull skin to reveal clear, glowing skin.
Menโs Biore Double Scrub Bright Energy Make use of Vitamin B3 to achieve skin that is notably brighter and more uniform. 90% of consumers concur that skin looks more vibrant and brighter just a few washes later. It efficiently deep cleans and exfoliates the skin, revealing healthier, more radiant skin.
Menโs Biore Double Scrub Acne Solution A fantastic remedy for acne-prone skin. Tea Tree Oil, a component in its formulation, works as an antibacterial agent to flush out bacteria, excess oil, and debris from pores. Additionally, it assists in fading acne scars for skin that appears cleaner and more youthful.
Menโs Biore Double Scrub Oil Clear Black Tea and Icy Menthol are included in the formulation to provide long-lasting oil control and freshness. It removes excess oil from the skin effectively, leaving skin without shine. After every wash, it also emits a fresh and cooling sensation.
The New Face for Menโs Biore – Naim Daniel Naim Daniel Baharin, a singer, songwriter, and actor, has been chosen as Kao Men’s Biore’s new brand ambassador. Naim is a perfect embodiment of the brand because of his high energy and passion for what he does. He serves as a fantastic representative for the brand thanks to his nice looks and clear skin.
Maintaining good skin hygiene is not just about having good looks but it is to achieve good skin health. Good skin health is as important as taking care of oneโs general health.
said Naim Daniel, New Brand Ambassador
The long-lasting oil control feature works well for him and the icy menthol sensation leaves him feeling fresh when out for extended periods of time, so he prefers to use the Men’s Biore Double Scrub Oil Clear.
Men’s Biore Double Scrub Facial Foam is priced at RM15.40 and is offered in all major retailers, pharmacies, hypermarkets, and provision stores.
About KAO Malaysia Kao (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd was established in 1973 as an overseas subsidiary of Kao Corporation, the No. 1 toiletry manufacturer in Japan, with over 120 years of history.
In Malaysia, Kao brands have grown over the years in the Malaysian beauty care, home care and sanitary industries, marketing a wide range of products and brand such as Biorรฉ, Liese, Attack, Magiclean, Laurier and Merries.
Kao Malaysia adopts the Kao worldwide mission, which is to strive for absolute satisfaction, enrichment of the lives of Malaysians through the Companyโs core domains of cleanliness, beauty and health. Kao stands firm to its vision to be a company that is closest to its customers, earning the respect and trust of all stakeholders and contribute to the sustainable development of society.
Kao is also committed to enhancing their contribution to society through a renewed focus on ESG. Its ESG strategy is in its service to consumers’ needs, behaviors and desires to live sustainable lifestyles that contribute to a more sustainable world. Kao calls this the Kirei Lifestyle.
Kao is stepping up innovation at every level of their business to support consumers in living a beautiful life, inside and out.
ChatGPT is an AI language model that has been designed to understand and generate human-like language. The technology behind ChatGPT is impressive, but some users are worried about the risks and unfavourable effects of using such a strong tool. Here, we shall discuss about 6 issues and worries related to ChatGPT that people have.
1. Privacy One of the main issues about ChatGPT is privacy. ChatGPT processes and stores a tonne of user interaction data, including personal data. Because this data can be sensitive, some users might be worried that their communications with ChatGPT could be accessed by unauthorized parties or used against them.
2. Security Concerns Meanwhile, another concern is security. Because ChatGPT stores and processes sensitive data, it may be susceptible to hacker attacks or other security lapses. These dangers might get worse as ChatGPT processes more data and as more people use the technology.
3. Fraud and Misuse of Information Another issue is fraudulent users using ChatGPT. Some are concerned, for instance, that those with access to ChatGPT could use it to spread misinformation or propaganda or for other nefarious purposes. There may be serious repercussions for specific people, entire communities, and even entire nations.
4. Ethical considerations Ethical considerations are also a concern. The ethical ramifications of using ChatGPT and other AI language models are still being discussed. Some people are concerned that these technologies could be used against people, especially those in vulnerable populations. For instance, ChatGPT might be applied to discriminate against particular groups or perpetuate negative stereotypes.
5. Lack of Control and Transparency In addition, some people might feel uneasy about ChatGPT’s lack of transparency and control over the decision-making process. ChatGPT, a machine learning algorithm, bases its judgements on intricate mathematical models that are not always obvious to users. This might make people wonder how decisions are made and who is ultimately in charge of the results.
6. Unintended Consequences Lastly, unintended consequences are a worry. Because ChatGPT and other AI language models are built to learn from the data they are trained on, it is possible that they unintentionally acquire biases or continue harmful stereotypes. For those who are adversely affected by these biases, whether as individuals or as a group, this could have significant repercussions.
Using ChatGPT and other AI language models has a lot of potential benefits despite these worries and I have talked about this in my previous blogpost.
It is crucial to establish suitable safeguards and laws in order to reduce the potential risks and adverse effects of using ChatGPT. For instance, there might be specifications for user consent, data security and privacy, and decision-making transparency. Researchers and ChatGPT developers should also keep a close eye on potential unintended consequences and biases and take appropriate action to address them.
In conclusion, there are many potential advantages to using AI language models like ChatGPT, even though there are valid concerns. It is crucial to carefully consider the potential consequences of using such potent technology and establish suitable safeguards and regulations in order to make sure that the risks are appropriately mitigated. It is entirely up to us to exercise caution and responsibility whenever we are online.
The launch of ChatGPT has generated a lot of noise, with both supporters and critics expressing their opinions. However, regardless of personal views, ChatGPT is now a reality and has become an integral part of our daily lives. Let us explore about some of the benefits that ChatGPT brings to us and our work.
1. Enhancing Workplace Communication and Efficiency with ChatGPT’s AI Language Model ChatGPT can benefit individuals in a variety of ways at work because it is an AI language model. Deep learning neural networks that have been trained using an immense amount of linguistic data form the basis of ChatGPT’s technology. This means that ChatGPT is a useful tool for people who want to communicate more effectively and efficiently because it can recognize and process human language in a way that is natural and intuitive.
2. ChatGPT’s Advantage in Delivering Technical and Specialized Information One of ChatGPT’s key advantages is its capacity to deliver prompt and precise responses to inquiries. People who work in technical or specialized fields, where there may be a lot of jargon and specialized terminology that can be challenging to understand, will find this to be especially helpful. By offering definitions or explanations of difficult concepts, ChatGPT can help, saving people time and aggravation. For people who want to stay current with the most recent advancements in their field, ChatGPT can also offer insights into industry trends and best practices.
3. Effortless Text Generation: Using ChatGPT at Work to Write Reports and Summaries ChatGPT can also help people at work by producing text for them. This can range from summaries and meeting minutes to reports and articles. For instance, ChatGPT can assist a person who needs to write a report but is experiencing writer’s block by generating a rough draught or outlining important points. Similar to this, ChatGPT can quickly produce a succinct summary that encapsulates the key points of a lengthy document or presentation.
4. Communication Simplified by ChatGPT’s Assistance with Email, Inquiry, and Social Media Post Drafting ChatGPT can also be useful in facilitating communication. For instance, it can assist with the drafting of emails, inquiries, and social media posts. By creating agendas or suggesting topics for discussion, it can even aid in meeting preparation. This can be especially useful for people who might have trouble writing or who are short on time.
5. Boosting Productivity with ChatGPT’s Automation of Repetitive Tasks The ability of ChatGPT to increase productivity by automating repetitive tasks is an additional advantage. This includes activities like scheduling or data entry. For instance, ChatGPT enables users to schedule reminders for upcoming meetings or deadlines or to organize their calendars. By automatically populating fields based on specific criteria or by highlighting errors or inconsistencies, it can also help with data entry.
6. Data-Driven Insights: ChatGPT’s Assistance in Making Informed Business Decisions ChatGPT can make insightful suggestions based on data analysis. People who work in industries like marketing, finance, or business analytics can benefit the most from this. In order to make recommendations, ChatGPT can assist in finding patterns or trends in data sets. People who need to make well-informed business decisions based on data-driven insights may find this to be of particular use.
In conclusion, ChatGPT is a strong tool that can benefit users at work in a number of different ways. ChatGPT can help people in being more effective and productive at work by answering questions with speed and accuracy, generating text, and facilitating communication. It can also assist people in making wise business decisions by automating monotonous tasks and offering insights and suggestions based on data analysis. There will probably be more workplace uses for ChatGPT as the underlying technology develops. This is because ChatGPT is a very potent AI language model.
Personally, I believe that if you haven’t used ChatGPT yet, you’re already a stepย behind. Whether we like it or not, ChatGPT has integrated itself into our daily lives. Instead of fearing it will overpower us, why not embrace it with an open mind and see how it can enhance our work. Let me know your thoughts about ChatGPT and how it affect you or your work.
Anyway, I’ll look at the other side of the argument by outlining some of the objections to ChatGPT that people have as of right now in my next blogpost. Are you ready for it?
Did you know that reptiles in the order Testudines, such as terrapins, turtles, and tortoises, are all different from one another in terms of their appearance, habitats, behaviours, and diets? Many of us do now know about the differences among these animals. Hence, let me share with you some of the key variations:
Physical Features Terrapins typically have a flattened shell, webbed feet, and are small in size. On the other hand, turtles have a more rounded shell and feet with claws or flippers that are designed for swimming in rivers and oceans. Tortoises have feet made for walking on land and a high-domed shell.
Habitat Estuaries, swamps, and marshes are among the brackish water habitats where terrapins are most frequently found. Turtles can be found in both freshwater and saltwater environments, including lakes, rivers, and oceans. On land, tortoises can be found in arid environments like savannas, deserts, and other dry areas.
Diet Terrapins are omnivores and consume a variety of foods, including plants, insects, and crustaceans. Although some species of turtles are solely herbivorous or carnivorous, all turtles are omnivores. Herbivorous tortoises eat cacti, grasses, and leaves.
Behaviour Terrapins can live in groups and are typically more social than turtles. Turtles may only gather together during mating season because they tend to be more solitary. Tortoises are solitary creatures who prefer to spend most of their time in the sun.
Terrapins are small aquatic turtles that inhabit habitats with brackish water. Both freshwater and saltwater habitats are home to turtles, which are bigger than terrapins. The largest of the three, tortoises inhabit dry habitats on land.
Turtle Conservation Effort in Malaysia For your information, Malaysia is home to several species of sea turtles, tortoises and terrapins, including the green turtle, hawksbill turtle, and olive ridley turtle. Threats to these turtles include habitat loss, pollution, poaching, and unintentional entanglement in fishing nets are some major issues we are facing. Numerous NGO organizations and governmental organizations in Malaysia are engaged in turtle conservation initiatives to address these threats and safeguard turtle populations. Here are a few instances:
Department of Fisheries Malaysia The Department of Fisheries Malaysia is responsible for managing and conserving the country’s marine resources, including sea turtles. In order to protect sea turtles, the department has put in place a number of strategies, such as the creation of marine protected areas, the enforcement of fishing laws, and the tracking of turtle populations.
SEATRU The research group SEATRU (Sea Turtle Research Unit) is based at Universiti Malaysia Terengganu and focuses on sea turtle conservation in Malaysia. SEATRU works with government organisations to implement conservation measures, conducts research on turtle populations and behaviour, and engages in community outreach and education.
WWF-Malaysia Wildlife and their habitats are protected in Malaysia by the WWF-Malaysia organisation. The group runs a number of initiatives aimed at protecting sea turtles, such as monitoring turtle populations, assisting nesting grounds, and collaborating with regional groups to lessen threats to turtles.
Turtle Conservation Society of Malaysia The Turtle Conservation Society of Malaysia is a non-governmental organization that is dedicated to the conservation of sea turtles in Malaysia. The group works with nearby communities to promote turtle conservation, runs a turtle hatchery, and studies turtle populations.
I am glad that I have had a great experience volunteering for TCS back in 2018 in one of their programs in Kuala Lumpur. From then onwards, I have been a supporter of this society, by making frequent donations and terrapin adoptions to help them in their effort to preserve the population of freshwater turtles.
About Turtle Conservation Society of Malaysia (TCS) The Turtle Conservation Society of Malaysia (TCS) was established out of necessity in 2011 when co-founders Drs. Chan Eng Heng and Chen Pelf Nyok realised that despite the country’s home to 18 native species of tortoises and freshwater turtles, there was no organisation or agency in charge of them.
TCS is the first non-profit, non-governmental organization in Malaysia devoted to the preservation of freshwater turtles. Through collaborations with other like-minded organizations, people, and local communities as well as through its own programs, the Society seeks to restore Malaysia’s declining wild turtle populations, with a focus on freshwater turtles.
About Executive Director, Dr. Chen Pelf Nyok
Dr. Pelf is the co-founder and Executive Director of TCS. She receives the country of Malaysia’s first doctorate in the study of non-marine turtles. The distribution, biology, and ecology of freshwater turtles are some of her areas of interest in research. She oversees a neighborhood-based terrapin conservation project in Kg. Pasir Gajah, Kemaman, and was just given the Commonwealth Points of Light by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in recognition of her work on behalf of turtle conservation. The International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group (TFTSG) counts her as a member.
I knew Dr. Pelf from the event I joined previously and been keeping contact with her since. She is such a humble and friendly person. And her dedication and passion towards helping the terrapins and preserving their population are exceptionally high and exemplary. Dr. Pelf, I wish you all the very best in your continuous effort. You have my support!
About Scientific Officer, Aminah bt. Madi
Aminah graduated with a Bachelor of Science (Zoology) degree from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) in 2022. Before receiving her first job offer as a Scientific Officer, she first joined TCS as an intern. She is eager to find out more information about turtle conservation. She works with university lecturers and students to plan, carry out, and support research projects. She is also committed to educating and inspiring the next generation about the value of freshwater turtles and the ways in which we can protect them.
Adopt A Terrapin NOW! Turtle Conservation Society of Malaysia (TCS) carries out a River Terrapin Conservation Project in the Kemaman River, Terengganu. A large number of river terrapin eggs are secured for incubation through the completion of this project and cooperation with the neighbourhood communities. The hatchlings of river terrapins are raised for four to five months after their emergence before being allowed to return to the river.
The river terrapins are available for adoption each year as part of our fundraising efforts. Each terrapin adoption costs RM35 (or US$10), and you will receive a unique Certificate of Adoption in addition to an official tax-deductible receipt. Choosing a name for your adopted terrapin is also encouraged! River terrapin conservation projects will be carried out in the future using all of the funds raised through the Terrapin Adoption Program.
I have participated in this program twice and here are the Certificate of Adoption that I have received from my previous adoptions:
I named my adopted terrapins Max and Alex. I just adopted another one today and I named it Petra. By the way, this Terrapin Adoption Program is a symbolic gesture in an effort to raise funds for turtle conservation in Malaysia. Adopters do NOT get to bring home a terrapin. And at the end of the day, ALL terrapins will be released into the river, regardless of whether they get adopted or not.
Some Other Ways to Support Turtle Conservation Society (TCS) Join As A Member As a TCS member, you will be a part of an exciting partnership that contributes to the protection and conservation of turtles in Malaysia. You may also participate in all the outreach activities that the Society carries out at a discounted rate; and automatically receive newsletters as well as updates from the field. Members are also entitled to a special discount on selected exclusive turtle-themed merchandise. Join now!
I signed up as a Life Member since May 2020. Wow! It’s been 3 years.
Donate Your donations would benefit the river terrapins, school kids and the local villagers. It could be used to help defray the cost of some bills (water, electricity at the hatchery), or it could also be used to sponsor a Turtle Awareness Program. Workshops with the villagers’ women could be organised with the help of donations. These activities enable the women to develop their skills and earn a living while also increasing their capacity.
Buy Merchandise from Online Store and Shopee Store What better way to raise awareness about turtle conservation than to include it in something that they can share with large numbers of people worldwide? Because their products are made by the local women of Kg. Pasir Gajah, you directly support them when you shop at TCS (especially when you purchase their batik products).
I like this cap very much. Got this from their Shopee Store.My collection of all their lapel pins to date.Decorated the cap with my pins.
@dixonthum 