Penang

On Sunday August 23rd Postcards will again be heading overseas to visit one of Adelaide's sister-cities. Following last years successful program from Austin, Texas, Keith Conlon has travelled to Georgetown, Penang in Malaysia. The formal connection between the two cities began 25 years ago but the family connection goes back more than 200 years. In 1786, Captain Francis Light created a city he called Georgetown after the King. He was charged by the British East India Company to create a trading port for the British in South-East Asia. Francis Light moved from his base in Siam and brought with him his partner Martina Rozells and his two children, including young William Light. He grew into Colonel William Light the founder of the City of Adelaide. Georgetown is far more than a historic city. It is a bustling, cosmopolitan and colourful city that reflects the whole Penang Island. During the hour long special, Keith explores the jungles and gardens, tastes the food, visits the sights and meets the people of Penang. He crosses the longest bridge in Asia to meet the men of the RAAF 92 Wing based at Butterworth and meets a man with the largest collection of birds in Malaysia - over 300 species.

Georgetown is hoping soon to be registered as a World Heritage area which would put it in the same category as the Taj Mahal and Westminster Abbey. As striking as the architecture and history is, it is the nationalities and religions that blew in on the trade winds from the four corners of the world that makes Georgetown and Penang a very special place. Postcards from Georgetown, Penang will air on Channel Nine Sunday August 23rd at 6.30pm. For more information you can email info@postcards-sa.com.au