Messages from Penang — An island tour
Another year has passed and humans continue to be both insulted and astounded to find that natural selection really does apply just as much to us as it does to all the other animal and plant species on this planet. Just picture us all sitting around a massive TV watching one of those wildlife documentaries, nodding at each other knowingly and agreeing, “Well, yes, of course — we see how it works.”
Clearly we don’t.
But there’s no doubt that homo sapiens will prevail. There are many things to catch up on and this insane year ended with two more boxes on the list of Penang sights to visit being ticked.
It’s worth noting that the tourist information and guides are right when they state that the Snake Temple is not like some set from a horror movie and visitors won’t find themselves thrust directly into an Indiana Jones-type adventure. It’s a very small temple, there’s no slithering nest of vipers underfoot and you don’t have to take out life insurance before going, but it does have an interesting history and if you want to see some real, live snakes, they’re there. Those who want to get up close and personal can pose for photos while draped in a substantial but very placid python and get to feel the silken skin and solid muscle.
Yes, I was in that queue.
