Merdeka Special - Penang Road

‘Sweet’ memories on Penang Road

Penangites fondly remember Boston Bar (building on the right) for its wonderfully decadent ice-cream sundaes. Up till the late 1980s, such ice-cream bars were very popular in Penang.

Today, a spider-like pedestrian crossing dominates the city- scape. Boston Bar is gone but you can still see the curved building where it was located. In the background are high-rises, signifying how much development has come to the island.

Note the mix of old and new buildings in the picture now: It speaks of the uniqueness of Penang.

With one foot very much in the past, the island steps forward confidently into the future. But those ice-cream parlours are sorely missed.