Oddoneout’s Adventures!

It’s been a couple of weeks since we were last in Penang, but we still can’t quite forget the Blue Mansion!

You can’t blame us though, after continuous nights of tossing and turning in Singapore, yearning for those plush beds once more. One night was enough to spoil us!

In our earlier entry, we didn’t quite elaborate much on the mansion, so this will be the focus of this entry.

So who was this eponymous Cheong Fatt Tze? From what we know, Ah Fatt was in short, China’s 19^th Century version of JP Morgan. This man used his wealth to help fund the construction of roads, railways and buildings amongst other businesses he ran within South East Asia.

When he wasn’t busy playing tycoon, he was often found in the blue mansion. We have the 7^th of his 8 wives to thank for our most comfortable stay because it was built specially for her.

As we mentioned previously, the Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion has been designated as a UNESCO heritage site.

Now what’s so special about this mansion for it to be conferred such a lofty and honourable title that immunizes it from the bulldozer’s hungry jaws that spares not the lesser buildings?

Well, at this present moment, the Blue Mansion, which took 7 years and a team of master craftsmen from China to complete, is only one third of its kind left, which makes it exceedingly rare. It’s also Penang’s only relic to show case the best of 18^th and 19^th century Chinese home architecture.

Although it’s more than a century old, it is not the decrepit liver spotted edifice that people might expect of a structure of such age. In fact, it kept to the times and under went the knife – so to speak – and has been restored to its former glory.

One thing we love about this place is that there’s this really old world charm to it. It felt as if we were on some Shanghainese film noir set directed by Wong Kar Wai.

In fact, we think it would be the perfect place to have a themed wedding, where everyone dresses up in something Shanghainese for example. The bride could be the roguish detective, and the bride the foxy and mysterious client. Or the other way round if it floats your boat!

There’s no need to worry about accommodations because there are rooms within the mansion, obviously, that you could rent out for your guests. Each room not only comes with an extremely comfy bed, but is also individually themed. (There are also hotels next door for the guests who aren’t close to you have no wish of giving the honour of staying in the mansion with you)

The banquet hall is of sufficient space to hold your dinner for about 10 to 15 tables. When you’re done feasting, you and your guests can adjourn to either the inner or outer courtyards to begin pretending to be the God(dess) of gambling.

It is a thought for those of you who want to have a different wedding that is away from home, yet not too far away.

For those who are interested, feel free to contact us to find out more and we can see how we can get the good friends we made at the mansion to help!