Ann, Eng Cheng, Frances and John drove across the long bridge to Penang
Island . First stop is the Snake Temple, which Eng Cheng had last visited
many years ago when the place was literally crawling with snakes and
tourists. Sadly, it is now reduced to a mere shadow of its former glory.
In an alcove just inside the entrance, the sight of three snakes,
purportedly alive, clinging to a twiggy tree, sends our pulses racing.
After that it's just regular temple stuff, except for a room with photos
of former inmates posing lasciviously, a multi-level path affording
views of remarkably snake-free trees, and a guy offering to drape a
snake around your neck and take your picture for US $8.