AL March 29th, 2009
The rain was pouring heavily as I make my way to the official countdown venue for Penang Earth Hour 2009 at Island Plaza. My first initial thought when the heavy drops came by was to hope that it will come and go off soon. Let this important and meaningful undertaking arrives in a pleasant manner for all.
It was still raining as I reached the venue by 5.40pm. However that did not damper my spirit. I quickly unload my boxes and bags of butterfly host plants which will be distributed to all our Penang Earth Hour countdown supporters. Thankfully, the security guards at the shopping complex were kind enough to assist me in the unloading, looking at I was alone. Uncle, thanks again, I hope you managed to get our Cleome rutidosperma plant!
I started to place the paper bags on the registration counter. Seemed like the paper bags were kind of attractive and create much curiosity. In moments of time, I had passers by popping in asking the content of the paper bags. While I explained to them that the Cleome plant are meant for free distribution in aid of our Caterpillar Club Butterfly Conservation project, some were simply thrilled to hear and receive it. The first plant was given away to a keen gentleman from DELL. We hope he will help us to spread the awareness of Butterfly Conservation in long run!
Welcome to Penang Earth Hour Countdown! Supporters being provided with a Cleome rutidosperma plant and goody bag while registering
By 720pm, the remaining set up inside the shopping complex foyer were almost done and ready for the countdown. The rain had stopped too. Our Organising Chairman, Mr. Eddy Low were seen busy entertaining our other invited guest, Datuk Dr. Chan while awaiting for the arrival of YAB Mr. Lim Guan Eng, Chief Minister of Penang. The queue at the registration counter was kept busy with the many supporters coming in. I almost missed out in noticing the arrival of your YAB Mr. Lim Guan Eng until I saw his smiling and friendly face walking across. Following behind were YB Danny Law, Penang State EXCO for Tourism Development, Culture Arts & Heritage, our Organising Chairman and other invited guests. Dressed in our Earth Hour black color t-shirt, he looked much younger than I had seen him in newspaper and happy too!
In between the start of the event to the speech from our Organising Chairman, the crowd kept coming in. Soon all our door gifts and plants were given out in no time. And yet, the queue was still there!
Supporters of Penang Earth Hour waiting anxiously for the countdown at 8.30pm
The crowd was almost filling up the whole foyer of the shopping complex soon after the speech by the YAB Mr. Lim. It was more than what we anticipated for. Nevertheless, we were thrilled to see the much support of the many Penangites on this peculiar event. Hopefully the message of reducing the power usage and coming together to fight global warming goes across the many minds of all our supporters on that particular evening.
Mr Eddy Low presenting a souvenir plant to Chief Minister of Penang, YAB Mr. Lim Guan Eng
Penang Butterfly Farm, had the privileged of presenting (represented by the Organizing Chairman) a pot of the Cleome rutidosperma, a butterfly host plant for the Leptosia nina. It was a gift of greening the earth and conserving more butterflies!
Soon the time came for the important countdown. YAB Mr. Lim Guan Eng together with all the invited guests were at the stage preparing for the countdown. A gigantic switch had been prepared for our YAB Mr. Lim to be power off. At 8.29pm, the crowd started to the countdown and when it came to the 3, 2,1. Everything lights were off. The place was in darkness for a second. YES! Penang marks its inaugural support of the global action on reducing power consumption.
YES, Penang Earth Hour 2009!
The next moment, little kids came behind the stage came up with lanterns and luminous sticks. They had their funs twiggling and waving the color sticks around the stage! As the minutes ticked by and we were all casually hanging around, I noticed there were many photographers who also came by to capture this significant event. I supposed such event like this deserves a good coverage!
For the next hour, the crowd were served with refreshments and chinese musical instrument while sitting around chit chatting. As the clock struck 930pm,the lights came back. I noticed some faces among the crowd showed a sigh of relief. To how much the extend or impact of this global action had brought to them, I have no answer. But I am glad that the awareness had spread. Thank you to all the Earth Hour supporters!
The much anticipated inaugural Penang Earth Hour 2009 countdown at Island Plaza came
Tags: 28 March 2009, 8.30pm, 9.30pm, Add new tag, Cleome rutidosperma, Island Plaza, Penang Butterfly Farm, Penang Earth Hour 2009 Countdown
