I'm proud to announce that the VisitPenang website, of which I am the official foodie as mentioned in a previous post, was launched by none other than the Chief Minister himself Lim Guan Eng at the trendy G Hotel in Penang's Gurney Drive today.

It was a relatively swift event, with a fairly amusing speech by the CM, some of it touching upon the fact that, sometimes, new initiatives are criticised, meaning the Tiger Park that was announced recently. He went on to say that as these tigers had been bred in captivity, it was better to allow them to roam freely in a safe environment rather than be caged ... and said to the audience, "Of course YOU haven't been caged ..."

(Pause for dramatic effect)

"I have!"

That led to a rousing response from the audience - he was of course referring to his own incarceration not that long ago - ... "and it's not fun!"

After a short "BANG" to release confetti and some photo sessions, the CM and YB Danny Law went off for the press conference.

We the hoi polloi were left to mingle and chat amongst ourselves and partake of some "light refreshments" provided by the hotel. As Eddy Low, Chairman of ATAP (Association of Tourist Attractions of Penang) said, "I love their cheesecake here."

Me? I left to have a bite with a couple of mates - more of that later.