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http://www.examiner.com/culinary-travel-in-national/love-is-everywhere-on-valentine-s-day

Love is everywhere on Valentine’s Day

Malaysia is an interesting country with many ethnic groups creating a multicultural society. Penang on the northwest coast of the Malay Peninsula is a popular tourist destination for people from many areas of the world. So, it should not be surprising to see Valentine decorations.  Valentine’s Day may have started as a western holiday but it turns out that the Chinese have a similar day that works nicely into their Chinese New Year which often occurs around Valentine’s Day. The 15 days of celebration for Chinese New Year ends with Chap Goh Meh or a Chinese version of Valentine’s Day.  On this night, according to tradition, young maidens throw oranges into the sea in the hope of finding a good husband. It seems that chocolate and hearts are replacing oranges. Love and romance span all cultures so a holiday like Valentine’s Day has become universal.

Near the Park Royal in Penang the Chocolate Boutique offers Valentine chocolates. In fact some of the chocolates resembled those ubiquitous candy hearts with cute saying and designs.  Chocolate hearts and chocolate roses were the most popular presentation.

The Park Royal offers a special Valentine’s Day cocktail called Love Bite, a smooth mix of gin, Cream de Bananas, orange juice, pineapple juice, lime juice, and a dash of grenadine. It had a lot of love but not much bite! For more information check parkroyalhotels.com and visitpenang.gov.my.