Tsunami at Tanjung Bungah Penang

This was the first time Penangites experienced Tsunami and many were caught by surprise. The authority took this very seriously and implemented warning system to alert people if tsunami strike again. At the mean time, enjoy the sunshine and beach of Penang Island.

This Tsunami originated from East Coast of Sumatra, Indonesia. Coatal areas of Thailand andMalaysia  which face Adaman sea were swept by the Tsunami.

Penang, Hawker Food

The best place for hawker food is at Gurney Drive (or Persiaran Gurney). There are hawker food around the area mark with red circle. You can find hawker food like Char Koay Tiao, Chendol, Mee Goreng, Hor Fun etc around that area. The other area where you can find hawker food is around Batu Ferringhi (Map below). The beauty about hawker food is they cost little but taste good. At Batu Ferringhi, you can have your dinner and beer for less 10 than USD. The dining atmosphere is easy and casual especially at Batu Ferringhi Hawker Center.

Penang, Kek Lok Si (Temple of Nirvana)

Views of pagoda at different angles

Kek Lok Si which means Temple of Nirvana is located at the main bazaar of Ayer Itam. The temple was started by a monk from Fujian China more than one hunded years ago, roughly 1890. As far as I know the construction of temple continue until these days. Today, the sprawling temple cover a large section of the valley consists of monsteries, pagoda, prayer halls and courtyards. The most visible of Kek Lok Si is the "10,000 Buddha Pagoda". the Architecture is combination of Chinese, Thai and Burmese. The octagonal structure is Chinese, the mid section of the pagoda is Thai's and top with Burmese Crown.

One of the Prayer Halls

Monateries, walkways and courtyards

The other visible structure from foot hill is statue of Kuan Yin which is at the top most of the temple ground. The Kuan Yin overlooking Ayer Itam Town and Gerogetown to ensure the continuous prosperity of the of the Penang State.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Statue of Kuan Yin
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
One of the guardians of Kuan Yin. The Kuan Yin face Ayer Itam Town and Gerorgetown

Penang, Penang Hill

Penang Hill Railway Station at the foot hill

Penang Hill located in the Middle of Penang Island. Due to the hot and humid weather at Penang, the British developed Penang Hill during colonial time to escape from the tropical weather. There are Bungalows dotted the Hill, you can rent one of these bungalows for a short stay at Penang Hill.




















Looking up to Penang Hill

There are few ways to get to the top of Penang Hill. The easiest and most comfortable way is to use the furnicular train. This too was introduced by the British in early 18th century. On the way up to Penang Hill, you can see picturesque view of Penang Island. The air cool down while the train inch toward the top of the hill. You need to change to another train which take you to submit at mid hill.

Midsection of the railway track

You can see descending train when the descending and ascending trains change track. The journey to the midhill station take about 15 minutes.

The Penang State Government is planning to change the train system by 2010. The new train will have more seats and passengers do not have to change train at midhill.

Panoramic view of Gerogetown and Ayer Itam

You can vaguely see thePenang Bridge that connect Penang Island to the mainland. Penang Island is hilly in the middle. Most of the development occurs at the coastal area which is less hilly. Ayer Itam town is in the valley of those hills.

Lunch or afternoon tea at Penang Hill

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Penang, Forest Reserve

Teluk Bahang Town where the Penang National Park Office is located

Forest Reserve in Penang probably is the smallest reserve in the world. The reserve situated at the North-West corner of Penang Island. This is the starting point to Muka Head beach and Pantai Kerachut. Visitors need to register with Penang National Park Office before entering the Reserve. For those who are not familiar with the area, please hire a guide as the journey to Muka Head or Pantai Kerachut

could take up to one and half hour. Hiking is not the only way to get to these baeches, you can hire a boat to take you there. 

Jetty at Pantai Kerachut

Scenery at Pantai Kerachut

Picture of Muka Head from the boat.

During high tide, Muka Head is like a giant swimming pool. During low tide, you can walk 100 metres toward the sea.

Penang, opinion

What do you think about the service industries in Penang? What would like to know about Penang? Please leave your opinion here.

Penang, Georgetown

             Panoramic view of Georgetown, Ayer Itam and Gelugor

Gee, where should I start? Maybe I start with the oldest part of the town where early merchants from India, China, Europe and Middle East settled down. Today, these merchants are no longer there but their legacy are remembered through street names, buildings and their decendants who still plying the same trade. There are many historically important buildings along Jalan Kapitan Keling, Lebuh canon and Jalan Armenian (Yes, there were Armenian settlers in Penang, I believe they move to Singapore later on)

Khoo Kongsi

The temple was built in 1884 by members of Khoo Clan which was formed by the migrant workers at that time. The original temple was a wooden bungalow. The temple was used as a site for ancestor worship and a meeting place to resolve conflict and to discuss matters related to members.

Today, the temple is maintained by board of trustee of Khoo Kongsi. The temple is now one of the tourist attractions in Penang. Do not forget to pick up a booklet which describe in details about the history and features of the temple.

Kapitan Keling Mosque

Before the Penang State Mosque at Ayer Itam was built, Kapitan Keling Mosque was the official state mosque. The word Kapitan which means Captain in English is believe to originate from Portugal. Keling means Indian in Hokkien. The word Keling was originated from a seaport city called Kelinga in South India. The Hokkien in Penang then refered Indian from that part of the world as Keling ( The Indian in Malaysia consider it as an insult if you address them as Keling). The mosque was built by an Indian Muslim merchant Caudeer Mohudeen in 1801. Since then it has gone through few renovations in 1910 and 1930. The most recent renovation was done in 2003. The mosque is used by the Indian-Muslim community living and work in that area. The are is famous for its' monay changing trades and Indian restaurant

Penang, Batu Ferringhi

Batu Ferringhi situated at the northern part of Penang. It is famed for its' sandy beach. There are few high end hotels lined up along the beach. For those budget concious, there are many budget hotels around.

Beautiful sunset at Batu Ferringhi Beach

Visitors can either stay in the hotel and enjoy the sandy beach under sunlight or pick a day tour package to tour around Penang during day time. At night, pubs, bars, restaurants and night market kick into actions. There are restaurants that serve Russian, Chinese, Malay, Indian, Italian, American and Middle Eastern cuisines. If you ask, the cook in the hotel probably can whip up any dish you fancy. After dinner, stroll along Batu Ferringhi Road and pick up one or two souvenirs at the night market for your friends or family members at home. Pubs and bars will not close until wee hour in the morning. So, what you want to do is up to your own imaginations.

Penang

Penang is one of the 14 states of Malaysia. It is situated at the Northern of Pennisular Malaysia. It consists of Penang Island (google map 5*20'26.81"N, 100*16'88.33"E) and Province Wellesley at mainland Malaysia.

Penang Island is connected to the mainland through a 6-lane bridge. A second bridge is under construction and to be completed in 2013. Beside the bridge, Penang is connected to mainland via ferry. The ferry has 2 decks, one for passengers and the other for vehicles.

Penang is centrally located in South East Asia. You can use Penang as a base for your business or spring board to other destination in Asia.

Flights from all over Asia stop at Penang International Airport. Airasia and MAS connect Penang to many airports. There are other flights make routine stop at Penang Airport.

Penang is linked up to other parts of Malaysia through North-South Highway and East-West Expressway. North-South Highway connected to Thailand at the North and Singapore at the south. You can drive from Penang to Phukett, Krabi and Singapore using the North-South Expressway. The journey to Phukett take about 12 hours. You can stay overnight at Hadyai or Krabi if you think 12-hour journey is too taxing.

Is North Korea that bad?

North Korea fired rocket to nowhere again. Does leader of North Korean care about the opinions of other countries? Please give your comment. Personally I believe North Korea just want to be a member of The World Community.