ITINERARY:
Day 1: Singapore - Penang
Day 2: Walkabout in Georgetown
Day 3: Walkabout in Batu Ferringhi
Day 4: Penang - Singapore
DAY 1 (08 July 2010, Thursday)
The $55 return ticket airfare promotion on Jetstar Airways was originally scheduled to depart in the morning, but was changed to an afternoon departure about two month prior to the departure date. Nevertheless I arrived at Penang at around 1630hrs, and hopped on Rapid bus 401E to get to Weld Quay, where I transferred over to the free shuttle to get to Cititel Hotel.
Cititel Hotel at Jalan Penang
King Deluxe Room
It's almost time for dinner after checking in. So I hopped onto a taxi to get to Gurney Drive, otherwise known as Persiaran Gurney. Gurney Drive is perhaps one of the most well-known places in Penang and is often referred to as ‘The New Esplanade’ (to differentiate it from the original Esplanade in George Town). Gurney Drive is a deluge of hawker delights and exciting restaurants that come alive at nighttime, giving the unique experience of dining by the sea.
Few of the many trishaws parked outside Cititel Hotel, mainly catered for tourists.
Gurney Drive Food Centre has a wide variety of local food, and dining was alfresco style.
Deep fried stuffs
Muar Chee
Fried oyster omelette
Lok Lok
Assam Laksa
Fried Kuay Teow
Seashells and cockles
Fresh fruit platter
Herbal tea
Plaza Gurney is just next to Gurney Drive food centre
DAY 2 (09 July 2010, Friday)
I started the day late with a good sleep, and was recommended by the hotel staff to have some great Lor Bak at Kheng Pin coffeeshop around the corner in Jalan Penang. It was in fact a mere 1 min walk from Cititel hotel.
Lor Bak is actually a deep fried meat roll, or whatever that is wrapped in flour and deep fried. It goes well with the special sauce dip that comes with it.
Wanton Mee from the same coffeeshop
Delicious black coffee
After breakfast, it was time to discover the heritage of George Town. From Cititel Hotel, I walked along Lebuh Chulia to head towards the jetty direction.
A local school
Hainan Temple, founded in 1866, is dedicated to the patron saint of seafarers, the goddess Mar Chor.
Some interesting heritage buildings along Lebuh Chulia
The Goddess of Mercy Temple
Eng Loh Budget Hotel, located along Lebuh Steward. Rates from RM20 per night!
At Pinang Peranakan Mansion, the lagacies of the Peranakans are not only commemorated but the restoration of this building complex also heralds the preservation of Penang's unique architectural history. It depicts the typical home of a rich Baba of more than a century ago.
The interior on the ground floor
Stairs leading to the upper floor
Interior on the upper floor and some of the ceramics used
:p
Restored building along Lebuh Greja
A traditional car park coin slot
Continued walking till Queen Victoria Memorial Clock Tower.
The 60-foot clock tower was built in 1897 to commemorate Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee. Each foot represents a year in the Queen's reign.
Fort Cornwallis was built when Captain Francis Light first landed on Penang.
Town Hall was the previous social venue for Penang's elite back in the 1880s. It's classic colonial elegance was the backdrop for a scene in the movie Anna and the King.
City Hall was built in 1903 and was the headquarters of the Penang island Municipal Council. A World War 1 monument for fallen soldiers is also located here.
Supreme Court
Penang State Museum houses a plethora of Penang historic artefacts.
Cathedral of the Assumption was established by Father Garmault along Church Street.
Fall in love in Love Lane!
Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion was home to a former tycoon. The mansion blends Eastern and Western designs, with louvered windows, Art Nouveau stained glass and beautiful floor tiles.
Lunch at the bustling lively afternoon market in Lebuh Cecil
Fried Bee Tai Bak
Fried Kuay Teow with duck egg
Pasembur
Ice Kachang
Tua Peh Kong Temple just next to Lebuh Cecil food centre
Bird's eye view of George Town
Odean Threatre
Early dinner at the Red Garden food centre
Chicken Rice
Assam Laksa
Lor Bak
Satay
The luxurous Eastern and Oriental Hotel at the Northern coast of George Town
A bustling lifestyle enclave comprising bistros cafes, local coffee shops, clubs and pubs at Upper Penang Road.
After a long day of walking under the tremendous heat, its time to reward myself with a cocktail and dessert at a pub till late.
DAY 3 (10 July 2010, Saturday)
After a good sleep, I got up to another heavy breakfast at the coffee shop next to the hotel.
I can't seem to miss out Assam Laksa at each meal!
Yong Tau Foo
Steamed chicken
Half boiled eggs
Campbell Street is wel known for its traditional Chinese medicinal shops, Indian boutiques and other stores selling merchandise.
Not long after breakfast, I saw a Nasi Kandar stall with quite a number of customers. So I stepped in without hesitation!
The famous Chendol stall along Lebuh Keng Kwee was packed with customers
I managed to get everyone aside to take a photo of the stall!
Yummy Chendol!
Just a stone throw away is the Komtar bus terminal. I managed to hop on to bus 101 to the the Penang Toy Museum for just RM2.
Reputed as the largest of its kind in the world, the Museum house over 100,000 toys, dolls and others fun collectibles. It has also entered Malaysia Book of Records as the first toy museum in the country and with the largest toy and figurine collection. It features cartoon and movie characters like Toy Story, Doremon, Mr Bean, Terminator, Tomb Raider, Spiderman, Superman, and more!
From the Penang Toy Museum, I continued on bus 101 to get to Batu Feringghi Beach. It consists of a long stretch of soft, white sandy beach along a winding road named Jalan Batu Ferringhi, filled with a host of accommodation and dining options. Its night market is quite legendary, while its waters are popular spots for a range of water sports activities such as parasailing and windsurfing.
The common activities seen on the beach
Chilling out with cocktails and beer at Sunset Bistro during the sunset hours, waiting for time to pass.
Sunset on Batu Feringghi
The long stretch of night market lined the side of the main road at night. It stretches over 2km long and is filled with both locals and tourists bargaining for an agreed price to deal.
Back to Gurney Drive food centre for a wide selection of delicious local delicacies! Again, there's the famous Assam Laksa!
Wonton Mee
Lok Lok
Fried Oyster Omelette
Chedol
Herbal Tea
Back at Jalan Penang later at night, I managed to find this famous Kambeng Soup at Sup Hameed. It was really packed with customers, and almost every table, there is an order of Kambeng Soup!
Roti Canai
Curry Chicken
Teh Tarik
DAY 4 (11 July 2010, Sunday)
Breakfast was again at Kheng Pin coffeeshop for more Lor Bak.
Lor Mee
Black coffee
Century Egg Porridge
After days of glorious food in historical George Town, its time to head back to Singapore. Just before my flight back, I managed to get some local snacks back as these are really well-known Penang snacks.
The lao-po biscuit and the water-chestnut biscuit
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FAST FACTS
Travel Insurance: $25
Flight: $55
Accomodation: $75
Transportation: $17
Food & beverage: $100
Admission Fees: $13
Shopping & miscellaneous: $8
TOTAL EXPENDITURE: S$293
EXCHANGE RATE
S$1.00 = RM2.30
TRAVEL GUIDES / NEWS / MAGAZINES
Tourism Penang
http://www.tourismpenang.net.my/
Visit Penang
http://www.visitpenang.com/
Wiki Travel
http://wikitravel.org/en/Penang
Penang Web
http://penangweb.com/
Pinang Peranakan Mansion
http://www.pinangperanakanmansion.com.my
Penang Hotels
http://www.penang-hotels.com/
MAPS
Georgetown Tourist Map
http://www.visitpenang.gov.my/download2/PenangMap.pdf
Penang
http://www.tourismpenang.net.my/map_island_attractions.html
Georgetown
http://www.tourismpenang.net.my/map_george_town.html
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