Precious Memories: Penang, Malaysia

George Town, Penang, Malaysia 8:00AM~6:00PM -- February 18, 2016
2016 HAL Volendam Asian Adventure--Day 3
Weather: Light breeze, sunny/light clouds, 28C/82F

Our ship docked safely at the port in Penang at 7:40AM this morning. We usually like to get breakfast early so we can start our day touring before the crowds.

Penang is a port that I most looked forward to on this trip as I have heard and read so much about this city. I also spent quite a lot of time researching on this port so I was anxious going on shore to see this place.

After our usual breakfast at the Lido, we were ready to go ashore. There were not that many people getting off the ship at that hour probably most people figured that with a whole day in port they can take it easy and stayed on the ship until later. We, on the other hand, wanted to get out before the heat and we wanted to get up to Penang Hill before the crowds.

Walking towards the terminal.

Inside the Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal and then out to the street.

Supposedly there is a Tourist Information Center on the right hand side of the exit but we were distracted by the many taxi drivers near the exit that we missed getting maps and info from there. We were determined that we would DIY our day here so we just went past all the drivers and made it outside, except one driver kept following us even after we walked to the main road. We made the wrong turn as he kept talking to us. Finally, we were able to get rid of him and then turned back to the roundabout on the other side.

Queen Victoria Memorial Clock Tower at the roundabout outside the cruise terminal.

The very busy roundabout, do not attempt to cross the street here.

We then made a left and then cross over to the other side of the street to find the bus stop for the #204 bus which was Weld Quay stop on Pengkalan Weld. I waved down the #204 bus that was just driving up and made sure that it was going to Penang Hill with the driver before paying our $2 RM fare each (exact change) for our ride.

On bus 204 that runs between Pengkalan Weld Jetty bus terminal and Penang Hill station.

It was the first stop after the terminal where we got on. There were only three other Japanese tourists already on the bus by then as we boarded for this 40-minute ride. This bus ride was actually very interesting with it going through some nooks and crannies of this city. Below are just some of the photos that I took on the bus as we rode along. We met a couple of local Chinese who were kind enough to give us some advice. The gentleman told us to avoid the taxis because they will rip us off. They also told us to stay on the bus til the end of the route and that it will cost us $10 RM to get on the funicular up Penang Hill. It turned out that $10 RM was for locals only, we had to pay the fare for foreigners which was $30 RM.

Arrived at the Penang Hill entrance.

Public restrooms on the right and ticket counters on the left.

Foreigners $30 RM, fast track $60 RM.

It was not necessary to get fast track tickets since it was not busy at that time.

Inside the funicular which reminded me of Wellington, NZ. This ride was longer and steeper though.

funicular at the upper station

going downhill

observation deck

It was a little hazy and the view was not that clear that morning but it was still beautiful up there.

Kek Lok Si

Too bad we did not see any.

There are many walking/hiking paths on the hill.

David Brown Restaurant

We followed this walkway to the main area where there is a toy museum, an owl museum, a Hindu Temple, and a Mosque.

Vendors and museums

Hindu Temple

Mosque

After walking around a bit we decided it was time to go back down as there were more and more people up on the hill. I imagine this place would be very busy on the weekends. It is certainly a nice place to spend a couple of hours enjoying the scenery. The bus ride and the funicular up here was the highlight for us on that day.

Back at the Penang Hill bus station. We found out that we did not have exact change for our return tickets. As we were trying to buy some ice cream so we could have some change, a bus left without us. We had to wait for close to 30 minutes for the next bus. Then two buses turned up at the same time, which means one bus was delayed somehow and caused the long wait. As we were waiting for the bus, several tour buses from our HAL cruise arrived. Which means the line for the funicular would be longer and more crowded.

Uh oh, an accident?

We took the bus all the way back to the Pengkalan Weld Jetty Bus Terminal where we could just walk over to our next destination--Chew Jetty.

The Clan Jetties area. There are different clans like Lim, Tan, Chew, etc. remain in this waterfront settlement as part of the Penang Heritage Trail.

A small temple at the entrance of Chew Jetty, the most tourist-friendly jetty. There were many tourists here who were on land tours that day. I had to wait for the right moment to get the right photos.

Chew Jetty has the most stilt houses and longest walkways.

It is definitely touristy but still interesting to visit these houses that are over a hundred years old.

People are still living in these houses.

Very much reminded me of Tai-O, the fishing village in Hong Kong Lantau island.

Another temple right by the waterfront at the end of the walkway.

Houses on stilts

I have read that since these people do not live on land, they do not have to pay any tax.

As we finished visiting the Chew Jetty, we crossed the very busy street (Pengkalan Weld) to the Armenian Street to find the famous street art. Below are some of the finds.

The most famous "Kids on Bicycle" painting. I saw it for the first time on a TV program and told myself that I have to go there and see it for myself.

On Armenian Street -- looks like a movie set.

We found the place for 'Tiger Char Koay Teow' that was recommended online. It's in Ping Hooi Cafe-179 Carnavon Street, 10300, Georgetown, (corner of Lebuh Carnavon and Lebuh Melayu) Penang.

Unfortunately, they ran out of the giant prawns so we had to settled for regular shrimps. The Char Koay Teow (fried flat rice noodle) was excellent! A Vietnamese waiter told us his story as we were enjoying our lunch in this hole-in-the-wall place. He worked as an illegal laborer in Taiwan, was arrested and deported. He said he missed Taiwan and his brother is still working there.

A simple but good lunch.

She was responsible for our delicious lunch.

A wonderful chef who stirred up some exceptional Char Koay Teow!

No eggs RM 5.50, with eggs RM 6.00, with duck eggs RM 6.50, with giant prawns 10.00 (not posted).

Two-door down from 'Tiger' is another eatery recommended "rice noodle soup" with fish (eel) balls.

ChC and I skipped this and we waited for MOR outside as he enjoyed this.

Lebuh Carnarvon

Then we went to Kimberly Street where supposedly there are several good eating places but none of them were opened. We bumped into this porridge place and it looked pretty busy so we went in. They cooked the porridge with all the ingredients already inside, simmering, which is different from what we are used to. It just didn't taste right and we left with two unfinished bowls of porridge on the table.

More street art on Kimberly.

About Jimmy Choo--he started his apprenticeship here.

Waldorf Hotel

Friendship park as we walked across the overpass on Lebuh Farquhar.

We still had a couple of hours before we needed to get back on board but the heat was just getting to us as we were walking around Georgetown. We knew that there are still a lot that we have not seen but we were tired and drained so we decided to head back to the cruise terminal.

Penang Town Hall

All decorated for Chinese New Year at Padang Kota Lama (舊關仔角)--the park next to Fort Cornwallis. We thought of going inside Fort Cornwallis last before returning to port but decided to skip it at the end. Going back to the air-conditioned cabin on the ship sounded much better by then!