Travel: Malaysia - Penang

[Vevey]

Hi JR & mgnvr,

U hv PM..

[mgnvr]

ThAnks vevey. I got it.

[kohbee2.06303gmail.06303com]

Thanks Vevey for the taxi contact. Will keep it handy in case we need his service.

[qms]

Hi Vevey!


Can you please PM me the contact number of the taxi driver, too? Thanks.

[mps112]

Hi Vervey


im thinking of bringing my parents and our kids to penang in May. would you be able to share the driver’s contact too? TIA!

[Bless]

Travelling to Penang in Dec. Is there any recommendations for hotels in the town area? Thanks in advance.

[hquek]

If budget is no issue, G hotel very nice and it’s right next to a shopping centre (that’s actually decent), and Gurney Drive hawker centre. if you dun mind a small walk, Evergreen hotel also can (cheaper than G hotel, but older). Not too sure about the other hotels though.

[kohbee2.06303gmail.06303com]

Just got back from Penang and Kedah holiday.


We chose Jetstar as the time of flight is better for us. No problem with the service. But Penang Airport is undergoing renovations now, so a bit messy and noisy. Not sure how long it will take.

We stayed at Hard Rock Hotel in Batu Ferringhi. Good facilities. The swimming pool is nice but a bit crowded as it is peak season. The kids club mainly caters to the younger kids (maybe below 6 years old). So DS is not that interested in those activities. They have a teens club as well. The beach is just next to the swimming pool. But since the waves are very strong, we did not swim at the beach.

The transport around Batu Ferringhi is no problem. There is a shuttle bus provided by Hard Rock Cafe every evening to the pasar malam (if you don’t mind waiting). There are taxis available. The bus stop for Rapid buses is just outside the hotel. Btw - thanks Vevey for the taxi driver contact, didn’t need to use it…

Food wise, Hard Rock Cafe food is good but maybe over ordered since the portion is quite big. Tried the food at Long Beach (only open for dinner). Ok but of course Georgetown food is better. We did like the food at The Ship. Another place we would recommend is the restaurant at Spice Garden called Tree Monkey. Nice view and good food.

As for attractions, we enjoyed ourselves at the Golden Sands Adventure Zone. For RM 20 for 2 hours, we had a good workout. At least we parents overcome our fear of the highest slide but DS says he would try it when he is older…

Took the bus to Butterfly Farm and Spice Garden. Both places are worth the visit. Really impressed with the guides. Very knowlegeable and passionate about their work. Really makes a difference in the visit there. The Butterfly Farm is much better than the one in Cameron Highlands. More butterflies and very professional in their display.

I would recommend the Spice Garden for those interested in cooking. Better to get a guide to explain the different plants and their uses. There is also a snakes and ladders playground with real slides and ladders for kids to play.

[kohbee2.06303gmail.06303com]

After Batu Ferringhi, we took a taxi (RM40) to Georgetown. Stayed at Cititel. Good location but they should improve the sound proof of the rooms. We got a nice corner room that faces both city and part of the sea.


Took the Rapid buses. The buses are clean and not that crowded (I suppose it depends on the time). The bus drivers are friendly and would tell you when to alight if you request for it. Much cheaper than taxis (there are even free bus rides in the heritage places). But the problem is that they don’t have bus service numbers at the bus stops. So better to ask the locals if you are at the correct bus stop. The locals are very friendly and helpful. The best bet is to start from Komtar where most buses go to. Impressed that they have a screen to say the timing of arrival of the next bus and the info is quite accurate.

Food. Of course! Would recommend Red Garden (which is very near Cititel) where there is a wide variety of hawker food to choose from. Do pick up a pamplet of the food places (although we did not have time or energy to look for the food stalls recommended). I did try the laksa near Kek Lok Si. For RM3.50 per bowl, really value for money.

We were lucky that we had free rides up Penang Hill when we were there (something about some opening ceremony where the Chief Minister is around). A bit like rollercoaster ride especially downhill (took about 4 minutes to travel each way). Quite a nice view up at the top. Small playground, mosque and hindu temple at the top. There is a hotel (a bit run down but now going refurbishment). The view from the hotel cafe is quite nice. There is a food court up there but did not try the food. But did try the kachang puteh stall (but now they use plastic bags or brown paper, no more newspapers…).

Went to Kek Lok Si on the next day. I felt it is a bit too commercialised for a temple. Glad that Singapore temples are not like that. The buildings and statues are nice and well maintained. Good place to do shopping at the small shops at the entrance if you are looking for T-shirts and other stuff.

Didn’t have the time to visit Gurney Drive but did go to Queensbay for lunch. The size is like Vivo City but less crowded.

Did happen to be at the Ferry Jetty. Tempted to take the ferry across to Butterworth (free for people going out but must pay to come back) but didn’t have the time for it. Interesting to see cars and motorcycles moving in and out of the ferry.

[kohbee2.06303gmail.06303com]

We also have a short trip to Kedah via the Penang Bridge. The driver of our Gunong Jerai Resort drove us around Alor Setar (capital of Kedah State). Visited the Padi Museum and State Museum. Nothing much really except for the 3rd floor of the Padi Museum featuring a revolving display of the padi season. Just sit on a chair and the 4 stages of padi season will move around you in really life-like painting. Thought that was interesting. Other than that, just some tools and pictures that is used by padi farmers.


There was a landslide which destroyed part of the road leading up the mountain on May 24 2012. So part of the journey, we had to walk 50 m and transfer to another van. The view from the resort is very nice and peaceful with the padi fields below. Night time view will be twinkling lights from the town and houses. The sunset view is dependent on the clouds cover. It was ok for the first night there will not great for the second night while we were there.

The staff up at the resort is friendly but some may not be able to speak English well. The food selection is quite good considering it is up on a 1217m mountain. Nothing much in terms of facilities. There is a small swimming pool with 2 slides for kids and a playground and petting zoo nearby.

We did some treking (beware of leeches though) to the waterfall and view of Penang Island (can see Georgetown) and Butterworth. The guide showed us some wild orchids along the trek.

On the whole, Gunong Jerai would be worth a visit to get away from the city if you happen to have time to spare after visiting Penang.