K M Cheng-Travel Journal: Malaysia (Covid-19 National Recovery Phase 4 - My Cuti Cuti Malaysia No 25 to George Town, Penang

My Round the Penang Island Jalan Jalan (Walkabout) & Makan Makan (Small Eat) on Day 3 (Wednesday Jan 12 2022) by a hired car !

Day 3 (Wednesday Jan 12 2022) - hired car (Proton Persona) from Suria Car Rental, Penang Branch; car rental cost (24 hrs) Rm120 + Rm40 (surcharge for hotel pick up & return) + Rm32 (petrol, 130km) = Rm192 (US$45)

" LIFE is full of surprises. You don't know what will happen so enjoy & be ready for surprises "

Round the Penang Island travel itinerary: Chulia Heritage Hotel > Bayan Lepas (Snake Temple) > Batu Maung (2nd Penang Bridge) > Balik Pulau (Nutmeg Factory) > Tanjung Bungah (Teluk Bahang Dam) > Batu Ferringhi (Golden Sands Resort) > Penang Botanic Garden > Lorong Burma (Burmese & Thai Temples) > Chulia Heritage Hotel > Farlim Night Market > Chulia Heritage Hotel (130km, Rm32 petrol)

Travel Highlights:

1) Snake Temple, Bayan Lepas, Penang Island - built in 1805 for Master Qingshui or Chor Soo Kong, a deified Buddhist monk, devotees from Singapore, Taiwan & China come to pray in the temple on the monk's birthday ! Approx 18km from Chulia Heritage Hotel, my last visit to Snake Temple was probably 30 years ago !

Snake Temple - Built in 1805

Temple bell dating back to 1886 !

2) Pesisiran Pantai Jambatan Kedua, Batu Maung, Penang Island - Pesisiran beach front & 2nd link bridge - the Sultan Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah Bridge or Penang Second Bridge is a dual carriageway toll bridge in Penang, it connects Bandar Cassia in Seberang Perai on mainland Peninsular Malaysia with Batu Maung on Penang Island, my first visit to Batu Maung !

Penang 2nd Bridge in Panorama

2) Akuarium Tuanku Abdul Rahman, Batu Maung, Penang Island - closed every Wednesday, admission fee Rm5 (US$1.20) for adult, free for senior citizens.

3) War Museum, Batu Maung, Penang Island - visitors can explore tunnels, war exhibits & related artifacts at this former fort with a dark past ! Admission fee Rm22 (US$5.20) for adult.

4) Pantai Permatang Damar Laut (Beach), Batu Mauang, Penang

5) Balik Pulau, Penang Island - a town within the jurisdiction of Penang Island City Council, located at the southwest of Penang Islands, my 1st visit to Balik Pulau & enjoyed very much savouring a bowl of local famous Assam Laksa !

6) Ghee Hup Nutmeg Factory, Jalan Tanjung Bungah, Kampung Sungai Pinang, Balik Pulau, Penang Island - established in 1953; our group bought a few packs of assorted nutmeg products (sweetened nutmeg, shredded nutmeg, liquorice nutmeg & nutmeg juice concentrates) from the factory, the chilled nutmeg juice was tasty & very soothing to drink !

7) Teluk Bahang Dam, Tanjung Bunga, Penang Island - largest dam on Penang Island, built to provide an alternate source of water supply to the Ayer Itam Dam & Botanic Gardens Waterfalls, located on the southern part of Teluk Bahang, scenic view from the main road ! My 1st visit to this scenic place !

8) Batu Ferringhi Beach, George Town, Penang Island - Penang's most popular destination, long stretch of soft, white sandy beach along a winding road named Jalan Batu Ferringhi filled with a host of accommodations & dining options.

9) Shangri-La Golden Sands Resort, Batu Ferringhi, Penang - one of Malaysia's leading resort catering to families with child friendly facilities, the 4 star resort on Batu Ferringhi Beach is filled with facilities for dining, leisure & recreation.

10) Penang Botanic Gardens, Jalan Air Terjun, George Town, Penang Island - also known as the "Waterfall Gardens" because of the cascading waterfall nearby

11) Dhammikarama Burmese Buddhist Temple, Lorong Burma, George Town, Penang Island - located opposite the Wat Chayamangkaram, it is the sole & oldest Malaysian Burmese temple in the state.

12) Chaiya Mangalaram Buddhist Temple, Lorong Burma, Pulau Tikus, George Town, Penang - this Thai-style Buddhist shrine is home to a huge reclining Buddha, mosaic dragons & other statutes; due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the temple is only opened on Saturday & Sunday (08.30>16.00).

12) Farlim Pasar Malam (Night Market), George Town, Penang Island - held every Wednesday (17.00>22.00), the biggest & most diverse night market in Penang, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, only takeaway food were sold in the market !

Makan Makan (Small Eat) - group's breakfast No 1 in Bee Hwa Cafe, Lebuh Dickens, George Town, Penang Island - roti bakar (toasted bread) = Rm7.20 (US$1.70)

Roti Bakar (butter & kaya)
Rm2.40 (US$0.56,4 pcs)

Group's breakfast No 2 in Chowrasta Hawker Food Market, Jalan Pinang, George Town, Penang Island - curry laksa + prawn mee + roti bakar / half boiled egg + coffee / almond drink = Rm37 (US$8.70)

Curry Laksa Rm5 (US$1.20)

Pork Noodle Soup RM5 (US$1.20)

Almond Drink

Roti Bakar (Toasted Bread) with
Half Boiled Egg Rm2.40 (US$1.20)

Group's lunch No 1 in Kim Laksa (Nan Guang) Main Road, Balik Pulau, Penang Island - assam laksa + nutmeg juice + guava / banana = Rm40 (US$9.40)

Assam Laksa Rm5 (US$1.20)

Nutmeg Juice with Sour Plum
Rm2.20 (US$0.52)

Group's lunch No 2 in a roasted pork restaurant (next to Kim Laksa), Main Road, Balik Pulau, Penang Island - wan tan noodle + assorted roasted pork = Rm24 (US$5.60)