Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
Monday 9th March
We packed up our bags again and headed for the airport where we had to drop the car off and also catch our flight to Penang, The flight was just over an hour, we used an airline called firefly, it only cost us about sixty pounds for the two of us which we thought was good. We arrived at Penang and grabbed a taxi to the hotel, it was about ten thirty pm when we arrived.
Tuesday 10th March
The hotel staff were very helpful and gave us lots of information about Penang, including a map and bus timetable. The hotel was in George town the capital of the island, it's a very busy island lots of cars and bikes, we made our way on foot down to the bus station, one of the hotel staff had suggested going up Penang hill, an early British hill station, and as the weather was fairly clear that was what we decided to do. The bus' were easy to use and very cheap and they went to all the attractions on the island, we got on the bus and it took about half an hour to get to the bottom of the hill. To get to the top of the hill there was a funicular railway, you get halfway and then change from one carriage to another. At the top there are lots of paths to explore and the views were great you could see most of the island. We made our way to the Penang hill hotel, a very old hotel, for refreshments, we went through the hotel and out on to a beautiful patio area with great views, where we sat down. An American man sat by us and then told us that the last time he was here there were snakes in the climbing plant over the patio, on further inspection there turned out to be one directly above our heads. I quickly vacated my seat and only sat down again once we were quite sure there were no more lurking in the roof. Robin kept a careful eye on the snake to make sure it did not move, the waiter told us it had never bitten anyone, but we reminded him there is always a first time!
After wandering around the hill top we made our way down and caught the bus back into George town. We got of the bus near to the jetty's and went to have a look at the Chinese jetty's where the communities have built houses and businesses on stilts over the sea.
Later we made our way to the Komtar tower, the tallest building in Penang, where there is a viewing platform on the sixtieth floor, great views over the island again. There is a free bus which just goes around the town centre, dropping off at the main attractions.
We we went down onto Penang Road for dinner, this is the liveliest part of the town where there are lots of bars and restaurants. We found a bar serving jacket potatoes so we had them as a change from rice, which we seem to be eating a lot of.
Wednesday 11th March
Caught the bus down to the Snake temple, there are lots of pit vipers just like the one in the roof yesterday, they are loose in the temple and are said to not be venomous because of the burning of the incense in the temple, but there were plenty of notices telling you not to touch them as the are poisonous. We very carefully walked around the temple, they were hiding under things and wrapped around branches on the shrine by the Buddha.
In the afternoon we went to have a look at the beach at Batu Ferringhi, It is a beautiful beach but again not many people on it and not much life along the streets, we had planned to spend a few days there but decided to remain in George town instead.
Found a food mall for dinner at the night market off Penang road. There was a variety of food from different stalls and live entertainment on a sage in the centre. It was a really good atmosphere and the Satay was excellent.
Thursday 12th March
Went to the Museum in George town, it was a really good museum about the history of the inhabitants of the island and the different cultures that make up the population, well worth a visit.
Went back to the night market for dinner, whilst we were eating the heavens opened and it poured for quite a while.
Friday 13th March
Sorted out the bus trip to Melaka, there were lots of bus companies going to Melaka but this week was school holiday week and the buses were busy. Afterwards we went to the Beach for a few hours, we took our books and Robin went for a swim, the sea was warm but not that clear. Whilst waiting for the bus to the beach we met a couple from New Caledonia, who lived on a forty four foot yacht, they were waiting for the free bus to Tescos, we told them we had Tescos at home and they were a big supermarket, they told us they thought it was quite exotic!!
Went back to the food mall at the night market again, we will miss this when we leave.
- comments