私のTRAVELogue: May 2013

Georgetown Area
The capital city of Penang where most heritage are located. It was listed as UNESCO World Heritage site since 2008.

The town is well known for its well-preserved colonial core, with original shophouses dating back to the 19th century are still surviving, together with their trades of old. Street markets and hawkers continue to be a part of daily life of Penang, and had become part of their culture for the past generation.

#1 Penang Streets Art

Wall Painting, and Sculptures can be found all around the historical City of Georgetown. The old city is revived with colors and brushes of art.

“Little Children on a Bicycle” Mural, Armenian Street,

Among all paintings, artwork by a Lithuanian artist, Ernest Zacharevic have been the most popular mural as it conveys the lifestyle and culture of local penangites.

“Little Girl in Blue” Mural, Muntri Street

Another special feature of the artist's painting is he uses 3-dimensional elements to incorporate with his painting that makes it much more lively and creative. His masterpiece has become the main attraction of Penang and become a new icon of Georgetown.

“Little Boy with Pet Dinosaur” Mural, @Ah Quee Street

After the Georgetown Festival held in 2012, small galleries, antiques shops and arts cafes mushroomed all around the town to once again captures the attention of tourists as well as Art-passionates.

It is recommended to rent a bike to travel from places to places to hunt for these art-work and be creative when you are taking photo with it :D.

map of Georgetown wall painting:
http://879565065.r.worldcdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/penangwallpaintingmap.jpg

Ernest’s first masterpiece, it's a painting of his neighbour who is
actually a famous wooden clogs painter, @ Armenian Street Art Cafe

Caricature of local hawker using wire frame

History of Penang are convey with a funny and cute caricature

#2 Clan Jetties

"Children in a Boat" Mural @ Chew Jetty

The Clan jetties consist of eight jetties, named after their surnames, “Lim”, “Chew”, “Tan”, “Lee”, “Yeoh”, “Koay”, “Peng Aun” and Mixed Clans.

“Chew” Jetty is the most famous among the Jetties because it is the largest and the most liveliest jetty among all. What more, there is a popular mural that is situated over there which attracts draws the attention of tourists. Fun Fact, the people living in the clan jetty shares the same family name.

Penang White Coffee, Apam Balik (Peanut Pancake Turnover)
& Penang Char Kuay Teow (Fried Rice Noodle )

Along the jetties, you can find little coffee shops roofed by wooden slats that serves delicious local delights.

Low tide @ Yeoh Jetty

The Jetty is actually a village built on stilts and these were built by pioneer Chinese immigrants. Each jetty comprises of row houses on stilts joined by wooden walkways over the water. These ‘water villages’, set up more than a century ago, house the descendants from Fukien Province in China.

Bikes and Motorcycle are their main transportation
travelling around the jetty

These cute kids are the children of a store owner in Chew Jetty asked me to take a photo of them with glasses ,smile :D
(Probably my long lost cousin, *because we share the same family name)

Ayer Itam Area

#3Penang Hill

It is 6km from the city. Situated about 823 meters (2750 feet) above sea level on this northern part of Penang, this oldest hill resort and the first in Malaysia has cool, unpolluted air and historical feature. It stands prominently from the lowlands as a hilly and forested area. It's original name was Flagstaff Hill known by the British, back in the old days of Penang , when a flag fluttering from a flagpole at Bel Retiro, the home of the Governor of Penang at that time, was used as a signal transmitter.

the inclining railway track with sloop
with 50% steepness stretched uphill

When we think of Penang Hill, the first thing that comes to our mind is the red funicular tram that ferries tourist up the inclined track to the top of the hill. What makes it so popular is it is the only train in Malaysia that able to climb slope with steepness up to 50% and it is a single-track railway with passing loops where tram going up and down sharing the same track. While taking the ride, you can enjoy the scenery around and some scene and building along the way.

the opening hour & train ticket price are available here.
website : http://www.penanghill.gov.my/

Entrance of the station @ foothill

Train platform at the foothill

Jump!

Sri Aruloli Thirumurugan and Penang Hill Mosque

located on the top of the hill that had been built there long time ago

Stunning view of Penang Island and the Straits of Malacca from the peak.
If the weather is clear, the legendary island of Langkawi is clearly visible from far.
Credits to my friend Jin Teng for the wonderful photo.

Coastal Area

#5 Batu Ferringhi

Batu Ferringhi is a beach area in Penang, Malaysia. Along this famous beach area, there are numerous large hotels, restaurants, transport rental services, and souvenir stores.

And also not forgetting the beach activity you can do here like banana boat, water ski, sun-tanning and etc.

Batu Ferringhi features hotels such as Hard Rock Hotel Penang, Hydro Hotel, Holiday Inn, Bayview Beach Resort, Golden Sands Resort, Grand Plaza Parkroyal Penang, Shangri-La's Rasa Sayang Resort and Spa, etc.

It is also famous for its Night Market among foreign tourists. It is stretched along the Batu Ferringgi Main Road that became the center of activity after the sunsets.

#6 Penang National Park

aka Taman Rimba Teluk Bahang Within the forest park are pools where visitors can take a dip to refresh themselves. Picnic areas are also available, as are camping ground and hostels.

Taman Rimba Teluk Bahang is a place to enjoy the calming serenity of the rainforest. There are nature trails around the park, as well as treks that leads deeper through the jungle and into Penang Hill. Anybody intending to climb these trails are reminded that a certain degree of physical fitness and stamina is expected. One should explore according to one's pace and not to overexert.

For my case, we follow the shortest and easiest among all trail which stretches along the coast.

we ended up at a beach. Its really beautiful! It's so pure as if it is untouched by the urbanization of human. We mingle there for quite some time, and then we took a boat from a small jetty at the edge of the beach to head back to the fishing village (which is next to the entrance of the park.)

#6 Teluk Bahang Fishing Village

Teluk Bahang is a friendly fishing village in the north western tip of the island Penang. The name Teluk Bahang means the "Bay of Heat Wave", probably pointing to the high temperature of the sea breeze coming in to shore. It's only 5 kilometres distance from the touristy place of Batu Ferringhi.

The village is a popular stopping off place for visitors looking for seafood or wishing to access nearby Penang National Park. The houses are built directly on top of the sea

There is also a few more attractions near-by such as the Tropical Spice Garden, Penang National Park, as well as the Penang Butterfly Farm.

Downtown Area

Tzu Chi Jing Si Tang (Penang Branch)

慈济静思堂（槟城分行）

When my family was at Jalan Macalister doing our usual 'food hunt', my father spotted this beautiful building in grey granite, designed with Japan liked architecture and with blue mountains as it's background. Out curiosity, we approached this magnificent building. For first time we steped in here, the environment is very peaceful and zenful, that makes us slow down our pace for awhile.

From there, I was introduced this well-known charity organization named Tzu Chi Foundation.

The Building named is Jing Si Tang (Still-thought hall) , serve as a purpose as temple as well as HQ for Tzu Chi operation in Penang.

What is Tzu Chi?
In english means "Compassion Relief "
Tzu Chi Foundation is a non-profit organization that is originated from Taiwan.

Founded by Dharma Master Cheng Yen to assist those in poverty. The organization is well noted for providing emergency and disaster relief, community services and medical care wherever the need arises. Recently, it became a special member of UNESCO NGO that work along with other organization (such as Red Cross) in the effort of disaster relief and long-term recovery programs.

Tzu Chi Logo with image of Dharma Ship that saves
sentials being from the sea of suffering

The top level is the main shrine that houses a Buddha statue inside, while the lower level, is the Operation Centre of Tzu Chi where they have their activity centre and gallery to showcase their effort in disaster relief, and aiding the people who are in need.

Interior of Jing Si Tang

We are greeted warmly by the 师姑 (volunteer) once we enter the building. They gave us a tour around to introduce and let us understand more about Tzu Chi.

Well, it kinda inspiring me to help more people that are in need.
Now, I'm joining their activity in Singapore by helping out in Recycling effort and Free Clinic Service for the underprivileged as well becoming a photojournalist at Tzu Chi Collegiate Youth.