PENANG

PEARL OF THE ORIENT

CAPITAL - GEORGE TOWN

The leading port of Malaysia

The Northam Suite Spa, my favorite, nine private suite spas to choose from. Each suite has a turbo water-massage jacuzzi (fits upto 6 persons!), sauna, steam, shower, changing room, CD music center, television, petal foot bath and in-suite safe - all to yourself! Try the unique traditional Thai massage and beauty treatments in the privacy of your own suite. Hmmm, heaven.

There's a roof top swimming pool with continuous sea views even when swimming in the pool. The view below is of Millionaires Row , homes of rich rubber planters, whose mansions are built in the colonial and Chinese style. Sadly, some of the mansions have been left to decay as they are very expensive, but several have been refurbished by rich Chinese businessmen and Businesses as Corporate Headquarters.

NIGHT MARKET-. PASAR MALAM-Tourist Belt Night Market

Batu Ferringhi, north of the island has a night market along the coastal road. Many tourists were here with a fun-fair atmosphere. Be ready to haggle. We thought most items were overpriced. Start haggling at 70% off asking price. You will be amazed! Bargain like mad.

A good way to roam the old city of is to hire a bicycle or a rickshaw .

Our First day was fully booked. Taking a tour of historic downtown Georgetown followed by Temple tours. We also took a night tour to Feringgi night market..passing the waterfront stilt clan house settlerment, otherwise known as Jeti Houses. It ia a community of stilt houses on the river; generations of certain families continue to settle there.

Penang has a number of beaches on the north coast, Batu Feringgi is a built-up area with many facilities. We stayed on the South of the Island as we had already been at the beaches in Langkawi. We visited the following places, followed by a pre-booked Spa Suite in the late afternoon. We were lucky to have the tour to ourselves! We also stopped for fresh coconut juice and visited a local Chinese health food shop along the way.

GeorgeTown Clock Tower Facing Fort Cornwallis is the nineteenth century clock tower, It was given to the city by a rich Chinese merchant. This 60 foot (18.5 m) high clock tower was built in 1897 to celebrate Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee - with one foot to commemorate each year.

PENANG MUSEUM AND ART GALLERY- Georgetown A fine collection of historical items such as a Chinese bridal chamber, antiques, maps, paintings, old photographs, charts, historical relics books, and artefacts providing complete information on Penang's history. It was built in 1821. Well worth a visit.We were very impressed.

ST. GEORGE'S CHURCH This Anglican church was built in 1818 by convict labour, one of the oldest landmarks in the city. It was named after the patron saint of England and features a memorial canopy dedicated to Captain Francis Light.

CLICK TO SEE MORE INFORMATION & PICTURES OF THE Penang TEMPLES

A FULL DAY WALKING THE STREETS AROUND GEORGE TOWN

Our first visit was to checkout the 65 storey shopping tower in the heart of Georgetown. KOMTAR -Penang's most unusual building complex. Inside, there are Government offices, restaurants, department stores and shops. Here,we saw modern city structures blending in with old historical buildings. Truly a strange mix of things to see within a few minutes walk of each other.

Penang Street and Road
A great place to wander around the many hidden shops. We got many bargains here, cheaper than the previously mentioned Batu Ferringhi night market. Get your bargains at the Penang Road Bazaar and the surrounding shops. Items ranging from Pewter, wooden carvings, unusual face masks, clothes, imitation leather goods and watches Here we took a Trishaw and were amazed to see hidden temples, bars, clubs and pubs. Chowrasta Bazaar on Penang Road is a good place to go. There are plenty of shops on Penang Road, closer to the Komtar Complex.

PENANG PEWTER-SELANGOR PEWTER

Leboh Chulia Street - Georgetown, a place where most backpackers hang out, otherwise known as Backpackers Street . A great feeling to this street, relaxed, friendly and full of good used bookshops . We had a very cheap and tasty lunch. All the traveler cafes are located here. Popular ones include Hard Life Café and Hong Kong Barlots. Needless to say, we stopped numerous times for a refreshing beverage!

Little India Bordered by Queen Street, Chulia St. and Penang St. This area is full of colourful Indian silk cloth, sari, gold, spice and other clothing shops as well as some of Penang's best Indian food. Incense permeates the air. sari hang alongside small stalls.

Day Markets We had a rummage down the back alleys, ended up in a cool airconditioned Western Bar for a few cool drinks! Having spent the whole day walking we decided to grab a cab to complete yet another fulfilling day.

Penang Bird Park - beautifully designed aviaries, 5-acres of landscaped grounds, with over four hundred species of birds from all over the world. Man-made islands, waterfalls, gardens, and ornamental plants.

Penang Hill.- 831 metres above sea level, accessible by funicular railway which takes 30 minutes. Magnificient panoramic view of the city and coastal area of the mainland.

Butterfly Farm-Noted as the world's first tropical live butterfly exhibition and holds over 100 species of butterflies and local insects in their natural habitat. There are about 4,000 to 5,000 live butterflies at any one time.

Botanic Gardens- A 30-hectare garden created in 1884 by the British, a tribute to Charles Curtis, its first superintendent who collected botanical specimens from the surrounding hills - specimens which have since become significant samples in the world's major herbariums. The gardens are also well-known for their bold Rhesus monkey.