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Category: Beautiful Penang

Pearl Hill Tua Pek Kong Temple

Pearl Hill Tua Pek Kong Temple – Pearl Hill’s Tua Pek Kong Temple is another cool Tua Pek Kong temple in Penang, located on the hill top of Pearl Hill at Tanjung Bungah. I found out that this temple is kinda cool because it’s located on top of a hill instead of at the ground level.

Many people might not realize about the presence of this temple because it’s at the Pearl Hill. Pearl Hill is a high-end residential area which houses many bungalow by the hillside. What’s so special about this Pearl Hill Tua Pek Kong Temple is that from here, you can get a good view of Tanjung Bungah and the sea.

You also can enjoy a nice breeze of air. It’s really relaxing up there and recently there’s news of turning the area of the Tua Pek Kong Temple into recreation park so more people can enjoy the scenery and nature. Gotto thanks my friend Merritt for introducing me about this place last time. I can see that Penang people really like Tua Pek Kong.

[googlemaps https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=215278323465761497274.0004b80a852f7e1d51867&ie=UTF8&t=m&ll=5.460386,100.295402&spn=0.005126,0.006866&z=17&iwloc=0004b9ae18dfbcb73fb14&output=embed&w=640&h=480]

Have you been here before? Penang has many hidden places.

February 24, 2012
Sea Pearl Tua Pek Kong Temple, Tanjung Tokong

Sea Pearl Tua Pek Kong Temple – Tua Pek Kong is one of the Chinese god in Malaysia which also means “Grand Uncle”. This Sea Pearl Tua Pek Kong Temple, Tanjung Tokong is known as the first Tua Pek Kong temple in Malaysia and it’s also origin of the Tua Pek Kong.

Wikipedia says that Tua Pek Kong was named Zhang Li from the Hakka clan and his Sumatra-bound boat was struck by wind and accidentally landed on Penang which at the time, that area only had 50 inhabitants. After his death, local people began worshipping him and slowly Tua Pek Kong is spread all over Malaysia.

You know, so many years of being in Penang, I’ve never been to this place. It’s located in Tanjung Tokong, somewhere after Straits Quay, by the sea. Some call this place Sea Pearl, some call this place Pearl Lagoon. It’s a low-cost housing area at there.

At Sea Pearl, you can find more than a century 0ld Tua Pek Kong temple, as well as a Chinese seafood restaurant. I went there to explore for a while and found a bunker-like watch point which I believe the British used it long ago. It has a good video Tanjung Bunga shoreline. Pretty cool.

[googlemaps https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=215278323465761497274.0004b80a852f7e1d51867&ie=UTF8&t=m&ll=5.464156,100.307697&spn=0.005126,0.006866&z=17&iwloc=0004b9ac99f879c7bec49&output=embed&w=640&h=480]

February 24, 2012
A Visit To Snake Temple, Bayan Lepas

A Visit To Snake Temple, Bayan Lepas – Snake Temple is a famous Taoist temple in Penang that has the presence of snake in it. This visit to the temple is my first time and no one has actually brought me there but myself, not long ago. The temple is located at Bayan Lepas, about 2km away from the Penang International Airport.

It’s a spontaneous trip as I was near to that area, so I pay a visit to the temple with Hueisean. It’s not really up to my expectation because I expect the temple to be more gross because of many snakes. Though the snakes were not many at the temple, 10-20 maybe? Some at the altar table, a few at the tree. I’ve heard my teacher in high school telling me that during the 70s, before the built of Free Trade Zone, the temple did indeed filled with many snakes.

Those snakes are actually poisonous with venom. But with the smoke of joss stick, it calms the snake down and they lie there like a boss all day long waiting for chicken meat. The best of all, entrance is free. Did some praying and off we go.

Entrance of snake temple.

Lanterns at the snake temple.

Snakes and chicken eggs.

More snakes.

Pit viper snakes!

Hidden in the tree, camouflage.

The ornamented roof.

Lazy dog doing sun bathing early in the morning.

Exterior of the snake temple.

Actually, I’m kinda afraid of snakes, but then I like to see snakes show on National Geographic & Animal Planet channel. Hahaha.

February 24, 2012
Visit To Kek Lok Si Temple & Pagoda

Visit To Kek Lok Si Temple & Pagoda – Last night I went to the super famous temple in Penang – Kek Lok Si Temple at Air Itam with a some friends. It’d been quite some times I didn’t go to Kek Lok Si Temple. During the Chinese New Year, Kek Lok Si Temple will turn on all the decoration lighting decoration. It’s very beautiful during this festival.

My visit was not perfect because the Kuan Yin Pagoda Temple was not on, as the lighting decoration at that part of the temple is turned off after the 15th day of Chinese New Year. However, the Kek Lok Si Temple is still pretty afterall. It’s not really a photography trip to the temple for me because I’ve already did a serious photography session at Kek Lok Si two years back.

Nevertheless, I still brought my camera along, Canon 60D mounted with Sigma 30mm f1.4 to shoot, it’s never be bored shooting around at Kek Lok Si. Photography is fun! This time, I take photos of lanterns hanging on the ceiling more. And with a fixed prime lens, it challenged me a bit but luckily 30mm was wide enough to do most of the photography.

For the first time, I went to the pagoda area of Kek Lok Si Temple, I have not been there before on my previous visits. One need to pay an entrance of RM2/person to get there and it’s another beautifully decorated garden at Kek Lok Si Temple. You can also climb to the top of the pagoda to get a magnificent view of Penang too! Super awesome!

Yeah, Penang is pretty right? So do Kek Lok Si Temple too. =) Happy Friday everyone!

February 10, 2012
Went To Penang Hill For Sunrise But…

Went To Penang Hill For Sunrise But… – The Sun has already risen up in the air. Darnn. Next time I should have wake up earlier. I woke up at about 6am in the morning and planned to go up to Penang Hill to see the sunrise and capture the beauty moment of it. I prepared myself and started my journey at about 6.40am.

I Googled and get to know that the Sun rises at about 7.36am so it was still early for me. The sky was still dark out there. When Hueisean and I reached was already a little past 7am. Happily seeing the tram was there, but sadly get to know that the next tram operation hour is at 7.30am. Very failed.

By the time we reached the top of the hill was already 7.45am. The Sun was already up in the air, saying hello to us. So no more Sunrise watch. Arghh. The air was pretty chilly and cold up there, felts good and I will definitely go up again.

Not many people up there in the morning except for a few of the residents and a few visitors like us. Hawker stalls haven’t open at that time, nothing much to do, after capturing some shots, we went back down.

February 1, 2012
Visit To Pulau Aman, A Peaceful Village Island

#1: Arrived at the jetty!

Visit To Pulau Aman, A Peaceful Village Island – The state of Penang does not only consist of Penang Island, but there’s many small islets laying around the main big Penang Island, e.g. Pulau Jerejak, Pulau Aman, Pulau Betong, Pulau Tikus, Pulau Gedung, Pulau Rimau and Pulau Kendi. Some is inhabited with people, some is not.

Pulau Aman, also known as ‘Island of Peace’ is a island off Batu Kawan of the mainland of Penang, I have seen the name from Penang’s Tourism brochure, as well as the road sign while driving on the North-South Highway, but I have no idea what’s Pulau Aman is about until then.

#2: You pay for the ticket once you on board the mini speedboat.

#3: Timetable of the jetty.

#4.

After doing some research on the Internet, Pulau Aman is actually a small Malay fishing village and famous for the Mee Udang (Prawn Noodle, different from the Penang Hokkien Prawn Noodle). There’s is also one historical attraction, the Telaga Emas and a short stretch of sandy beach, as well as chalet for rent. Nothing much else.

#5: No fishing at the jetty.

#6: You can see a lot of jellyfish here, so it’s strictly no swimming here.

#7: It’s Penang Hill at far.

I visited the island with a bunch of friends last week and our main point of the visit was actually to eat the Mee Udang and the Mantis Prawn, which the island famous for too. From Penang Island, I travelled to the mainland Seberang Perai then headed south to Batu Kawan Stadium direction. From there, you will see direction board pointing to ‘Jeti Ke Pulau Aman (Jetty to Pulau Aman)’.

We then reached the Jeti Batu Musang, the jetty on the mainland that ferries people to the island. There’s a new jetty complex which is yet to open to public as it’s still under construction.

Ticket price to and fro the island is priced at RM6/person and there’s various traveling time per day, the earliest boat is 8am. We went on the second boat at 10am. It takes about 15 minutes to arrive at Pulau Aman.

#8: The jetty.

#9: Getting onto the speedboat.

#10: Me and dear, Hueisean.

#11: Traveling across the sea.

#12.

#13.

Upon arriving at the island, a sense of peacefulness and sound of nature approach me as the island and the city is totally two different place. Hustle bustle of city sound cannot be heard at here. It’s sea water, windy sea breeze, chicken, and the laughter of the local inhabitant at the village can be heard.

We were hungry and we went straight to the famous Restaurant Terapung for Mee Udang as our brunch.

#14: A map of attractions.

#15.

#16: Old Malay-style house.

#17.

#18: That’s the new jetty on Pulau Aman, but not open yet.

#19: That’s Bukit Mertajam from far.

#20.

#21.

#22: Instax of us!

Because of time is limited to us on that day, I did not have much time to visit the whole island, I will visit the island again and do some real exploring on it.

January 21, 2012
Visit Tow Boo Kong Before Chinese New Year

Visit Tow Boo Kong Before Chinese New Year – Tow Boo Kong, the very famous temple in Raja Uda which also known as Nine Emperor Gods Temple is now decorated with Chinese New Year lighting and become very beautiful and magnificent at night. Besides that, the whole open compound of the temple is converted into a night market site that runs until Chinese New Year where people can shop, pray, see and eat.

It becomes very happenings at night. I was lucky to be around Raja Uda, Butterworth area last night so I went there to check out as I heard it’s very beautiful at night. Indeed it look very grand. The temple only lights up during festival like Chinese New Year and Nine Emperor Gods festival so you must not miss out right now.

Yeah! Gong Xi Fa Chai!

January 18, 2012
Morning Twilight Sky In Penang

Morning Twilight Sky In Penang – Morning twilight is the time somewhere about Sunrise where night and day meet at the horizon. I was driving early from Penang Island to Seberang Perai yesterday’s morning at about 7am. The sky was so blue and the dawn sky was so pretty. I quickly took out my camera – Panasonic Lumix LX5, slowed down my vehicle on the road and start snapping away. I know it’s not right to do so but I just couldn’t help myself capturing the beauty of dawn in Penang.

Penang is beautiful, isn’t she?

January 18, 2012
The Hidden Beach – Pasir Panjang Beach, Balik Pulau

#1: Balik Pulau from the mid-hill viewing platform.

The Hidden Beach – Pasir Panjang Beach, Balik Pulau – In Penang, when we discuss about beach, I am sure you will think about the famous Batu Feringhi beach, further on you will find Monkey Beach and Pantai Kerachut hidden in the Penang National Park at Teluk Bahang. Another well-known one is the Pantai Acheh, well-known because of the site being hit by tsunami in year 2006.

However, on the back of the Penang Island, located far south of Balik Pulau, there’s a hidden beach filled with some locals who go there for picnic – the Pasir Panjang Beach.

#2: Yeqing and Yikhung.

#3: The small island is Pulau Betong.

Lastweekend, brother, brother’s girlfriend, me and cousin went for a road trip to the back of the island – Balik Pulau, which reveals a quiet side of Penang. Initially, our plan was to find the Balik Pulau Visitor Centre, rent a bike and go for a bike trail, but we failed to locate the centre and randomly, we followed the sign of towards ‘Pulau Betong’, hoping that we could find a good spot to enjoy the sunset.

#4. Ugly bay.

#5.

#6. Fisherman’s boat.

We did in fact came to a fishing village, the Pulau Betong Fishing Village which has a fish market at there. The fish market is often visited by the locals, in fact, I did came here before a few years back. A further deep into the fishing village, we found ourselves, nearer to the sea. There’s a dirty beach as well as a jetty. Since the beach was dirty and at that location, we couldn’t really see the sunset as it was block by cape. We then decided to drive further down the road, pass the cape to find another spot.

#7.

#8: It says that ‘Beware! This beach is quite dangerous’.

We then came to a dead end, where a Kem Bina Negara Balik Pulau is located at. The camp is use for the government purpose as the name means ‘Building Nation’ Camp. Ignoring the camp, at the side of the camp, there lies the Pasir Panjang Beach.

#9.

#10.

#11.

I am surprise to see there’s a stretch of sandy beach at this side of the island, fill with local Malay family at there, swimming and picnic-ing. The beach is pretty short, yet it’s a good spot, it’s a cleaner beach after all. The wave at here is also bigger than the wave at Batu Ferringhi, which makes it a little bit dangerous. However, the sand at the beach was not soft enough, it’s very rough.

#12.

#13. Wai Leong.

#14.

I see people swimming, picnic and fishing at there. There isn’t any safeguards at there as far as I know. The people who can call for help is the visitor at there or the people who live in the Kem Bina Negara. So, it’s swim at your own risk in the sea.

#15.

#16.

#17. So relaxing.

Despite the sand on the beach is not soft enough, the beach is not very long and wide, yet it has an awesome view of the sunset sinking down the horizon. It’s a good visit that day. I’ve included a Google Map below for your reference. =)

[googlemaps https://maps.google.com.my/maps?q=5.301049,100.184323&num=1&vpsrc=6&ie=UTF8&ll=5.300622,100.186086&spn=0.016858,0.026908&t=m&z=14&iwloc=near&output=embed&w=640&h=480]

January 8, 2012
Good Morning Penang! Sunrise From Gurney Drive

Good Morning Penang! Sunrise From Gurney Drive – Woke up, shot the sunrise spontaneously, and sleep back again. Good morning! Noon reaching in half an hour time. Hehe.

It’s weekend already and I hope you guys have a wonderful weekend ahead. Sunrise is pretty, though the muddy and dry area at Gurney Drive’s seashore is an eyesore. Come on people, let’s do something on the muddy area on Gurney Drive, bring back the glory and beauty of Gurney Drive like in the 80’s.

Do you know that there’s actually a sandy beach in Gurney Drive back then? Sea turtles did actually come here to lay their eggs.

January 7, 2012

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