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Category: Around Malaysia

Cycling & Explore Balik Pulau, The Other Side Of Penang

Cycling At Balik Pulau, The Other Side Of Penang – Last Monday, I went to the other side of Penang Island, a more rural part of Penang, a more nature part, somewhere more relax, more greens and a totally different side of the urban developed George Town – Balik Pulau. Balik Pulau also means back of Island in Malay.

It’s a small town at the back of the island, with the presence of villages, padi field and many fruit and vegetable farms. I’ve read online that there’s bicycle rental service in Balik Pulau that allows you to rent a bike to explore Balik Pulau at the same time exercise some reflexes of the feet through cycling.

I called up the person in-charged Eddie who operates the bicycle rental service and meet him up in Balik Pulau. He brought 3 bikes, one for himself, and two for me and Arron. Besides renting the bike, Eddie himself was our guide around Balik Pulau that day. I didn’t think we would have a guide, I though we would be given a map and follow the trail. But then having a guide is better than following a map, Eddie was very friendly to guide us along the way, and introduced some cool places in Balik Pulau.

Our biking trail was designed by Eddie himself and the whole trip took about 2.5 hours through 20km of journey. We started about 5pm and ended at 7.30pm. Normally it’s 15km only but he told us that we were fast and he brought us to explore more.

Being in Balik Pulau doesn’t felt like being in Penang anymore because of the rural village and the beauty of nature. Our biking trail went through Malay village, Chinese Kampung Baru, river streams, padi fields, fruit farms, vegetable farms, fishing village, Malay’s cemetery and a little beach, as well as some major road in Balik Pulau.

It’s fun, it’s a good exercise, but sitting too long on the bicycle makes my ass hurts. After all, Arron and I enjoyed the cycling trip, only that we missed out the Hokkien Mee and Laksa alongside Kuala Jalan Baru which only available during the weekend.

Arron and Eddie in front. Cycling on a less-car road.

Arron Lim.

Well, the Bike Trail signage are actually set up by the government, though Eddie doesn’t recommend following the signage as the trail is long and doesn’t has much thing to see.

Eddie introducing a Chinese temple at Kampung Jalan Bharu.

He said that if you sees a Chinese temple presence, it means that the whole area is a Chinese populated village. Normally temple is set up at the entry point of the village as well the end point, which the Chinese god will protect the people.

A dirty stream

Typical Chinese village house.

A rice paddy field at Balik Pulau, unfortunately, those paddy has been harvested and resulted a not-pretty paddy field scene.

It’s me.

Luckily the weather was pretty nice that afternoon. Google Weather did actually reported that 70% chance of storm, but there’s no rain.

Cycling through the paddy field.

Arron.

Yes, this is Penang Island, doesn’t look like Penang right? It’s the other side of Penang, the more nature side.

A hut storing stuff.

Awas = Beware.

Cow.

Our rides.

At the river mouth of Sungai Burong, where here you can get a great shot of Sunset. Unfortunately, we were still early at that time.

Looking at far, it’s Pulau Betong, a fishing village and at there you can find Pasir Panjang beach.

An abandoned house that looks creepy.

Locals playing sepak takraw.

Along the main road.

I’ve heard that Nibong Tebal has bicycle for rental for cycling trip too, guess it’ll my next destination. Cycling is fun and healthy way to explore places like this.

If you plan to go cycle at Balik Pulau, do give Eddie a call to book your bike and make appointment. He told me that there will be a Explore Balik Pulau Visitor Centre opening somewhere around May 2012 at Air Putih.

Explore Balik Pulau (by Avent Leisure Sdn Bhd)

Telephone: +6016-4522100 (Eddie)

Email: aventleisure@gmail.com

Opening Hours: Monday – Friday 2pm – 6.30pm / Sat, Sun, Holiday 12pm -6.30pm

Rental: RM30/day with guided tour.

February 25, 2012
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 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
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
KLCC And KL City Walk

#1.

KLCC And KL City Walk – Few weeks back, I went to Kuala Lumpur downtown alone and armed with a camera. I drove to the LRT station, parked my car there and took the public transport to town. I didn’t want to drive to downtown because I am very sick with the traffic congestion and also don’t want to pay for the expensive parking fee, so I went for public transport.

#2. The quiet LRT station – Taman Bahagia.

You know, the week before I went to KL, I drove there, it took me 1 hour plus to reach the Chinese VISA Centre at OSK Tower a.k.a. Bank Of China at Jalan Ampang from Bandar Sunway, from there, it took me another hour to reach Bukit Bintang. It’s really sickening. Only then I know there’s a LRT station right below the place to do the Chinese VISA, so it’s pretty convenient for me to take the LRT.

#3. Taken from OSK Building.

#4. OSK Building and Bank Of China, the place to do Chinese VISA.

Woohoo, I am going to China for travel soon, so I need to do VISA. Because I was in KL at that time, so I went directly to the Chinese VISA Centre to do the VISA. Normally if I am in Penang, I would just drop my passport at the travel agent, of course extra charges will be applied, and take a longer time too. One thing, please don’t go to the Chinese Embassy on Jalan Ampang, they don’t do VISA there, you have to go to 2nd level of the OSK building.

After I’ve done with the VISA thingy, I went to Bukit Bintang area for a little walk and look for lunch.

#5. The real Tong Pak Fu Hong Kong Dessert in KLCC just opened not long. There’s also a dessert shop with similar name in Penang named Tang Bo Fu. Haha.

Although Ampang Park Station (Chinese VISA place) and KLCC Station is just one stop away, but I was so lazy to walk so I take the LRT back to KLCC, alight and start touring around the place.

#6: Lovely KLCC Park.

#7: World tallest twin towers in wide angle!

From KLCC, I started my journey walking from the shopping mall to the convention center, where there will connect me to Jalan Kia Peng to Pavilion shopping mall and then to Bukit Bintang area.

#8. Construction in progress.

#9. Didn’t get a chance to walk on the air-conditioned underpass.

You know there’s actually an underpass from Suria KLCC to the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. The funny thing is the underpass is located in the car park where air-conditioning is not available. And now, they have started to construct a air-conditioned walkway for the underpass. They should have work it out earlier!

#10

#11

Normally, going to Pavilion need to pass through Jalan Kia Peng and you have to walk under the sun and rain. Now they are building a air-conditioned bridge which connects KLCC to Pavilion shopping mall which is very good! They only opened part of it so it’s not fully connected to Pavilion. I was curious, I went on the bridge and see where it’s connected to at the moment.

It brought me to Corus Hotel, I went down the bridge and found a new hotspot in town – the KL City Walk.

#12. Free WIFI available at KL City Walk.

#13. The KL City Walk.

KL City Walk has a many restaurant located in a alley in between office blocks. Originally, the KL City Walk is just a lorong or lane behind office blocks. It’s then converted into a walking street featuring many restaurants for dining pleasure. It’s a very good idea of converting ugly back lanes into place like this.

#14. The KL City Walk is quite shady with tall buildings blocking the scorching heat of the sun.

#15.

The KL City Walk is well decorated with fans as well as some green plants and trees.

#16. An unknown brand bubble tea shop with the price of famous Chatime and Gong Cha. o.O

You can find many office worker dining here during lunch hour and tea time. It’s a hidden spot in town. I wouldn’t have know this place if the connecting bridge from KLCC to Pavilion doesn’t exist. Haha.

#17.

I reached Pavilion and saw construction was going on down there. Seems like there’s many construction are going on in the city. Woo.

December 2, 2011
Sunset At Kuan Hwa Seafood, Kuala Selangor

#1: The Kuan Hwa Kuala Selangor Seafood Restaurant.

Sunset At Kuan Hwa Seafood, Kuala Selangor – This is not a blog post about food, but it’s just happened to be at the famous seafood restaurant, Kuan Hwa at Kuala Selangor. During the trip to Kuala Selangor, the whole class went to for seafood dinner at this restaurant, but half of us did not eat at there, because we didn’t feel like eating seafood at that time.

#2: Snapping photos.

#3: Restaurants and houses on the water.

#4: Birds flying.

#5.

So what we did there was just talking and snapping photos, at the same time seeing others eat. The sunset at there was pretty and I had a feeling of very peaceful and relax at there. It’s like getting myself away from the hustle and bustle city life and the heavy assignments.
#6: MJ’s enjoying his take-away KFC at the seafood restaurant.

#7: Ruezhen too, was enjoying his KFC.

#8

#9

The calm water and the quiet forest, with a little bit of breezy air blowing along, makes the atmosphere very enjoyable.

#10

#11

#12

#13

Sometimes, it’s good to be away from the busy city, out to the country side, for a little retreat. You know, college is so much different from high school, so much work, it gets stressful sometimes, and there’s no chance for failure because tuition fee is quite expensive, and that’s why a little retreat is good!

Anyway, if there’s chance, I will want to visit the place again.

December 1, 2011
Look Out Point, Ampang

#1: Someone celebrating birthday at there. Cool.

Look Out Point, Ampang – Have you ever wonder where to get a good and magnificent view of the big capital of Malaysia – Kuala Lumpur? It would be Look Out Point at Ampang. It’s not very far from town, on a little hill and at there you can get a wide perspective of the whole city and it’s really a nice place to chill.

What you will be seeing is not anything like the cityscape of Hong Kong or Singapore because the place is kinda far from the city centre and so, the cityscape became tiny and far.

#2: Welcome to Kuala Lumpur. The night view of Kuala Lumpur.

#3: Me and you, Hueisean.

#4: Hueisean the pretty girl.

Look Out Point is only accessible by road and at there has a various restaurant serving western and local cuisine. I have visited Haven Restaurant with dearest, Hueisean on a Saturday night but the food wasn’t that awesome. What’s great was the atmosphere and the awesome view.

#5: Nick Chan!

Driving there take a bit challenge at first as it doesn’t show up in my GPS device, but if you follow Google Maps, you can arrive there easily and the road accessing Look Out Point has no lamp, so it’s just lights from the vehicles on the road. =D Parking is rather cheap at RM2 per entry and you can opt for valet parking at the top for an extra RM3 but you probably difficult to get one as the parking always get full on top. We park our car down there and walk up the stairs, tiring a bit, yet fun with a little breezy wind.

#6: Stairs going down to the carpark.

#7: Look Out Point Western Food.

Eat, talk, chill, take photos and I like it. =D

November 28, 2011
Bukit Melawati At Kuala Selangor

#1: On the tram.

Bukit Melawati At Kuala Selangor – Hello people, I am back, I am back, I am finally back to blogging! Let’s get into the main topic of the day, 2 weeks ago, I went to a field trip to Kuala Selangor with my Diploma In Interior Design semester 3 classmate as well as my lecturer Miss Sofia. Well, I have been to Kuala Selangor before, the fishing village there but I have never been up to Bukit Melawati, the main attraction of the little country side town.

#2: On the tram, still, going up to Bukit Melawati.

Kuala Selangor is a quiet and peaceful town 45 minutes away from the hustle and bustle city life of Kuala Lumpur. What’s famous here are seafood, Bukit Melawati, fireflies seeing, as well as the Kuala Selangor Nature Park (which I think kinda sucks).

#3: Lighthouse on top.

#4: Monkey and the lighthouse.

#5: Monkey!!!

#6: Monkey!!!!!!!!!! Black.

We took a tram that took us from Kuala Selangor Nature Park up to the Bukit Melawati. The mini hill top is not very high, but yet it gives a spectacular view at the Malacca Straits and the special thing up there are the lighthouse and the monkeys! Yes, I mentioned about monkey.

#7: Nice view with Malacca Straits at far end.

#8: Zhi Sheng!

#9: The blogger me.

#10: Ken, Wesley, me and Steve.

#11: Wesley acting cool.

Upon arrival at the top, you will see many monkey wandering around the place, waiting tourist to feed them the monkey food that can be bought at RM1 at there. The monkey food basically is the Chinese Long Bean.

#12: Monkeys acting cool.

#13: The people.

Surprisingly, monkey at there looks different from the one in Botanical Garden, Penang which the monkeys there have black hair and are not aggressive. They won’t snatch or attack you for food.

#14: My lecturer. Haha.

#15: Junior.

#16: Zetty and Ana on the right.

#17: Rashid.

#18: MONKEYYYYY!!!

We spent some time up there enjoying the windy breeze and fooling around with the monkey. The place is quite nice. =D

November 28, 2011

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