Penang Malaysia

Hey guyss! I'm back with some resolution for you that struggling with boring holiday.

You know that Malaysia is not really far from Indonesia, especially for we, who live in Medan. Some of us may think Malaysia just like our second country because too often going there. People tend to think that going to Penang is going to hospital, having body check-up, and others that related to health. However, Penang has some unique places that you may miss. Here we go!
For you, who love to SHOPPING can choose Penang as your destination. Then you may go to Gurney Plaza, Gurney Paragon, Penang Times Square, 1st Avenue, Perangin Mall, Queensbay, and others.

Penang Times Square

Gurney Paragon

When I went to Gurney Paragon, there was a 'Penang on 6' event

Besides shopping, you can enjoy variety foods in malls, such as Brownies Ice Cream from Cream & Fudge or some steaks from Morganfield's.

Or having some "Bak Kut Teh" near Gurney Paragon.

In Penang, you can travel by walk, bus, or taxi. And I choose to use bus, because it's much cheaper than taxi. You can reach every location in Penang by bus. Penang citizen also use bus as their daily transportation. Here's the map of the bus information.

Penang has a lot of attraction places. For examples, Kek Lok Si, Penang Hill, Clan Jetties, and Armenian Street in George Town.
Kek Lok Si is a Buddhist temple that the construction started in 1913. Kek Lok Si temple built completely in 1927. We can reach Kek Lok Si by using bus number 201, 203, 204 and 502. It costs 2RM from Komtar and takes about 25 mins. Kek Lok Si located in Air Itam area. We can reach the Kek Lok Si Temple by stepping hundred of stairs. It takes about 20 until 30 mins depends on the person. Along the stairs, there are a lot of people selling souvenir such as Penang t-shirt, key chain, glasses, hat, and so on. And in the middle of the way to Kek Lok Si Temple, there is a turtle pool where you can feed the turtle with "Kangkung". It can be bought there, and it costs 1 RM.

If you want to go to the Pagoda (the white Pagoda), you must pay 2RM. 

The view from Pagoda

In Kek Lok Si Temple, there is also a big Kuan Im Statue. You have two choices to go there, first by walk (it's about 30 mins or more) and by using elevator ( it costs 3RM for 1 way). At there, you can see the Kuan Im statue, 12 zodiacs and the view of Penang.

It's a rabbit

At Kuan Im statue, you can donate 50RM for the temple's construction. Do you see the yellow plat? It's actually a roof tile. So, whenever you donate 50RM for temple you will accept more fortune, wealth, and health in return if you believe.

At Kek Lok Si, you also can find traditional market where almost of them sell foods. In there, there's many people sell "Tambun pia" which you can buy it as souvenir. "Asam Laksa" is also one of the very popular dishes in Kek Lok Si. I heard a lot of people claimed that it's the best Asam Laksa in town, but in my opinion it doesn't really delicious. It tastes sour and the aroma of the meat and onion was so strong. But if you like onion then you may be like it. And kwetiaw also sold there!

1.Asam Laksa costs 4.5RM 2.Popia costs 1.5RM each

Kwetiaw costs 4.5RM

After that, you can go to Armenian Street which is very popular nowadays of the street art. Armenian Street  located in George Town. When I was there, it was crowded with people that selling old or used items. In Indonesia, we call it "Pasar Loak".

The most popular Street Art

Miaw miaww

Oh ho! The kids are trying to steal my pao!

There are still a lot of the street art pictures, but I personally can't find it. You also can rent bicycle there to look around the Armenian Street. In Armenian Street, you also can found some old snack such as ice ball (3RM) and muay chee (5RM). There was also a live music performance that using household like pan, milk cans, badminton racket and others.

This uncle is so creative

 You also can go to Clan Jetties. It's just 200 meters from Armenian Street. Clan Jetties is a tourist attraction that still lived by the citizen. They live over the sea. When I went there, it has lower water. It's my first time seeing a residential place as a tourist attraction. In front of almost the citizen houses, there's sign "NO PHOTOGRAPH".

You can have a big tummy after visiting Gurney Drive or people used to call it "Huana kak". Gurney Drive offers you various of Penang food. And the must-eat Penang food is Kweatiaw and Fried Oyster. OMG! It's so delicious.

1.Rujak(depends on the items you pick) 2.Ais campur(3RM) 3.Kwetiaw(6RM) 4.Oyster(10RM)

And other place that turn your tummy becomes a happy tummy is Jalan Penang, in front of Sunway Hotel.

1.Curry Mee(5.5 RM) 2.White Carrot Egg(7RM)

I forget the name, but it tastes good. It costs 3RM each

I went to Penang this April (2015). And my accommodation was St.Wembley. It's a new hotel. The room is quite good and large. It costs about $80. It is located in front of Komtar which is very strategic place, because Komtar is the centre for all the bus transportation.

Penang still concern with the heritage culture, so there is still a lot of citizen that live in old style houses. There's also another avenue that I didn't go. You can try to have some walk in Penang. The foods are also delicious and the people are also friendly.

That's it, my short trip in Penang that may help you to know more about Penang. If you have anything to ask please comment on below and I really appreciate for everyone who is reading this blog. Thankyou!

Yours sincerely,

Phoby