EM mudballs to treat Penang waterways and seafront

EM mudballs treat Penang waterways seafront

by Yap Soo Huey

Should EM Mudballs Be Used for Treating Rivers and Seafro

Penang: I Can Live Green Campaign

I Can Live Green Campaign

Sunday 25 April 2010 8.00am

Taman Jajar
Medan York
Penang
(Next to Sri York Condominium)

Nama Saya Jaja
Come Join me to Heal the Mother Earch for US and for our CHILDREN

Program
8.00am Soul Awakening Aerobics
9.00am Official Launching by Exco YB Phee Boon Poh & Tree Planting Together
9.15am Talk on How Effective Microbe (EM) Can Treat Rivers and Trees
9.45am Make and Throw EM Mudballs
10.00am Children Drawing Competition
12.30am Prize Giving and Lucky Draws

Breakfas & Lunch will be served
Program is subject to change.

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I Can Live Green Campaign

Sunday 25 April 2010 8.00am

Taman Jajar
Medan York
Penang
(Next to Sri York Condominium)

Nama Saya Jaja
Come Join me to Heal the Mother Earch for US and for our CHILDREN

Program
8.00am Soul Awakening Aerobics
9.00am Official Launching by Exco YB Phee Boon Poh & Tree Planting Together
9.15am Talk on How Effective Microbe (EM) Can Treat Rivers and Trees
9.45am Make and Throw EM Mudballs
10.00am Children Drawing Competition
12.30am Prize Giving and Lucky Draws

Breakfas & Lunch will be served
Program is subject to change.

Introduction

With the current threat of Global Warming and other environmental problems that is affecting all Malaysian and the whole world, we at JCI Tanjung Bunga are commited to take action to help alleviate the global environment problems. We are launching the 4-month project called "I CAN LIVE GREEN" to share knowledge on how to live a Green lifestyle that protects the environment and benefits us in terms of

Home and family comfort
Saving household expenses
Physical and mental health

ACTIVITIES IN THIS CAMPAIGN

1. Campaign Launching on 25th April 2010
2. Rehabilitate Taman Jajar and part of Sungai Air Itam
3. Conduct environmental demo on Green Living in Youth Park twice every month
4. Make Taman Jajar into a food compost maintained park
5. Setup recycling system in residential area
6. Create a source of income for the disabled and aged

VOLUNTTERS NEEDED

The intention of this campaign is for the good of mankind ang the Mother Earth. If you are keen to make a POSITIVE CHANGE to our environment and wish to lend us a hand, COME AND JOIN US AS VOLUNTEERS. Together we can make a difference

For more information and updates on I CAN LIVE GREEN Campaign:

Website
www.icanlivegreen.org.my

Facebook:
Taman Jajar

Contact us:
Seng Chye 016 428 4008
Tung NF 012 487 1213
Leay Fong 019 516 3850
Sue Yie 016 410 82=388
Goh KG 012 466 3633

Penang Speakers' Square Launching

The Penang State Government will be launching the SPEAKERS' SQUARE on Monday, 3 May 2010 at 9.00AM

Venue : Millennium Square, Esplanade, Penang

Location map, Esplanade, Penang Island

View Larger Map

Penang Botanic Gardens guided walk

The Friends of the Penang Botanic Gardens Society will be organizing a guided walk through the Botanic Gardens up to the Waterfall this Saturday, 24th April 2010 from 9 am - 11 am.

Meeting at: Botanika Outreach (opposite Moongate)
673A, Jalan Kebun Bunga, 10350, Penang
Fees: RM 5/ members RM 10/ non-members

For registration, please contact Miss Lim Keng Pheng, Outreach Coordinator at Tel: 2279915, from 8.30 – 4.30, Tuesday to Saturday or email – botanika(@}tm(.)net(.)my

Location Map

View Penang Botanic Gardens Jalan Kebun Bunga in a larger map

Announcement: Penang Forum 2 "2 years after March 8

The Working Group for the Penang Forum is holding a public forum “Penang Forum 2″ from 9.00am to 5.00pm at the Caring Society Complex along Jalan Utama on Sunday, 7 March.

All Penangites are invited to participate, share their views and make suggestions to realise this vision for Penang. Those interested should contact 04-6585251 or aliran (at) streamyx (dot) com to register. (Registration fee is RM10, senior citizens and students, RM5.)

Penang Forum 2 Program: Has Anything Changed After 2 Years?

Sunday, 7 March 2010, Kompleks Masyarakat Penyayang,
Organiser: Penang Forum Working Group

8.15-9.00am – Registration

9.00-9.10am – Welcome

9.10–10.40am – Overview of the Challenges

Chair: Ahmad Chik

Federal-State relations: Francis Loh
Budget and Economy: Lim Mah Hui
What has been Achieved: Lim Kah Cheng
Missed Opportunities: Anil Netto
Open Discussion (30 mins)

10.45-11.15am – Coffee Break

11.15-11.45am – The Penang Forum Experience: James Lochhead

Chair: Loh-Lim Lin Lee Open Discussion (15 mins)

11.45-12.30pm – Transport: A Case Study: Ahmad Chik

Chair: Laurence Loh Open Discussion (30 mins)

12.30-2.00pm – Lunch

2.00-3.00pm – Seberang Prai Issues

Chair: Kris Khaira

Housing and Flooding: Sarajun Hoda
Environment and Youth: (to be confirmed)
Development and Labour: T Jayabalan
Open Discussion (20 mins)

3.00- 4.00pm – Local Democracy & Local Plan: Peoples’ Involvement

Chair: Loh CK

Opportunities for Local Democracy: Lim Kah Cheng
Examples of Local Democracy in Selangor: Ong Jing Cheng
The Penang Local Plan: Goh Ban Lee
Open Discussion (20 mins)

4.00-5.00pm – Moving forward

Facilitators: Soon Chuan Yean and Prema Devaraj

Group Discussion (30 mins)
Open Discussion (30 mins)

5.00pm Tea and Close

The Penang Forum is an informal network of some 40 Penang-based NGOs and concerned individuals who came together in April 2008 to chart a possible way forward for Penang.

After the 2008 event, a Penang Forum Declaration was submitted to the state government calling for a new partnership with the Penang people based on the principles of popular participation, transparency, accountability, sustainability and social justice.

Location map, Jalan Utama, Penang

View Larger Map

Announcement: Public Forum on “Strengthen Local Democracy and Restore Local Government Election”

Invitation to Public Forum on “Strengthen Local Democracy and Restore Local Government Election”

Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM) and Penang Chinese Town Hall Youth Section cordially invite all residents to attend our public forum on “Strengthen Local Democracy and Restore Local Government Election” (in English) on .

The participation of the Penang Chinese Town Hall Youth Section in this event is in support of the project entitled “A 20 Year Plan of Action for Malaysia” by the Federation of Chinese Association of Malaysia (Hua Zong).

The panelists are:

1. Y.B. Chow Kon Yeow, Penang State EXCO for Local Government and Traffic Management;


2. Mr. Baljit Singh, Legal and Human Rights Bureau Chief of Penang State GERAKAN;


3. Mr. Jeffrey Phang, Vice President of Friends of Kota Damansara (FOKD), a coalition of 17 residents’ association in Kota Damansara, Petaling Jaya. FOKD is coordinating the “Sustainable Development and Environment Taskforce” within Coalition for Good Governance (CGG);


4. Maria Chin Abdullah, as a Chairperson of Coalition for Good Governance (CGG).

This is the second time Y.B. Chow has accepted SUARAM's invitation as a government spokesperson to exchange views with the people. This forum offers a golden opportunity for the present government, opposition and civil society to come together to exchange opinions, and make positive suggestions on how to improve good, democratic governance in Penang. This will help make Penang a much, much better place for us all.

Kindly to contact Mr. Ong Jing Cheng for further information at 012-7583779 or jingcheng85 (at) yahoo (dot) com

Warm regards,
Ong Jing Cheng
Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM )
Penang Branch Coordinator,
63B-01-07, University Heights,
Jalan Sungai Dua,
11700 Penang.
Tel / Fax: 04-6582285
E-mail: suarampg (at)gmail (dot) com
Suaram Penang

Location map of KOMTAR, Penang

({A} KOMTAR tower, {C}KOMTAR Bus Terminal)

View Larger Map

Penang Tanjung Bunga homestay

Jalan Tanjong Bunga is a long street along the northern shore of Penang Island which continues into Jalan Batu Ferringghi, both popular with holiday makers. Below is a location map for Jalan Tanjung Bunga:




View Larger Map

There are lots of things you can do at Tanjung Bunga, one of which is to go parasailing:



Tanjung Bunga is like the rest of Penang, a food paradise with plenty of hawker's fare lined all along the road:





where you can enjoy delicious food like the roti canai below:

Homestay at Tanjung Bunga

There are lots of hotels along Tanjong Bunga and Batu Ferringghi, but if you are looking for a more enjoyable homestay, you can try Rumah rehat di Tanjong Bunga.

Contact person:
013-4358280 Hj Elias Othman
019-5289202 Pn Patimah Abd Manap

Penang International Food Festival 2009

The Penang International Food Festival (PIFF) is being held at the Penang International Sports Arena (PISA) from 15 to 17 March 2009. PIFF is actually a combination of three events — the 12th Battle of the Chefs, the iFOODex expo and the 100-stall Penang Food Delights. Entrance to the Battle of the Chefs is RM3 while entrance to iFOODex and Penang Food Delights is free.

Location of Penang International Sports Arena

Penang International Sports Arena,
Jalan Tun Dr Awang,
11900 Bayan Lepas,
Pulau Pinang, Malaysia

Location map of PISA (click map to enlarge):

Media Awareness Workshop - George Town, Penang

Media Awareness Workshop:

Media, Democracy and Human Rights
Sunway Hotel Georgetown,
Lorong Baru,
10450 Pulau Pinang,
Saturday,7th March 2009 from 8.30am -5.30pm,
sponsored by the Canadian High Commission.

The workshop is primarily for young people, from upper secondary schools and colleges and higher learning institutions, given that this is the generation that is most exposed to and influenced by the media in their daily lives.

The workshop aims to raise the level of awareness of participants in 3 areas
· the various aspects of the media industry in Malaysia ,
· the laws and other restrictions that affect the media industry and democracy,
· how to critically ‘read’ the media.
The workshop is structured in a manner which will allow for input from the speakers as well as active participation by the participants. There will be break-up sessions to encourage participants ‘read critically’ the content of the media. Comparisons will also be made between mainstream media and the Internet media

It is hoped that such ‘media awareness’ or ‘media literacy’ would empower young people as active citizens of a democracy to demand real changes in the way the news is reported.

As places are limited, registration prior to the workshop is required. The registration fee for the workshop is RM10/- only. This can be given as cash or in a cheque made out to Aliran and sent to Aliran at 103 Medan Penaga, Jelutong 11600, Penang by the 28th of February, 2009.

For further information please contact Evelyn at the Aliran office at 04-6585251.

Location Map of Sunway Hotel, Penang

(Click map to enlarge):

Location map of Sunway Hotel, zoom in:

Interfaith dialog: Women in the eyes of God

The will be an interfaith dialogue titled Women in The Eyes of God.

Speakers are representative from all each religion (Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity and Islamic).

The dialogue will be opened by YB Ong Kok Foi (EXCO Wanita Kerajaan Pulau Pinang, Belia & Sukan, Pembangunan Wanita, Keluarga & Komuniti).

Others VIP from MCA, DAP, PAS and UMNO are invited too.

This dialogue not subject only to women but men also are encourage for come.

The entry is free. Interested parties please give your Name, IC no & contact# by phone or SMS to Norhidaya at 016-2362672 for reservation. Seats are limited!!!! So hurry!!! Register now…!

Date: 1st November 2008
Time: 2pm to 5.30pm
Venue: Hotel Seri Malaysia Bayan Baru

Location map of Hotel Seri Malaysia Bayan Baru:

Directions:

* Penang is connected to the mainland and the North-South Expressway by Penang Bridge, one of the longest bridges in Asia.
* After Penang Bridge toll plaza, turn right.
* Turn left before Bukit Jambul Shopping Complex.
* Go straight along Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah.
* Turn right at the 1st junction.
* Drove all the way to Jalan Mayang Pasar. It should be on your left.
* Look out for Sunshine Square Shopping Complex.
* Follow signs direction towards Hotel Seri Malaysia Bagan Lalang.

Pesta Pulau Penang, Angling Contest and Carnival

In conjunction with the annual Pesta Pulau Pinang, there will be an angling competition at the Queensbay Mall seafront on December 14, 2008.
Angling contest and carnival

AN angling competition will be held at the Queensbay Mall seafront on Dec 14 in conjunction with the annual Pesta Pulau Pinang. A carnival will also be held in conjunction with the angling competition.

Location map of Queensbay Mall, Bayan Lepas, Penang (click on map to enlarge)

Angling Competition

According to Encik Roslan Meah, Penang Angling Association chairman, there will be 3 winners picked for the first, second and third prize of RM8,000, RM3,000 and RM1,500 respectively. All three winners of the angling competition will also receive a trophy each.

The Angling Competition will start at 9am and end at 1pm. Participants can register from 7am onward. Entry fee is RM35. Participation will be limited to the first 700 entries.

You can get more information from
http://angling.penang.gov.my
or contact
Steven Sim at 04-6505137 or 012-5907507 or KC Yong 016-4118998

Carnival

In conjunction with the Angling Competition, there will be a Carnival where you can participate in various fun games, including jigsaw puzzles, giant snake-and-ladder and colouring contests.

The event is jointly organised by the state government, the state Youth and Sports Committee and Penang Angling Association.

Penang Clan Jetty Home Stay

If you want to experience life in home at Penang waterfront on stilts, Chew Jetty in Penang George Town has now a homestay program:

Location:
59A Chew Jetty, Weld Quay
10300 George Town
Penang
Malaysia

Contact
Chew Siew Peng 6013-438 1217
Chew Yong Seng 6016-456 1884
Chew Lay Peng 6016-402 0411

eMail: info at mychewjetty dot com

As a guest, you will be able to enjoy boat rides, barbecue parties and home-cooked Chinese dinner such as chicken kapitan curry, jiu hu char (stir-fried yam bean with cuttlefish) and fish head curry, enjoy gorgeous sunsets by the balcony or watch boats bobbing on the water from 100 year old stilt house at Chew Jetty.

Chew Jetty is part of the Penang Clan Jetty, Weld Quay and is the biggest among the 6jetties in Weld Quay. The other five are the Lim, Lee, Tan, Yeoh and the Chap Seh Keo (mixed surname) jetties. These are like floating villages. Each jetty comprises of "terrace" houses linked by planked walkways over the water.

Photo of Penang Clan Jetty is property of C Leong

According to Chew Siew Pheng, living on the jetty is a unique experience. When she gets home from work, all her stress and worries seem to fly away. Once one steps off the busy road onto the jetty, it’s like a different world where life is serene and simple.

My suggestion is to time your stay so that it coincides with the colourful annual worship of the Jade Emperor on the eve of the ninth day of the Chinese New Year.

Location map of Weld Quay (Pengkalan Weld

style="text-align:center;">Map of Weld Quay curtesy of mapdoo.com

How Malaysians celebrate New Year

Most Malaysians celebrate New Year 1st January the way others around the world celebrate New Year. Many go watch the usual fireworks at 12 midnight:

Photo of Fireworks in the sky
by Angelo Juan

Other Malaysians celebrate New Year's Eve by going for concerts like those featuring Malaysian singers such as Mawi, M. Nasir, Awie and Wings, Malay cultures like ghazal music, or Chinese culture like a Chinese lion dance and even Indian cultures like Indian dances. Some may go for dinner and hotels and make lots of noise at 12 midnight. This is more dangerous, but some do get drunk. But let's hope they don't go driving around.

How Penangites celebrate New Year

Penangites are residents of Penang, the Pearl of the Orient. Here are how some Penangites celebrated the beginning of 2008. They celebrated 1st January 2008 in jail. Twenty-six youngsters aged between 15 and 21 on Penang Island were jailed for creating disturbances at Gurney Drive and the Esplanade. They sprayed vehicles with artificial snow and started fights. Not only that, when policemen arrived to help calm down the disturbances, the boisterous youths threw empty spray cans at the policemen. To make matters worst, they verbally abused the policemen. The over enthusiastic youths were charged with vandalism and fighting in public areas. A man and a woman were also arrested for selling cans of artificial snow in Gurney Drive.

How Ipoh residents celebrate New Year

Another 66 Mat Rempits (illegal motorcycle racers who frequently show off their riding skills with stunts) 18 to 28 years of age celebrated New Year with police summons and getting their motorcycles sized by the police for illegal racing on a public road (Jalan Brash beside the Sultan Abdul Aziz Recreational Park in Ipoh). One of them celebrated 1st January, 2008 in jail after being tested positive for drug.

How Sabahans celebrate New Year

Some Sabahans celebrate New Year in a less conventional way. They go throw themselves into the rivers or the sea to "buang sial" or to get rid of bad luck. Alongside them may be others celebrating New Year by having barbecue parties on the beach.

How New Year is celebrated in Laos

How strange! The Lao people celebrate New Year in almost the same way. Wonder if it is for the same objectives

Photo of Lao people in Vientiane celebrating New Year
by Sompop S

Credit card payments for durians!

Now you can even use credit cards to pay for your purchase of durians! Apparently a bank has approached durian sellers offering credit card payment processing and it looks like at least 3 durian stalls have accepted. For example, a makeshift durian stall at Jalan Van Praagh in Penang has a banner saying “We accept Master and Visa” hanging outside the stall. Two other durian stalls in Relau and Mt Erskrine are also accepting credit card payments.

Seng Durian Enterprise owner Ngang Boon Seng said that business has been good as customers tend to buy more using credit cards. One customer recently bought RM800 (USD232) worth of durians using credit card. He accepts credit card payments for purchases above RM40. Another durian purchaser, retired driving instructor Loh Hoon Wan, used his credit card to buy RM100 (USD29) worth of durians as presents to my relatives and friends. “Buy now and worry later,” he said.

Hopefully credit card owners don't go overboard and get into financial problems later.

All about durians, the king of fruits

Source: TheStar

Durian contest for foreigners (tourists)?

Durian has been hailed the king of fruits. It has also been described as taste of heaven and smell of hell. For me? There is no "hell" in the smell. I love the smell and the taste. I just don't like the prices.

Encik Akbarudin Nasurdin, the head of Penang's Federal Agricultural Marketing Association (FAMA) organised a durian-eating contest for foreigners (tourists). Tourists were brought to the contest held in the Penang Fruits and Food Festival at the Cultural House from the hotels. The tourists entered the Cultural House, took a whiff, and refused to proceed further. Perhaps the durian smell is to them as the smell of blue cheese is to me. The blue cheese smell like sweaty shoes. I suppose I can't blame them.

The organisers had to cancel the contest. They attributed the failure to the age of the tourists involved. The next time they say they will concentrate on younger tourists. Let's hope they succeed the next time.

Serviced Apartments in Penang

Here is a listing of serviced apartments in Penang, Pearl of the Orient:

Bayu Emas Apartments

10-A Jalan Batu Ferringhi
11000 Penang
Tel: 604-881 2641
Fax: 604-881 2660
No. of units: 41

Century Bay Service Apartments

No. 5 Lintang Pantai Jerjak
Sg. Nibong
11700 Penang
Tel: 604-659 1515
Fax: 604-659 5151
No. of units: 84

Mar Vista Resort Apartment

No. 1 Batu Ferringhi
11200 Penang
Tel: 604-890 5432
Fax: 604-890 3886
No. of units: 20

Sri Sayang Resort Service Apartments

No. 188 Batu Ferringhi
11100 Penang
Tel: 604-881 1113
Fax: 604-881 1250
No. of units: 72

Stallions Apartment

No. 3A Ground Floor, Tingkat Bukit Dumbar
11600 Gelugor,
Penang
Tel: 604-656 0118
Fax: 604-656 0063
No. of units: 103

The Krystal Suites

Jalan Tun Dr. Awang
11900 Bayan Lepas
Penang
Tel: 604-613 3333
Fax: 604-613 3332
No. of units: 86

Vistana Hotel

No. 213 Jalan Bukit Gambir
Bukit Jambul
11950 Penang
Tel: 604-646 8000
Fax: 604-646 1400
No. of units: 189

Penang: Places of Interest

There are many interesting places you can visit in Penang, the Pearl of the Orient. Listed here are places that may be worth your while to visit. They are listed in alphabetical order. Clicks on the photos to enlarge them.

Botanical Garden

The 30ha. Penang Botanical Garden has forested hills and wide collection of lush green tropical trees, plants like the Cannon Ball Tree, Candle Tree, Baobab Tree, Argus Pheasant Tree, Ebony Tree, various flowerey plants and ferns. There are also many plant houses, nurseries, waterfalls and lily ponds. The garden is famous for its numerous mischevous Rhesus monkeys roaming freely in the Garden. The garden is popular with the locals who use it for jogging, picnics, wedding shoots, Tai Chi, Xi Gong and line dancing.

Opening Hours : 5am to 8pm daily
Admission : Free
Group tours are available by prior arrangement. Call 604-2270428.
Location: Jalan Kebun Bunga, 10350 Pulau Pinang. The Gardens is located at the far end of Jalan Kebun Bunga, approximately 8 km from Georgetown city. You can reach there by boarding transit link bus No.7.

Bukit Jambul Orchid, Hibiscus and Reptiles Garden

This two hectare park is home to an amazing variety of plants and animals, some of which are unique in this part of the world, including a pair of Bengal tigers, a collection of flightless giant birds like the emu, ostrich and kasawari, a variety of 150 to 200 flowers, about 15 types of snakes,a talking parrot which greets visitors with a cheery "hello!", four giant land tortoises from Seychelles, snapping turtles and six arapaima gigas (one of the largest freshwater fishes).

This park is open from 9.30am to 6.30pm daily with last entry being at 5.30pm.
Snake shows are on twice every Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays, at 11.30am and 3.30pm

Location: Persiaran Bukit Jambul, 11900 Penang
Tel: 04-644 8863, Fax: 04-228 5733

Admission Fee: RM10.00 adults & RM5.00 children.
RM1 charge for camera usage.

China Town

China town stretches from Weld Wuay to Lebuh Stewart, Lebuh Muntri, Lebuh Campbell and Lebuh King. It provides a fascinating insight into the lifestyle of Chinese immigrant settlers who came here in the 1880's. There are many clan houses, shophouses and temples in China town. Many traditional trades and occupations which has somehow survived the decades. Among the surviving trades you can observe here are the traditional lantern makers, joss-stick makers and signage engravers whose skills and knowledge have been passed down from generation to generation.

City Hall, Town Hall and the Esplanade

The Penang City Hall, built in 1903 in the typical British Palladian architectural style, is a fine example of a well-preserved colonial building from the hey-days of the British Empire. Next to it is the Town Hall, another handsome colonial architectural relics framing the edge of the Esplanade padang (field). The foundation stone of the Town Hall was laid in 1879 and the main building completed in 1883. It consisted of an assembly hall, a grand ballroom, and a library. Within a short walk from the City Hall is the Cenotaph, the First World War Memorial.

Forest Recreation Park and Museum

This 100-hectare recreation part houses a museum built using various species of wood and other forest products . The museum has on display a collection of forest products as well as preserved insect species from all over the country. There are footpaths, rest huts and flowing streams and is home to countless species of flowering plants, ferns, insects, birds, butterflies, snakes and lizards. Here, you can find information on Malaysian forestry, its industry, products and other forest related matters.

To get there, take the Telok Bahang bus No. 93 from Lebuh Chulia. At Telok Bahang take another bus No 76 to the Forestry Park. Taxis are also available, but make sure you agree to the fare first. This area is located in the district of Teluk Bahang, about 15km from Georgetown.

Fort Cornwallis

Fort Cornwallis was built on the site of Francis Light's landing in 1786. It was built by Francis Light as a defensive measure when he first gained possession of Penang island, is the oldest European structure in Penang. Located in the Esplanade where he first landed on the island, it was originally a wooden stockade and was subsequently replaced by brick, built by convicts in 1804. Today it house an open-air amphitheatre,, a history gallery, a cafe and a handicraft and souvenir stall.

The famous Dutch cannon presented to the Sultan of Johor by the Dutch was brought to Penang after being looted by the Portugese and now stand proudly in Fort Cornwallis.
The Fort is "guarded" by a statue of Sir Francis Light along with some ancient cannons.

You may also see some interactive display of warfare engaged during the colonial days.

Location: Next to the Esplanade

Opening hours: 8,30am to 6.30pm. Admission is RM3 (USD0.85) for adults and RM2 (USD0.57) for children.

Goddess of Mercy Temple

The Goddess of Mercy Temple or Kuan Yin Ting is the oldest Chinese temple in Penang, built in 1880s by early immigrants from China. The temple high roof is supported by dragon-entwined pillars, carved from a type of green stone. The statue of Kuan Yin is located in an inner chamber, which depicts a woman with 18 arms, with a countenance which exudes inner peace and worldly contentment. It also stone lions which are said to guard the temple.

The Goddess of Mercy's feast celebrated on the 19th day of the 2nd, 6th and 9th lunar months each year. These events celebrates Kuan Yin's birthday, her initiation and the event of her attaining the state of Nirvana. During these times, you will be able to observe Chinese operas and puppet shows.

Location: Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling

Kapitan Keling Mosque

This mosque built in the early 19th Century is named after the person who built it - Kapitan Keling Caudeen Mohudeen. It features an ochre yellow facade with a dome-shaped minaret reflecting Moorish Islamic influence. Visitors have to dress appropriately with no shorts or bare shoulders, and must remove their shoes before entering. Permission to enter need to be obtained from mosque officials. Opening hours are from 9am to 5.30pm. Admission is free.

Kek Lok Si Temple

The Kek Lok Si temple, one of the finest Buddhist temple in Southeast Asia, is located on a hill in Ayer Item. As you approach the compound, you will see large boulders that bear inscriptions of Chinese verses, beautiful sculptures. It is built in tiers, and culmilates with the beautifully crafted Ban Po That Pagoda or "Pagoda of Ten Thousand Buddhas". The pagoda is made of octagonal tiers adorned with numeroous statues of the Buddha. The temple is set against beautiful scenic surroundings and features a turtle pond, gardens, shrines and beautiful sculptures.

Opening hours: 9am to 6pm. Admission is free. Admission to the pagoda is RM2 per person.

Khoo Kongsi

This elaborate kongsi is by far the grandest clan kongsi in Penang. The ancestors of the Khoo family who migrated from South China built it in 1853 as a clan house for members of the Khoo family. The hall is embellished with intricate carvings and richly ornamented columns and beams of the finest wood which bears the mark of skilled craftmen from China.

LEONG SAN TONG KHOO KONGSI
18 Cannon Square, 10200 Penang, Malaysia.
Tel: 04-261 4609 Fax: 04-262 2591
E-mail : info@khookongsi.com.my
lst_khoo@streamyx.com

Opening Hours
Daily, including Sundays and Public Holidays: 9 am to 5 pm

Admission is RM5 (USD1.42) for adults and RM1 (USD0.28) for children.

KOMTAR or Kompleks Tun Abdul Razak

This 65-storey builing is the tallest building dominates Penang skyline and is home to a complex of Government departments, commercial offices, department stores, retail outlets, restaurants, theatres, squash courts and a geodesic dome which serves as a multipurpose hall. It is a 12-sided geometric block on a 4-story podium 232m high. The building is named in honour to the second Prime Minister of Malaysia. The Tourist information Centre at Level 3. On the 55th floor is the Tower Tourist Center which allows visitors to have an excellent panoramic view of the city and on a clear day, you can see the mainland (Butterworth) the Penang Bridge, and even Gunung Jerai (Kedah Peak).

There's a main bus station at the ground floor. From there you can take a bus to nearly any other parts of the island. Most buses use coin machines to collect the fares.

Location: Penang Road

Penang Beaches

Along Penang's northern shoreline are its famous beaches - Tanjung Bungah, Batu Ferringhi, Teluk Bahang.

Batu Ferringhi has a several large resort, like Rasa Sayang, Golden Sands, Park Royal, Bayview etc. The main road runs straight along the coast for 3km, along which all the hotels, tourist shop, internet cafe's, motorcycle rental offices and restaurants (House of Kampong, Deep Sea or The Last Drop e.o.), are The main road runs more or less straight along the coast for 3km, on which all the hotels, tourist shop, internet cafe's, motorcycle rental offices, restaurants, Telekom office, post office, police station and clinic are located. After sunset, the sidewalk is transformed into a bazaar of many stalls selling things from food, clothing, batik, watches, pens, cameras and personal accessories. Bargaining is expected.

Getting to Batu Ferringhi is a thirty-minute bus ride from the west of Georgetown on Transitlink no. 202 or Transitlink air-con no. 93.

If you want privacy, there are Teluk Duyung or Monkey Beach, Pantai Keracut and Pantai Mas. These beaches are accessible via the trails in the Pantai Acheh Forest Reserve from Teluk Bahang.

Penang Butterfly Farm

This 86,000 sq. feet farm houses 4,000 living specimens of over 120 species of colourful butterflies, including some very rare and famous ones, like the Indian Leaf (Kallima paralekta), the endangered Yellow Birdwing (Troides helena) and the Rajah Brooke's Birdwing. You can also see reptiles, scorpions and other insects. The main attraction of the Penang Butterfly Farm are the free flying butterflies in an enormous enclosure where you can inspect the butterflies at close quarters as they flit around their favorite nectar plants.

The Penang Butter Farm is museum with both live and mounted sections, as well as a research centre with breeding and laboratory facilities. It has a lily pond, rock garden and artificial waterfall. It has an exhibition center, souvenir shop as well as an information center. It can supply both dried and live specimens.

At this farm you can also see Malaysia's biggest oil painting at the souvenir shop? Measuring 20 ft by 7 ft, the painting of a lush Malaysian jungle scene by James Lau has earned a place in the Malaysian Guiness Book of Records

Location: No 830 Jalan Teluk Bahang, 11050 Penang, Malaysia
Tel: 604-885 1253 Fax: 604-885 2011 / 885 1741
E-mail: info@butterfly-insect.com
www.butterfly-insect.com

Visiting Hours
Monday-Friday: 9:00am to 5:30pm (Last Entry at 5:00pm)
Weekend & Public Holidays: 9:00am to 6:00pm (Last Entry at 5:30pm)
Opens daily except half-day on Chinese New Year Eve.

Price
Adult: RM15.00 (RM12.00 + RM3.00 Govt. Tax)
Children: RM7.50 (RM6.00 + RM1.50 Govt. Tax, 4-12 years old)
Camera/Digital Camera Charge: RM1.00 per piece
Video/Digital Video Camera: RM5.00 per piece.

Special Promotion for Malaysian Citizen:
Adult: RM10.00 (RM8.00 + RM2.00 Govt. Tax)
Children: RM5.00 (RM4.00 + RM1.00 Govt. Tax, 4-12 years old)
Discounts are available to school bookings and other large groups.

Penang Hill

Penang Hill Station is Malaysia's first hill station and is 830m (2,730 ft.) above sea level. You can either hike up or use the funicular train. There is a good walking trail up the hill. The trail begins at the "moongate" at Jalan Air Terjun, approximately 300m from the entrance of the Botanical Garden. A hike up to the hill station can take up to 4 hours, but you can enjoy the beautiful scenery along the way. It takes about 25 minutes with the furnicular train. The entrance of the funicular train station is decorated with elaborate cast iron scroll-work that reminds one of some English rural railway.

At the hill station, you can enjoy the cool, refreshing climate and a spectacular view. There is also a beautiful flower garden, bird park and picturesque bungalows, which are for rent, and a hotel for those who want to stay for more than a day.

The funicular train service begins at 6.30am and ends at 9.30pm during weekdays and 6.30am to 11.45pm on weekend. Fare is RM4 (USD1.14) for adults and RM2 (USD0.57) for children (return).

Penang Museum

The Penang Museum has on display hundreds of historical artifacts highlighting the important periods in Penang's development, and include clay, stone and porcelain ware, maps, charts, memorabilia of Malaya's First Prime Minister, Tungku Abdul Rahman. On display also are old prints and paintings of Penang, tracing the early years of its discovery and development.

On display are exhibits of Penang's communities, customs and costumes, historic places such as the harbour, Fort Cornwallis, the streets of Penang, municipal history, the Penang Riots, the Japanese Occupation, houses of worship and traditional trades, enlargements of old photographs.

There are special rooms to display Captain Robert Smith paintings, the William Daniell engravings and the Straits Chinese collections, including a bridal chamber. Also on dispaly is an exhibition of hand-written Qur'ans and old Malay weapons from the family of the late Dato' Haji Fathil Basheer.

Opening hours are from 9am to 6pm, closed on Fridays. Admission is RM1 (USD0.28) per person.

Penang War Museum

This 20-acre War Museum is built around the remnants of an old British fort, taking you through a journey to the past during World War 2 to observe the lifestyle of a typical British soldier and his Asian counterpart. There is a complex of above and below ground chambers where old war relics such as pillboxes, cannons, armaments, uniform and cooking equipments are displayed. You can also visit a complex of barracks, old cookhouses, lock-ups, tunnels and ventilation shafts, ammunition bunkers, logistic centers, cannon firing bays, sleeping quarters and medical health facilitis. There is even a tunnel through which one can go through to the sea to get to the submarines. You can also try your hand at target shooting using paintball guns. There is also a rest area where you can enjoy the hilltop view.

Opening hours are from 9am to 7pm. Admission is RM10 (USD2.84) for adults and RM5 (USD1.42) for children. Further details can be obtained from 604-6265 142, fax 604-644 8015 or 604-6264 142. Or call mobile no 016-4213606.

Location: Lot 1350, Mukim 12, Merah Barat Daya, Batu Maung at the southern tip of the island.

Penang National Park

This park is located at the end of Batu Ferringhi Road, past the Teluk Bahang fishing village at the island north-western tip. It has excellent trails throught the rainforest. Among its other attractions are the Teluk Duyung beach (Mermaid Bay), a bay protected by the Cape of Muka Head and Pantai Keracut.There is a Muka Head Lighthouse built in 1883 by the colonial British. Because a large number of monkeys are found here, it is also called the Monkey Beach.

Pantai Keracut is a white sand beach which is popular with picnickers and campers. Green turtles come to this beach to lay their eggs from April to August while the Olive Ridley turtles come between September and Febuary.

The park contains a meromictic lake, a lake (usually extremely deep, or deep and well protected from wind) which is permanently stratified (having layers of water of different densities) about 1 square metre in size where fresh water from the island stream meets sea water. During dry seasons and low tide, the lake is a mud flat, and during high tide, the lake gradually fills with sea water while fresh water from the stream remains on top of the denser sea water. Certain fish, birds and reptiles which have adapted to such environment live within this area.

Pinang Peranakan Mansion

The Pinang Peranakan Mansion is also called the Baba Nyonya Museum or the Kapitan Chung Keng Kwee Museum. If you want to see some richly ornate artefacts relating to the history and colorful lifestyle of the Baba Nyonya (Peranakan) people of Penang, this is the place to visit. There are lovely old porcelain pieces, furniture and works of art brought in from China and Europe which were commissioned by the Baba Nyonya families and handed down through the generations. Also on display are their elaborate traditional costumes and accessories. The mansion showcases the luxurious lifestyle of the Peranakans and their many customs and traditions, displaying over a thousand pieces of antiques and collectibles of the Penang Peranakan community.

It was built at the end of the 19th century and is a typical representation of the Straits Eclectic style of architecture, a fusion of Eastern and Western elements – highly favoured by rich Peranakan families of old. The mansion featured full-length French windows and exquisite ceramic tiles on the floors and walls. Solid iron pillars embellished with elaborate and striking Chinese carvings support part of the upper floor.

Location: Church Street, Penang, Malaysia
Opening hours: 9am - 6pm.
Admission: RM10 (USD2.84) for adults and free for children below 12 years.

Saint George Church

This Anglican Church, named after the patron Saint of England, is one of the oldest landmark in Penang, and was built by convict labour in 1818. It is the oldest Anglican Church in Southeast Asia.

The Georgian Palladium architecture of the church was designed by Captain Robert N. Smith of Madras Engineers. A feature of the church's architecture are the huge Grecian columns lined outside the front entrance, which remind one of classical Greek structures such as The Parthenon, The Propylaia, the Temple to Athene and The Erechtheion. The pavilion which sits in the lawn also lends a Grecian air to the ambience.

Snake Temple

The Snake Temple was built in 1850 in honour of the Buddhist priest Chor Soo Kong. It is a santuary for pit vipers said to be the servants of the deity. You can see the poisonous snake coiled round the columns, beams and potted plants, busking on altars, incense burners, candlesticks, vases and tables, underfoot and overhead within the temple. It is believed the snakes are rendered harmless by the smoke of the burning incense.

Sri Mariamman Temple

This is a Hindu temple with its main entrance and facade decorated with fascinating sculptures of Hindu gods and goddesses. Within the compound is an ornately decorated statue of Lord Subramanium embellished with gold, silver, diamonds and emeralds. During the annual Thaipusam festival, the statue is borne on a silver chariot through the city streets to the temple at Jalan Waterfall.

The temple is one of the oldest Hindu temple in Penang, built in 1883.

Tropical Spice Garden

The eight acre Tropical Spice Garden is located in Teluk Bahang, a few minutes’ drive from Batu Feringgi. It has over 500 exotic varieties of flora from Malaysia and other regions including exotic tropical spice, herb and other tropical plants, black lily, cocoa, ylang ylang, ferns, gingers, jungle orchids and rare palms. Explore the place by following three undulating trails leading to 11 distinct Garden Rooms: Water Garden, Cycad Room, Banana/Heliconia Bank, Spice Terraces, Bamboo Garden, Ginger Walk, Sugar Terrace, Ornamental Valley, Croton Wall, Fern Walk and Jungle Trail.

Located within the garden is a pre-war Straits Colonial country bungalow called Lone Crag Villa, which has been converted into a Visitor Centre with a built-up area of about 5,500 square feet where you can savour some of the offerings at the Centre including a Spice Museum with exhibits on the origins of the spice trade, historical spice routes and how spices are produced or processed.

Location: Lot 595 Mukim 2, Jalan Teluk Bahang 11100 Penang
Tel: 604-881 1797
Opens daily from 9.00am to 6.00pm. Last admission at 5.30 pm.
Daily Guided Tours: 9.30am, 11.00am and 12.30pm

Admission fees to the Spice Gardens:
Family (2 adults and up to 3 children): RM28 (self-guided) or RM45 (tour guided)
Adult RM13 (self guided) or RM20 (tour guided)
Child (aged 4-12): RM5 (self or tour guided)
Free for children under 4 years of age.

Admission fees to the Visitor Centre:
RM1 (Free for children accompanied by parents), includes admission to the Spice Museum, Garden Shop, Gift Shop and Spice Café.

University of Science Malaysia (USM) Museum and Art Gallery

This museum cum art gallery is located withing the 239.4-hectare campus of the University of Science Malaysia (USM) located in Gelugor. The museum has on display a collection of Malay and Baba Nyonya cultural artefacts, textiles, prints, traditional jewellery, keris (Malay daggers), artefacts pertaining to archaeology, art, anthropology, ethnography, crafts, science and technology science-related objects. There is also a section which is devoted to the performing arts. The art gallery has a fine collection of paintings.

Opening Hours:
Monday - Friday (9:00am - 4:30pm)
It closes from 12:15 - 12:45pm on Fridays
Saturday (10:00am - 1:00pm)
(Closed on the first and third Saturdays of the month).
Admission is free. Permission to enter can be obtained from the security guards at the main entrance.

Mini Bus No. 25 or No. 29 and stop right in front of the university.

Wat Chaiya Mangkalaram or The Reclining Buddha

This is a Buddhist temple with Thai architecture and is famous for a 33m gold-plated Reclining Buddha, reputed to be the third largest in the world. At the back of the Reclining Buddha are niches housing urns containing ashes of devotees. It is also the largest Buddhist temple in Penang built in 1845 on five acres of land donated by Queen Victoria to the Thai community.

In the temple grounds there are also many colored statues of Devas, other mythical creatures and dragon-headed serpents are on display. Just across the street from Wat Chaiya Mangkalaram is another temple. the Dharmikara Burmese Buddhist Temple, built in 1805. A pair of elephants guard the entrance. Within the compound are a bodhi tree (Ficus religiosa, a tree under which Siddhārtha Gautama meditated) and wishing pond.

Location: Lorong Burma, or Burma Road in Pulau Tikus,
(To be continued. Under testing)

Sun Yat Sen "museum" in Penang?

This 19th century 2-storey shop house in 120 Armenian Street, Penang, was once a very important venue for Dr. Sun Yat Sen, the first elected provisional President of China, and whom some called the Father of modern China. It used to be the headquarters of the South-east Asia Tung Meng Hui, a revolutionary party led by Dr. Sun Yat Sen before China became a republic.

It was at this small shop house that on the 12th day of the 10th lunar month of 1910 that Dr. Sun Yat Sen a meeting during which the Tung Meng Hui planned the Canton uprising in 1911 that eventually led to China becoming a republic in 1912.

The shop house is a privately owned property now, and the owner has preserved and restored to almost the original condition with many pieces of its old furniture. There are shell-decorated chairs and a beautiful old hat stand.

It houses many exhibits of Dr. Sun Yat Sen. There are old portraits and some write-ups of history, pictorial exhibits with information of the premises and the revolutionary work of Dr. Sun Yat Sen, including an old portrait of Dr. Sun Yat Sen that used to be hung in Chinese schools to which students bow to pay respect to him.

Antiques displayed include an old signboard that hang in the main hall and an old fireproof safe that custodian Khoo Salma believe used to contain the Tung Meng Hui's cash and important documents.

Visitors can also observe the authentic look of Straits Chinese shop houses of the olden days. There is also a nyonya kitchen complete with coffee corner, stone mortar and pestle, firewood and charcoal stove.

The place has yet to be opened on a daily basis to the public, but lucky visitors can be admitted with permission and a nominal payment or RM3.

Other than this shop house, there is a yet to be opened Dr. Sun Yat Sen Museum Research Center at 65 Macalister Road, an imposing colonial era building. Outside the building stand the Three People sculpture portraying Dr. Sun Yat Sen and his ardent supporter, Goh Say Eng and Ooi Kim Kheng.

Penang, Pearl of the Orient

Penang night skyline. The tall building at the right is KOMTAR
Penang, often referred to as the Pearl of the Orient, is an island off the northeastern coast of Peninsular Malaysia. Its Malay name "Pulau Pinang" translate to "Betel Nut Island". The state of Penang includes the island as well as a slice of the mainland referred to as Seberang Prai (formerly Province Wellesley) separated by a 3km channel and joined by a The Penang Bridge. It is also linked by a ferry service. Penang is an idylic island famous for its golden beaches, calm warm sea and especially for its delicious, cheap and varied hawkers' food.

It has a population of more than 1 million comprising 59% Chinese, 32% Malays and 7% Indians. The seat of administration as well as the commercial hub is Georgetown located at the northeastern tip of the island. It houses modern buildings such as Komtar as well as well preserved buildings which bears the influences of both East and West. A stretch along the sea known as Gurney drive used to have lots of big bungalows, but have now been largely replaced by high-rise and expansive apartments. At night, a strech here is occupied by a lot of hawker stalls selling delicious and inexpensive famous Penang hawker food.

History

The present day Penang is a result of successive influences from foreign civilizations, from the Hindu, the Portugese, the Dutch and later, the British who came to this part of the world in search of spices, and stayed on to participate in the lucrative trade. The foundation of modern Penang is often attributed to Sir Francis Light who persuaded the Sultan of Kedah to cede the island to the British East Indian Company in 1786. It is said that when Sir Francis Light the present day Esplanade, he threw gold coins into the jungle to encourage his crew to clear the land. The settlement that grew on that site came to be named Georgetown after King George III. The Sultan of Kedah further ceded a slice of the mainland across the channel in 1800 which Francis Light named Province Wellesley after the then Govenor of India. It then formed a part of the Straits Settlement together with Malacca and Singapore and flourished grew to become a major trading port for the lucrative tea, spice, china and cloth trade. It stayed for more than 100 years under British colonial rule until 1957 when it was granted independence and became one to the states of the Federation of Malaya, and then Malaysia in 1963.

Getting there

You can get to Penang by road, rail, ferry and air.

By Rail

The rail link between Kuala Lumpur and Butterworth is served by KTM (Keratapi Tanah Melayu) and takes approximately 8 hours. The train goes past scenic countryside. Comfortable first and second class air-conditioned coaches are availble at reasonable rates. There are also regular services from Alor Star, Padang Besar, Haadyai and Bangkok to Butterworth. Further information can be obtained from KTM offices at telephone 04-261 0290 and 04-331 2796.

By Road

Butterworth can be reached by road using the tolled PLUS North-South Highway. From Butterworth, Penang Island can be reached via the Penang Bridge. Charges are RM7 (USD1.98) one way. Return journey is free.

By Ferry

From the Butterworth terminal, you can also get to the Penang Island via regular ferry services for both passengers as well as vehicles. Cars are charged RM7 (USD1.98), motorcycle RM1.40 (USD0.40) and passengers RM0.60 (adults) and RM0.30 (children). Return journey is free. Operating hours are from 6.00am to 1.00am.

By Air

Airlines have daily flights from major capitals of the region. MAS operates direct flights from Singapore, Bangkok (Thailand), Nagoya (Japan), Medan (Indonesia), Xiamen (China) and Madras (India). Mas also have more than 20 daily flights from Kuala Lumpur. Further details can be obtained by telephone at 04-262 0011 and 04-262 1403 (ground floor, Komtar), 04-643 0811 (Penang International Airport) and 03-8777 8888 (KLIA, 24 hours).

The airport is about 20km from the city center. Taxis from Penang International Airport to the city is by taxis which operates on the coupon system whereby fixed rates are charged according to the destinations. You can also travel by limousines which cost a little higher.

Getting Around Penang

You can get around Penang Island by taxis, buses or trishaws. Recently, the authorities have tried to impose compulsory use of the meter for taxis, but from what I hear, they are having problems. You may have to agree on the fare before you board.

Most buses uses coin machines to collect fares, so you have to get ready with the right change, or end up paying higher with notes or higher value coins. The main bus terminals are at Pengkalan Weld (ferry terminal) and KOMTAR (Kompleks Tun Abdul Razak).

The following are the bus services:

Transit Link (white and red buses)
Bus No 1: Air Itam
Bus No 2: Bagan Jermal
Bus No 3: Jelutong
Bus No 4: Jalan Yeap Chor Ee via Jalan Perak
Bus No 5: Jalan Masjid Negara via Dhoby Ghaut
Bus No 6: Jalan Masjid Negara via Jalan Patani
Bus No 7: Jalan Kebun Bunga (Botanical Garden)
Bus No 8: Penang Hill Railway (from Air Hitam)
Bus No 9: Jalan Masjid Negara via Jalan Penang/Jalan Dato' Keramat
Bus No 10: Kampung Melayu
Bus No 11: Taman Tun Sa'ardon via Jalan Masjid Negara
Bus No 12: Jelutong/Air Itam Village
Bus No 18: Bukit Mertajam (via Penang Bridge from Port Weld)
Bus No 29: Bukit Mertajam (via Penang Bridge from KOMTAR)
Bus No 130: Air Itam/Farlim
Bus No 202: Batu Ferringhi/Teluk Bahang
Bus No 325: Bukit Gedung
Bus No 353: Balik Pulau (via Sungai Ara)
Bus No 361: Balik Pulau (via Air Itam)

Sri Negara Transport Services Co (Blue and Yellow buses)
Bus No 136: Port Weld to Pepper Estate
Bus No 137: Port Weld to Tanjong Tokong

Hin Bus (white and blue buses)
Bus No 93: Batu Ferringhi/Teluk Bahang

Mini Buses
Mini buses charge a flat rate of RM0.70 (USD0.20) except for buses No 66 and 69
Bus No 21: Port Weld to Air Itam
Bus No 32: Port Weld to Bayan Lepas
Bus No 66: Port Weld to Balik Pulau (via the Snake Temple)
Bus No 67: Port Weld to Gertak Sanggul
Bus No 69: Port Weld to Batu Maung
Bus No 80: Port Weld to Paya Terubong
Bus No 84: Port Weld to Bayan Baru
Bus No 86: Port Weld to Mayang Pasir

Trishaws
Trishaws cruise the city and allow you to view the sights of Penang at a leisurely pace. You can stop at any place to buy souvenirs, snap photos, etc. There is no standard rates and you would have to agree to the price before you board. If you plan an extended tour, it would be better to hire them by the hour.

Motorcycle rental
Shops offering motorcycle rentals can be found along Chulia Street. However, motorists in Malaysia may not drive the same way as in your home country, and you will have to exercise caution.

Tours and Cruises
You can join tours on air-conditioned buses to tourist attractions around the island. Some of the tours are:

Round Island Tour
Visits to batik factories, fishing villages along Batu Ferringhi and Teluk Bahang, and include visits to Balik Pulau, the Snake Temple and Fort Cornwallis.

Hill and Temple Tour
Include a ride up the Penang Hil's funicular railway and a visit to the Kek Lok Si Temple which houses the Pagoda of Ten Thousand Buddhas.

City Tour
Visits to the Botanical Garden, Wat Chaiya Mangkalaram (the reclining Buddha), Kapitan Keling Mosque, Penang Museum and Khoo Kongsi.

Night Tour
Visit to the Pasar Malam (night market), a trishaw ride around Georgetown, and a dinner.

Boat Trips
Most beach hotels offer day trips to the uninhabited islands off Batu Ferringhi. Round island cruise are also available. Check for details from the hotel.

Sports and Recreation

Jungle Trekking
Most beach hotels offers early morning jungle trekking taking visitors past jungle streams and waterfalls. Usually food pack is provided.

If you wish to venture out on your own, the Penang branch of the Malaysian Nature Society has a comprehensive guide on trekking in Penang. Inform someone first before you venture out. Penang is an island, and if you get lost, all you have to do is to keep going downhill and you will end up somewhere.

Golfing
You can go golfing at the following clubs:

Bukit Jambul Golf and Country Club: Tel: 04-644 2255
Bukit Jawi Golf Resort: Tel: 04-582 2612, Fax: 04-582 5486
Kristal Golf Resort: Tel: 04-399 8661, Fax: 04-582 2280
Pearl Island Golf and Country Club: Tel: 04-642 7888, Fax: 04-646 6999

Water Sports
Beach hotels offers water sports such as sailing, windsurfing, water skying, parasailing, canoeing and speedboat rides. For snorkelling and fishing, Pulau Bidan, Pulau Telur and Pulau Song Song, island off Batu Ferringhi are ideal. Trips to the islands can be arranged by the hotels and tour agents.

Entertainment

If you want to be entertained by cultural shows, a good place to go to is the Penang Cultural Center (PCC) that offers the diverse culture of Malaysia all in one place. It is a 14 acre complex that contain a Cultural Village, the Istana (Palace) and a a Malay Theatre Restaurant. Three guided tours which last roughly two hours, includes an array of exciting traditional games, unique handicraft demonstrations and a 45-minute dance and cultural performance, the first tour starting from 9.30am and the last ending at 10.00pm, which is a dinner show. It is located at Teluk Bahang, and to get there from KOMTAR, you can take Bus No. 202 or No. 93. More details can be obtained by calling 04-8851175 or send an email to pccmsia@mol.net.my.

Other places where you can see concerts/dramas/cultural shows:
* Dewan Sri Pinang Lebuh Light
* Fort Cornwallis Amphitheatre
* Geodesic Dome, KOMTAR

Penang has a wide choice of night entertainment like pubs, karaoke lounges, hotel lobby bars and discos where you can let your hair down. Most of those night spots are located along Batu Ferringhi. Eden Seafood Village also offers cultural performances. Opening hours are from 6pm to 11pm daily. It is located at 69A Batu Ferringhi, 11100 Penang. They can be contacted by phone at 04-881 1852.

Shopping

Penang is a shopping paradise with hundreds of retail outlets located conveniently within and around the city. In the heart of the city itself is KOMTAR which houses a labyrinth of boutiques, fast food outlets, restaurants, amusement arcades, shops as well as two large department store. In addition to those is the Tower Tourists Center at the 58th Floor where you can get a panaromic view of the city as well as watch cultural shows.

Other shopping outlets are concentrated in Jalan Penang, Lebuh Campbell, Lebuh Kapitan Keling, Lebuh Chulia and Lebuh Pantai.

And don't forget the pasar malam (night market) along Batu Ferringhi, which start just before sunset. You can buy practically everything here, from fake Gucci, Nike shoes, Rolex watches, Ralph Lauren T-shirts, handbags, sunglasses, jewellery, batik, watches, gifts, T-shirts, etc. Just don't forget to bargain. As a guide, designer sunglasses are 10RM (USD2.83) each, latest DVDs for 4 - 8RM (USD1.13-2.26) each, a watch for around 20 RM (USD5.66), handbags are around 25 RM (USD7.08), T-shirts are around 15 - 25 RM (USD4.25-7.08). You can enjoy to eat some little local snacks along the Pasar Malam too.

Food

A famous place for cendol (chendol) is at Joo Hooi coffee shop along Penang Road near KOMTAR. The hawker stall is named Penang Road Famous Teochew Chendul.

Penang Homestay Program on the way

Malaysia has a Homestay programs where visitors can stay in traditional villages and experience the way the locals live. There are already a number of villlages participating in the program. According to a Star news article, there will soon be another Homestay program in 4 Malay and Chinese kampungs (villages) - Kampung Sungai Sembilang, Kampung Kuala Juru, Kampung Tok Kangar and Perkampungan Juru, all in Bukit Tengah, Penang (Pearl of the Orient). This is in preparation for the Visit Malaysia Year 2007. According to Bukit Tengah assemblyman Ng Siew Lai, Sungai Sembilang and Kuala Juru are typical Malay fishing villages famous for cockle culture, mee udang (prawn noodles) and ikan bakar (barbequed fish). There is also a quaint floating restaurant in Bukit Kecil. They are also in the process of building several stages for cultural shows there.

Perkampungan Juru is a typical Chinese village with cottage industries, and has about 10 Chinese associations and guilds. There is a pewter factory. Many villagers are involved in making traditional cakes such as kuih bakul, kuih bahulu and nyonya kuih. There are also several cicada farms that supply bait to fishermen.

Additional information: Host families usually gets between RM60 (USD17.11) to RM120 (USD34.21) per day per head.