 | Negeri Pulau Pinang General Tips | Tips 1 - 10 of 15 |  |
Popular General Tips | Miscellaneous General Tips Tips | All Tips (15) Penang Bridge is said to be one of the longest bridges in Southeast Asia. It is 13.5 kilometers over water.
Once thought that it would be a white elephant, it is now the most important connection between Penang Island and the mainland . Connects Penang airport to the Butterworth port and indispensable for many commuters who lived and worked on opposite sides.
Today, there is plan to build a second bridge further south as the traffic on this bridge has reached saturation limit. Currently the other alternative is by ferry service between George Town and Butterworth.
A bit of history. The bridge is now 21 years old. The suspension of the bridge was built by Koreans (Hyundai). While the bridge was being constructed, there was a sizeable Korean community in Penang during the construction period. So when we drive over each day, we need to thank the Korean as a few lost their lives while the bridge was built. |
For both adults and children, some how watching monkeys is an exciting drama. How close they will come and some even picking food from your palm, how they fight each other for food or how the young ones cling on to their mothers as they scamper off up the branches, hanging precariously.
More common is the brown long tailed macaques. But you can also see the larger, shyer, darker silverleaf monkey.
You can see monkeys in all the forested areas in Penang Island, inside and around Botanical Gardens and Youth Park and the neighboring Hindu temples. Along the tram up Penang Hill and at the top of Penang Hill. It is not by coincidence that monkeys are found where tourists visit because of the food that tourist brings as the monkeys are considered more of a nuisance for those living nearby.
I am sure almost every has learn from National Geographic that laughing, smiling or grinning that shows our teeth is taken as an aggressive monkey behavior. Try it and you will get the same response from the monkey. |
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"Air Itam" means "Water Black" or usually "black stream". The old spellings is "Ayer Itam" and modern spelling should be "Air Hitam" but you will see all kinds of permutation.
The town is located in a valley and is famous because of the Kek Lok Si Temple and the railway tram up Penang Hill. Approaching the town from George Town, you will suddenly see the entire Kek Lok Si in the background welcoming you.
In the late, afternoon, it is still impressive but hazy. Better to get a great photo in the morning. |
The Penang Philatelic Society organizes a Stamp Fair usually twice every year during the school holidays.
Admittedly, I have not signed up as society member but have been attended the latest two stamps so far. Both were held during a weekend at the Chinwoo Association (Ladies) at Jalan Anson. It is a great way to buy your stamps, exchange tips and meet who's who is the stamp world in Penang.
There are stalls set up by stamp dealers as well as club members and you can get Malaysian and foreign stamps as wells as other collectibles like postcards, postal documents and currency at competitive prices, usually lower than catalogue price.
Check with the contact below when you are in town if the stamp fair is on.
Penang Philatelic Society - Address : P.O.Box 788, 10800 Pulau Pinang.Malaysia.
Contact : Dr.Chua Hock Khoon(President) 604-2614517. |
The name of Penang and Pulau Pinang originate from the betel arecanut palm tree called "Pinang" in Malay.
It is found in the Penang State flag. The pinang tree is small. But other palms like Royal Palms and "false" Pinang tree are planted all over in Penang along the road for decoration and shade. It is therefore difficult to know which is the real pinang tree unless it is pointed out to you.
Check the accompanying photos to tell which is the real one.
Pinang is used as a stimulant that is chewed amongst the Malays and locals as well as in Taiwan too. It is still used in Malay wedding ceremony but less used now and now known to cause mouth cancer. |
Get a Penang Map when you go around Penang Island. At some tourist attractions, there are also "Map Displays"
Penang Island looks like a tortoise.
The head is the promontory of Batu Ferringhi and the famous beach hotel stretch.
The top left "leg" is Muka Head Lighthouse with Monkey beach near Telok Bahang.
The top right "leg" is the George Town which in Malay is called "Tanjong" (cape).
The bottom left "leg" is largely undeveloped area of Pulau Betong where you will find traditional Malay stilt homes.
The bottom right "leg" is Batu Maung and Bayan Lepas where the airport is located.
And so why not take a journy around Penang Island - the "turtle". |
Immediately upon entering the Botanical Gardens, walking straight ahead, you see these unique canon ball trees on both sides of the road. It is probably the most photographed flora in the garden. These are not local species but were brought from South America by the British.
What is unique is the flowers sprout from the trunk of the trees. Big aromatic flowers that attract insects to pollinate. The fruits is brown and looks like a small coconut or canon ball, hence the name.
The fruit is probabily non-edible because many dropped on the ground and left to rot.
Every visitor to the garden should not miss these trees. |
There is a neat formal garden if you immediately turn to your right upon entering Botanical Garden. There are two fountain ponds and flowering vines and plants planted in two rows. There are also several towering majestic trees.
The formal garden is used for the annual floral show where is a flora competition in all categories including orchids as well as landscape garden competition. Many garden and plant outlet sellers also set up their stalls all over the botanical gardens. Watch out for the local announcement date.
Inside the Botanical Garden, there is a lily pond trail about 10 minutes loop. There are also many caged gardens of ferns, orchids, cacti, etc to prevent monkey attack and local theft. |
When you are in Penang, check out what is happening at PISA. A friend wanted to go to PISA but was taken by the taxi driver to Pizza Hut!
This is a sports center with badminton courts and an indoor Olympic size swimming pool open to public. There is also a corner for remote toy car racing. In addition, there is a membership gym club and many locals jogged or walked within PISA with the free parking (except of exhibition days).
The main PISA hall is the venue of the annual MATTA fair (discount travel), Computer Fair, Furniture Fair, Housing Property Fair, International Ballroom Competition and many other annual as well special events. So check out what is happening at PISA.
Location:
At Bayan Baru, near Bukit Jambul Golf Club and on the way to the Penang International Airport. |
You will probably hear about "E-Gate" if you stay in Penang long enough. Where is that?
E-Gate is located next to Tesco which is on the coastal road from Penang Bridge to Lebuh Masjid Negri (Green Lane). It is a building block with shops and hangouts for the young and trendy.
Penang is relatively slow compared to KL but new places come up and hence the new names. "Belissa Row" and "Leith Street" used to be popular but now places like "E-Gate" and "Gurney Place" are the places to be.
So next time, someone asked about say "Krystal Point" - do not hesitate to ask where because you cannot find it on the map. |
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on April 10, 2007
