Penang Sports & Outdoors

The hotel beach shuttle brought us to a strectch of beautiful fine sand beach for our water sports.

Enjoy the Jet Ski trip at the beautiful beach of Penang.

Price RM60 for 15 mins for their 700cc new jet ski.

The life vest will be provided so no worries and just have fun jet skiing.

Bukit Jambul Country Club (BJCC )is conveniently located below Hotel Equatorial is this golf club which open with much fanfare in 1984. It is 18 hole but generally smaller than most mainland golf courses because of the limited land space.

There other activities like swimming, gym, tennis, squash, snooker and of course restaurant.

Has seen better days but still a great place to swing your club if you are on a business trip to Penang and staying at Hotel Equatorial.

4 more images

For Claus, if you read this tip.

Biking or cycling, a popular sport in Penang.

Picture 3, I saw this elderly caucasion stopping at the Fisherman Jetty, I can't stop admiring, cycling can really helped to keep the body trim and fit, but the winkles on the face, Aiya, that one cannot help lah..

(lah - another special Malaysian word to add at the end a sentence)

I wonder why the cyclists have to wear the special outfit for cycling? Can't I wear my ordinary clothing for cycling? hmmmm...........

The most popular places for walking and jogging is Botanical Gardens and Youth Park. Usually in the early morning or late late afternoon. So before or after work or during weekends. The Esplanade, Gurney Drive, Bukit Dumbar, the lake near Bukit Jambul and Air Itam Dam are other lcoal favorites places. Have tried the coastal path near the Penang bridge but the mud stench is too much.

Be careful not to leave your valuables in your cars and occasionally there are car break-in's while joggers jog.

Dragon boat racing is a sport founded in China centuries ago. It combines the power, speed and endurance of 12 or 20 people. Manned by paddlers, steerers and a drummer, the exquisite dragon boats surge towards the finish line, accompanied by the thunder of drums and roar of the crowd.

Penang Dragon Boat Race is usually held twice a year in June & December. The race is participated by many teams around the world.

84 is affectionately named rest stop along this tarred road just next to the entrance of Botanical Garden to the top of Penang Hill. Only jeep vehicles and motorcycles of residents living up at Penang Hill and those with special permission are allowed to use this road.

So generally it is a quiet road used by local hikers. Most of the regular hikers will take less than 30 minutes and just stop at 84 rest stop for the free biscuits and hot coffee or tea provided by volunteers (There is a donation box for regular hikers). Then they will make their way down. Others will go all the way up to Penang Hill before coming down the same way or take the funicular train down to Air Itam town which is far away from Botanical Gardens.

The road going up is steep but manageable. Coming down is a challenge for those with knee problems. So you will have to criss cross or walk backwards or use a walking stick to reduce the pressure on your knees.

Well, happy hiking up 84. There is always a stream of hikers going up and down.

All over Penang island, there are many jungle trails to hike.

The easiest is at the top of Penang Hill, along the tarred road from the Penang Hill Upper Train station towards Methodist Center. And if you walk beyond there, you will see more wild life like giant squirrels, blue Asian fairy bird and the flying lizard which glides from tree to tree.

You can also see excellent views of Georgetown, Air Itam and Penang Bridge.

Can be hot. So bring a cap and an umbrella if it looks like it going to rain. Fairly flat terrain about 30-50 minutes round trip.

Between Moon Gate and 84 tarred road up Penang Hill, there is a trail that follows the water pipe of Penang Water Authority (PWA).

It is a steep hike taking less than 30 minutes to reach the end but is less travelled. So go with someone else. There are also side trails to join Moon Gate trail or 84. Since one can get lost, so better stick to the trail up and down unless led by a local hiker.

More adventurous trail than 84 or Moon Gate. Wet and slippery if rain.