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Penang Warnings or Dangers

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Penang Warnings or Dangers

Penang travel tips posted by real travelers and Penang locals.
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Penang Warnings or DangersTips 1 - 10 of 67  
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How safe is the seawater: Dally with Jellyfish
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  • Updated By bpacker on November 18, 2005
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  • Batu Ferringhi Beach - Penang
    Batu Ferringhi Beach
    by bpacker, 1 more photos
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    Honestly speaking, the beach at Batu Ferringhi, Penang isn't quite what the tourist literature makes it up to be. The sandy portion is narrow, there are rocky outcrops everywhere and there's jellyfish within those waters. How did I know that? I got stung in the butt here once when I was stayed here at Golden Sands Resort once. Needless to say, I yelped, jumped out the water and went to search for vinegar to soothe my bottom. I should have just played with the sand just like these kids.

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    Mosquitoe bites: Mossies and Snakes
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  • Updated By bpacker on December 21, 2005
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  • Guess what i saw in Penang Hill? - Penang
    Guess what i saw in
    Penang Hill?
    by bpacker
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    Penang is in the tropics so mossies are commonplace. And yes, what you heard is true, they don't bite the locals, only the tourists;p If you're thinking of escaping the mossies, going to the 850m-above-sea-level-Penang Hill might be a good idea. But be warned, there are other tropical delights there! I caught sight of a little green fella when I was there , sipping my tea in Bellevue Hotel* . If truth be told, Mr Snake looked pretty harmless but I left him alone to catch his siesta.

    *There is a little sign in the garden that warns you of harmless pit vipers ( PIT VIPERS???!!) that live in the ivy-covered roof above the restaurant.

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    Don't temper with the wild monkeys: Cute little monkeys
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  • By kenyneo on March 30, 2004
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  • and turn out to be a fiery one ! Becareful when you take a visit to Botanical Garden. Of course the garden itself is so cooling and a sanctuary for even the locals ,,,,

    I used to take a walk after work and breath in the cool fresh air . There are so many routes that you can choose , just be sure you remember them . But when you see a group of monkeys around , its better to stay away cause they can be very aggresive at times ( they are attracted to shiny things , food and sometimes just afraid that you might wanna hurt their babies ! )

    Do not feed them ! Else you wanna take chances , they have bitten people before , so its really not advisable to go near them ....

    But dont forget to take pics of their babies from afar ..they can be very CUTE and irresistable !

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    Getting Squashed in the Penang Furnicular
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  • By bpacker on November 23, 2005
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  • The Long Wait for the Furnicular - Penang
    The Long Wait for the
    Furnicular
    by bpacker
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    If you've got the patience of Donald Duck, I'd suggest you skip Penang Hill Furnicular Ride altogether. If not, be prepared to wait for at half an hour and be crammed like a sardine in the tight,compacted confines of the small tram as it slowly creeps upwards for another 30min. And God help you if your fellow passenger turns out to be Fat Bastard*. I became a contortionist for half an hour when a very weight-challenged tourist squashed me against the window frame.

    *Scottish lump of fat last seen in Austin Powers

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    Jellyfish in the waters
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  • Updated By SLLiew on February 25, 2007
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  • White jelly fish (near the rope) - Penang
    White jelly fish (near the
    rope)
    by SLLiew, 2 more photos
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    Beware of jelly fish if you are swimming in the seas around Penang island.

    Apparently there are times when there are more jelly fish. Getting stung by one is no fun.

    So before you swim in the sea, ask an informed local about any jelly fish alert.

    Ammonia is a quick relief if stung. If no ammonia, eg on an island, then urine is effective, hearsay.

    If in doubt, why not juest enjoy your hotel swimming pool.


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    Chulia road transvestites
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  • By Kurtdhis on July 21, 2004
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  • I was walking with another tourist. We saw lots of prostitutes and we talked to some of them. (NOT FOR THE PURPOSE OF INDULGING!)He thought there was something wrong with the girls...maybe they are actually guys?? Later a guy at a bar told me that most of them in the streets in Malaysia are transvestites.I was grabbed by one of these transvestites while walking down Chulia road but flatly refused to "go upstairs".

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    Bag snatching.
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  • By Dxenion on April 15, 2004
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  • When walking on a footpath near traffic, carry your bag securely not just by hanging it off one arm.

    Opportunist bag snatching is common especially around Georgetown and Batu Faringi tourist areas.

    How it happens:
    A motorcyclist with passenger will ride up close behind you, the passenger will grab your bag and the the rider will take off at speed, yanking the bag from you.

    How to avoid:
    Walk against the traffic. Carry your bag by looping it across the opposing shoulder and wear backpacks using both shoulder straps.

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    Reverse parking in front of Gurney Plaza
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  • By SLLiew on January 8, 2007
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  • Penang Warnings or Dangers
    by SLLiew
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    Parking at Gurney Drive (only those in front of Gurney Plaza) now on the coastal side are now diagonal slots which means you have to reverse park. It is OK during the day when traffic is not heavy but on weekend nights or public holidays, it is like trying to park in a night market of cars.

    So you may want to just avoid Gurney Drive and go to the next road, Kelawai Road, and park at Gurney Plaza through Kelawai Road back entrance or the private car park next to it.

    Alternatively, drive further down Gurney Drive to the less busy sections and hope for parking slot and then walk up back. Of course, others will have the same idea.


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    Do not feed the Monkeys
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  • Updated By SLLiew on January 14, 2007
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  • Penang Warnings or Dangers
    by SLLiew, 1 more photos
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    There are warning signs of fines and that it is an offence to feed the monkeys inside and around the Botanical Gardens but is largely ignored by some locals and some tourists.

    There are two main reasons why not to feed the monkeys.

    Firstly, if monkeys are fed, they no longer forage in their natural habitat and become dependent on tourist food. Excessive tourist food will also unnaturally increase their population and so it becomes a vicious cycle. When food becomes scarce, the monkeys will venture into other neighboring houses and create havoc and will also cause damage to the botanical plants in the garden.

    Secondly, the monkeys are wild and become aggressive when taunted by tourists with or without any food. The dominant monkey leader are known to have jumped on unsuspecting child to grab an icecream causing traumatic fear.

    So as a responsible tourist, do not feed the monkeys.


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    Shoe snatcher
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  • By kyoub on June 27, 2004
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  • Instead of leaving your shoes at the door of the temple, take them with you.
    Keep a plastic bag in your purse or bag for this use. Put your shoes in the bag and carry them with you inside the house or temple.
    That way no one can snatch them while you are not looking.
    I am not saying anyone would but it is better to be safe than barefoot.

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