Pulau Pinang Road Trip 2013

I think I forgot to mention that I am from Malaysia? Anyways, after finishing my finals, my cousin and I went for a road trip to Pulau Pinang! We took the midnight train(KTM) from KL Sentral to Butterworth, where my friend pick us up and drove to the island.

Train tix

You can buy the train ticket at KL Sentral. Look for the counter which is nearby KFC. There's a difference in price as it cost MYR34 for the seats, and MYR40 for the bunk bed. I personally suggest the bed as it's rather comfortable and you can be fully rested upon reaching your destination!

On a side note, if you have motion sickness, fear not! The ride is rather stable and I think it's rather ok. However, do take your medication to be on the safe side! Oh, do bring a casing for your spec if you're planning to sleep. I broke my spec cause I accidentally crushed it while sleeping :(

Bunk

Don't know where to slot in my hotel details. So I'll just put it here. I stayed at PPIsland Hotel. You can get the details here. The hotel is clean and comfortable. The room rate is cheaper than the one stated on the website. It's MYR80 per night if not mistaken. I don't know why the rate on the site is not updated. But if they charge cheaper than shown, I have no problem with that :p

Day 1

We arrived at Butterworth at around 06:30 the next day. Friend suggested we take a car ride around the city while the residents are still asleep. And also while waiting for the check-in time for my hotel.

First stop: Gurney Drive

Not the most beautiful beach :x

The oh-so-famous Plaza Gurney Mall

Newly built Gurney Paragon shopping mall

 Next stop: Market place (I forgot where ...)

Snacks

Fresh fuits

Trinkets

Preservation of heritage

Old school parking meter

LOOOOKK!! Recently put up all over Love Lane to promote tourism

Following stop: Oldest Temple in Penang, Kuan Yin Temple!

From the bottom

On the inside

Trinkets sold to tourists on their way to the top

More trinkets

Couldn't find the way to go up, asked for directions and the guy said just a little way up .. Even after I was drenched in sweat, I still couldn't see the Goddess of Mercy. Not so merciful after all? :(

After sweating like a pig on my way up ....

Finally the Goddess of Mercy!

View of the city from the top of the temple

Time for dessert after the climb ... The Famous Penang Road Cendol! 

(sorry no picture of the cendol as I finished it before remembering to take picture ..)

Take note that there are 2 stalls there, both claiming to be famous, BUT only the one on the right side is the authentic one(according to my Penangite friend)

Must-eat Penang Road cendol

Look at the queue!

Bought fried kuey teow while queuing as it smelled so nice! It taste as good as it smells too *thumbs up*

Fried Kuey Teow

2nd last stop of the day: Hard Rock Cafe Penang

Rocking the Liqour Bar

Was planning to eat dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe, but some rich dude reserved the whole cafe. There goes my dinner :(

Ordered a drink and chill at the lounge while some dude with a really nice voice entertained us. (and also to wait some of my friends who are busy cam-whoring on the beach)

Final stop of the day: Straits Quay, pronouced as Stretski

Friend had to spell it out to me before I finally understood where we were headed. Beautiful view, but lack of things to buy.

Day 2

Touring the city on my own as my friends went to Escape Theme Park and I didn't wanna go ..

So, my cousin and I went to Lorong Selamat for Friend Kuey Teow for breakfast! This taste as good as the one from the day before. BUT it cost me DOUBLE!!! *rip off*

Thought it's a rather big plate, but the portion is so small! Not worth buying .. (just my two cents)

Aunty, one plate please!

MYR 8 Char Kuay Teow

After breakfast, we walked along the road and reached this but it was close.

Took a cab to the Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion or better known as Blue Mansion. The only blue building here, I assume.

Main Entrance of the Blue Mansion

While waiting for the tour to start, we went to The Chocolate Boutique which is just nearby.

Rows and rows of chocolate

Promoting Malaysia

They sell deco as well which is so cute!!

 Despite being a chocolate lover, the trip to The Chocolate Boutique was rather disappointing. I was expecting all sorts of imported chocolate but all I got was Beryl's!

On the side note, they sell some tea and coffee as well. They have free testers! :)

Some homemade ice-cream to cheer me up after the disappointment .. it cost only MYR6!

The ice-cream lady was funny. 

My cousin asked her, 'What is your best seller?'. 

She replied, 'Usually Chinese will order Green Tea flavor'. 

We were like, whuttttt?! 

After the ice-cream episode, we went back to the Blue Mansion. Here's some pictures ..

After the short tour, we were brought to the souvenir shop which is located at the side of the building.

Books, purses, bags, etc

Handmade soap bars

Off we went, after the tour. Next stop, the Rainforest Bakery! On our way there, more street arts!

BAHAHAHHAHA! Shortyy :p

Misused of the term 'budget'

Bakery ~ This is located at Lebuh Chulia. Shop lot 294. It's not too hard to locate.

Had to take picture from the side to avoid taking my own reflection

Menu

Turkey ham with Cranberry sauce bagel

Homey feel. Great place to chill with friends

The buns and bagel from this bakery is delicious! If you have time, do try their Jackfruit with Gula Melaka Yogurt. *thumbs up*

With our tummy replenished, we headed to Little India Street.

Indian clothing store

Somehow we ended up at the Peranakan Museum for another tour of the State's preserved cultural heritage.

Outside view

Inside

First floor

After random exploration of the house, we decided to go to Queensbay Mall. It was difficult to get a cab during peak hours when people finish working. We had to walk for quite some time before managing to get a cab. But it's not all loss, managed to snap some more pictures! :D

Famous landmark for the state: Pinang fruit which the state is named after

Taking our sweet time looking at beautifully preserved buildings

For deco only

 Queensbay!

What a sad excuse for a picture of Penang Bridge at night

 Outside the mall, there're a lot of stalls being set up, selling snacks.

Fried Corn

More snakcs

All-in-one!

 Final stop for day 2 : European Bar & Bistro (or was it Bistro & Bar?)

My first German beer (me likeyyy)

German sausage as snack

Second beer while waiting for a cab

The bar tender help us called for a cab. They were nice and friendly, asking where were we from, making small talks. Me and my cousin burst out laughing when one of the staff asked how was our honeymoon! Could you imagine that. Not too long after that, the cab arrived and we made our way back to the hotel.

Day 3

Like every other day, we went hunting for the breakfast when the sun comes up. For the last day in Penang, we had 'white curry' at the Hot Bowl for breakfast. (yes, you read correctly. The curry is WHITE in color) You can add in the chilli according to your spicy tolerance which I think is a clever idea. The cafe is located along Abu Siti Lane.

Hot Bowl Menu

Speaking of Abu Siti Lane, you can get a refreshing coconut drink at the end of the lane. After a bowl of curry noodles, we stop by Jan's Homemade Cakes bakery.

Assorted food products sold

The cakes aren't the best but it's not the worst either. Wouldn't make it my priority in suggesting places to go in Penang.

After packing and checking out the hotel, we left our luggage in friend's car. He dropped us at Plaza Gurney and went back home to sleep as he went clubbing the night before.

To kill time, we went for a movie .. Fast and Furious 6!

Movie time

Now, where to eat before going for a movie?

Cosy atmosphere

Ordered pizza waffle which was delicious! Will definitely bring my family here if given the chance.

After friend had his beauty sleep, he came back and met up with us. We went for tea time snacks at the stalls just next to Plaza Gurney.

The fried oyster here is the best! *drools*

I think I ate MYR50 worth of fried oysters that day :p

We spent some time exploring the mall and friend dropped us off at the train station.

So, that concludes my 3D2N Penang trip!

I do realise that this post is a little long. Should I post all of it into ONE post or split into a few according to the days? Would appreciate the feedback!

Thanks for taking the time to read. I hope you have a safe trip to Penang! :)

Cheerio,

Jas xx