Penang

Penang

Last September 2016

Last September,an opportunity came for us visit Penang. It must have been ages the last time I was in Penang. This was the first trip there for my sons. Initially decided to drive but ended up flying with Airasia up to Penang. Only 40 minutes, Penang was at our feet. Driving would have taken 7-8 hours. From the airport just hop on the airport taxis or arrange your pick-up with the ride sharing app of your choice. Easy..Public Buses cheap but takes longer to reach Georgetown.

1. Where to stay ? Looking through the various accomodation websites, there was all kinds to meet the desires and fancies of everyone. We eventually decided on a budget hotel call "Armenian Suite Hotel" located on 33 Armenian Street right in Georgetown. We settled for their quadruple room which had two double-decker beds. Its a straightforward airconditioned room with attached bathroom. Reasonable price too.

2. How to travel around Penang? Well there are plenty of options from ride-sharing apps, taxis, free loop buses and the lot. We settled with lots of walking and was surprise to find Georgetown to be reasonably safe for that. Lots of tourists walking around.

If you want to travel beyond Georgetown, what we did was to purchase 
1-day tickets on the HOP-ON HOP-OFF Bus. We used this service to take us to Penang Hill/Bukit Bendera and other places of interest around the island. 

3. Penang is all about makan. Lots of good makan to be had. However also has its fair share of misses too. From Armenian Suites Hotel, lots of good food within reach..from Nasi Kandar havens, to excellent Char Koay Teow and much much more. However for me, there was one place that touched my taste buds in all the right places. It was a coffee shop called "Kafe Ping Hooi" corner of Lorong Melayu/Lebuh Canarvon. Go early for breakfast or brunch. What I loved eating there was two things. The Tiger Char Koay Teow fried with duck egg and the super delicious Lor Bah that has mini octopus and all sorts. Even writting this, I am recalling the experience there and missing them both much. 

Penang was fun to go. Lots to do besides eating. With my boys, of course the trip cannot be about food only. We also check out Komtar and the Science centre - Tech Dome. Great time there with lots of hands-on stuff to try. We enjoyed it.

ok thats it. Remember if you book your accomodations through the Agoda links on my blog, I do get a certain % . Nothing much though.So yah..other than that..I do this for fun.

God Bless

Edwin Koh (24/1/17)