Pulau
Pinang was the first British outpost in Malaya, obtained
from Kedah in the 16th century. One of the components of
the Straits Settlements (others being Singapore and Meleka)
by the British East India company, it has rich influences
in British culture and architecture that is very similar
on what can be found in Singapore. For example, there is
a Padang (a big piece of land) in from of the old city hall
(think of Singapore's Padang and Supreme Court).
As
for satisfying the stomach, it offers a variety of cheap
and good street side foodfare, cheaper than Kuala Lumpur
and Singapore but not inferior in quality by any way.
It
was a good walking tour and we covered Georgetown in detail.
Chinatown (Lebuh Chulia), Little India and Jalan Penang
were some of the places we hang out. We didn't do the whole
of Penang because of lack of transport and time. I suppose
there are other interesting places which we have missed.
Lebuh Chulia (China Street), Penang's very own version of
the infamous Thanon Khao San, are filled by Guest Houses,
pubs and road side stalls at night. I remember particularly
the Wanton noodles and Curry noodles I had, at a knocked
out rate of Rm1.80 (S$0.85).
I
do not want to end this trip with a "Home Sweet Home".
I sincerely don't feel so. When do we leave Sillypore again? |
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Bb (my ex)
with Penang Laska (Rm2.50) at Jalan Penang. An authentic
coffee shop, it oozes loads of pre-colonial style and taste.
We also had Penang Chendol (Rm1.20) nearby (2 stalls facing
one another to get as much customers as possible). The food
was great, the feeling was even better. |
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In the
room of Oriental Hotel (Rm88/night). I recalled we stayed
in the 8th floor as well. As usual, Malaysian hotels are
mostly well built but scored poor in maintenance. It wasn't
a super choice but nevertheless provided a place to sleep.
This was at the far end of Lebuh Chulia. We switched to
Hotel Hong Ping (in the heart of Lebuh Chulia) the next
day (Rm56/night). |
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Stick
no bills. Do we still have these in Singapore? I seems to
have seen it somewhere? Maybe at the museum. |
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Me with
big cannon at Fort Cornwallis. A typical fort built in British
Colonies in the Far East to defend against intruders. Recall
what happened to Pulau Blakang Mati (Sentosa) in Singapore. |
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(From left) Captain
Francis Light, Pp and Bb (my ex). One of the pictures
which someone took for us. We were smiling because the person
(who took the picture for us) asked us to stand closer together
and hug. |
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Bb (my ex) outside
Penang Museum (I think) and a dustbin. She was quite sporting
and gave a nice pose. |
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Bb (my ex) in
front of Jubliee Clock Tower, at the junction of Lebuh Light
and Lebuh Pantai is sixty feet tall, one foot for each year
of Victoria's reign. A corner of the wall surrounding Fort
Cornwallis appears behind the tower, which was built to
commemorate Queen Victoria's 1897 Jubilee (I copied this
from another website).
Though Bb (my ex) was still smiling, both
of our legs were aching like hell. |
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15Km away
from Georgetown, near Batu Ferrengi. Nothing much when we
went passed 4pm in the afternoon. People were setting up
night stalls selling souvenirs to tourists. Reminds me of
a poor imitation of Thailand's Phuket. |
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Black-faced
Bb (my ex) at Batu Ferrengi in front of white horse. One of the
very few pictures which she gave the unhappy look. I think
I irritated her by being rude(?). Nothing much except for
some 4-star hotels and Guest Houses. An ok place to chill
out. This beach will become world-famous when uncle Tsunami
hits 1 year later. |
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Home "Sweet
Home". Back to Sillypore. Shit happens. We have to
hang on yet, though the picture did not suggest so. |
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Pg 2 |
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