Penang Escapade

Alternate Dim Sum Shop that we went to, Fu Shan was impossible.

We set off before 5am and reached Ipoh at 7.30am. We looked for 30 minutes in Ipoh town and finally found the famous Fu Shan Dim Sum. And it was indeed famous, at 8am the place was jammed packed. People were lining up outside and around the tables, I could see people standing beside tables waiting for others to finish their food so that they could sit themselves on those tables. Even the one opposite it Ming Court was crazy crowded, so we settled for one that is less crowded around the corner. The food was quite ok, and the best thing was the price. The bill came up to less than RM30 for 2 adults and 3 kids. Way cheaper than in KL.


After breakfast, we went our way to Penang. By 10.30am we crossed the Penang Bridge. Since it was pretty early still, proceeded to Penang Hill (Bukit Bendera). The crowd there was crazy too. We lined up for more than 30 minutes to get tickets for the train up the hill. There were only 2 counters opened?! I was surprised that they didn't have a more efficient queuing system or opened more ticket sale counters. But it was worth the wait. Tickets for malaysians are priced at RM8 for adults and RM4 for kids (3 and below is free) and students, there was also a family special for 2 adults and 2 kids at RM18 which we bought. It ride took less than 15 minutes and it goes all the way up.

Penang Bridge with little traffic.

Penang Hill view from the train downwards.

The top of the hill was quite cool. The view from up there was really nice too. The indian man selling kacang putih was doing brisk business at RM2 a pack. We had some steamed chick peas which I had not have for a long long time. Tasted so great. Also had ice kacang and some other snacks. The weather was cool and nice, so we enjoyed it there. We were supposed to meet my brother and his entourage in Ipoh at 8am and later at Bukit Bendera at 10.30am but they missed both meeting times. So at about 1.30 pm, we lined up for the train to come down the hill.

Flower Power!

Kacang Putih!

Asam Laksa @ RM2.50, tasted great

Then it was time for lunch, we drove towards Georgetown and found a little lane with some hawker stalls which had locals eating there. So we parked our car and had our taste of authentic Penang hawker food, assam laksa at RM2.50 (albeit small portion), char kuey tiow and many others. When we had our fill, it was time to check into the hotel. Even with our iPhone google map, we had difficulty finding Berjaya Penang Hotel. Finally, past 3pm, we found it! The hotel room was pretty nice although the upholstery looks a bit worn and old. But the size of the junior suite I booked was nice, with a small living area separated with a sliding door form the bedroom with a king size bed.We all bathed and rested. But at about 5pm, we went out to the Toy Museum and finally met up with my brother and his family and my mum. The entrance fee was a bit steep, RM10 for adults and RM6 for kids, 2 and above. Inside, we saw models of many many toys and cartoon characters. Personally, I didn't think it was worth the money but if the kids enjoyed, then I guess it's ok. 

KungFu Panda (my favourite!) with the kids and their Grandma.

After the visit, we went to Gurney Drive for a stopover but we have already decided not to eat there. So after a brief stop, we drove to find another place to eat. My brother saw a restaurant called Kapitan Kopitiam and we stopped there for dinner. Food was quite ok and the ambiance of the place was pretty nice for families like ours. After dinner, we retired for the night promising to wake up early and meet at Kek Lok Si next morning, at 7.30am.

Beautiful View of the Pagoda.

The next morning, we woke at 6.30 am got the kids up and ready and we reached Kek Lok Si at 7.38am. My mum, brother and his family, who stayed in a different hotel at Batu Ferringhi, were running a little late, so we parked our car near the market and begun our walk up. Later we regretted this as we saw cars driving all the way up! My 2nd was already crying because he was tired but I pushed them on. When we were nearly there, my dear brother drove passed us! So we ended up at Kek Lok Si at about the same time! We walked around, took some pictures and went out the hill. My two sons took a ride on my brother's car while my hubby, my little princess (who would not follow them in the car) and I, walked down. Walking down seem to take a much shorter time and less effort. We met my brother and had breakfast at some hawker near the market place. It was the usual char kuey tiow, lor mee, har mee, etc.. By then, I think I already have an overload of mee and kuey tiow. After some shopping of tau sar perng, buah pala, etc. we moved on to our next destination.

The last stop was the Snake Temple which is in Bayan Lepas area, quite a little way away. My brother used his GPS and after like 20 minutes drive we found the temple. There were not that many snakes there but the kids saw a few of them and that seemed good enough for them. Then it was time for us to rush back to check out from the hotel, we managed to find our way back, had quick showers for everyone and checked out. We stopped for a snack of apom before we drove around Georgetown, with the thought of going shopping again but we ended up on the road to the Jetty. My brother had suggested earlier to take the ferry back and my hubby thought it was a great idea because they may stop the ferry service in future and we will have no such chance anymore. Since we found the jetty, we drove in and waited to board the ferry. I was pleasantly surprised the ferry service was free (Note: I found out later that getting off the island is free whether on the bridge or the ferry, pardon my ignorance!) and it was surprisingly the highlight of our trip! The kids enjoyed it so much, my eldest even got to drink some sea water as he stood right at the front of the ferry when some sea water splashed up.

Ferry Ride was most fun!

Overall, it was a nice trip. Two things I dislike about Penang. Firstly, it was the traffic jam which was caused by the long public holidays we have timed our vacation. Secondly it was the the people asking for money from you when you park your car in any tourist spots. I don't mind if we are paying the local government but I would hate for some drug addicts or some gangsters making their living off tourists like us, illegally. Now for the things I like about the island, it's very clean! And it's very historically looking, with many old and beautiful building from colonial times. Of course, the food is really good and cheap. And we have missed trying out some others like nasi kandar, etc.. Maybe another trip can be planned but I wouldn't know if it would be soon, hopefully not as long as another 5 or 10 years.