Trip - Penang City Tour

Hi Blog,

For the second part of my journey, I will continue my post from Taiping to Penang City. If you have missed it, you can continue from there and come back again.

Taiping is a quiet town, but I love it. If I could teleport anywhere to travel around, I would visit Taiping again...

Thanks to our tour guide for arranging that itinerary, and I am excited about the next one to Penang. If you missed out on my first Penang itinerary in 2016, you may click here to read more of it. It was when I had just started my blogging habit, so my write-up was quite raw.

Looking at the architecture in Taiping makes me feel that the world is so vast for me to experience and learn. Time seems to either stand still or slow down here. I love such places, which make me wish I had 'teleportation' as my magic, so I could travel anywhere.

On our way to Penang, and it will be a journey of over an hour. With the good weather, we will have a good day.

I was drafting my blog, but I got too sleepy...

The neat wiring system shows how well it is maintained and planned by the government.

Crossing the Second Penang Link.

Looking across the horizon - it's Pulau Aman.

Our first Penang itinerary: Hin Company Ltd.

Historically, Hin Company Ltd was a leading private motorbus operator in George Town, Penang, renowned for its iconic 'Blue Buses'. Following World War II, the company constructed the art deco-style Hin Bus Depot in 1947. Bus services were discontinued in the early 2000s. 

The previously abandoned depot has been transformed into the Hin Bus Depot in George Town, now a vibrant community hub featuring art galleries, studios, and weekend markets.

Love the classic and cultural gallery setting. I think it's due to the tiles that give off a certain vibe.

Oooo, the weekend market.

The market was buzzing with people singing and having fun, giving off a chill, youthful vibe, though my aunties didn’t seem to enjoy it.

I can't even think about how crowded the toilet must be with just two cubicles for all these visitors.

(Credit my brother) So, what do you think about the environment here? When skyscrapers decide to visit the ground.

Something interesting here, a shredded mirror which serves as art rather than functioning as what it is supposed to.

Do you see the 'To Do List'? Haha

I love the scene where nature takes over the architecture; that is what I love in urbex. Not just empty buildings.

In the market here, there are many second-hand stores selling clothing and other items.

Spot anything that interests you? I do,o but I can't.

One crazy thing here with that is that there is one beverage stall that always seems popular and has a long queue.

Whereas there were other beverage stalls here too, the queue was manageable. I am still puzzled about who will buy the clothes here and who their target audience is.

Do you notice the long queue here? I appreciate the variety of creative items, such as pottery, but I have yet to find one that truly resonates with me.

I wonder if this guy is drawn wearing a bare shirt or if he has a suntan.

I didn't buy anything and just went around looking for a tall mirror for a selfie.

Because at home, I don't have a mirror in my room, especially a tall one. Only confident people or demigods would have such a tall mirror.

Aww... These look so cute.

I was unable to find an otter, but my brother purchased a beaver for me, which also represents me well.

Next stop - Penang Nyonya Museum (Pinang Peranakan Mansion)

Singapore also has such a museum, but the Penang Nyonya Museum is on another level if you happen to visit.

Since I am a peasant, I will never be able to enter a palace; this Nyonya mansion will be a mini palace to me.

What a big house.

Just check out this intricate design for the door.

And the tiles

I reflected on my taste in this type of house and realised that I might somehow be impressed by it... I still highly prefer a house like a Japanese house - zen and simple.

The tiles are very eye-catching and colourful.

Our tour guide has become the Nyonya Mansion guide, explaining the drama and history of life as a Peranakan.

Taking photos here definitely showed a classic vibe.

I observed that in the mansion, one consistent feature is the presence of large mirrors. Mirrors seem to be placed throughout the property.

I called this the rich man's doors.

Please take a moment to observe this design. It represents a fusion of Western and Eastern elements, combining a large crystal chandelier and Western-style dining layout with Eastern furniture, resulting in a unique aesthetic.

Even an "ugly man" like me in the picture, no one will pay any attention to me, and just look at the things around me. Can't find me? Haha, then just look at my mother, will do. Fun fact: the tour guide mentioned that most long tables where they have their dinner have rounded edges to ensure that any conflicts within the family during dinner time are smoothed out.

Honestly, it is a beautiful mirror.

While my relatives and the tour guide were outside the dining room, I went to another room where no one was around. Ooo, it's a master bedroom.

(Credit my brother) Will I consider staying in such a room? Nope. Haha

(Credit my brother) Too hard to sleep on.

Honestly, I don't know how many rooms they need for a dining room. I guess this museum is meant to showcase many Peranakan house setups.

Even in this living room, they appear elegant. The chairs feature a Western design.

Check out this one - a room with a Peranakan theme.

There is another living room on another floor in this mansion.

Nice cupboard mirror to have, so I can remind myself how fat I am.

The next room is where they show their wealth to peasants like me.

So much jewellery is collected here.

This is one of the most exquisite pieces; the level of detail is remarkable.

Even their plates are worth being displayed.

The artwork here is better than the current mass production.

My aunt tried to cheer up my mom after the drama at the coffee mill. Taking some photos for them could help.

My dream gardening corner... I think it won't be enough for me.

Maybe this space is enough.

I love the colour of this frame.

It makes a beautiful photo for anyone here.

(Credit my auntie) Besides me. Haha

After the museum, we went for an early dinner, and it was about time to check in at the hotel as the traffic had started to increase.

Our hotel for this trip is St Giles.

Hmm... I will expect a more grand lobby for this hotel, but the chandelier looks awesome.

Warm and comfortable corridor

Seamless carpet design - thumbs up for that.

Love our room – If I were wealthy, I would want a room like this.

Nice clean toilet

Aww... I was so tired... And full... I cannot believe they ordered so many dishes of food...

But nothing can stop me from swimming, even though all my relatives wanted to go for a massage. The swimming pool is a bit... Too small and shaded...

There was a swimmer here,e but didn't bother.

I don't know what I am doing here, just showing you the beautiful sky and buildings.

If I want to suntan, I need to be around here.

By lying on the beach chair, I will only dry off if I need to.

Anyway, time to swim.

Capturing a quality photograph without assistance proved to be challenging.

Something positive happened while I was swimming. Remember, just now, there was a swimmer here? He was one of the hotel staff who wanted to learn to swim before he started work. He saw my swimming technique and asked me to guide him on how to swim freestyle. So I spent a while teaching him about breathing techniques and important points to note. I doubt he will remember everything, but at least he can practice one or two things, especially the breathing.

Even though I didn't swim much, I felt satisfied.

At least he brought up the courage to seek advice. That is courage, and even though I look untoned or fat, that didn't stop him.

Anyway, time to return to my room. I realised this is the only black trunk I have, haha. Honestly, I am not used to seeing myself in black; maybe fat-me won't look great in any...

Yeah... I don't have a great manly chest, washing abs and a good-looking face...

Just forget it... It's funny that every time something positive happens in my life, I feel unworthy of being happy about it... Sigh... No wonder, whether I want to be positive or negative, things still remain the same; life goes on. Actually, I learned that is how most Koreans feel living in Korea; the social pressures and fat shaming...

Anyway, now I understand the source, and I will look into that in future. Time to return to my room...

Since everyone had stepped out for a massage and my 2nd auntie, who didn't go with them, did not dare to stay in her own room, I will take her out shopping.

Honestly, I don't know what or where to shop, so I will start with the one nearby, which is 1st Avenue.

Aww, what a cute capybara mascot. If I am loaded, I will make an inflatable Korea otter Usouso-chan mascot for myself.

It is quite a standard shopping mall with certain well-known brands,s but slightly quieter.

Besides 1st Avenue, there is another mall, Prangin Mall, also a quiet mall... I would say sleepy for this mall. Maybe we came here late, te as many stalls had closed, but for my aunties' standards, I think it was not up to theirs.

At least my auntie got something from this mall, and so did I.

I purchased a hair product from Watson and was pleasantly surprised to find it available here. Additionally, I acquired some extra clothing as I had forgotten to bring any.

As the majority of the stalls had closed, I advised my aunt to return to my room and wait for their return from the massage sessions. Meanwhile, I continued working on coding for my blog... Then slept early for the night.

The next morning... Why did I wake up so early?

Wasn't it obvious?

To be the eyesore for Mr Sun before I did it to others.

Oh dear, condensation happened on the lens, but it's better; I won't cause anyone to vomit.

It seemed the water was very cold.

Since my camera lens has condensation, let's try out my phone.

Clearer and sharper for an eyesore.

If there is a sun, I would love to suntan here.

Trying to capture a wide shot of the pool scene a few times.

After a few rounds of swimming, I decided to pause and observe the morning in Penang town.

There is a mountain in the East - it should be Mountain Bintang.

Good morning, Mr Sun!

The morning sunlight illuminated the beach chair, creating an ideal moment.

But one cannot suntan under such a sun ray because it is not strong enough, and the eyesore is stronger here.

Okay, I recognise that I am not up to standard, so I won't enjoy the blessings and advantages that the demigods have. Somehow, I just try to be myself in my own zone and not advertise to everyone to 'look me up,' which I don't need. I am learning to accept myself more; looking at the mirror helps — I am doing fine.

Okay, I have used up all my trunks for this trip. Should I skip going to the pool on the last day?

I must say the breakfast in St Giles Hotel was great, especially for a vegetarian like me. Eggs—just eggs—will do.

Okay, let's go on the 3rd day of our trip.

I remember Scott told me that Penang was like Singapore's Chinatown 50 years ago; I have to agree with him.

The tour guide knew that most of my aunties wanted to purchase some local delicacies like biscuits and snacks, so he brought us to a local market.

This street is Jalan Pasar. It's really localised, and you can find affordable food and other stuff here.

From the look at the cables, the government here cares for the people, and the people are very peaceful and respect the laws.

There is no traffic light here, so you need to be careful as you cross the road.

As you can see, the people and the traffic flow are.

I was initially concerned that the young children running around might run into traffic; however, they appeared quite resilient and intelligent, demonstrating an awareness of potential dangers.

What a narrow shop house pavement, similar to Singapore Chinatown. This is what we call the "five-foot way" (五腳街), a roofed, continuous walkway located at the front of historic shophouses in Singapore and Malaysia. The walkways measure approximately 1.5 meters in width, offering pedestrians a sheltered, traffic-free space protected from the sun and monsoon rains. 

There are two reasons why I snapped this photo. One is the name of the wet market, which looks like it is from an earlier time in Singapore - Pasar Awam Air Itam Market. Secondly, the kid here lives a simple life, wearing simple clothes, eating simple food, and playing with simple toys. They don't need high-end stuff to be happy; they take things as they are, which gives them a different character than city kids. Just some personal thought.

You may still see this wet market in Singapore, but in Malaysia, it is quite common.

Their wet market reminded me of my younger days when I visited my father, who was a chicken butcher. The smells and sights were familiar.

I don't like walking through the wet market because of all the dead animals; seeing all of them is upsetting and overwhelming...

I particularly enjoy zooming in to capture shots that closely integrate the foreground, environment, and background, as they convey multiple narratives. Do you?

Stores like this, which reflect Singapore's past and offer affordable prices, are no longer commonly found in Singapore.

Even at their food stalls, locals share tables, reflecting a remarkable sense of community. I love to order my food here, which makes me feel like I'm going back to the past to experience it.

If additional storage space is required and shelves are unavailable, consider hanging the products.

I didn't check the price of this fruit stall, but the locals know who has the best deal.

It's quite overwhelming to see so many things being sold in a small space; if I were a kid, I might spend a lot of time scanning through them for treasures. This reminds me of a game where you are tasked with finding certain items in a mess of objects. Love such games! Let's challenge yourself here—try to find a Red Bull product in the photo that includes the one on the poster. How many do you manage to find? There are five.

Finally managed to find a new way to capture photos of a scene. Do you like such a perspective?

Honestly, until now, we hadn't gotten a chance to try their local desserts like ice kachang and chendol because they were not included in the tour (unless we managed to find them at night, which we wouldn't have known how to do). So, we just went to one stall to satisfy our cravings. I just want durian chendol...

Next is to visit the famous place - Kek Lok Si Temple 極樂寺.

It is a Buddhist temple in George Town, Penang, and is the largest Buddhist temple in Malaysia.

The whole temple was an inspirational initiative of Beow Lean, the abbot, and was built over a period from 1890 to 1930.

Because it is built on a hill,o we were supposed to walk up the hill, however...

Not everyone is inclined to take such a walk; however, if I were alone, I would certainly attempt it. Therefore, we opted to use the lift to ascend.

I saw a few abandoned buildings while ascending; I doubt I can even enter to see them.

I could see our hotel from here (on the left side).

One of the most prominent figures in the Kek Lok Si temple is the tall Guanyin statue. In 2002, a 30.2-metre bronze statue of Guanyin, the Goddess of Mercy, was completed and opened to the public. It was built to replace the previous white plaster Guanyin statue, which was damaged due to a fire a few years ago.

Another temple besides the statue.

What an intricate pattern.

It seemed my relatives would want to contribute something here.

Oh my, this is a large carved Burmese jade of Maitreya Buddha. Really large. The cost of this whole artwork is RM 6 million! I think that's the closest I can get to the rich.

Personally, Zen is what I want to achieve.

Here is the unblocked panoramic view of Penang from the temple.

I wonder which shot that most people will prefer? Panoramic or 1x

Or a drone shot? Haha. If the photo is clear, it will be awesome.

(Credit tour guide) Before we leave the place, he told everyone to stand sideways and pray to Guanyin, which created such an interesting shot.

For anyone who has no idea who Guanyin is, it is easy enough to watch a YouTube video about her (one of her past lives), which is quite inspiring. It has never been about religion, but about what she wants to do.

We were on our way up a twisted road to a mountain to the soap factory...

Unfortunately, due to heavy rainfall, we had to omit certain items from our itinerary...

The tour guide knew that we wanted to taste some durians, so he parked us by the roadside..

They don't have Maoshanwang and are waiting for the stall owner to introduce the durians to us..

Personally, I don't bother with what durian it is, I will take it all. I say that because some of the aunties complained about the quality of the durians... Singaporean maybe...

The rain started to stop, so we have some extra time...

We went to Gurney plaza.

It is a big mall!

I treat myself to a pair of typical sports shorts and shirts.

Here are the sports shorts and shirts that I got myself. I have a similar set, but in different colours.

Then we went for our last dinner of the trip and celebrated my auntie's birthday and Mother's Day.

Forced one of my aunties to take pics together, forced happiness.

And I forced myself with food... Honestly, I can't take anymore food...

Back to our hotel... Same program for my relatives—they went for their massage.

I stepped out for a little shopping to buy some items from areas I missed, even though I wanted to go for a quick swim, but nah... I just tied myself up for my blog and rested early properly.

Good morning good morning. Yes! My last day to swim!

A great morning ray, but slightly moody.

It will feel weird to wear wet trunks that haven't dried yet, and since my black and white ones were in the same hotel, I will go for the blue.

Make no difference... It doesn't matter for an ugly nerd wear.

As long as there are no swimmers around, I will feel happier.

Had a great swim

It will be a long morning before check out and I just lie down there and.... Zzz... I slept there...

I quickly woke up after hearing the lift open, and hotel guests were going to use the gym next to the pool. It seemed like I still could go for breakfast before checking out.

Before we checked in the airport, we went to another heritage location in Penang.

That will be Chew Jetty 姓周桥. I was here back in 2016 (blog post). Think I’ll learn anything new this time?

Chew Jetty is the biggest and most popular water village out of all the Clan Jetties. Back in the day, the folks from the Chew clan were super tight-knit and really helped out other Chew immigrants from their hometown get settled. And guess what? This place has pretty much dodged all the war stuff and has just kept on growing peacefully over the years.

The tour guide knows the villagers well, and there are two walkways on the Chew Jetty.

Usually, most tourists walk on the shop houses lane on the left, but he took us to explore the right side, where most villagers would not be disturbed by strangers.

Looking at the cables again... Yes, the people here are very disciplined.

The tour guide demonstrated and described the construction methods of the houses. Initially, in the early 20th century, Chinese immigrants hammered long, durable hardwood stilts (like Chengal or Balau) into the seabed as the foundations and flooring, followed by metal for the walls and roof.

However, as years passed, the log started to corrode, and the residents replaced it with cement to protect it from external damage. I still wonder... How long can this last...

(Credit my brother) Honestly, walking on an old log got me nervous...

Looking inside their houses seems simple and spacious, which makes me feel at ease, as long as none of their kids play basketball or soccer here.

I still can't picture myself living on the edge with this as foundation for too long...

Little Heron (Butorides atricapilla) is adaptable to live in this condition.

Back to the shop houses lane: usually, tourists do not cross over to another lane and might be asked to leave by the residents for creating noise. We were fortunate that the tour guide allowed us to walk through safely.

Quiet, yet rich in culture - Chew Jetty.

The tour guide recommended that we try this durian puff, and it tastes awesome. Yummy. Some of the aunties didn't want to eat, so I ended up taking three! Haha

Last moment of our trip and I don't seem to be able to spend money freely... I wondered... What is wrong with me?

Ah, I spotted an interesting artwork of a Kungfu Landlord, but I am not wealthy enough to purchase it...

(Credit tour guide) Thank you for bringing us around, and sharing many experiences and facts. Hope you and the driver are well in the future.

Ooo, great! I thought my return flight window seat would be empty, but the lady passenger just threw a cold and uninterested face. I guess ugly nerds like me aren't showered with ladies' smiles.

Luckily, I had taken some photos through the window before she sat.

Good bye Penang, I hope I will come back again!

Here is a comprehensive view of the second Penang Link. It truly highlights the vastness of the world.

When I looked out the window... I spotted another rainbow. A rainbow at the beginning of our trip and one more when we came back... It reflected something deep.

Overall, I had a great learning journey on this trip and love such trips where I can learn new things. But the main point is that we traveled as a big family with many differences in ideas, views, and concerns. It will definitely create some storms during the process. It is either that everyone learns to embrace and understand one another's kindness to grow and become stronger, or this will be the last trip for everyone. Honestly, from everyone's expressions, I know the higher probability. In my mind, I really hope for the small possibilities and am ready for them. I hope so...

Jeff