Musical
The students of Penang Free School will present ‘The King and I’ musical at Dewan Sri Pinang on Friday at 8pm. The guest-of-honour is Yang di-Pertua Negri Tun Abdul Rahman Abbas. For tickets or enquiries, call the school at 04-2815814 or Malini Ganapathy at 012-4315410.
Monday, 31 May 2010
Thursday, 27 May 2010
Buddha statues, temples spruced up for Wesak
Buddha statues, temples spruced up for Wesak
BUDDHIST temples and associations in Penang are abuzz with activity as devotees gear up for the Wesak Day celebrations on Friday.
Many of them are holding special prayers and religious activities to commemorate the event which marks the birth, enlightenment and passing away (Parinirvana) of Buddha.
At the Wat Chaiyamangalaram (Reclining Buddha Temple) on Burma Lane, temple helpers were seen giving the 32.9m-long and 9.75m-high sleeping Buddha statue the final cleanup before spraying perfume on it.
Temple supervisor Wanpen Loo, 58, said some 50 volunteers started cleaning the statue and the 30,000 Buddha images in the temple two weeks ago.
She said they needed to use long mops to reach the top part of the giant statue because it would be disrespectful to climb onto it.
“The number of helpers has been increasing every year as they believe that they can be blessed with good luck after cleaning the statue,” she added.
Loo said the temple would also celebrate the Four Faced Buddha’s birthday today with devotees, whose prayers have been answered, performing traditional Thai dances as a sign of gratitude to the Buddha.
She added that devotees who could not attend the celebrations on Friday had written their names on the lotus candles which they had bought and placed in the temple.
Temple helpers will help them to light up the candles on the actual day.
Across the road, preparations are also in full swing at the Dhammikarama Burmese Buddhist Temple.
Temple trustee Yeap Theam Kwee said there would be chanting for blessings on the eve of Wesak Day and vegetarian buffet meals for devotees on Wesak Day.
“This year, our float will be decorated based mostly on Burmese designs which were undertaken by Burmese artists,” he said.
Over at the Penang Buddhist Association on Anson Road, its float committee member Wong Mun Onn, 60, was seen busily putting on the decorative bulbs on the lotus flower float.
-News courtesy of The Star-
BUDDHIST temples and associations in Penang are abuzz with activity as devotees gear up for the Wesak Day celebrations on Friday.
Many of them are holding special prayers and religious activities to commemorate the event which marks the birth, enlightenment and passing away (Parinirvana) of Buddha.
At the Wat Chaiyamangalaram (Reclining Buddha Temple) on Burma Lane, temple helpers were seen giving the 32.9m-long and 9.75m-high sleeping Buddha statue the final cleanup before spraying perfume on it.
Temple supervisor Wanpen Loo, 58, said some 50 volunteers started cleaning the statue and the 30,000 Buddha images in the temple two weeks ago.
She said they needed to use long mops to reach the top part of the giant statue because it would be disrespectful to climb onto it.
“The number of helpers has been increasing every year as they believe that they can be blessed with good luck after cleaning the statue,” she added.
Loo said the temple would also celebrate the Four Faced Buddha’s birthday today with devotees, whose prayers have been answered, performing traditional Thai dances as a sign of gratitude to the Buddha.
She added that devotees who could not attend the celebrations on Friday had written their names on the lotus candles which they had bought and placed in the temple.
Temple helpers will help them to light up the candles on the actual day.
Across the road, preparations are also in full swing at the Dhammikarama Burmese Buddhist Temple.
Temple trustee Yeap Theam Kwee said there would be chanting for blessings on the eve of Wesak Day and vegetarian buffet meals for devotees on Wesak Day.
“This year, our float will be decorated based mostly on Burmese designs which were undertaken by Burmese artists,” he said.
Over at the Penang Buddhist Association on Anson Road, its float committee member Wong Mun Onn, 60, was seen busily putting on the decorative bulbs on the lotus flower float.
-News courtesy of The Star-
Cultural showpiece at Fort Cornwallis
Cultural showpiece at Fort Cornwallis
PENANGITES are invited to attend a mixed cultural performance to be held at the Fort Cornwallis on June 5.
The event, organised by the Penang Tourism Development and Culture Committee and Zao Xin Chang (ZXC) Theatre Troupe, is part of the new Fort Cornwallis in Action series previously known as Esplanade in Action.
This two-hour extravaganza, which will start at 8.30pm, is aimed at attracting locals as well as tourists to witness and experience the state’s diverse culture.
ZXC Theatre Troupe leader Tan Hock Kheng said that there would be traditional Chinese dances, martial art performances such as wushu, and a Mongolian dance, which would be performed by Chung Ling High School Dance Group, thrown in for good measure.
“There will also be a preview of a play entitled ‘Three Sisters’ by Russian playwright Anton Chekhov which will be held in July, and a talk show performance about the environment,” he added.
State Tourism Development and Culture Committee chairman Danny Law Heng Kiang said the event was to be held at the historic fort to encourage more people to visit the place as it was not very popular with the locals.
“It’s all part of getting the current and future generations to appreciate our local historical places. I was shocked to find out that there are locals who do not even know where Fort Cornwallis is.
“The Fort Cornwallis in Action series is a platform for non-governmental organisations and schools to showcase their talents to the public,” he told a press conference in Komtar recently.
Admission is free for the performance. For details, call Tan Hock Kheng at 012-4282711 or visit zaoxinchang.blogspot.com.
-News courtesy of The Star-
PENANGITES are invited to attend a mixed cultural performance to be held at the Fort Cornwallis on June 5.
The event, organised by the Penang Tourism Development and Culture Committee and Zao Xin Chang (ZXC) Theatre Troupe, is part of the new Fort Cornwallis in Action series previously known as Esplanade in Action.
This two-hour extravaganza, which will start at 8.30pm, is aimed at attracting locals as well as tourists to witness and experience the state’s diverse culture.
ZXC Theatre Troupe leader Tan Hock Kheng said that there would be traditional Chinese dances, martial art performances such as wushu, and a Mongolian dance, which would be performed by Chung Ling High School Dance Group, thrown in for good measure.
“There will also be a preview of a play entitled ‘Three Sisters’ by Russian playwright Anton Chekhov which will be held in July, and a talk show performance about the environment,” he added.
State Tourism Development and Culture Committee chairman Danny Law Heng Kiang said the event was to be held at the historic fort to encourage more people to visit the place as it was not very popular with the locals.
“It’s all part of getting the current and future generations to appreciate our local historical places. I was shocked to find out that there are locals who do not even know where Fort Cornwallis is.
“The Fort Cornwallis in Action series is a platform for non-governmental organisations and schools to showcase their talents to the public,” he told a press conference in Komtar recently.
Admission is free for the performance. For details, call Tan Hock Kheng at 012-4282711 or visit zaoxinchang.blogspot.com.
-News courtesy of The Star-
Ready to welcome 1,500 superbikers
Penang ready to welcome 1,500 superbikers
PENANG will host a mammoth motorcade of 1,500 superbikers from Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand in a tri-nation superbikers rally next month.
State Youth, Sports, Women, Family and Community Develop-ment Committee chairman Lydia Ong Kok Fooi said the bikers would rally in Singapore before starting their journey to Penang, and then to Thailand.
She said the bikers, who would be in Penang from June 25 to June 27, would stay at a hotel in Tanjung Bungah.
During their visit to Penang, the bikers will also head for Butterworth via ferry for a programme at Seberang Jaya Carrefour before returning to their hotel using the Penang Bridge, Ong said in a press conference held to announce the annual Penang Youth Carnival 2010.
Ong said the Penang-based Mega Fortune Bikers Club, which would be organising the rally, had conducted a similar event called, Three-Nation Charity Ride 2009, involving about 800 bikers last September.
The Penang Youth Carnival, which will be held at the Auto-City in Juru this Saturday, will showcase about 30 of the latest superbikes available.
Ong said that apart from the motorcycle show, there would also be demonstrations by eight pocket bike owners and four ATV (all terrain vehicles).
Other events at the carnival, which will start from 10am to 10pm, include a BMX bicycle demonstration as well as games such as paintball, street soccer and sepak takraw.
-News courtesy of The Star-
PENANG will host a mammoth motorcade of 1,500 superbikers from Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand in a tri-nation superbikers rally next month.
State Youth, Sports, Women, Family and Community Develop-ment Committee chairman Lydia Ong Kok Fooi said the bikers would rally in Singapore before starting their journey to Penang, and then to Thailand.
She said the bikers, who would be in Penang from June 25 to June 27, would stay at a hotel in Tanjung Bungah.
During their visit to Penang, the bikers will also head for Butterworth via ferry for a programme at Seberang Jaya Carrefour before returning to their hotel using the Penang Bridge, Ong said in a press conference held to announce the annual Penang Youth Carnival 2010.
Ong said the Penang-based Mega Fortune Bikers Club, which would be organising the rally, had conducted a similar event called, Three-Nation Charity Ride 2009, involving about 800 bikers last September.
The Penang Youth Carnival, which will be held at the Auto-City in Juru this Saturday, will showcase about 30 of the latest superbikes available.
Ong said that apart from the motorcycle show, there would also be demonstrations by eight pocket bike owners and four ATV (all terrain vehicles).
Other events at the carnival, which will start from 10am to 10pm, include a BMX bicycle demonstration as well as games such as paintball, street soccer and sepak takraw.
-News courtesy of The Star-
Wednesday, 26 May 2010
Budget Indian food
Indian food
* Sri Ananda Bahwan, 53 & 55 Penang Street, in the Indian quarter, offers great Indian food for a very good price. "Best food, Best price, Best place" they say, and they may be right! They also have branches all over Malaysia.
* Jaya An Indian restaurant open 24 hours, is a little more tourist friendly than other local restaurants. They offer a wide variety of fresh Indian food, including chicken masala, fresh garlic naan, roti prata, roti cani, tandoori chicken, and curry puffs. The prices are cheap and the food is fast and fresh.
* Kapitan's is on Chulia Street in the heart of Georgetown near to all the backpackers hostels. Tandoori chicken and butter chicken.
* Krsna Restaurant, in the heart of Little India, used to be known as Krishna Vilas. Cheap banana leaf (they use paper versions now) meals can be had here - loads of rice with dal and condiments.
* Sri Ananda Bahwan, 53 & 55 Penang Street, in the Indian quarter, offers great Indian food for a very good price. "Best food, Best price, Best place" they say, and they may be right! They also have branches all over Malaysia.
* Jaya An Indian restaurant open 24 hours, is a little more tourist friendly than other local restaurants. They offer a wide variety of fresh Indian food, including chicken masala, fresh garlic naan, roti prata, roti cani, tandoori chicken, and curry puffs. The prices are cheap and the food is fast and fresh.
* Kapitan's is on Chulia Street in the heart of Georgetown near to all the backpackers hostels. Tandoori chicken and butter chicken.
* Krsna Restaurant, in the heart of Little India, used to be known as Krishna Vilas. Cheap banana leaf (they use paper versions now) meals can be had here - loads of rice with dal and condiments.
Tuesday, 25 May 2010
Penang Activities
Youth carnival
The Penang Youth Carnival 2010 will be held at Auto-City Phase 3, Juru, on Saturday from 11am to 11pm. The highlights include free paintball target shooting, free pocket bike rides, hip-hop dancing, stage performance and a co-louring contest. Admission is free. For details, call 04-5011222 / 017-5231688.
Dumplings festival
The State Chinese (Penang) Association will hold its first annual dumplings festival on June 13 at its premises at 13, Jalan Perak, Penang from 10am to 4pm. For details and coupons, call/fax 04-2269560 or Bernad Chow (012-4811881) or Khoo (012-4315200/016-4785542).
-News courtesy of The Star-
The Penang Youth Carnival 2010 will be held at Auto-City Phase 3, Juru, on Saturday from 11am to 11pm. The highlights include free paintball target shooting, free pocket bike rides, hip-hop dancing, stage performance and a co-louring contest. Admission is free. For details, call 04-5011222 / 017-5231688.
Dumplings festival
The State Chinese (Penang) Association will hold its first annual dumplings festival on June 13 at its premises at 13, Jalan Perak, Penang from 10am to 4pm. For details and coupons, call/fax 04-2269560 or Bernad Chow (012-4811881) or Khoo (012-4315200/016-4785542).
-News courtesy of The Star-
Buy coupons from airport taxi counter
Buy coupons from taxi counter, tourists advised
TOURISTS arriving at the Penang International Airport are advised to purchase transport coupons from the official taxi counter there and not take the taxi sapu (pirate taxis).
Penang Tourism Centre chairman Datuk Syed Mohamed Aidid Syed Murtaza said tourists were encouraged to buy taxi coupons from the counter for their own safety.
“Never take free rides. Hospitals will arrange the transport for those who are here on medical tourism.
“Tour companies who hire taxi sapu will be in deep trouble too,” he said when asked to comment on an incident last month where 40 Indonesian tourists who had just flown into Penang were tricked into boarding eight taxi sapu.
Several drivers holding placards with fictitious names on the pretext of receiving visitors had approached them to ask if they wanted transport.
The vehicles were detained shortly after leaving the airport.
The tourists, together with the eight taxi sapu drivers, were taken to the Bayan Lepas police station.
-News courtesy of The Star-
TOURISTS arriving at the Penang International Airport are advised to purchase transport coupons from the official taxi counter there and not take the taxi sapu (pirate taxis).
Penang Tourism Centre chairman Datuk Syed Mohamed Aidid Syed Murtaza said tourists were encouraged to buy taxi coupons from the counter for their own safety.
“Never take free rides. Hospitals will arrange the transport for those who are here on medical tourism.
“Tour companies who hire taxi sapu will be in deep trouble too,” he said when asked to comment on an incident last month where 40 Indonesian tourists who had just flown into Penang were tricked into boarding eight taxi sapu.
Several drivers holding placards with fictitious names on the pretext of receiving visitors had approached them to ask if they wanted transport.
The vehicles were detained shortly after leaving the airport.
The tourists, together with the eight taxi sapu drivers, were taken to the Bayan Lepas police station.
-News courtesy of The Star-
Monday, 24 May 2010
Wesak celebration
Wesak celebration
The Wesak celebration at Mahinda-rama Buddhist Temple on Jalan Kampar in Penang will start with the lighting of 2,554 lotus candles at 8pm on Thursday. There will be food offerings to the Buddha and Buddhist monks at 11am on Wesak Day on Friday. The annual twakeng (Maha Samaya Sutta) blessing ceremony will be held at 7.30pm on May 29. For details, call 04-2825944.
The Wesak celebration at Mahinda-rama Buddhist Temple on Jalan Kampar in Penang will start with the lighting of 2,554 lotus candles at 8pm on Thursday. There will be food offerings to the Buddha and Buddhist monks at 11am on Wesak Day on Friday. The annual twakeng (Maha Samaya Sutta) blessing ceremony will be held at 7.30pm on May 29. For details, call 04-2825944.
Penang Hill Climb
3,000 expected to take part in Penang Hill Climb on July 4
THE Penang Youth And Sports Committee along with Kwong Wah Jit Poh Press Bhd will be organising the 10km Penang Hill Climb on July 4.
Committee chairman Lydia Ong Kok Fooi said that participants would be flagged off at 8am from the Penang Municipal Park, adding that the race was expected to end at 10am at the Penang Hill Indian Temple.
The event, which is into its 25th edition, is divided into eight cate-gories namely Junior Men (13+), Junior Women (13+), Men Open (18+), Women Open (18+), Men Junior Veteran (40+), Women Junior Veteran (40+), Men Senior Veteran (55+) and Women Senior Veteran (55+).
The event will be co-hosted by Penang State Sports Council (PSSC), Penang Hill Residents Associa- tion and Penang Amateur Athletic Association.
Registration forms can be obtained from the Kwong Wah Jit Poh offices at 19, Lebuh Presgrave, 94, off Jalan Mahsuri, Bandar Bayan Baru (Penang) or 17, ground floor, Lorong Usahaniaga 4, Taman Usa-haniaga (Bukit Mertajam).
The forms are also available at the state Youth and Sports Department, Level 40, Komtar, PSSC office on Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah, Batu Uban, and the Penang Municipal Park.
Closing date for registration is on June 18 at 4.15pm.
Kwong Wah Yit Poh Press assistant general manager Tang Hong Heng said a special gift would be given to the first 100 people registering at the company’s headquarters on Lebuh Presgrave.
He said participants aged 70 and above would also be given a special prize in conjunction with the company’s centennial anniversary.
He added that they were expecting at least 3,000 participants this year.
The top three winners will each receive a prize and those who succeed in finishing the climb within two hours will be entitled to a lucky draw.
For further details, call Ravi at 012-4722807.
-News courtesy of The Star-
THE Penang Youth And Sports Committee along with Kwong Wah Jit Poh Press Bhd will be organising the 10km Penang Hill Climb on July 4.
Committee chairman Lydia Ong Kok Fooi said that participants would be flagged off at 8am from the Penang Municipal Park, adding that the race was expected to end at 10am at the Penang Hill Indian Temple.
The event, which is into its 25th edition, is divided into eight cate-gories namely Junior Men (13+), Junior Women (13+), Men Open (18+), Women Open (18+), Men Junior Veteran (40+), Women Junior Veteran (40+), Men Senior Veteran (55+) and Women Senior Veteran (55+).
The event will be co-hosted by Penang State Sports Council (PSSC), Penang Hill Residents Associa- tion and Penang Amateur Athletic Association.
Registration forms can be obtained from the Kwong Wah Jit Poh offices at 19, Lebuh Presgrave, 94, off Jalan Mahsuri, Bandar Bayan Baru (Penang) or 17, ground floor, Lorong Usahaniaga 4, Taman Usa-haniaga (Bukit Mertajam).
The forms are also available at the state Youth and Sports Department, Level 40, Komtar, PSSC office on Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah, Batu Uban, and the Penang Municipal Park.
Closing date for registration is on June 18 at 4.15pm.
Kwong Wah Yit Poh Press assistant general manager Tang Hong Heng said a special gift would be given to the first 100 people registering at the company’s headquarters on Lebuh Presgrave.
He said participants aged 70 and above would also be given a special prize in conjunction with the company’s centennial anniversary.
He added that they were expecting at least 3,000 participants this year.
The top three winners will each receive a prize and those who succeed in finishing the climb within two hours will be entitled to a lucky draw.
For further details, call Ravi at 012-4722807.
-News courtesy of The Star-
Great Penang Trail
Route for Great Penang Trail to be finalised in a month
CORPORATE bodies which constructed the Jelutong Expressway and Bayan Lepas Coastal Highway will submit a proposed route for the Great Penang Trail project to the working committee set up by the state.
State Local Government and Traffic Management Committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow said the Penang Development Corpo-ration and developers CP Land-mark Sdn Bhd and IJM Land Bhd would take a month to finalise the proper routes.
He said the routes for the trail, which is actually a dedicated bicycle lane, would be along the expressways right up to the Batu Maung stretch.
“The trail has more or less been finalised but there is a need to make improvements on the road signage and emblems.
“The police are not very happy with the arrows painted on the road as they said it might confuse other road users.
“Currently, we have the painted arrows only along the Esplanade road.
“We will meet soon with the authorities to discuss the best method to overcome the problem,” he told reporters after opening the George Town Bike Rental shop in Weld Quay in Penang yesterday.
The co-owner Jimmy Wong said the shop was set up to realise the dream of a cycling community in Penang.
He added that the the idea to start a bicycle shop was hatched when George Town received its Unesco World Heritage Site listing in 2008.
“There are many ways to protect the environment but let us initiate the effort through cycling today,” said Wong.
“Tourists have approached me asking how to get around the inner city.
“To solve their problem, I have compiled all the details obtained from the Penang Heritage Trust, media and cycling enthusiasts to come out with a four-hour cycling tour guide,” he added.
After the opening by Chow and a short briefing by Tanjung Bunga assemblyman Teh Yee Cheu, who is cycling enthusiast himself, over 30 participants took part in a 30-minute cycling trip.
Most of the cyclists were re- porters and photographers who wanted to express their support for co-owner, Chiang Kee Chuan, a photographer from China Press.
-News courtesy of The Star-
CORPORATE bodies which constructed the Jelutong Expressway and Bayan Lepas Coastal Highway will submit a proposed route for the Great Penang Trail project to the working committee set up by the state.
State Local Government and Traffic Management Committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow said the Penang Development Corpo-ration and developers CP Land-mark Sdn Bhd and IJM Land Bhd would take a month to finalise the proper routes.
He said the routes for the trail, which is actually a dedicated bicycle lane, would be along the expressways right up to the Batu Maung stretch.
“The trail has more or less been finalised but there is a need to make improvements on the road signage and emblems.
“The police are not very happy with the arrows painted on the road as they said it might confuse other road users.
“Currently, we have the painted arrows only along the Esplanade road.
“We will meet soon with the authorities to discuss the best method to overcome the problem,” he told reporters after opening the George Town Bike Rental shop in Weld Quay in Penang yesterday.
The co-owner Jimmy Wong said the shop was set up to realise the dream of a cycling community in Penang.
He added that the the idea to start a bicycle shop was hatched when George Town received its Unesco World Heritage Site listing in 2008.
“There are many ways to protect the environment but let us initiate the effort through cycling today,” said Wong.
“Tourists have approached me asking how to get around the inner city.
“To solve their problem, I have compiled all the details obtained from the Penang Heritage Trust, media and cycling enthusiasts to come out with a four-hour cycling tour guide,” he added.
After the opening by Chow and a short briefing by Tanjung Bunga assemblyman Teh Yee Cheu, who is cycling enthusiast himself, over 30 participants took part in a 30-minute cycling trip.
Most of the cyclists were re- porters and photographers who wanted to express their support for co-owner, Chiang Kee Chuan, a photographer from China Press.
-News courtesy of The Star-
Thursday, 20 May 2010
Ninth century replica sailing in
Ninth century replica will be sailing the way it was, and arriving June 5
PENANG is set to receive a visitor from the past when the Jewel of Muscat sails into the Tanjung City Marina in two weeks.
The ship, a reconstruction of a ninth century Arab vessel from over 1,100 years ago, is scheduled to arrive in Penang on June 5.
Hand-sewn with coconut fibre with not a single nail or screw used, the 18m-long boat left Oman on a six-month historical expedition to Singapore along the ancient trading sea route.
Dr Chan Jee Kei, the managing director of Opal Asia Shipping Sdn Bhd, the official agent that will handle the ship’s programme in Penang, said the vessel was built in Oman using the same technology and materials as the original ship that sunk.
“The initiative is aimed at not only recreating the ancient vessel but also life on board at that time. The ship has no engine and relies completely on wind,” he told a press conference yesterday.
Dr Chan said it took almost two years to build the boat which was completed in December 2009, using original timber brought over from Ghana as it was no longer available in the Middle East.
He added there was no modern navigation technology on board and the 18-member crew used traditional navigation techniques including a kamal (a celestial navigation device that determines latitude), the sun and stars.
A layer of goat fat mixed with lime protects the wood while the sails are made from palm leaves.
“There are also live chickens and goats on board to provide the crew with fresh eggs and milk, along with a large supply of dates,” he added.
The epic journey began from Oman on Feb 16 this year following the discovery of the shipwreck of the ninth century vessel that sunk off Belitung, Indonesia, carrying over 60,000 pieces of Chinese pottery from the Tang dynasty.
Dr Chan said the Singapore Government later bought the entire pottery find, which sparked a historical and cultural joint project between the Omani and Singaporean governments to recreate the shipping vessel for the ancient journey.
“To preserve this piece of culture for the public, the Singapore Government bought all the pottery to be displayed in museums in their country,” he added.
Enroute to Penang, the Jewel of Muscat stopped at the traditional ports of Cochin, India on March 15 and Galle, Sri Lanka on April 19.
Accompanied by a National Geographic cameraman, its final stop is Penang before reaching its destination of Singapore where it will be presented as a gift to all Singaporeans from the Sultanate of Oman.
State Tourism Development, Culture and Arts Committee chairman Danny Law Heng Kiang said the ship was sailing ahead of schedule and might arrive a few days earlier.
“This is the first time that Penang is playing host to a ship of this kind,” he added.
The vessel will berth for a week and be open for public viewing from June 8 to 10.
-Info courtesy of The Star-
PENANG is set to receive a visitor from the past when the Jewel of Muscat sails into the Tanjung City Marina in two weeks.
The ship, a reconstruction of a ninth century Arab vessel from over 1,100 years ago, is scheduled to arrive in Penang on June 5.
Hand-sewn with coconut fibre with not a single nail or screw used, the 18m-long boat left Oman on a six-month historical expedition to Singapore along the ancient trading sea route.
Dr Chan Jee Kei, the managing director of Opal Asia Shipping Sdn Bhd, the official agent that will handle the ship’s programme in Penang, said the vessel was built in Oman using the same technology and materials as the original ship that sunk.
“The initiative is aimed at not only recreating the ancient vessel but also life on board at that time. The ship has no engine and relies completely on wind,” he told a press conference yesterday.
Dr Chan said it took almost two years to build the boat which was completed in December 2009, using original timber brought over from Ghana as it was no longer available in the Middle East.
He added there was no modern navigation technology on board and the 18-member crew used traditional navigation techniques including a kamal (a celestial navigation device that determines latitude), the sun and stars.
A layer of goat fat mixed with lime protects the wood while the sails are made from palm leaves.
“There are also live chickens and goats on board to provide the crew with fresh eggs and milk, along with a large supply of dates,” he added.
The epic journey began from Oman on Feb 16 this year following the discovery of the shipwreck of the ninth century vessel that sunk off Belitung, Indonesia, carrying over 60,000 pieces of Chinese pottery from the Tang dynasty.
Dr Chan said the Singapore Government later bought the entire pottery find, which sparked a historical and cultural joint project between the Omani and Singaporean governments to recreate the shipping vessel for the ancient journey.
“To preserve this piece of culture for the public, the Singapore Government bought all the pottery to be displayed in museums in their country,” he added.
Enroute to Penang, the Jewel of Muscat stopped at the traditional ports of Cochin, India on March 15 and Galle, Sri Lanka on April 19.
Accompanied by a National Geographic cameraman, its final stop is Penang before reaching its destination of Singapore where it will be presented as a gift to all Singaporeans from the Sultanate of Oman.
State Tourism Development, Culture and Arts Committee chairman Danny Law Heng Kiang said the ship was sailing ahead of schedule and might arrive a few days earlier.
“This is the first time that Penang is playing host to a ship of this kind,” he added.
The vessel will berth for a week and be open for public viewing from June 8 to 10.
-Info courtesy of The Star-
Change we need!
Yes, we need a change! From now onwards, our blog will be renamed to Penang Discovery Channel, to give everyone a fresh outlook about the tourism activities in the Northern island jewel of Penang. We welcome your valuable suggestions and feedback. Contributors are welcomed as well.
So, sit back and relax my friends!
So, sit back and relax my friends!
Kuan Yin Teng Temple 观音亭
Kuan Yin Teng (观音亭, "Goddess of Mercy Temple"), Pitt Street (Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling) Open daily. This is one of the oldest Chinese temples in Penang. Built in 1801 by early immigrant settlers from China, the building is decorated with intricately crafted dragons and a pair of stone sculptured lions which are said to be its guardians. Undoubtedly the most popular Chinese temple in Penang, the Kuan Yin Teng, is flocked to by pilgrims and followers all year round, particularly on the first and fifteenth day of each lunar month.
There is a lovely square where puppet shows and Chinese operas are staged on the Goddess of Mercy's feast days. The square is always a centre of bustling activity, and there is an octagonal well in one corner, which was once a public well for the Chinese community. Free admission throughout the day.
Traditional food
Traditional food
* Nutmeg (豆蔻) products - In traditional medicine, nutmeg oil or balm were used for illnesses related to the nervous and digestive systems. Preserved nutmeg strips either in dry or wet form are used as the snack by locals.
* Traditional biscuits such as Tambun Peah (淡文饼), Beh Teh Sor (马蹄酥), Heong Peah (香饼), Pong Peah (清糖饼), Tau Sar Peah (豆沙饼) and etc.
Desserts include:
* Kaya (a type of jam) - A mixture of eggs and cocount milk to be spread over anything you want. According to some, the best kaya is at a little coffee shop at the end of Madras Lane. To impress the locals, order some kaya toast and dip it in some half-boiled egg.
* Coconut tart - If you have eaten egg tart before then instead of the egg put in some coconut and voila! You get coconut tart and definitely the best is at Cintra Lane.
* Cendol - A mixture of blended ice with big mushy red beans with gula melaka (brown sugar) thrown in. This will satisfy anyone even if it is raining. Cendol can be found anywhere but the best is at Penang Road.
* Durian Fruit - Penang's durian is unique in the world. Best way to eat is at the stall. They open the durian for you. You pay what you eat. The medium durian will cost RM8-15. You don't have to worry about buying rotten durians. Stalls are usually located by the roadside next to durian plantations, along the road from Teluk Bahang (almoust end station of bus 101) to Balik Pulau (end station of bus 401E or 401), and along the road from Air Itam to Relau. Within Georgetown, there is one at Jalan Anson, opposite Jalan Dunlop, and another along Jalan Macalister.
And wash it all down with some...
* Teh Tarik (literally, Pulled Tea) - This tea-with-milk drink is "pulled" by the vendor, that is, the drink is poured into the serving cup from a can/pot that is moved from near the cup to a considerable height above it. Some people might say that this is a bit unhygienic. Enjoy at any Mamak (Indian Muslim) stall or restaurant along Penang Road in the evening, chit chat with friends, while watching the culture of Penangites.
-Info courtesy of Wikitravel-
* Nutmeg (豆蔻) products - In traditional medicine, nutmeg oil or balm were used for illnesses related to the nervous and digestive systems. Preserved nutmeg strips either in dry or wet form are used as the snack by locals.
* Traditional biscuits such as Tambun Peah (淡文饼), Beh Teh Sor (马蹄酥), Heong Peah (香饼), Pong Peah (清糖饼), Tau Sar Peah (豆沙饼) and etc.
Desserts include:
* Kaya (a type of jam) - A mixture of eggs and cocount milk to be spread over anything you want. According to some, the best kaya is at a little coffee shop at the end of Madras Lane. To impress the locals, order some kaya toast and dip it in some half-boiled egg.
* Coconut tart - If you have eaten egg tart before then instead of the egg put in some coconut and voila! You get coconut tart and definitely the best is at Cintra Lane.
* Cendol - A mixture of blended ice with big mushy red beans with gula melaka (brown sugar) thrown in. This will satisfy anyone even if it is raining. Cendol can be found anywhere but the best is at Penang Road.
* Durian Fruit - Penang's durian is unique in the world. Best way to eat is at the stall. They open the durian for you. You pay what you eat. The medium durian will cost RM8-15. You don't have to worry about buying rotten durians. Stalls are usually located by the roadside next to durian plantations, along the road from Teluk Bahang (almoust end station of bus 101) to Balik Pulau (end station of bus 401E or 401), and along the road from Air Itam to Relau. Within Georgetown, there is one at Jalan Anson, opposite Jalan Dunlop, and another along Jalan Macalister.
And wash it all down with some...
* Teh Tarik (literally, Pulled Tea) - This tea-with-milk drink is "pulled" by the vendor, that is, the drink is poured into the serving cup from a can/pot that is moved from near the cup to a considerable height above it. Some people might say that this is a bit unhygienic. Enjoy at any Mamak (Indian Muslim) stall or restaurant along Penang Road in the evening, chit chat with friends, while watching the culture of Penangites.
-Info courtesy of Wikitravel-
Cuisine
Penang cuisine
If you've been traveling in Singapore or elsewhere in Malaysia, you'll see some familiar names, but don't be fooled: Penang laksa or hokkien mee are quite different from what you'd get in, say, Kuala Lumpur. Topping the list are:
* Assam Laksa - A far cry from the sweet, coconutty Singapore version, this noodle soup comes with sour broth flavored with tamarind (assam) with pureed fish, fruits, veggies and a generous helping of chili mixed in. Watch out, the combination is powerful and will have the uninitiated breathing fire! Famous assam laksa include Air Itam market, Gottlieb Road, Gurney Drive, etc.
* Penang Char Koay Teow (炒馃条) - The definitive version of the ubiquitous stir-fried flat rice noodles, tossed with bean sprouts, cockles, and anything else the chef has handy. Eggs are additional and cockles can be opt out, if preferred by the customer; request when placing order. Some say the best Char Koay Teow can be found at Lorong Selamat but it costs at least RM5 per plate and that only if you have the patience of a saint to wait for it. Another choice is Ah Leng Char Koay Teow and the Char Koay Teow in Bukit Emas Restaurant, Seberang Perai.
* Penang Nasi Kandar - White rice (nasi) with anything else that you want with it! Usually served with fried chicken, fried fish, prawns, squid, hardboiled eggs, various vegetables, and a curry (which is poured onto the rice). Be careful though! Taking too many of the 'side dishes' can be quite expensive. Can be found at various places around Georgetown.
* Hokkien Mee - Two types of noodles in prawn and pork soup with slices of pork, prawns, hard boiled egg, vegetable, beans sprout and sprinkling of deep fried shallots.
* Koay Teow Th'ng - Flat rice noodles (Koay Teow) in clear chicken soup (Th'ng) with slices of chicken, pork and fish cake. Garnish with chopped spring onions. Some places have duck meat and other organ meats as extras. Some say the shops in Hutton Lane and a couple of shops opposite Tandoori House are a good choices for this dish. You can also get good KTT at Gurney Drive, though at higher prices.
* Lobak, or Lorbak - Minced pork wrapped in tofu skin) - Very famous in Penang, Lorbak is similar to sausage (Lor means a kind of sauce whereas bak means meat in Hokkien). You can choose the accompanying servings of prawn fritters, tofu, fish cakes, Taiwan sausages, century egg (rotten duck egg, but very tasty if eaten with ginger) and others. Locals dip Lorbak in sweet sauce and chilli sauce. Can be found in rather consistent quality all over Penang. Also available at Gurney Drive's hawker center and New World Park.
* Penang Sar Hor Fun (炒河粉) - A local dish with koay teow (flat rice cakes) in a delicious broth of beaten eggs and seafood bits. Goes best with pickled green chillies.
* Seafood - As you might expect on an island, seafood is abundant. Head for the fishing village of Teluk Bahang in the north, or go to Batu Maung / Teluk Kumbar in the south for fresh fare at local prices. You can also get good seafood at Batu Ferringhi beach.
* Or Chen (Oyster Omelette) - This is a popular dish available in multiple locations all around Georgetown. The food center at Gurney Drive is a tourist-friendly place to get an oyster omelette. It is next to the Gurney Plaza shopping center and a stone's throw away from G Hotel. Expect to queue for ten to fifteen minutes; the price ranges from RM 8 to RM 16 depending on the portion you are ordering.
* Pasembor (Indian mixed fruits) - Despite its name, this dish does not contain any fruit. Basically it is cucumber plus your chosen ingredients covered in spicy peanut sauce. You can choose to add squid, sausage, tofu, local crackers, crabs, potato, eggs, and fish cake, among other possibilities. Prices range from RM 5 to RM 20, depending on the ingredients you want on your pasembor. Available at the food center at Gurney Drive.
* Lor Mee (Noodles) - A bowl of yellow noodles in sticky brown colored gravy. Unique to this part of Malaysia and a must try, lor mee can be found on the road called "Lebuh Presgrave" in town. There is a little link house converted to a restaurant that serves them. Also available in other hawker centers. Depending on the cook, it may or may not contain innards such as intestines, stomach, and liver. You can ask them first and if they do serve innards, you may request a serving without them. Lor mee are commonly served with shreds of chicken breast and some pork slices. Prices range from RM 3 to RM 6.
* Satay (Malay: sate) - the famous meat-on-a-stick, is a traditional Malay food typically made from marinated meat - chicken, mutton or beef, skewered onto bamboo sticks and grilled over hot charcoals. A fresh salad of cucumbers & onions are served together with a spicy-sweet peanut dipping sauce for dipping.
Food highlighted in green indicates Halal.
-Info courtesy of Wikitravel-
If you've been traveling in Singapore or elsewhere in Malaysia, you'll see some familiar names, but don't be fooled: Penang laksa or hokkien mee are quite different from what you'd get in, say, Kuala Lumpur. Topping the list are:
* Assam Laksa - A far cry from the sweet, coconutty Singapore version, this noodle soup comes with sour broth flavored with tamarind (assam) with pureed fish, fruits, veggies and a generous helping of chili mixed in. Watch out, the combination is powerful and will have the uninitiated breathing fire! Famous assam laksa include Air Itam market, Gottlieb Road, Gurney Drive, etc.
* Penang Char Koay Teow (炒馃条) - The definitive version of the ubiquitous stir-fried flat rice noodles, tossed with bean sprouts, cockles, and anything else the chef has handy. Eggs are additional and cockles can be opt out, if preferred by the customer; request when placing order. Some say the best Char Koay Teow can be found at Lorong Selamat but it costs at least RM5 per plate and that only if you have the patience of a saint to wait for it. Another choice is Ah Leng Char Koay Teow and the Char Koay Teow in Bukit Emas Restaurant, Seberang Perai.
* Penang Nasi Kandar - White rice (nasi) with anything else that you want with it! Usually served with fried chicken, fried fish, prawns, squid, hardboiled eggs, various vegetables, and a curry (which is poured onto the rice). Be careful though! Taking too many of the 'side dishes' can be quite expensive. Can be found at various places around Georgetown.
* Hokkien Mee - Two types of noodles in prawn and pork soup with slices of pork, prawns, hard boiled egg, vegetable, beans sprout and sprinkling of deep fried shallots.
* Koay Teow Th'ng - Flat rice noodles (Koay Teow) in clear chicken soup (Th'ng) with slices of chicken, pork and fish cake. Garnish with chopped spring onions. Some places have duck meat and other organ meats as extras. Some say the shops in Hutton Lane and a couple of shops opposite Tandoori House are a good choices for this dish. You can also get good KTT at Gurney Drive, though at higher prices.
* Lobak, or Lorbak - Minced pork wrapped in tofu skin) - Very famous in Penang, Lorbak is similar to sausage (Lor means a kind of sauce whereas bak means meat in Hokkien). You can choose the accompanying servings of prawn fritters, tofu, fish cakes, Taiwan sausages, century egg (rotten duck egg, but very tasty if eaten with ginger) and others. Locals dip Lorbak in sweet sauce and chilli sauce. Can be found in rather consistent quality all over Penang. Also available at Gurney Drive's hawker center and New World Park.
* Penang Sar Hor Fun (炒河粉) - A local dish with koay teow (flat rice cakes) in a delicious broth of beaten eggs and seafood bits. Goes best with pickled green chillies.
* Seafood - As you might expect on an island, seafood is abundant. Head for the fishing village of Teluk Bahang in the north, or go to Batu Maung / Teluk Kumbar in the south for fresh fare at local prices. You can also get good seafood at Batu Ferringhi beach.
* Or Chen (Oyster Omelette) - This is a popular dish available in multiple locations all around Georgetown. The food center at Gurney Drive is a tourist-friendly place to get an oyster omelette. It is next to the Gurney Plaza shopping center and a stone's throw away from G Hotel. Expect to queue for ten to fifteen minutes; the price ranges from RM 8 to RM 16 depending on the portion you are ordering.
* Pasembor (Indian mixed fruits) - Despite its name, this dish does not contain any fruit. Basically it is cucumber plus your chosen ingredients covered in spicy peanut sauce. You can choose to add squid, sausage, tofu, local crackers, crabs, potato, eggs, and fish cake, among other possibilities. Prices range from RM 5 to RM 20, depending on the ingredients you want on your pasembor. Available at the food center at Gurney Drive.
* Lor Mee (Noodles) - A bowl of yellow noodles in sticky brown colored gravy. Unique to this part of Malaysia and a must try, lor mee can be found on the road called "Lebuh Presgrave" in town. There is a little link house converted to a restaurant that serves them. Also available in other hawker centers. Depending on the cook, it may or may not contain innards such as intestines, stomach, and liver. You can ask them first and if they do serve innards, you may request a serving without them. Lor mee are commonly served with shreds of chicken breast and some pork slices. Prices range from RM 3 to RM 6.
* Satay (Malay: sate) - the famous meat-on-a-stick, is a traditional Malay food typically made from marinated meat - chicken, mutton or beef, skewered onto bamboo sticks and grilled over hot charcoals. A fresh salad of cucumbers & onions are served together with a spicy-sweet peanut dipping sauce for dipping.
Food highlighted in green indicates Halal.
-Info courtesy of Wikitravel-
Get Around
Public transportation around the city is not very well organized. There are, however, buses that ply the length and breadth of the city, and even one that can take you around the island itself. Having said that, there is a chance you master the system by going either to the KOMTAR building or the ferry terminal. There, all busses stop on their route, and if you don't mind going around the city a bit if you actually want to leave it, you have good chances of getting where you want. But if you're planning to venture out of Georgetown to the suburbs and beyond for a day's tripping, do bear in mind that the public buses STOP picking up passengers AFTER 10PM daily - apparently even on weekends and holidays (as of November 2006). And if you need to take a taxi back to your quarters after midnight, be prepared to pay a 100% surcharge on top of the usual quoted fare.
Going to and from the airport (Rapid Penang bus 401, 401A, 401E from the airport to Komtar and the Jetty, and vice versa) takes about an hour, and the buses come once every 30 minutes. The bus fare is RM2.70. This is in contrast to the official taxi fare of RM38 with a journey of about 45 minutes from the airport to downtown Georgetown, and vice versa.
According to the Ministry of Tourism, "City taxis are required to charge according to the meter effective from August 2006" (from "Penang: Pearl of the Orient", published May 2008). However, as in Kuala Lumpur, many taxi drivers have no respect for the law or at least believe that foreigners have no legal rights and will even try to cheat foreigners.
Therefore, taxi rides within the city may cost up to RM20; agree on the fare before you get in. Taxis can also be hired for a minimum of 3 hours at RM25 per hour. A good way to see the Northern and Western parts of the island if you don't have your own vehicle.
Trishaws cater to tourists and charge around RM30 per hour. However, these trishaw rides are becoming more of a curiosity rather than the norm as the number of trishaw peddlers are now lower in number than before.
You may also rent your own motorbike or little scooter to get around. These shops can be found along Chulia Street and also Penang Road. Cost around 25 ringgits for 24 hours rent. Deposit is 200 ringgits but most do though accept other currency as well.
Street view of Lebuh Chulia (Chulia Street)
Street names can be confusing: the street signs are in Malay, but locals will invariably use the old English names, e.g. Pitt Street instead of Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling, Beach Street instead of Lebuh Pantai, etc. Lebuh, Jalan, Lorong, etc. are the Malay words for street, road, lane, respectively.
Georgetown is a pedestrian nightmare as there are very few footpaths. In places without footpaths it is almost impossible to get around on foot due to the heavy traffic and prevalence of deep, wide, disgusting open sewers.
-Info courtesy of Wikitravel-
Going to and from the airport (Rapid Penang bus 401, 401A, 401E from the airport to Komtar and the Jetty, and vice versa) takes about an hour, and the buses come once every 30 minutes. The bus fare is RM2.70. This is in contrast to the official taxi fare of RM38 with a journey of about 45 minutes from the airport to downtown Georgetown, and vice versa.
According to the Ministry of Tourism, "City taxis are required to charge according to the meter effective from August 2006" (from "Penang: Pearl of the Orient", published May 2008). However, as in Kuala Lumpur, many taxi drivers have no respect for the law or at least believe that foreigners have no legal rights and will even try to cheat foreigners.
Therefore, taxi rides within the city may cost up to RM20; agree on the fare before you get in. Taxis can also be hired for a minimum of 3 hours at RM25 per hour. A good way to see the Northern and Western parts of the island if you don't have your own vehicle.
Trishaws cater to tourists and charge around RM30 per hour. However, these trishaw rides are becoming more of a curiosity rather than the norm as the number of trishaw peddlers are now lower in number than before.
You may also rent your own motorbike or little scooter to get around. These shops can be found along Chulia Street and also Penang Road. Cost around 25 ringgits for 24 hours rent. Deposit is 200 ringgits but most do though accept other currency as well.
Street view of Lebuh Chulia (Chulia Street)Street names can be confusing: the street signs are in Malay, but locals will invariably use the old English names, e.g. Pitt Street instead of Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling, Beach Street instead of Lebuh Pantai, etc. Lebuh, Jalan, Lorong, etc. are the Malay words for street, road, lane, respectively.
Georgetown is a pedestrian nightmare as there are very few footpaths. In places without footpaths it is almost impossible to get around on foot due to the heavy traffic and prevalence of deep, wide, disgusting open sewers.
-Info courtesy of Wikitravel-
Wednesday, 19 May 2010
Mid Range Accomodation
Mid-range
* Berjaya Georgetown Penang, 1-Stop Midlands Park, Burmah Road, Phone:+60 4 227-7111, Fax:+60 4 226-7111. Location: 5 deg 25'58.62"N ; 100 deg 18'25.05"E. Rooms rate from RM 250 per night.
* Cititel Penang, 66 Penang Road. Phone:+60 4 370-1188, Fax:+60 4 370-2288. Rooms rate from RM130-RM350 per night. http://www.cititelpenang.com/
* Bayview Hotel Penang, 25A Farquhar Street, Phone:+60 4 263-3161, Toll free within Malaysia:1-800-888854, Fax:+60 4 263-4124. Location: 5 deg 25'18.68"N ; 100 deg 20'9.01"E. http://www.bayviewhotels.com/georgetown/
* Hotel Continental Penang, 5 Penang Road, Phone:+60 4 263-6388. http://www.hotelcontinental.com.my/
* Hotel Grand Continental Penang, 68 Brick Kiln Road (Jalan Gurdwara), Phone:+60 4 263-6688, Fax:+60 4 263-0299. Location: 5 deg 24'43.90"N ; 100 deg 19'43.19"E. Hotel Grand Continental is centrally located in the city. However, tourist should take due precautions as the location of the city is in the slightly run down area in the city.
* Hotel Malaysia, 7 Penang Road, Phone:+60 4 263-3311, (Fax:+60 4 263-1621, hotelmal@tm.net.my). 3 stars hotel with budget rates. Highly recommended by local tourists. http://www.hotelmalaysia.com.my/
* Midtown Hotel, 101 Macalister Road, Phone:+60 4 226-9999 Fax:+60 4 229-5149, Closed down , change to Grand Paradise Hotel
* Naza Hotel Penang, 555 Jalan CM Hashim, Tanjung Tokong, Phone:+60 4 890-9300, Fax:+60 4 890-8600. http://www.nazahotels.com/
* PPisland Hotel, Penang, 33A, Abu Siti Lane, Georgetown, 10400 Penang. Phone:+60 4 2299 071, Fax:+60 4 2299 072.A new boutique hotel with 3 star qualities and 1 star price. Rooms rate from RM 68 (promotion) per night. http://www.ppislandhotel.com/
* Red Rock Hotel (formerly Agora Hotel), 202A Macalister Road, Phone:+60 4 227-2655.
* Sunway Georgetown, 33 New Lane (Lorong Baru), Phone:+60 4 229-9988, (Fax:+60 4 228-8899). Location: 5 deg 24'51.44"N ; 100 deg 19'32.88"E, centre of Georgetown, walking distance to KOMTAR and famous New Lane hawker centre (night time). May ask for room without breakfast since there are many food stalls around the area. RM140-RM460 per night. Highly recommended in this range. http://www.sh.com.my/index_sg.htm
* Berjaya Georgetown Penang, 1-Stop Midlands Park, Burmah Road, Phone:+60 4 227-7111, Fax:+60 4 226-7111. Location: 5 deg 25'58.62"N ; 100 deg 18'25.05"E. Rooms rate from RM 250 per night.
* Cititel Penang, 66 Penang Road. Phone:+60 4 370-1188, Fax:+60 4 370-2288. Rooms rate from RM130-RM350 per night. http://www.cititelpenang.com/
* Bayview Hotel Penang, 25A Farquhar Street, Phone:+60 4 263-3161, Toll free within Malaysia:1-800-888854, Fax:+60 4 263-4124. Location: 5 deg 25'18.68"N ; 100 deg 20'9.01"E. http://www.bayviewhotels.com/georgetown/
* Hotel Continental Penang, 5 Penang Road, Phone:+60 4 263-6388. http://www.hotelcontinental.com.my/
* Hotel Grand Continental Penang, 68 Brick Kiln Road (Jalan Gurdwara), Phone:+60 4 263-6688, Fax:+60 4 263-0299. Location: 5 deg 24'43.90"N ; 100 deg 19'43.19"E. Hotel Grand Continental is centrally located in the city. However, tourist should take due precautions as the location of the city is in the slightly run down area in the city.
* Hotel Malaysia, 7 Penang Road, Phone:+60 4 263-3311, (Fax:+60 4 263-1621, hotelmal@tm.net.my). 3 stars hotel with budget rates. Highly recommended by local tourists. http://www.hotelmalaysia.com.my/
* Midtown Hotel, 101 Macalister Road, Phone:+60 4 226-9999 Fax:+60 4 229-5149, Closed down , change to Grand Paradise Hotel
* Naza Hotel Penang, 555 Jalan CM Hashim, Tanjung Tokong, Phone:+60 4 890-9300, Fax:+60 4 890-8600. http://www.nazahotels.com/
* PPisland Hotel, Penang, 33A, Abu Siti Lane, Georgetown, 10400 Penang. Phone:+60 4 2299 071, Fax:+60 4 2299 072.A new boutique hotel with 3 star qualities and 1 star price. Rooms rate from RM 68 (promotion) per night. http://www.ppislandhotel.com/
* Red Rock Hotel (formerly Agora Hotel), 202A Macalister Road, Phone:+60 4 227-2655.
* Sunway Georgetown, 33 New Lane (Lorong Baru), Phone:+60 4 229-9988, (Fax:+60 4 228-8899). Location: 5 deg 24'51.44"N ; 100 deg 19'32.88"E, centre of Georgetown, walking distance to KOMTAR and famous New Lane hawker centre (night time). May ask for room without breakfast since there are many food stalls around the area. RM140-RM460 per night. Highly recommended in this range. http://www.sh.com.my/index_sg.htm
Tuesday, 18 May 2010
Events
Food and fun fair
The YWCA Food and Fun Fair Bazaar will be held on May 29 from 10am to 3pm at YWCA pre- mises at 8A Jalan Masjid Negeri. There will be games, face painting and hawker food in the bazaar. Tickets are available for sale at the YWCA office. For details, call 04-8280741/8281855.
Wednesday, 12 May 2010
Activities
Youth carnival
Entries are now open for various indoor and outdoor events to be held as part of The Star’s Galaxie & Youth Carnival at the Penang Times Square on May 15 and May 16. Among the indoor events are a B-Boy street dance battle, computer games challenge, cosplay competition and talent search while the outdoor events in-clude 3-on-3 basketball, treasure hunt, battle of the bands and 3-a-side soccer. For details, call The Star’s accounts executive (advertise-ment sales) Nurul Huda Ridzuan at 019-4722662 or circulation executive Soon Chun Keat at 016-4105 521.
Promoting herbs
Friends of Penang Botanic Gardens Society will hold an event involving local herbs concoctions for health on Saturday from 10am to noon. Learn about tea concoctions from herbs and their health benefits through tea demonstrations and sampling at Botanika Outreach (opposite Moongate). For details, call 04-2279915.
Food fair
Eden Handicap Service Centre will hold its Charity Food Fair 2010 at the Penang International Sports Arena car park in Relau, Penang, from 10am to 3pm on Saturday. For tickets or details, call Derrick Cheah (04-2282758).
-News courtesy of The Star-
Entries are now open for various indoor and outdoor events to be held as part of The Star’s Galaxie & Youth Carnival at the Penang Times Square on May 15 and May 16. Among the indoor events are a B-Boy street dance battle, computer games challenge, cosplay competition and talent search while the outdoor events in-clude 3-on-3 basketball, treasure hunt, battle of the bands and 3-a-side soccer. For details, call The Star’s accounts executive (advertise-ment sales) Nurul Huda Ridzuan at 019-4722662 or circulation executive Soon Chun Keat at 016-4105 521.
Promoting herbs
Friends of Penang Botanic Gardens Society will hold an event involving local herbs concoctions for health on Saturday from 10am to noon. Learn about tea concoctions from herbs and their health benefits through tea demonstrations and sampling at Botanika Outreach (opposite Moongate). For details, call 04-2279915.
Food fair
Eden Handicap Service Centre will hold its Charity Food Fair 2010 at the Penang International Sports Arena car park in Relau, Penang, from 10am to 3pm on Saturday. For tickets or details, call Derrick Cheah (04-2282758).
-News courtesy of The Star-
Monday, 10 May 2010
Budget Accommodation
Budget Accommodation in Penang
* 100 Cintra, 100 Cintra Street. Rebuilt (in 1990 after fire damage) atmospheric Chinese warehouse with rooms on the 2nd floor as well a small museum of antiques and cultural artifacts on the 3rd floor (entrance fee: RM5). Friendly staff and free wifi throughout (though no Internet services for those without laptops). Also, shared satellite TV with CNN etc., on the ground floor. Be aware that this residence has problems with bedbugs, request a discount or refund upon problems. It also is close to a 24-hour technoclub that plays into the late hours of the morning. Good for getting your satellite TV and Internet fix. RM15 for dorm, RM30 for single, RM40 for double. Shared hot water bathroom.
* 75 Travellers Lodge, 75 Jalan Muntri, Phone: +60 4 2623378, Email: 75lodge@gmail.com. Dorm beds from RM 8 Single Rooms from RM 15-18, Double/Twin Rooms RM 18-22. Friendly and cheap, right in the middle of chinatown. Free 1 hour internet included in the room rate plus free 24 hour WiFi.
* Tune Hotel, 100 Burmah Road, 5 mins from Komtar in George Town. Phone: +60 3 7962 5888, single room from Rm70. nice and clean. http://www.tunehotels.com/tunehotels-city-centre-penang-room.aspx
* Blue Diamond Hotel, 422 Chulia Street, Phone:+60 4 261-1089. Room Rate: RM40. Dorm room, from RM8.80. Not recommended unless you have a penchant for rock-hard shaky bunks and are altruistic with respect to the feeding of fleas. Rooms seem so dusty that they have not be cleaned for the last 20 years. Rock music plays in the courtyard until 12-1AM. RM35 for double with fan and brown bathroom. Dorm available.
* Cathay Hotel, 15 Leith Street, Phone:+60 4 262-6271, Fax:+60 4 263-9300. Famous among western backpackers.
* Eastern Hotel, 509 Chulia Street, Phone:+60 4 261-4597, Fax:+60 4 261-0008.
* Federal Hotel, 39 Penang Road, Phone:+60 4 263-4179.
* Friendship Motel, 20 Penang Street, Phone: +60(4)2618909, +60(4)2628909, +60(4)2629909, Email: friendsm@tm.net.my. Prices start at 28 RM for an air-con (small) room with shared bathrooms. Free Internet service. http://www.friendship-motel.com.my/
* Gallant Hotel, 6 Jalan Transfer, Phone:+60 4 379-584. Under new management change name to Regal Malaysia Hotel
* Georgetown Guesthouse, 7 Love Lane. Singles for 12RM (and negotiable), possibly the cheapest in town. Tiny rooms with fans and ultra-thin walls. Free breakfast (coffee and toast) and 1/2 hr internet.
* GoodHope Inn, 22 Jalan Kelawei, Phone:+60 4 229-0111, Fax:+60 4 229-0222. Room Rate: RM50. New in town.
* Hotel 1926, 227 Jalan Burmah, Phone:+60 4 228-1926, Fax:+60 4 227-7926. Heritage Boutique Hotel. Re-opened on 15 August 2007. Room Rate: RM80-100.
* Hotel Mingood, 164 Argyll Road, Phone:+60 4 229-9922, Fax:+60 4 228-0766, sales@hotelmingood.com. Room Rate: From RM80. Highly recommended by tourists.GPS Position - Lat : N5.421829, Long : E100.330421 http://www.hotelmingood.com/
* Hotel Oasis, 23 Love Lane, Phone:+60 4 226-2126, Fax:+60 4 261-3884.
* Hotel Rio, 64-1 Bishop Street, Phone:+60 4 262-5010.
* International Hotel, 90-92 1st Floor, Transfer Road, Phone:+60 16 434-2775. Room Rate: RM30.
* Jim's Place, 431 Chulia Street. Just look out for the Reggae Colors. Rooms about the same price as in the other places. The big perk of this hostel is the owner who is the most knowledgeable and helpful person I've met through my travels in Malaysia. He even recommends food stalls outside of his restaurant, so his own gain is not his main interest. Also a very interesting person to talk to (especially if you're looking for a movie script :)
* Old Penang Guesthouse, 53 Love Lane, 10200 Georgetown, Penang, Malaysia, Phone:+60 4 263-8805, oldpenang@gmail.com. http://www.oldpenang.com/
* Oasiss Hotel, Chulia St. This is the old backpacker's standby "Swiss Hotel" under new management. The atmospheric courtyard where backpackers used to hang out is no more. RM35 for a single.
* Oriental Guest House (formerly known as W & O Guesthouse), 81 Jalan Muntri, Phone: +60 4 2613378, Email: 75lodge@gmail.com. Charming 2-storey shop house building, same owner as 75 Travellers Lodge a few doors away. Large airy rooms with Windows, Fan, Sink. Single Rooms RM 15, Double/Twin Rooms RM 20-30, Triple Rooms RM 30-40. Friendly, clean and efficient, right in the middle of Chinatown. Cafe (known as Western Oriental Cafe) with television serving breakfast, lunch and dinner in front of the reception; Internet 3 RM per hour, 2 RM per half hour; laundry service available; arranges local tours; sells boat, bus and train tickets; helps to apply for Thailand visas.
* Oriental Hotel, 105 Penang Road, Phone:+60 4 263-4211. Location: 5°25'12.47"N ; 100°19'58.51"E. Check your room carefully. Bedbugs have been a problem here. http://www.oriental-hotel-penang.com/
* SD Guesthouse, 15 Love Lane, Phone: +60(4)2643743, and 28 Muntri Street, Phone: +60(4)2616102, Email: sdghpg@streamyx.com. Room fares from 18 to 55 RM with free Internet service, free coffee, and very nice location and service.
* Star Lodge, 39 Jalan Muntri, Phone: +60 4 2626378, Email: 75lodge@gmail.com. All rooms with Windows, Fan, Sink, Toilet and Hot Shower. Single Rooms RM 28-32, Double/Twin Rooms RM 35-40, Triple Rooms RM 45-60. For AirCon add on RM 10 per day. Free 1 hour internet included in the room rate plus free 24 hour WiFi.
* Towne House Hotel, 70 Penang Road, Phone:+60 4 263-8621. Room Rate: RM69-RM90.
* Waldorf Hotel, 13 Leboh Leith, Phone:+60 4 262-6141. Room Rate: RM49-RM60.50
* White House Hotel, 72 Penang Road, Phone:+60 4 263-2385.
* YMCA International Hostel, 211 Macalister Road. RM66 to RM85 per night.
* YWCA Penang, 8A Jalan Mesjid Negeri (Green Lane), 11600 Penang, +6-04-8280876. Only has 5 single rooms, 5 double rooms and a dormitory. So call to book first. Also, it is next to the State Mosque. http://www.penang-hotels.com/ymcapg/
* Banana Guesthouse
-Info courtesy of Wikitravel and is subjected to change without prior notification-
* 100 Cintra, 100 Cintra Street. Rebuilt (in 1990 after fire damage) atmospheric Chinese warehouse with rooms on the 2nd floor as well a small museum of antiques and cultural artifacts on the 3rd floor (entrance fee: RM5). Friendly staff and free wifi throughout (though no Internet services for those without laptops). Also, shared satellite TV with CNN etc., on the ground floor. Be aware that this residence has problems with bedbugs, request a discount or refund upon problems. It also is close to a 24-hour technoclub that plays into the late hours of the morning. Good for getting your satellite TV and Internet fix. RM15 for dorm, RM30 for single, RM40 for double. Shared hot water bathroom.
* 75 Travellers Lodge, 75 Jalan Muntri, Phone: +60 4 2623378, Email: 75lodge@gmail.com. Dorm beds from RM 8 Single Rooms from RM 15-18, Double/Twin Rooms RM 18-22. Friendly and cheap, right in the middle of chinatown. Free 1 hour internet included in the room rate plus free 24 hour WiFi.
* Tune Hotel, 100 Burmah Road, 5 mins from Komtar in George Town. Phone: +60 3 7962 5888, single room from Rm70. nice and clean. http://www.tunehotels.com/tunehotels-city-centre-penang-room.aspx
* Blue Diamond Hotel, 422 Chulia Street, Phone:+60 4 261-1089. Room Rate: RM40. Dorm room, from RM8.80. Not recommended unless you have a penchant for rock-hard shaky bunks and are altruistic with respect to the feeding of fleas. Rooms seem so dusty that they have not be cleaned for the last 20 years. Rock music plays in the courtyard until 12-1AM. RM35 for double with fan and brown bathroom. Dorm available.
* Cathay Hotel, 15 Leith Street, Phone:+60 4 262-6271, Fax:+60 4 263-9300. Famous among western backpackers.
* Eastern Hotel, 509 Chulia Street, Phone:+60 4 261-4597, Fax:+60 4 261-0008.
* Federal Hotel, 39 Penang Road, Phone:+60 4 263-4179.
* Friendship Motel, 20 Penang Street, Phone: +60(4)2618909, +60(4)2628909, +60(4)2629909, Email: friendsm@tm.net.my. Prices start at 28 RM for an air-con (small) room with shared bathrooms. Free Internet service. http://www.friendship-motel.com.my/
* Gallant Hotel, 6 Jalan Transfer, Phone:+60 4 379-584. Under new management change name to Regal Malaysia Hotel
* Georgetown Guesthouse, 7 Love Lane. Singles for 12RM (and negotiable), possibly the cheapest in town. Tiny rooms with fans and ultra-thin walls. Free breakfast (coffee and toast) and 1/2 hr internet.
* GoodHope Inn, 22 Jalan Kelawei, Phone:+60 4 229-0111, Fax:+60 4 229-0222. Room Rate: RM50. New in town.
* Hotel 1926, 227 Jalan Burmah, Phone:+60 4 228-1926, Fax:+60 4 227-7926. Heritage Boutique Hotel. Re-opened on 15 August 2007. Room Rate: RM80-100.
* Hotel Mingood, 164 Argyll Road, Phone:+60 4 229-9922, Fax:+60 4 228-0766, sales@hotelmingood.com. Room Rate: From RM80. Highly recommended by tourists.GPS Position - Lat : N5.421829, Long : E100.330421 http://www.hotelmingood.com/
* Hotel Oasis, 23 Love Lane, Phone:+60 4 226-2126, Fax:+60 4 261-3884.
* Hotel Rio, 64-1 Bishop Street, Phone:+60 4 262-5010.
* International Hotel, 90-92 1st Floor, Transfer Road, Phone:+60 16 434-2775. Room Rate: RM30.
* Jim's Place, 431 Chulia Street. Just look out for the Reggae Colors. Rooms about the same price as in the other places. The big perk of this hostel is the owner who is the most knowledgeable and helpful person I've met through my travels in Malaysia. He even recommends food stalls outside of his restaurant, so his own gain is not his main interest. Also a very interesting person to talk to (especially if you're looking for a movie script :)
* Old Penang Guesthouse, 53 Love Lane, 10200 Georgetown, Penang, Malaysia, Phone:+60 4 263-8805, oldpenang@gmail.com. http://www.oldpenang.com/
* Oasiss Hotel, Chulia St. This is the old backpacker's standby "Swiss Hotel" under new management. The atmospheric courtyard where backpackers used to hang out is no more. RM35 for a single.
* Oriental Guest House (formerly known as W & O Guesthouse), 81 Jalan Muntri, Phone: +60 4 2613378, Email: 75lodge@gmail.com. Charming 2-storey shop house building, same owner as 75 Travellers Lodge a few doors away. Large airy rooms with Windows, Fan, Sink. Single Rooms RM 15, Double/Twin Rooms RM 20-30, Triple Rooms RM 30-40. Friendly, clean and efficient, right in the middle of Chinatown. Cafe (known as Western Oriental Cafe) with television serving breakfast, lunch and dinner in front of the reception; Internet 3 RM per hour, 2 RM per half hour; laundry service available; arranges local tours; sells boat, bus and train tickets; helps to apply for Thailand visas.
* Oriental Hotel, 105 Penang Road, Phone:+60 4 263-4211. Location: 5°25'12.47"N ; 100°19'58.51"E. Check your room carefully. Bedbugs have been a problem here. http://www.oriental-hotel-penang.com/
* SD Guesthouse, 15 Love Lane, Phone: +60(4)2643743, and 28 Muntri Street, Phone: +60(4)2616102, Email: sdghpg@streamyx.com. Room fares from 18 to 55 RM with free Internet service, free coffee, and very nice location and service.
* Star Lodge, 39 Jalan Muntri, Phone: +60 4 2626378, Email: 75lodge@gmail.com. All rooms with Windows, Fan, Sink, Toilet and Hot Shower. Single Rooms RM 28-32, Double/Twin Rooms RM 35-40, Triple Rooms RM 45-60. For AirCon add on RM 10 per day. Free 1 hour internet included in the room rate plus free 24 hour WiFi.
* Towne House Hotel, 70 Penang Road, Phone:+60 4 263-8621. Room Rate: RM69-RM90.
* Waldorf Hotel, 13 Leboh Leith, Phone:+60 4 262-6141. Room Rate: RM49-RM60.50
* White House Hotel, 72 Penang Road, Phone:+60 4 263-2385.
* YMCA International Hostel, 211 Macalister Road. RM66 to RM85 per night.
* YWCA Penang, 8A Jalan Mesjid Negeri (Green Lane), 11600 Penang, +6-04-8280876. Only has 5 single rooms, 5 double rooms and a dormitory. So call to book first. Also, it is next to the State Mosque. http://www.penang-hotels.com/ymcapg/
* Banana Guesthouse
Banana 1
No 355, 357, 359 Chulia Street, 10200 Penang.
Tel: +604-2626171 Fax:+604-2610062
Banana 2
No 84, Penang Road, 10000 Penang,
Tel: +604-2621171 Fax: +604-2622171
Banana 3
No 326, Chulia Street, 10000 Penang
Tel: +604-2612171 Fax: +604-2629181
Email: info@banananewguesthouse.com
Website: http://bananapenang.com/main/
-Info courtesy of Wikitravel and is subjected to change without prior notification-
Saturday, 8 May 2010
Luxury on wheels
Luxury on wheels
IF you think travelling on a public bus is boring, try hopping on one equipped with a computer, flatscreen television and PlayStation 3.
The newly launched Rapid Hitz on Wheels bus, which is touted as the first of its kind in the country, kicked off in George Town on Thursday for a three-month trial run.
A joint effort between Rapid Penang and AMP Radio Networks, it is specially tailored to those aged between 16 and 24.
Rapid Penang chief executive officer Azhar Ahmad said they hoped to shift the youngsters’ mindset on public transport with the introduction of Rapid Hitz on Wheels.
“Many of them view public buses as just the transport mode of the low-income group when it can actually be a fun way of travelling for professionals and youths,” he said after launching the bus with AMP Radio Networks executive director Datuk Borhanuddin Osman on Thursday.
Crew of Hitz.fm, an English radio station under AMP, will drop by at different bus stations to pick up 15 lucky commuters for a short free tour.
There will be live broadcasting and quizzes on the bus from time to time. Those who answer the questions correctly will receive goodies.
The crew will also provide free canned drinks and magazines for commuters.
Those who wish to enjoy the fun ride can look out for the bus from 4pm to 10pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday when it takes the route along Belissa Row in Pulau Tikus, Gurney Drive, Farquhar Street, Weld Quay and Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling before returning to Belissa Row.
On Friday from 6pm to midnight, Rapid Hitz on Wheels can be spotted along Jalan Bagan Jermal, Jalan Tanjung Bungah, Bayview Beach Resort, Jalan Fettes and Jalan Burma.
From 3pm to midnight on Saturday, the bus will go to Gurney Drive, Penang Bridge, Jalan Juru, Weld Quay, Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah and Belissa Row.
On Sunday from 11am to 8pm, the bus will ply the route from Belissa Row to Jalan Perak, Jelutong Expressway, Jalan Aziz Ibrahim, Weld Quay and Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah before returning to Belissa Row.
Borhanuddin said they chose to have the first of its kind Rapid Hitz on Wheels in Penang because they believed Penangites were quite receptive to changes.
“We want to promote public transport to youths before they decide to purchase cars and make the roads more congested,” he said.
Asked if there were plans to have more of such buses or extend the three-month trial period, Borhanuddin said they would decide later.
Azhar later introduced press members to the company’s first 'Go Green’ concept bus that was developed to promote environmental-friendly public transportation system.
Designed with flora and fauna images in the interior, the bus is equipped with pipe-in music of nature’s sounds, including the chirping of birds.
-News courtesy of The Star-
IF you think travelling on a public bus is boring, try hopping on one equipped with a computer, flatscreen television and PlayStation 3.
The newly launched Rapid Hitz on Wheels bus, which is touted as the first of its kind in the country, kicked off in George Town on Thursday for a three-month trial run.
A joint effort between Rapid Penang and AMP Radio Networks, it is specially tailored to those aged between 16 and 24.
Rapid Penang chief executive officer Azhar Ahmad said they hoped to shift the youngsters’ mindset on public transport with the introduction of Rapid Hitz on Wheels.
“Many of them view public buses as just the transport mode of the low-income group when it can actually be a fun way of travelling for professionals and youths,” he said after launching the bus with AMP Radio Networks executive director Datuk Borhanuddin Osman on Thursday.
Crew of Hitz.fm, an English radio station under AMP, will drop by at different bus stations to pick up 15 lucky commuters for a short free tour.
There will be live broadcasting and quizzes on the bus from time to time. Those who answer the questions correctly will receive goodies.
The crew will also provide free canned drinks and magazines for commuters.
Those who wish to enjoy the fun ride can look out for the bus from 4pm to 10pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday when it takes the route along Belissa Row in Pulau Tikus, Gurney Drive, Farquhar Street, Weld Quay and Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling before returning to Belissa Row.
On Friday from 6pm to midnight, Rapid Hitz on Wheels can be spotted along Jalan Bagan Jermal, Jalan Tanjung Bungah, Bayview Beach Resort, Jalan Fettes and Jalan Burma.
From 3pm to midnight on Saturday, the bus will go to Gurney Drive, Penang Bridge, Jalan Juru, Weld Quay, Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah and Belissa Row.
On Sunday from 11am to 8pm, the bus will ply the route from Belissa Row to Jalan Perak, Jelutong Expressway, Jalan Aziz Ibrahim, Weld Quay and Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah before returning to Belissa Row.
Borhanuddin said they chose to have the first of its kind Rapid Hitz on Wheels in Penang because they believed Penangites were quite receptive to changes.
“We want to promote public transport to youths before they decide to purchase cars and make the roads more congested,” he said.
Asked if there were plans to have more of such buses or extend the three-month trial period, Borhanuddin said they would decide later.
Azhar later introduced press members to the company’s first 'Go Green’ concept bus that was developed to promote environmental-friendly public transportation system.
Designed with flora and fauna images in the interior, the bus is equipped with pipe-in music of nature’s sounds, including the chirping of birds.
-News courtesy of The Star-
Friday, 7 May 2010
Contributors needed!!!
Contributors needed!!!
Hi everyone,
I am looking for contributors to this site. Anyone who lives in Singapore or visit Singapore regularly (or even not so regularly) is welcomed to write for this blog.
Please email me at quekpj(XXXX)gmail.com
Replace (XXXX) with @
Looking forward to any contributions. Thanks!
Hi everyone,
I am looking for contributors to this site. Anyone who lives in Singapore or visit Singapore regularly (or even not so regularly) is welcomed to write for this blog.
Please email me at quekpj(XXXX)gmail.com
Replace (XXXX) with @
Looking forward to any contributions. Thanks!
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