Life can be a beach
People visiting Penang sometimes ask predictable questions such as "Hey, looks like you have put on some weight! Is it the good food?" and "You are a few shades darker. Is it all the frolicking on the beach?"
The answer to the first question is likely to be "yes", followed by the sucking in of the tummy. However, the answer to the second question is a big "no".
It is too hot to frolic on the beach, which is a little far from the city centre.
Getting there is also a nightmare, especially during the holidays because of the traffic congestion.
Everyone is headed for the popular Tanjung Bungah and Batu Ferringhi tourist belts, thanks to the beautiful beachfront hotels, water sport attractions (legal and illegal), great food and fantastic night market.
The problem is, the only road leading to these places is too narrow. Traffic jams can take hours to clear, which makes it increasingly difficult for the locals to enjoy their own beaches.
Having said that, there is a spot that has been somewhat overlooked.
There is a sandy stretch from Tanjung Tokong to the Esplanade, called the North Beach, which has the potential to become a tourist attraction.
Lined with boulders, the stretch is sometimes dotted by anglers and a few tourists basking in the sun. However, the beach entrance in Jalan Green Hall is in a terrible state.
It is littered with rubbish and people who have had too much to drink are occasionally found there. Some of the benches are also broken.
It could become a quick getaway for the locals if the council would refurbish and equip it with facilities like beach chairs and toilets.
North Beach is truly a diamond in the rough. It is about time we explored more readily-available options for those who want to get a tan without having to sit through a traffic jam.
Who knows, it could be to Penang what Barceloneta Beach is to Barcelona, Spain.
The 3km-long beach, formerly fishermen's quarters, is lined with beautiful sculptures.
It has helped to earn the Catalan capital a place on the National Geographic Traveler's list of Top 10 beach cities in the world.
Penang may just make it there, too, one day.
It is great in Batu Ferringhi, if you can get past the traffic congestion on the only road leading to it.
~News courtesy of New Straits Times~
Street market turns 7 with fanfare
HUNDREDS of local and foreign tourists alike recently celebrated the seventh anniversary of Little Penang Street Market (LPSM) at Upper Penang Road, here.
LPSM coordinator Lyndy Ong said the street market, which was started in 2006, has become popular as a place for experiencing Penang culture.
"As we mark LPSM's seventh year, we are glad to see that the street market is becoming famous as one of the most happening places in the city now," she said.
"We will continue to put in efforts to ensure the street market continues to showcase the friendliness of Penangites and also enhance the people's awareness of the unique culture and heritage of Penang."
Ong noted, however, that it was not enough to just depend on non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to expand and promote the market, and that it needed the support from the Penang government as well.
She hoped the state government would provide more funds to LPSM as they needed finances to set up places for performances and vendors.
"If the state government can give more allocation, we can provide more comfortable places for our vendors and visitors. We will also be able to invite more renowned artisans and craftsmen to share their works with us," she said.
More than 70 stalls presently make up the street market, each with its own unique and special handicrafts.
Among handicrafts on display are jewellery, woven crafts and hand-sewn bags, crafts made from wood and minions made from clay. There are also paintings, plants, clothing as well as Penang Nyonya food and snacks.
There is a stage for budding performers and artists to display their talents.
The LPSM is also the venue for NGOs to promote their cause and sell their products to raise funds.
The street market is held on the last Sunday of each month.
~News courtesy of New Straits Times~
Thieves Market, hunting ground for vintage goods
You can get anything from old kettles, cameras, doorbells and even charcoal irons for a bargain at the popular market
"Thieves Market" is a treasure trove to some and a junkyard to others depending on how you look at the items for sale here.
The market, which is officially known as the Lorong Kulit flea market, off Jalan Datuk Keramat has stalls offering interesting collectibles.
Shoppers can find items such as old kettles, compasses, irons, cameras, ancient door bells, and even a kopitiam table.
Abdul Razak Shaik Daud, 70, who sells antiques at the market said that many of the items come from abroad as well as places like Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodia and India.
He said even though they were put up for sale at a place dubbed as the thieves market, the dealers would still make sure that the items were not stolen or fake.
"Before we buy them, we will check to see if they are real because our customers would not want to buy anything that is not authentic and of quality.
"Some of them are experienced antique collectors.
"If the quality of the items are good, they will be willing to pay a higher price," he told Streets recently, adding that his items are sold for anything between RM2 and RM7,000.
Nur Ain Alaudin, 25, another trader selling antiques at the market, said the age-old items usually draw many curious shoppers to check out the stalls even though they were not there to buy antiques.
"You do not have to be a collector, just be curious about the interesting items we have here. Items like the antique charcoal iron which looks like a water bucket also attracts people.
"We also have old cameras that many students from Universiti Sains Malaysia find intriguing.
"Some people have bought these and even tried to repair the cameras so that they can be used," said the University Teknologi Mara (UiTM) graduate who is following her father's footsteps by selling antiques.
Nur Ain said she had a century-old china teapot set worth RM1,500.
Customers browsing for items at one of the stalls.
~News courtesy of New Straits Times~
Traffic flow changes to take effect tomorrow
MOTORISTS are advised to watch out for the traffic flow changes in Pulau Tikus which begin tomorrow.
The Penang Island Municipal Council has approved the conversions for a three-month trial period.
The roads and stretches that are converted from two-way to one-way are:
Part of Jalan Burma from Jalan Pangkor to Jalan Bagan Jermal
Jalan Kelawai from Jalan Pangkor to Jalan Bagan Jermal
Jalan Pemenang from Jalan Kelawai to Persiaran Gurney
Part of Jalan Cantonment from Jalan Yeoh Guan Seok to Jalan Burma
Lebuhraya Codrington from Jalan Burma to Jalan Yeoh Guan Seok
Jalan Yeoh Guan Seok from Lebuhraya Codrington to Jalan Cantonment
Lorong Leandros from Jalan Kelawai to Jalan Burma
Jalan Concordia from Persiaran Gurney to Jalan Kelawai
Part of Lorong Burma from Jalan Kelawai to Persiaran Gurney
Jalan Birch from Persiaran Gurney to Jalan Kelawai
Jalan Lim Chin Guan from Jalan Kelawai to Persiaran Gurney
Part of Persiaran Gurney from Jalan Pemenang to Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah
One-way roads with a changed traffic flow direction are:
Lorong Kucing from Jalan Berjaya to Jalan Burma
Lorong Pulau Tikus from Jalan Burma to Jalan Berjaya
Lebuhraya Maktab from Jalan Kelawai to Jalan Burma
Lorong Maktab from Jalan Burma to Jalan Kelawai
Medan Maktab (College Square, where traffic will flow in an anti-clockwise direction around a field)
The only stretch of road converted from one-way to two-way is part of Jalan Cantonment from Jalan Burma to Jalan Kelawai.
There will be two new one-way roads -- the Jalan Kelawai service road in front of Gurney Paragon and a side lane next to Gurney Paragon connecting traffic from Jalan Kelawai to Persiaran Gurney.
MPPP is installing four traffic signal crossings for pedestrians on Jalan Burma near Lorong Kucing and Lorong Burma, on Jalan Kelawai near Jalan Lim Chin Guan, and Persiaran Gurney near the council's food court.
There will be three speed tables on Persiaran Gurney in front of the Evergreen Hotel, the councils food court and Gurney Plaza.
~News courtesy of New Straits Times~
Sathir’s putu mayam is a hit
Sathir with his putu mayam briyani at his stall in Queen Street, Penang.
It is a norm for string hoppers (putu mayam) to be eaten with brown sugar and grated coconut but restaurateur Sathir Abdul Kader has been giving the traditional delicacy a savoury twist.
Calling it putu mayam briyani (Briyani String Hoppers), Sathir has been selling it for the past 20 years at the Ramadan Bazaar in Queen Street.
“I only make it during the Ramadan season,” said the 50-year-old, who owns a restaurant in Queen Street.
When asked about his secret recipe, Sathir said it is cooked just like any other putu mayam.
“The only difference is that there are special spices and herbs added into the mixture,” he said.
“It is a family recipe which has been handed down by my father.”
He said that the spicy mixture gave the string hoppers a pale yellow colour and a fragrant smell.
Sathir said that a large pot of his putu mayam briyani is usually sold out within three hours after opening his stall at 3pm every day.
“It can be eaten with either chicken or mutton curry,” he said.
“A serving of the dish only costs RM4, while customers can also choose a set meal that includes either chicken or mutton curry for RM9 each.
Besides the popular dish, Sathir also sells traditional Indian sweet-meats at the stall, which is manned by nine staff.
~News courtesy of The Star~
