Georgetown - The Pearl of the Orient

FuFu Travel - Georgetown, Penang
10th - 14th June 2009 + Lap One +



這一次跟上一次的沙巴上山下海之旅有點不同
一個人背包從家鄉搭巴士去檳城流浪了好幾天
很享受一個人的自由自在無憂無慮的浩浩蕩蕩
單獨一個人大搖大擺沒有束縛感和時間的約束
四周圍繞一圈到處看這裡拍拍照那裡坐下就吃
喜歡那種感覺因爲很輕鬆很舒適很寧靜很安祥

悄悄的離開現實進入了思考世界想通很多東西
也狠狠地依照向來的風格做了人生重要的決定
這簡直就是謹慎但又輕鬆及瀟灑思考的旅行嘛
有兩重性格的我很容易適應一個人背包的旅程
我對什麽形式的旅遊都已習慣了因爲旅行多了
還可以從中找到一些別人永遠都找不到的樂趣

最後一分鐘計劃檳城之旅的我很幸運遇上思勝
很高興他忙裏都抽空晚上陪我去吃帶我走走看
真的很感謝思勝那幾天貼心的招待我這位博客
跟博客見面及一起玩的玩意我六年前已開始了
雖經常閲讀博客的文章但永不隨便去會見博客
對我來講緣跟分非常重要因爲有緣千里能相會


The bus terminal of Medan Gopeng, Ipoh.

I was heading to Penang from my lovely hometown on a sunny Friday. Taking bus to Ipoh that needs to change another bus at Tapah. Transit in Medan Gopeng Bus Terminal which is not a bus terminal should look like. This is again the issue related to the dark, notorious yet hilarious political tactics can only be found in Perak.


It's once a deserted antique gallery proposed by the royal family.


The entrance of the Penang Botanic Garden.

Long story short! I arrived the Sungai Nibong bus terminal at 930pm and was picked up by Akira, one of the bloggers i know. We headed for dinner before i called it a long day of sitting on the bus. The next morning, after eating the famous nasi lemak, he dropped me off at Penang Botanic Garden. Akira had to go to KL so i wandered around Georgetown myself.


FuFu was here exploring the garden!


Was spending two hours here to slowly get closer to the nature.


FuFu took the opportunity to seriously plan his future.


FuFu had to make up his mind sooner.


Whether to continue his master or not in Germany.


He finally made the decision peaceful together with the nature.


So fast? YES! So, what you waiting for? Go snap the flowers!


It's a botanic garden.


Thus, you can find many different kind of flowers.


Some look familiar.


While the rest you may have not seen before.


If you like flowers, the botanic garden is the correct place for you.


FuFu is an amateur botanist, sure would not miss the garden.


You will get to know more about the tropical flowering plants.


And also get to see the other species of the national flower.


FuFu was busy taking all the flower at the garden.


Until he had forgotten everything. Only flowers!


FuFu just concentrated on snapping the flowers.


Photography is an activity that you will forget everything.


Only focusing on the stuff you zooming at.


It's a good way to learn how to stay focus on one thing.


As well as improving your photography skill.


Of course, you may need a better camera.


Because a better camera real takes better pictures.


Providing you know how to utilize the functions.


FYI, FuFu is still an amateur photographer.


It's a refreshing afternoon after a light rain.


The sun desperately popped out and welcomed FuFu to Penang.


FuFu felt as if back to Japan or Europe.


He laid on the grass, communicating with the nature, phew.


It's a great place for family outing here as well.


Just be careful the wild lizard here.


And watch out the little millipede that crawling around.


Never try to feed to wild monkey.


Otherwise the rest will come after you.


Garden, no doubt is a nice place to getaway from the hectic life.


FuFu highly recommend you to visit any garden or park often.


A tricycle that transformed into a huge mobile mini market.


FuFu had his refreshment here before continuing the journey.


FuFu was thinking of the Italian Gelato. =p


Next mission was a fun walk up to the Penang Hill.


Had just conquered the highest mountain in Malaysia.


Penang Hill? How high is the hill? Must be an easy climb.


FuFu was so wrong! It's harder than Mount Kinabalu.


It was incredibly and unreasonably steep.


FuFu took one and an hour to the peak of the hill!


FuFu is a Civil Engineering student! He know what 30% means.


FuFu once designed a highway when he was studying in Japan.


The gradient is definitely more than 45° angle. Crazy!


The point where the left and the right meet. =p


Car driver and motorcyclists have to be careful driving here.


Try to look around and observe because you would discover more!


Stunning out in the middle of withered leaves.


This pin shaped red flower caught FuFu's eyes!


Hibiscus is planting everywhere.


It's a forest afterall. You should be prepared to see these insects.


This lady is beautiful.


This lady looks gorgeously elegant.


The wild monkeys are fierce. Better don't disturb them.


You should be more fierce than your enemy. Or you will be bullied.


In the middle of the tropical rainforest?


FuFu was curious how the timber manage to stand steadily.


You will be enlightened and inspired by the mother nature!


Taking rest is to continue the long challenging journey.


FuFu was not alone! Bird, insects, etc were there with him.


Finally, FuFu was on the peak of Penang Hill.


The first attraction, Sri Aruloli Thirumurugan is a Hindu temple.


This temple is one of the oldest Hindu temples in Penang.


It has a stunning and significant architecture in sculpting.


Close-up of the sculptures on the temple.


The temple was once a significant symbol for the Indians in Penang.


FuFu was impressed by the vibrant colour of the sculptures.


It's awesome.


This makes me wanna visit India sooner.


This scared creature must be equal to the Chinese guardian lion.


Here, you could overlook the island and Butterworth.


Then you can visit Penang Hill Mosque.


Another view from the mosque.


After the harsh climbing, i decided to quench my thirst.


FuFu had this RM3.50 fresh coconut.


You could get these souvenir back for family or friends.


Suddenly, the sky changed His clothes.


Real pissed off as it's foggy until FuFu couldn't enjoy the view.


Without wasting my time, FuFu decided to go back to Air Hitam.


By this funicular train that cost RM3 (one way).


This is just the same tram FuFu rode before in Switzerland.


They rushed into the train before the door was properly opened.


FuFu was the last one to get into the train.


No wonder it's familiar, the trains were imported from Switzerland.


Seats are for physically challenged people? Who really cares?


"Tuan-tuan and puan-puan, watch out your hands."


"Ladies and gentlemen, we're going down now."


Slowly entering the tunnel.


At the intersection. Which direction shall FuFu go?


Obviously, the answer is right although it's blur.


FuFu got it right. Hopefully it will be 100 marks.


Never keep moving forwards without reviewing the past.


Now the train arrived at the mid-station.


Surprisingly, Penang Hill has quite a number of residents.


The view of the city was great at the mid-station.


Penang has tonnes of apartments and condominiums.


To accommodate the Penangites. Land in Penang is very precious.


It's steep also here. Both the fun walk and the track.


Wow, see the longest bridge in Malaysia, Penang Bridge.


After the Indian temple and mosque, FuFu saw the Chinese temple.


Hey this is a multiracial & multicultural country! Truly Asia, Malaysia.


The Penang Railway station. The only railway track in Penang?


Took Rapid Penang (bus) back to the downtown.


The highest building in Penang, Komtar.


"Oh mg goodness, this is so nice."


The Malaysian Buddhist Association, but everyone had gone.


Actually, FuFu was heading for the Wesak Parade.


He was late, the parade had started.


Thousands of people joining the parade.


The handicapped too participated in the famous festival in Penang.

Wesak Day commemorates birth, enlightenment and passing of Lord Buddha. It is one of the most important events celebrated annually by Buddhists residing in this small island. Thousands of devotees accompanied by decorated floats or festival cars, took part in Burma Street parade during the Wesak Day celebration in Penang on the 8th of May.


All festival cars were nicely decorated.


As there's a competition every year.


This car was ful of flowers.


This with the lanterns and monks sitting on top.


So Indian style, i mean the colour.


This is nice with the lotus shaped oil lamps.


The statue was very elegantly putting on the festival car.


The most popular festival car by Malaysian Buddhist Association.


Devotees flying the Buddhist flags.


And also the national flags, the devotees are very patriotic.

Amidst wars, economy downturn and epidemic plaguing the world. people turn to religion for comfort and peace. I personally don't believe in God but I do believe in the goodness of religion.


Some even brought the plastic chairs to see the parade.


Not to sit, but they stood on the chairs to see the cars clearly.


Money? Better future? Good life? No, travel around the world.


I quickily moved to the ending point to see the parade again.


Missed the first part, now FuFu slowly enjoying the Wesak Parade.


It's a grand Wesak parade FuFu have ever seen.


There's a big lotus in front of the Buddha.


The students too participated this parade.


It's was the fifteenth day of April 2009 (the Chinese calender).


The moon too celebrating Wesak, watching the awesome parade.


The stomach made FuFu walked farther.


Ops, the light lit up the Guan Yin temple. Pretty.


FuFu saw something nice!


Great, simply loved the architecture.


FuFu loves the prewar buildings in Penang!!


Wanted to sit down but it seemed an expensive one, so FuFu left.


If had more money, sure FuFu would pay for the nice ambience.


FuFu's love at first sight of Penang is the prewar architecture!


Had a quick dinner at the hawker centre along Burma Street.


Wow, bumped into the Penang Time Squares.


Heard it'd be the largest shopping mall in Penang & Malaysia sooner.

It was a tiring day for me in Penang. Nonetheless, i had heaps of fun leisurely walking and thoroughly observing every little stuff appear in front of me. Travelling alone definitely could explore more as you would discover things unexpectedly. I enjoyed the freedom and the memories of travelling alone in Europe flashed back.


Walking back to Chulia Street where many guesthouses located.

So after descending Penang Hill by the funicular train, i took a bus back to the Jetty. It took me about five minutes walking to Chulia Street where you can find several nice guesthouses lined up there. I got a bed and breakfast deal for only RM15.