TOW The Trip Up-North (Part 3)

SUNDAY (02/09/07)
Wake up! Wake up! My friend yelled at me at 8am. And I still can't open my eyes... until my aunt splash some water at my face. I'm still so tired of walking around Penang yesterday, and today we will go to another exciting places in Penang. We decided to take quick breakfast at a Malay Food Bazaar in Seberang Jaya.
So many people on Sunday taking a breakfast with their family. Took a quick nasi lemak bungkus, very nice at only 70cent each. Food is pretty cheap in Penang.

First stop, BUKIT BENDERA aka PENANG HILL. We took a bridge today and the traffic was very smooth that day.




Followed the sign to Air Hitam, leading to Bukit Bendera (Penang Hill)
Reached Penang Hill station at last. We have to take a tren to the top of the hill.
Bought the tickets, RM8 each for return tickets and wait for our 11.45am train in the waiting room.
The hill, also known as Bukit Bendera, is 830 meter high (2,750 foot) and it's much cooler than in the city below. It's about 3 degrees cooler than the places near the coast. The station to get to the top is located in Air Itam. The funicular railway will not take you straight to the top, you have to change trains halfway. in the meantime you'll pass several small station, where the local people get off. There are are also some small hotels and guesthouses on this stretch. The railway was built in 1923 and it takes about half an hour to the top. At the top of the hill, you'll find a tea kiosk, restaurants, souvenir stalls, a mosque, Hindu temple, and the old Bellevue hotel. The summit offers a magnificent panoramic view of Georgetown, the mainland and Penang Bridge. (http://www.virtualtourist.com)
The train is about 30 years old now. Slow and steady, it climbed up the hill to the first station.




Changed to second train at the mid station.
Reached Penang Hill at last, after half an hour of standing in the train.

View of Penang City from Penang Hill, so beautiful.
Buildings of Penang Hill.





At this point, my phone turned dead due to out of battery. ARRGGGGGGGGGGHHH!!!!! Thank god i got my friend's camera as a backup, so he is now being an official photographer of my blog.. Thanks dude!! More photos of Penang Hill.
Isn't the scenery simply amazing?

This is the old train used during the british time.

After a while, we headed down the hill in a very cramp train. This is where I met the meanest guy in the world. Stupid, idiot, rude and don't even know the word "THANK YOU". I'm sure this kind of people will not survive long in this world.
Me: Sir, just give this seat to your children (showing my seat to him)
Idiot: Well, I thought you won't give it to us (in sour face and very cynical)
Me: That's why i gave your children the seat.. because i know.
Idiot: I know, I know (in a sour face.. still no 'thank you')
Me: I don't understand people nowadays, so weird!!
Idiot: (face turning red)
Whatever bro!! I pity your wife and children for having a husband and father like you.

My next destination: KEK LOK SI TEMPLE

One of the finest Buddhist temples in South-east Asia. Stands majestically on a hill in Air Itam, this temple built in tiers culminates the beautifully crafted ''Pagoda of Ten Thousand Buddhas''. It took more than 20 years to build which features gardens, a turtle pond, shrines and beautiful sculptures. There are many souvenir shops leading up to the temple which offers good buys. And as for food lovers,famous hawker food are lined up near the Air Itam market. (from www.cuti.com.my)



Very big fish pond full of carps.
It's 3pm already. So we quickly took a few pictures and headed down to our next stop: BOTANICAL GARDEN. The Penang Botanic Gardens, more popularly known as "Waterfall Gardens", was established by the British way back in 1884 from an old granite quarry site. It lies in a deep valley, at the foot of 366 feet jungle clad hills, bound by evergreen tropical rain forests, divided by a cascading stream that meanders through a sprawling 29 hectares of prime and undulating grounds.
Its lush greenery and tranquil setting makes it a favourite park and a popular tourist attraction. It is Penang's unique natural heritage, being the only one of its kind in Malaysia. Besides, being a repository of flora & unique to the country and to the region, it serves as a "green lung" for Metropolitan Penang.(www.cuti.com.my)





Stopped by Gurney Drive to take pictures. It is so amazingly beautiful at that time with the dark clouds and windy sea.




Next stop: FORT CONRNWALLIS aka PADANG KOTA LAMA.
Fort Cornwallis is situated at the spot where Captain Francis Light was supposed to have landed in 1786. Originally a wooden structure, the fort was rebuilt between 1808 and 1810 with convict labour. It was named after Charles Marquis Cornwallis, a distinguished Governor General of India, and designed to protect the harbour from possible French attacks. Today, much of the old fort remains, but its precincts have been converted into a public park and an open air theater.(http://www.tourismpenang.gov.my)





Snapped a few pictures quickly as it started raining. We stopped again at the Cendol stall to have our Goodbye Ice Kacang before we go back to KL .
Some of the Penang buildings and sceneries.The fantastic view of the church.
The mosque is so architectually beautiful.
The ever famous Clock Tower


2 days were not enough for us to explore Penang and visit all the interesting places. For the time being, good Bye Penang... We will come again!!


JAM! JAM! JAM! on the way back to KL.

Reached home at 2am.. tired but satisfied!! Looking forward for another holiday like this...