Penang

Penang, island of betel nuts, Pulau Pinang, Penang Bridge, Malaysia, Chinese, Penang
island, British Colonial Times

Penang Malaysia “The island of betel nuts”, or Pulau Pinang

in Malaysian language is an hour drive from the border to Thailand and about 3 hour drive north of Kuala Lumpur. In both direction a excellent motorway give easy access.

After a short trip from the mainland over the famous Penang Bridge or the car ferry and well, you are here. Penang Malaysia or Pulau Pinang is also served by various airlines on domestic and international routes, plus by a railway, about 6 hours travel out of Kuala Lumpur on the track.

The size of  285 sqkm seems quite large but most of the island are steep hills that means the useable area is quite small have a look at the satellite map that tells more.

Over the years Penang Malaysia or Pulau Pinang has mutated into Malaysia's main beach resort destination.

Penang is linked to the mainland by the 13,5 km Penang Bridge, the third longest bridge in the world -picture below-.

Numerous nationalities migrated to Penang Malaysia or Pulau Pinang since British Colonial

Times colonization leading to a very interesting mix of culture. The different
cultures express themselves by lots of unique food with roots in India, China
and the neighboring countries Thailand and Indonesia. Different festivals, one of
the most famous in Malaysia is Thaipusam which is very similar to the vegetarian
festival in Phuket Thailand.

Marvelous Mosque near the highway from Thailand to Penang Some gigantic mosques, like the one pictured above show the peoples faith. Actually this mosque is not in Penang Malaysia or Pulau Pinang directly its on the mainland a couple of km before the turn to the Penang Bridge.

Actually the Phuket version seems to be a copy of the Malaysian version which again has its root in India. The different cultures are also visible by the styling of  houses and temples. Indian Hindu Temples, various Chinese temples, Churches the colonialists built. Plus magnificent Buddhist temple and pagodas with Thailand and Burmese roots enrich the architecture and addressing different Chinese Yap Temple Burmese Buddhist Temple in Penang philosophies. It's really amazing how many different kind of temples are around in such a small place like Georgetown, Penang Malaysia or Pulau Pinang. Virtually there is a temple or mosque on "every second" corner.

Thai Buddhist Temple Penang

I would say it's much better to take the ferry, most of the time no traffic jam, some fresh air from the Another great bridge in Penang

water, enjoying the panorama of the Penang Malaysia or Pulau Pinang skyline, the Penang Bridge in the misty distance and in front another great suspension bridge behind a golden shimmering mosque. A excellent view over Penang Malaysia or Pulau Pinang harbor, the huge freight liner and a direct link to the the Malaysian north south motorway without the heavy traffic around the Penang bridge. Penang Ferry and Freight Container Ship

Penang City Hall

Penang Bridge The most impressive construction   in Penang Malaysia or Pulau Pinang is the Penang bridge. The construction of the Penang Bridge started in 1982 using a cable-stayed  concrete girder similar to the San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge. On the 3. August 1985 the Penang Bridge was opened by the fourth Prime Minister, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohammad. Penang Malaysia Beach   Penang or Pulau Pinang Ferringhi Beach Penang or Pulau Pinang Beach Penang or Pulau Pinang Ferringhi Beach   Penang or Pulau Pinang Sandy Beach and Granite Boulder Penang or Pulau Pinang Local Beach   Penang or Pulau Pinang Local Beach with Tent Penang Island has lots of beaches and naturally beach resorts, but you can still use the swimming pools, every beach resort has one. Penang Malaysia is the right destination for beach comber who like to have some infrastructure around, no real secluded Penang or Pulau Pinang North Beach beaches, if you like to be alone take a boat and explore the coast from a distance or move to Langkawi.

One of the most famous temple is the Snake Temple, at the altar many poisonous snakes daze around and have a quiet life, they are somehow knocked out be the ever burning incense.

Penang Chinese Temple Inside                                                             Penang small Chinese Temple

Penang Chinese Temple

Legend tells that a hermit gave refuge to poisonous snakes. After he died, a spiritual cloud took possession, on certain days the temple is overcrowded by snakes.

The Kek Lok Si Temple is another beautiful Chinese temple of Penang or Pulau Pinang. The octagonal basement reminds of a Buddhist pagoda, it’s middle part reminds at a Thai pagoda whereas the upper part looks like a Burmese one. Buddha’s statues and images from all over the world have been placed in the temple.

Another well known Chinese  temple is the Dragon Mountain Temple.

It sometimes looks like the people of Penang Malaysia were competing who create the most magnificent temple.

But it's not only temples and pagodas, in 1818 English built St George's Church here. Others pray in Captain Kling’s mosque, which bears the nickname of an Indian merchant.

Have a look here for the video on temple action

A very popular Taoist temple -picture above-, the Temple of the Goddess of Mercy (Kuan Yin Temple) Penang's oldest temple, was built about 1800 by early Chinese settlers. The temple serves two Chinese goddesses, Kuan Yin Teng -goddess of mercy- and Ma Chor Poh -patron saint of sea travelers-.

Penang Georgetown view over the harbor from the Komtar Tower

To have a panorama view over Penang Malaysia or Pulau Pinang the Penang-Hill and the Komtar tower -right in Georgetown are the right spot. Komtar tower cant be missed, its the tallest building on the island right in the center of Georgetown. The botanical garden, butterfly garden, spice garden and the monkey spot near the botanical garden are places everyone should visit. You want some fun with the monkeys, no problem you can have it, they play with you, buy be careful, they are much faster than you...monkey fast... Don't carry anything around like glasses, bags or anything which can be taken away quickly, the Penang or Pulau Pinang monkey will take it and run, they are like the small kids, monkey want to play and

have some toys. Also keep in mind monkeys have parasites on their body, so its better not to touch them, this little jumper insects will easily jump over to you and give you a scratchy time. It's difficult to get rid of it. Penang Monkey Spot near Botanical Garden                                 Penang Tropical Spice Garden

clubs and discos, karaoke lounges and hidden parlors with mainly pretty Chinese girls from Malaysia and China.

Some time ago Russian and Ukraine ladies tried to get a foot into the sex business but this ended unpleasant for them. For some reason the locals guys didn't like the competition and the other problem for the ladies was they could be spotted very easily by the police, or polis in Malaysian language.

Its somehow the same situation like in Thailand, where plenty of girls from the former udssr try to make some money. Interestingly, Japanese tourist ladies are after black Africans. There are many male Nigerians in Bangkok offer their services to them.

If you have nothing else to do, go shopping,

you will find plenty of exotic items, like handicraft, colorful dresses for the ladies, exotic items from China and India, interesting books. One of the best shopping places is "little India", actually a visit of Penang or Pulau Pinang without a stroll through "little India" means you haven't been in Penang.

Or try some delicious Malaysian Food like this great Penang Laksa,
Laksa with Chicken and Prawn	Laksa is made from Chicken Prawn Cucumber Soya Noodles Sambal Fishcake Onion dried Anchovy
Laksa base is Soya	Pour Laksa Soup over
Spice up the Laksa	Laksa comes from Sanskrit and means 1000 add on. since no one has 1000 add on's everyone uses the ingredients available and creates his own laksa. Laksa is a typical Malaysian dish, has usually a low price and can be seen everywhere in Malaysia, almost every greater region has its own laksa variety, like Penang Laksa, Laksa Kedah, Johor Laksa, Melaka Nonya Laksa, Curry Laksa and so on.

Penang

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