Advice on Penang

[JasK]

Are most hawker stalls closed during CNY?

 

[a_keong]

Are most hawker stalls closed during CNY?

Dun't worry,almost all open.

 

[buzzmario]

going next thur, hmm... safe to go now as the issue of the church attacked happen in malaysia now?

thanks

 

[H4rzog]

This is a must try in Penang!! No horse run

 

[H4rzog]

Another must try at the foot of Kek Lok Si

 

[H4rzog]

Another Heavenly Dish but is definitely not too hygenic and healthy but taste godly

 

[H4rzog]

One of the hidden Gems that i found. The soup base is quite good and has long local queue.

 

[H4rzog]

Views of Penang island on top of bukit bendara aka penang hill

 

[SlackMon-Ster]

One of the hidden Gems that i found. The soup base is quite good and has long local queue.

bro, location?

 

[H4rzog]

bro, location?

Along Jlan Penang. Ho Ping Coffee Shop but this stall only operates in the evening and night time.

 

[buzzmario]

hi, heard there is this place when you could take a boat/ ferry to the main island and back. since my 6 yo kid is coming, wanting to bring her to this place.

as i be staying at g hotel, far to get there? any place of attaction there and to and fro from main land how long?

thanks

 

[buzzmario]

hi, any one can advise if Queensbay mall near to sunway hotel? thanks

 

[chech01]

hi, any one can advise if Queensbay mall near to sunway hotel? thanks

Sunway is the one in town and the mall is half way to the airport. So, if you want say near or far is relative. If you drive I guess it does not matter and if you intend to take a taxi I think also does not matter as the taxi fares are all pretty standard since they do not use meters.

However, the mall from outside looks grand and probably give you the impression that it is like Vivocity. Inside it does not look that grand. I think the mall at the end of Gurney Drive is better (near the roundabout).

Cheers

 

[chech01]

hi, heard there is this place when you could take a boat/ ferry to the main island and back. since my 6 yo kid is coming, wanting to bring her to this place.

as i be staying at g hotel, far to get there? any place of attaction there and to and fro from main land how long?

thanks

the ferry is still running. It is free going out of the island but you need to pay when you return. It is not that far from g hotel. Go down gurney drive and follow the road to town. Once you reach the port area you should be able to see sign to the FERI (that is malay for ferry).

Not sure what is good in Butterworth but heard of some good food there too.

Cheers

 

[buzzmario]

hi, i now at g hotel, any idea where i can buy good dao sa piah?

 

[Franzz]

hi, heard there is this place when you could take a boat/ ferry to the main island and back. since my 6 yo kid is coming, wanting to bring her to this place.

as i be staying at g hotel, far to get there? any place of attaction there and to and fro from main land how long?

thanks

If you are driving, just follow the main road along the beach towards the Jelutong expressway.

For attractions near the ferry, further south there is a fisherman's village. Can go in and see see, how their house are built etc.

The area near the ferry got lotsa night hawkers, give them a try if you are free. Esp the one nearer to the Jelutong expressway.

 

[Franzz]

The best shopping mall in penang is Gurney Plaza. The rest of the shopping centres, you can forget about it as it disgrace the penang

Is it any coincidence that the best shopping mall in Penang is owned by a Singapore co?

 

[Franzz]

Are most hawker stalls closed during CNY?

Nope. In fact I think you should go during the CNY period to see what it is like to really celebrate a 'Chinese New Year'!

1. Light-up Kek Lok Si at night, only during CNY
2. There is this temple, which I forgot the name, on top of a hill. It is a tradition for the locals to go up there during CNY, and on the way to the top, you can see beggars beside the roads... hundreds of them
3. Festivities at the Padang etc

I see see. Thanks. but dunno why some of the blogs say Gurney Drive is for tourists only and locals will never go there to eat.

How about the nite market at Batu Ferringi. Worth a visit or just pass?

Let me tell you why locals don't go there...

1. it is overpriced and overrated
2. the locals know the gems along the streets outside the shophouses! the locals will have their appetizer at this shop, the main course at the other street and their desserts from the last street etc!

going next thur, hmm... safe to go now as the issue of the church attacked happen in malaysia now?
thanks

yes, it is safe.

fyi, the island itself is almost-all chinese except for areas further down ferringhi. the rest of the malays in penang are on the mainland.

 

[tellim]

I just came back from Penang.

i stayed 1 night G Hotel, 1 night Shangri-la Rasa Sayang.

G hotel is just 5 mins walk to the over-rated Gurney Drive hawkers. Most of the stalls are selling similar food aka rojak, satay, assam laksa, char kway teow and dessert. When you are there, make sure u sit on the table belongs to the stall u ordering from. I was chased away by this malay woman for sitting on her table w/o ordering any of her drinks coz we want to eat dessert. spolit our impression of gurney drive and our mood for food later.

Gurney Plaza is their best shopping centre...well its by capitamall and most of the shops are found in sg and u feel like capitamall brings shop mixture to Gurney Plaza haha. Anyway there is nothing big deal about it...Sg has better shopping centres. dont expect much.

Dont go Penang Hill on weekend as there will be a jam. Dont visit their Botanic Garden! We went there and realised it is more like a rundown garden that looks more like a nature reserve! You will have problem getting a cab back to town later if u dont ask ur driver to wait for u. dont go. there is nothing there!


The night market at Batu Ferringhi is a letdown. Nothing to buy and many stalls selling fake branded bags/wallets and watches. Its like our pasar malam lor.

In summary, Penang is a disappointment, overhyped and over-rated. Food is so-so. If we have to go to the trouble of looking for specific stalls with good food, i believe we can do the same in Sg also.

 

[Franzz]

1. Penang Botanic Garden is more of a hiking heaven for Penangnites than your usual park. If you love hiking, that is the place for you. Else, yes there is nothing much to offer. If you know the tracks, you'll be surprised to where the trails might bring you. You might be interested to know that on weekends, there are loads of people over there.

The Botanic Garden is generally a starting point for seasoned hikers before they walk over the Penang Hill or other parts of the island. I didn't think much of that place as well, till my gf's father brought me along one of his hiking trips.


2. Speaking of food, I guess you hv to get a local to bring you around. Some of the best seafood is way up north and it is a good 1.5hr drive from Georgetown. The best street shops are scattered all over Georgetown streets and they are opened only at night. Even the hawkers near the jetty are hidden away by a huge tree!

Penangnites don't go to G Drive or even Burma Road for their laksa fix for a start.


I'm sad to hear about your trip, but sometimes in the future, when you know a local, give yourself the opportunity to go over again. (Though yes, I have to admit the beaches are going down under...)