Penang in 2D2N

Few friends decided to come over to Penang, with a mission : Eat till you drop! Me and my few good friends put on our thinking cap and start to layout their itenary of 2D2N in Penang.

From Lebuh Chulia to Batu Feringgi First stop upon arriving in Penang, is the Kapitan Nasi Kandar in Lebuh Chulia. We went upstairs in the air-condition room. Ordered the famous Claypot Chicken Briyani and chicken tandoori with garlic cheese naan. Just a reminder, though the Kapitan stated that it is open 24 hours, but actually they don't. I had a bad service at the same Kapitan around 3am, when there was not much food left and the staff are just plain lazy. Had their dinner, and next stop is the Batu Feringgi night market hunting for DVD's. A friend of mine received quite a long list of DVD's order in her SMS. Halfway there, rain started to pour heavily. Parked by the roadside in front of Holiday Inn, and make our way to the night market stalls. Mission was not accomplished as all the DVD stalls were closed. We were told that police were in the area, waiting to rush in. Frustrated, we drove home as the other four are about to check-in to Hostel Mak Tiri (start to love that tagline now)

Market + Penang National Park
Rise and shine in the morning for our next activity: a walk to Kerachut beach located in Penang National Park. Stop by at Tmn Tun Sardon market for breakfast with plenty of variety. Here, you can find almost everything for breakfast. Bought few nasi lemuni from Mami Tanjung stall & some curry puff (inti kentang berlada, which is my favourite) from the other stall. Its the best nasi lemuni with beef curry known to me. This place hasn't change for the last 20yrs. Had a chat with Mami Tanjung, and she actually have facebook page for her small little business. The Penang National park was situated at the top left of Penang. The entrance fee is free, however you have to register at the main office. Distance to Kerachut was about 3.5KM with going uphill and down. The track was quite a challenge. After an hour twenty minutes, we make it to the beach. Of course you could just took the boat for RM100 perway perboat to Kerachut.

Visited the turtle conservation center on the beach. Cute little turtles are trying to get out from the confinements. This conservation center opens at 10am and closed at 4pm everyday. We were told that those little cute turtles were only four days old, and will be release to the sea when the next batch of eggs hatched. The weather was hot & humid. Warm air in the atmosphere. Some of us dipped in the salty water under the hot sun to cool down. Lunch by the beach with our pre-packed food. There is no garbage bin around, so you will have to bring back your garbage along. Basic facilities like shower, toilet & surau are provided. 11 of us had all decided to take a boat back to the main entrance instead of trekking back. After a negotiation, the boatman charge us at low price of RM90. Had another 10 minutes bumpy ride to the jetty. Tips : it works cheaper if you talk in Penang dialect.
Meegasm
Everyone are pretty much hungry by now. Next pit stop is the famous Mee goreng sotong @ padang kota. Alongside with either sirap bandung or coconut milkshake. The stall is easy to find. Situated in the foodcourt beside the Fort Cornwallis (not the one by the sea area), you'll see the Mee sotong signboard. Only one person cooks, to preserved it originality taste. I ordered 11 plates, which was RM3.50 per plate (cheap & fulfilling). The best sirap bandung is only RM1.50 & the awesome coconut milkshake only at RM2.50. Be sure to put some coins in to the parking meter. MPPP always do rounds here and leave tickets on your vehicle if you don't.

Mr Crab
Dinner as planned, we went to Warung Paksu for crab fried rice located in Juru. Advisable to booked ahead if you are planning to have dinner there in a large groups. We ordered the norm which is chili crab (ketam masak cili) with fried rice. Additional to our main dish, we ordered the grill siakap fish. The grill fish was perfect! As for drinks, four jugs of sirap limau served in a stainless steel cup. Initially, we planned to go to Ulu Lenggong Hot Spring in Baling. Instead we divert to go home and rest. A walked to Kerachut does consumes our energy to the max, besides most of us wish to be at their own lalaland.

Breakfast at Tiffany's, the Penang way A visit to Penang won't be complete without having breakfast in Kg Melayu, Air Itam. Only serves nasi kandaq & roti canai in the morning. Finding a space to park your car can quite be a challenge at this flat area. 9 of us manage to get a table together. Ordered our drinks, and the waiter don't even have to write it down. He must be gifted with a photographic memory, as he always get it right. The queue for nasi kandar was long enough.

Blast from the past in Chowrasta
After had a heavy brunch, a cold desert would be fantastic. Headed to Penang Road for the famous Penang Cendol by the roadside. Park my car beside the Penang Police Traffic headquarters, Phee Choon St. Paid RM0.80 for an hour rate. Cross the busy Penang Road, ordered the cendol and sat in a vintage green building. After the refreshing cold beverages, we walk to Chowrasta market. Stop by at a crystal shop. The owner is a retired police man who use to be working at the station opposite his shop, with feng shui consultant as part-time job. Very friendly indeed. Gave us discount as we was his first customer of the day. What is famous in Chowrasta? Its those pickles product. Malay stalls are located out of the market building, while the Chinese stalls resides within the building.

Grand finale
Its been raining heavily as sunset approaching. Hungry people craving for one last treat from Penang. Decide to bring them to have a taste of nasi dalca bawang Jalan Mahkamah (opposite Tabung Haji Complex)

Its been swell... and I will miss this part time job entertaining guest in Penang, as I will be moving back to KL with new job offer.

Photos : credit to Alsmie, Azel & Meaq.
Thanx to : Ct Yat & Mala the GOGO committee.