2024 - Penang

 5D4N Penang

14 - 18 Oct 2024

Day 1 - 14 Oct

We were joined by a group of ex-teachers from my secondary school in Kuantan, SABS, and a group of retirees from my church in Kuantan, Kuantan Chapel, for this trip to Penang. There were all together 12 of us. We took the KTM ETS train from KL Sentral to KTM Butterworth Station. From there we took the ferry to Georgetown. We used Grab cars and Rapid Penang buses for our travels in Penang, besides plenty of walking!

After checking into Berjaya Georgetown Hotel we had our late lunch at Penang Road Famous Laksa. Beside laksa we also tried the Char Koay Teow.

Later we walked further down the road for the Penang Road Famous Teochew Cendul and Ice Kacang

We then walked to Chowrasta Market to shop for preserved fruits and clothing.

We then walked to Hock Lok Siew Biscuit Trading to buy some of its signature biscuits. The shop offers a wide variety of freshly baked traditional biscuits.

We had Lok Lok for  dinner at Pulau Tikus Market 

Day 2 - 15 Oct

We had dim sum at Maxim Dim Sum at Coco Island Street Food, Gurney Drive.

After breakfast we took the Rapid Penang bus to the Entopia Butterfly Park.

Entopia is the one of the largest butterfly garden in Malaysia with approximately 15,000 free-flying butterflies at any one time consisting of up to 60 species. The living garden features more than 200 species of plants with waterfalls, ponds, caves and other artistic garden features. 

We had a fun time participating in releasing newly-emerged butterflies, witnessing their very first flight and watching them dance gracefully in the enchanting aviary. This one-of-a-kind experience is the highlight of our visit!

We then took a Grab car to visit the Hard Rock Hotel and its beautiful beach

We then took a Rapid Penang bus to Siam Road Char Koay Teow for lunch. Open for half a day, this small store draws long queues – mostly tourists and young customers. They serve just one dish: stir-fried koay teow. The wok-fried flat rice noodles emit a charcoal aroma.

Dinner tonight is at The Little Nyonya Cuisine in Gurney Plaza.

Day 3 - 16 Oct

Breakfast was at Pulau Tikus Market area.

White Curry Laksa

After breakfast we took a Grab car to visit the Clan Jetties

Meet a cyclist from China

We then explored the Street Art of Penang

We passed by the Wonder Food Museum on the way to Sri Weld Food Centre for the popular nasi lemak

This humble food haven, Sri Weld Food Centre, has been capturing the hearts of locals and visitors alike for decades — their exceptional nasi lemak has earned a well-deserved place in the esteemed Michelin Guide

Queen Victoria Memorial Clock Tower in the background

Visit to Penang Peranakan Mansion after lunch. The Pinang Peranakan Mansion is a museum dedicated to Penang's Peranakan heritage. The museum itself is housed within a distinctive green-hued mansion at Church Street, George Town, which once served as the residence and office of a 19th-century Chinese tycoon, Chung Keng Quee

Later we visited Cheong Fatt Tze - The Blue Mansion. The Blue Mansion was inspired by a love story. Cheong Fatt Tze, a wealthy Chinese businessman, built this opulent mansion, for one of his wives. Today it’s a luxury hotel that doubles as a museum and occasional film set — you saw it in “Crazy Rich Asians.”

Dinner is at Coco Island in Gurney Drive

Day 4 - 17 Oct

After breakfast we took a Grab car to Kek Lok Si

Lunch at one of the kopitiam in Ayer Hitam

After lunch we took a Grab car to Penang Hill (Bukit Bendera)

Afternoon tea time at Green House Prawn Mee. Even though Green House Prawn Mee & Loh Mee has received a Michelin Bib Gourmand we find the quality has deteriorated.

Day 5 - 18 Oct

Before we checked out from the hotel some of us took Grab car to visit the Botanical Garden

Overall, the trip was a satisfying combination of sightseeing and culinary exploration, leaving us with memorable experiences of both Penang’s attractions and its exceptional food scene.

What made the journey special wasn’t just the places or the food—it was the experience of slowing down and taking it all in. Whether it was a quiet moment by the sea, a conversation over a shared meal, or simply getting lost in the charm of old streets, Penang offered a sense of warmth and authenticity that lingered long after the trip ended.

Do watch my YouTube video on this trip via the link below:

Penang