the great penang getaway: august ’09: day two

We woke up at 9 something in the morning, started packing our stuff then checked out of Hutton Lodge. Left our bags with the friendly receptionist then ventured out for noms. I’d love to say that we wanted to eat everything Penang has to offer and our food itinerary is jam-packed with different places to go to. Unfortunately that was not the case and I only had Lorong Selamat’s char kuey teow on my mind. Shirley was more than accomodating, so we set out to walk to Lorong Selamat.

As we both were so brilliant that we didn’t have/ bring a printed-out map (no matter, I can’t read one anyway),we relied on my Nokia Maps on my N82. Of course it works, unfortunately I didn’t understand how it works. Took a couple of wrong turns, and I spotted a blue wall with a stall selling roti canai next to a mosque. I turned to Shirley and said, “Eh I think this is famous lah. Supposed to be good. I saw a photo of it on someone’s blog.”

Penang Aug 09 - 35 Roti Canai Transfer Road Penang Aug 09 - 36 Roti Canai Transfer Road

Shirley said to give it a try, so we got a place and sat down. Got ourselves a roti kosong each with curry chicken, a teh tarik and a set of roti bakar. The roti bakar came with half-boiled eggs on top. It was the first time I’d seen it served this way, though Horng later told me that it’s common in Penang.

Penang Aug 09 - 37 Transfer Road roti canai, chicken curry, teh tarik Penang Aug 09 - 38  Transfer Road roti bakar with half-boiled eggs

The roti canai was not bad lah. The difference was the curry chicken, very tasty! I don’t remember how much we paid for our breakfast but it wasn’t expensive. I asked a guy sitting at the next table for the name of the stall. He said, it’s just known as kedai roti canai along Transfer Road, and everybody should know it. GPS coordinates: 5.4201, 100.3302.

We walked towards the wrong end of Transfer Road to get to Lorong Selamat. Finally asked a couple of people for directions. Everyone was very surprised that we were going to WALK anywhere. “Wah, very far you know!!” was the common expression whenever we ask for directions. True, I would not walk in KL/ PJ/ Batu Pahat, but it’s normal to walk when you are a tourist. When you come to think of it, the locations are not very far away. Penang is so small what! It’s the heat and humidity that’s killing.

Anyway we got our directions, walked towards the correct end of Transfer Road, got on Burmah Road and walked all the way to Lorong Selamat for…

Penang Aug 09 - 39 Lorong Selamat Char Kuey Teow

Hooray! I got a normal order this time, instead of the extra-spicy I ate yesterday. Could really taste the charcoal fumes, which made it more delicious! 😉 The people working at the shop recognised us, heh. As it was somewhat early and there were few customers, Shirley decided to try to converse with the auntie cooking the char kuey teow. As she passed by our table…

“Auntie, ni de kuo tiao hen hao chi!” (Auntie, your kuey teow is delicious!)
“Hao chi ar? Hmmm.” (Delicious? *Acknowledgement* Hmm.)

So brave, hahah.

On the way back to Hutton Lodge, I couldn’t take the heat any more and bought an umbrella at 7-11. When we reached Hutton Lodge, there was a taxi at the courtyard. We asked if he could help get us a taxi to Parkroyal at Batu Ferringhi. Sure, for RM30! Well, taxis in Penang are not cheap, so suck it up lah. About 5 minutes later, his friend reached Hutton Lodge and off we went to our second accommodation.

Penang Aug 09 - 41 Shirley with welcome drink at Parkroyal Penang Aug 09 - 42 Suanie with welcome drink at Parkroyal

Parkroyal Penang! First time I was there was with Jaime and Janice, and it was cost-free 😉 . I’d wanted to return ever since, unfortunately neither me nor anything I own is made of gold. Since this trip was partly sponsored by MAS, I decided to take the plunge and book a grand deluxe sea-facing room at Parkroyal for one night. Also we were lucky to be someone’s corporate guests, hence we had a good corporate rate!

We got to the hotel earlier than the check-in time, at about 1.40 p.m. Our room was not ready and the receptionist asked if we would like a deluxe sea-facing room instead for a lower price. I thought about it for 3 seconds, then said no, it’s okay we can wait. I already waited a few years to stay there again, I think I can wait a few minutes more 😉

So we walked around the hotel for a bit then plonked our arses down at the lounge. A waiter came to us with welcome drinks. Decided to check out the St Gregory Spa, then the receptionist called the spa to let us know that our room was ready. As we received our room key, the receptionist apologised for the wait (which was not their fault, we arrived early) and nonchalantly added, “By the way, we upgraded you to a suite.”

Penang Aug 09 - 43 Parkroyal Ocean Palm suite living room Penang Aug 09 - 44 Parkroyal Ocean Palm suite bed

Holey mada of all… WE GOT LUCKY OR WHAT?!? 😀 Parkroyal’s Ocean Palm suite has a separate lounge area, a king-size bed, two LCD TVs, bla bla bla, go read the details here. Two balconies, attached to a private garden with sun deck chairs for the suites and deluxe rooms. RM600 (after corporate rate and upgraded to suite), awesome or not??

Penang Aug 09 - 49 Parkroyal suite, garden Penang Aug 09 - 51 Parkroyal suite, garden

As guests at the hotel, we were entitled to a discount at the attached St Gregory spa. Shirley made an appointment for the two of us. After unpacking for a bit, we decided to head to the pool for a quick dip before our (expensive) massages. Of course always got time for a quick beer and ice-cream!

Penang Aug 09 - 54 Suanie with beer by the beach Penang Aug 09 - 55 Shirley with ice-cream by the beach

We got a Balinese full body massage which was packaged with a facial, RM250 each. Thanks Shirley! 😛 The masseurs were very good though it got rather painful at times because my body is quite tensed up. So relaxing that we fell asleep for a bit. Woke up when cold stuff was splattered on our faces for the facial. For the final touch, they served us very nice ginger tea. I like! No wonder they are so expensive 😛

Then we walked back to the beach just to take in the evening sun (though there was no sun) and look see people for a bit.

Penang Aug 09 - 58 Batu Feringghi beach Penang Aug 09 - 60 Horse at the beach

Back at our room, Shirley saw that the staff had laid out a fruit platter for us. After a quick shower, we decided to chill out at the balcony with the fruits, some tea and coffee and bak hu from yesterday. This is the life, I tell ya.

Penang Aug 09 - 63 Bliss at Parkroyal

Decided to go back to Georgetown for dinner. Called up Bryan for strategies on locations and he suggested that we go to New Lane before anywhere else, as the hawker stalls may not be open till late. Off we went to New Lane, GPS coordinates: 5.415, 100.3271.

What’s the #1 food attraction at New Lane? Pig’s intestine porridge, of course!

Penang Aug 09 - 64 New Lane food stalls

Sorry, tidak ditanggung halal. We also got an order of oh-chien (fried egg + starch + oysters) and it was yummy. By the way I would like to state that we ordered one bowl of porridge to be shared — stomachs are not THAT bottomless pits ok. But yes, you must try the pig’s intestines porridge if you are at New Lane, if you haven’t already. There’s only one stall displaying all the innards, can’t miss it.

We asked the customers sitting nearby for directions to Chulia Street. They were aghast that we were planning to walk all the way there from New Lane. Like I said, Penang folks don’t walk one mah 😛 But they gave us good directions and off we went searching for Chulia Street. It was quite a bit to walk but not bad lah. Got lost a couple of times, asked more people for directions, passed by a mosque with banners demanding for Jeff Ooi’s resignation. Interesting…

Anyway there’s a good reason why we wanted to go to Chulia Street, and that’s…

Penang Aug 09 - 68 Chulia Street wantan mee Penang Aug 09 - 70 Kapitan's claypot nasi beryani

Wantan mee! Still delicious as ever, the noodles were springy and had bits of lard. The auntie at the stall had a lot of noodles for sale and it was half gone by the time we finished our bowl of wantan mee. Not bad eh? Except that the dining environment is not altogether appealing, but that’s Malaysian hawker places for you. I saw a damn cute Fluffy by the drain, asked Shirley to see but she refused 😛 GPS coordinates: 5.4182, 100.3365.

Next stop: Kapitan’s at Chulia Street.

By this point, we were a bit stuffed. But Kapitan’s was nearby and it would be a waste to skip their awesomely delicious claypot beryani! Actually I ordered a tandoori chicken on the side, but I think they didn’t hear the order or they sengaja ignored me. It’s okay, I think I was being too ambitious and greedy at that time, heh. GPS coordinates: 5.4162, 100.3386.

Chilled out for a while before hailing a taxi to G Hotel to catch Hot Chick. She was meeting some friends, asked us to join but we were too tired and decided to go back to our hotel. Before getting another cab, we stopped by at Gurney Drive food stalls to buy…

Penang Aug 09 - 71 Sotong Bakar stall at Gurney Drive Penang Aug 09 - 72 Sotong Bakar stall at Gurney Drive

Sotong bakar! Or grilled cuttlefish for those who don’t understand half of what I’ve been typing. Jaime introduced it to me years ago and since then, I’ve never failed to revisit the stall for delicious sotong bakar whenever I’m in Penang. The dark prawn paste just makes it better!

Got back to the hotel (another expensive taxi ride, but what to do), chilled out in front of the TV with our sotong bakar and assorted snacks with a B-grade movie on telly. Nice.

Third day: Cititel and Peter’s wedding dinner. More photos at my Flickr set for Penang, August 2009 here.

*Note: This trip was partly sponsored by Malaysia Airlines. Go check out the best fares at www.malaysiaairlines.com

the great bali escape: may ’09: day two: legian beach, kuta streets, sunset @ ku de ta

Legian Beach, Bali - Suanie and Fireangel Woke up, had breakfast at Masa Inn then walked towards Legian Street. Sure looks different in daytime. Walked past endless shops and pubs, lots of traffic = noise + air pollution, lots of touters. I think being Asians has its advantages — some of the touters don’t even bother greeting us or look at us.

After an hour, we headed for the beach. Walked from Legian to Kuta beach, slippers off, feet in the soft sand and waves. Lots of people sunbathing, surfer dudes and chicks around, some of them not very good at surfing, heh. It was lovely except that I didn’t put on any sunblock, something I’d regret later.

Legian Beach, Bali - deck chairs for a price Legian Beach, Bali - people

Walked all the way back to Kuta, went past Hard Rock Hotel etc, saw a Starbucks next to the Hard Rock shop. Of course must go in!

Kuta, Bali - Suanie found Starbucks

SMS-ed some friends, “Am at Starbucks, Kuta. Heheh.” They replied:
ShaolinTiger: Lol so typical. Coffee there nicer or not?
KY: Haha I hope you are not bored of FA? Have lots of fun and remember to eat pork!
Horng: You are so sick, Suan. Need to go to Starbucks rehabilitation centre if there is any.
Gier: Am sure you’re bored and unhepi and would rather be in PJ at your desk, working and bringing me my Pepsi Max. Well, padan muka! I have no kesian for you. Bitch.

After an iced tea, a sandwich and a hand-drawn map of Kuta by the barista, we went on our way to Kuta Square, more random stalls and back to Legian Street. While FA was buying some chopsticks thingy that she ties her hair with, I was very entertained by a little kid sitting at the steps of the stall next door. Basically made him jump and wiggle and constantly shake his head and all that stuff you do with kids.

Kuta, Bali - cute kid

Ah Seng greatly recommended Ku De Ta to catch some beers and the sunset, so we thought we’d walk to the place. Problem is, we underestimated the distance. We were at the beginning of Legian Street and Ku De Ta is in Seminyak. After a couple of hours, we decided to ask for directions. The shopkeeper said that it was too far away and we must take a taxi there. So we did and it was Rp30,000 (RM11) most well-spent.

Ku De Ta was definitely one of the highlights of our trip. Ambiance was lovely, beautiful and relaxing. We managed to get a corner seat overlooking the beach/ horizon. Clouds marred the sunset, but it was still rather awesome. At least it didn’t rain. Next time you are in Bali, you should really go to Ku De Ta — 4pm onwards then sit back and relax with beer and food.

Ku De Ta in Seminyak, Bali - Suanie Ku De Ta in Seminyak, Bali - setting sun 03

Prices are slightly above mid-range but that’s to be expected. A small bottle of Bintang costs Rp22,000 (RM7.xx), cocktails and spirits are more expensive. We ordered a Porkys pizza (Rp95,000 = RM32.50) and grilled pork ribs (Rp90,000 = RM31) to share, and knocked back a few beers between us. The Porkys pizza was the MOST DELICIOUS PIZZA I’D EVER HAD ZOMG! Words can’t begin to describe how awesome the pizza was, so you’ll have to find it out yourself. Ribs was juicy, tender and succulent, om nom nom nom nom.

Ku De Ta in Seminyak, Bali - Fireangel with pizza Ku De Ta in Seminyak, Bali - pork ribs

Ku De Ta was truly an incredible experience. I want to cry thinking about it because I want to go back!!! Two girls next to us were from California: one was staying a month and the other was already in Bali for 2 months. Bestnyer boleh berholiday lama-lama.

Ku De Ta in Seminyak, Bali - life is wonderful 01 Ku De Ta in Seminyak, Bali - life is wonderful 02

We stayed until 7+ pm, then decided to head back to our hotel. After all we had to wake up (damn) early the following morning for our mountain trekking adventure. Walked barefooted along the beach from Seminyak to Legian, very lovely. At Legian we decided (more me than FA) that we were too tired to walk back to Kuta, so we walked towards the promenade (where we’d began our mid-noon walk from Legian to Kuta beach). Got two motorcyclists to take us back to our hotel for Rp30,000 (RM11). Was quite worth it because the ride was fun as they went rather fast, into small lanes, endangering tourists and animals alike.

*Complete Flickr set of Bali, May 2009 here, including photos not published on blog.

the great penang getaway: august ’08: day three: beach, food, ludo

After breakfast at the hotel, we decided to walk across the road (there’s a connecting pedestrian bridge from the hotel to the other side of the road) to the beach.

Penang Aug 08 - 54 View of swimming pool from bridge
Photo of the hotel swimming pool area taken from the pedestrian bridge

We passed by a flight of steep and uneven stairs, and an aquarium with a couple of hideous looking eels. I hate eels.

Penang Aug 08 - 56 American eel in a tank
Unagi? Not for me

It was early-ish and there were not many people around. Was lovely to just walk a bit and play with the water and sand. You can view the rest of the beach photos at my Flickr set.

Penang Aug 08 - 63 Leave nothing but footprints
Leave nothing but footprints

We went back to our hotel room, packed and checked out. HPC came to get us and took us for lunch at an open-air food stall next to Fort Cornwallis (Padang Kota Lama). She said that they have the best mee sotong ever, never mind that I never had mee sotong before. There were a lot of people so we waited a while for our food.

Penang Aug 08 - 66 Mee sotong
The most fanfuckingtastic mee ever, sotong or what not!

The mee sotong was ridiculously delicious! It was also the one and only thing I craved for after coming back to KL. I was on MSN with Pinky the other night, and we both went, “I really want to eat the mee sotong now…” You must have it when you go to Penang. Like I said, it’s just next to Fort Cornwallis, you can’t miss it!

After lunch, we had nothing much to do so we headed over to Starbucks at Gurney Hotel. They had board games, so we played snakes and ladders and Ludo. Couldn’t really remember the rules for Ludo (or how to play it, even) so the instruction leaflet came in handy…

Penang Aug 08 - 68 Reading rules for Ludo
I have not touched one of these things since I was a child

HPC won the game. I was the first runner-up. Guess who was second 😛

Then HPC decided that we’d rested on our laurels long enough, and took us to eat char kuey teow at Macalister Road. I first had it when I was in Penang with KY many moons ago. Maybe we overate earlier, but the char kuey teow didn’t seem to be as fantastic as I’d remembered it to be.

Penang Aug 08 - 72 Sisters' Char Kuey Teow
Sisters’ char kuey teow

After our second lunch, HPC took us to the bus station for our ride back to KL. There ends our great Penang getaway. Thank you so much, HPC for everything you’ve done and more! We had a FANTASTIC time, and your company made it even better. Cheers!

*Click here to view the entire Flickr set for ‘Penang, August 2008’, which includes photos not published here. No. of photos in the set: 73.