Photo Essay: Heritage Walk Georgetown, Penang

Penang is no stranger land to me. Since I was a little girl, my family would always make a trip up north to Penang to visit our families and relatives. We spent more time in Penang rather than Perak, where my mum's hometown is. 

And usually each visit would only evolves around catching up on each other and going to shopping mall, very much less to tourist attractions.

So on Christmas weekend saw me being in Penang as a tourist. Yes, like a real tourist walking about Georgetown and taking picture of almost everything like nobody cares. I almost cover the whole Georgetown Heritage Walk suggested in the website in half a day. I would suggest you to spend a day and half to complete the whole walk.

I started my walk from Penang Road. And the very first thing I wanted to do was eating Nasi Kandar. All my life, I haven't had Nasi Kandar in Penang (it's a shame, I know), a place where it's origin from and famous for. So for a start, I went to the famous Nasi Kandar Line Clear to check what's the rave all about. No surprise there. The food was fantastic!

The journey then continued to Lebuh Campbell, Lebuh Buckingham, Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling, Little India, Gold Bazaar, Gat Lebuh China, Church Street Pier, Weld Quay, Lebuh Light and then back to Penang Road where we park our car near Komtar. However if you feel that walking is not your thing, you can use Penang Hop On Free Central Area Transit (CAT) that covers major attraction within Georgetown operates by Rapid Penang. It sure make your exploration easier and and the best thing is it is FREE. Don't we love free service :). Check the CAT bus route here.

Georgetown, a UNESCO World Heritage City

KOMTAR, a prominent landmark in Penang

I started with walk along {Penang Road}.

Make a turn to {Chowrata Road} to buy local products like nutmeg and all sorts of preserved fruits (mango, papaya, nutmeg, salak etc). I didn't stop (and hence no photo) as I was very much looking forward to Line Clear Nasi Kandar.

I walked until I reached a place where people were queuing for a plate of nasi kandar. It's Nasi Kandar Line Clear!

The best nasi kandar in Penang, so far

The best way to lose some of the calories gained from the hearty lunch meal was to keep walking.

{Lebuh Campbell}

 

Beca

Don't you think the colours beautiful?

Old market building

 {Kapitan Kling Mosque}

So happen there was a solemnization ceremony in the mosque. Congratulations you both!

They were surrounding the newly-wed couple

Just next to the mosque is another famous nasi kandar place. And as the name suggest, people are queuing to get their nasi kandar. That's how many customers they received. Remember it only open at night, 10pm.
 

{Teochew Temple}

{Mahamariamman Temple}

 {Little India}

{Gat Lebuh China}

{Malayan Railway Building, now Kastam Building}

{Church Street Pier}

{Jetty}

{Clock Tower}

{Fort Cornwallis}

{Town Hall}

{City Hall}

From here, I then continue walking back to where I parked my car although my feet were already tired and demanding me to stop. You can use the free Penang Hop On bus that operates until mid night but I still insisted to walk. 

Then I passed by Court Building, St George Church, Penang State Museum, Cathedral of the Assumption and Convent Light Street School, all near Lebuh Bishop. 

To make back to Penang Road, I used Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah and entered Lebuh Keith. There, I passed by Saint Xavier Institution, Leong Fee Mansion, Cheong Fatt Sze Mansion and Benggali Mosque.

{Cheong Fatt Sze Mansion}

I was amazed at how differently I see Penang (Georgetown particularly) after I walk through the Heritage Walk. The old building, the people I met, the food I tasted, Georgetown definitely deserved the title as one of UNESCO World Heritage City!  



@travelleranatomy.blogspot.com

#TSDayOut: Broga Hills

"Find what brings you joy and go there" - Jan Philips

That explains why I have been to Broga Hills three times.

And that also explains why I answered yes when I got invited for #TSDayOut to Broga Hills from Tourism Selangor.

It is simply because climbing brings me joy and Broga Hills is the best resort to feed my hunger for outdoor activity (read climbing). The more serious climbing (to mountain) has to wait until I could find a group to join in.  

 

The best thing about my Broga Hills climbing experiences, all were associated with celebration. 

My first one being on new year eve of 2011 was to watch partial lunar eclipse. Me and few friends took an effort to climb in the dark to Broga Hills top, camp there for a night and gaze at the amazing eclipse. The best new year celebration for me!

Mind the morning faces

Then the following month, I once again climbed Broga Hills. This time to celebrate the newly engaged Hana. That was one unconventional way of celebrating it :)

The most recent climb was previous weekend with a group of new friends who join #TSDayOut organized by Tourism Selangor. What was the celebration?

Birthday of our group members, Hafiz and Ryan!

 

By the look of these cupcakes, you know it was not an easy climb for the carrier and also the cupcakes itself. Regardless, we still enjoyed eating them.

But you must not necessary have any celebration to make to climb the Broga Hills. With its relatively easy climb, Broga Hills can be a weekly (or monthly) activity for you.

You can start the climb at your preferred time and it will take 1 hour the most to reach the top. However there are no tree up there to shade you if you reach at noon and at that time a cap/hat will come handy.

All together Broga Hills have four hills.

Going up to the first hill is the most toughest part of this climb. Without any tree root to support the land from erosion, the track proved to be slippery either on wet or dry day. With the frequent visit received every weekend, the track is worsen each day. If you are worry, there is a rope provided that could aid your climbing. I found it helpful when descending.

Track to the 1st hill

Among all the four hills, the first hill top has the biggest ground area. And also the most crowded of all.

The first hill

Once you reached the first hill, the climb to the second one will not be as tough. In fact, it does not feel like climbing at all. The track is sided with tall green grass, the identity of Broga Hills that attracts many people up here. Dreamy.

 To the third and fourth hill, I let you decide yourself.  For me, it is so worth it!

The third and fourth hill

So, how to get to Broga Hills?
The easiest way would be using Cheras-Kajang Highway until the end then Kajang-Seremban Highway (LEKAS) and exit at Semenyih. Follow the Semenyih Road and turn left at the traffic light when you see Petronas on your right.

Go further straight until you pass Nottingham University on your left. You know you are there when you see Rabbit Farm on your right (and lot of cars park at the road side). The entry point of Broga Hills is opposite the Rabbit Farm.

Now you know you have a beautiful place to go in Selangor if you need a little climbing. Thanks to Tourism Selangor for organizing such a great Sunday day out. Till next time!

p/s: can you spot Broga Hills here?

@travelleranatomy.blogspot.com

Weekly Travel Quote

"The value of your travels does not hinge on how many stamps you have in your passport when you get home -- and the slow nuanced experience of a single country is always better than the hurried, superficial experience of forty countries" - Rolf Potts

@travelleranatomy.blogspot.com