We're back - from Penang.

From 102OLYMP

Well, it's been a week and all i can say, we had fun in Penang. I've never really been to Penang and hence i tried to savour the time we had there.

The journey from Glenmarie to Penang took us about 5 hours plus the stop in Tapah. For the first half of the journey, i was scared out of my wits - we had Skrin 7707 on board. I went kaput the 2nd half. For all i know, we stopped by for early coffee and subuh at Gelugor area. I didn't find the roti canai nice despite the good review from some of the group members. One tip: no matter how close you are to the guide/driver, you must be firm when it comes to necessary matters such as stop at Mosque/surau. We needed a guide since it's Malaysian regulation to have one after certain distance of the trip and it's mandatory for us (no matter how short the trip is) since we had an expat on board.

From P.e.Nang 2009 - Day 1

Then off we go to the jetty for the 6.30am ferry. The view was superb but too bad, i didn't manage to snap the view nicely. The ferry ride was quite smooth and nobody fell seasick whatsoever since the journey only took about 15mins the most.

From Jerejak Island, Penang

The Resort actually use the doorless Kancil to get around the place.

From Jerejak Island, Penang

The breakfast served by Jerejak Resort was ok despite the earlier confusion between me, the front office staffs and the sales staffs. haha. Most of us proceed to the recreational area which the group warned up with the balls - football and netball. At 9.30 (or was it 9.45am), we proceed with the jungle trekking. Ok, i confessed. They actually have a shorter 40-mins flat-route compared to the one the group went through - uphill hiking that took us about 1.30hr till we reach the flying fox area.

We took the The Adventure Package which include 1 snack/meal and activities (trekking, flying fox & abseiling) and the cost is RM40/Pax. Really, it's your own choice to modify the arrangement since i manage to arrange for breakfast instead of snacks. Oh, and it also includes the ferry fare. 1 tip: if you need to arrange for ferry trip out of the schedule stated i.e. 2am, the charge is about RM200/Boat (originally we wanted to stay in the resort itself). This price was offered by the Sales , not the front office. So, do your homework by visiting their homepage first:

www.jerejakresort.com. My boss tried the Aromatheraphy massage and Kak Rok tried the scrub while the rest of the group wnet hiking. Both were superb and if not mistake, the full body massage only cost them about RM120.00. They also have shower facility in the pool area. So, if you need take refresh after the trekking, you're welcomed to do so. While trekking, pls bring along your valuables since the resort don't provide any locker. If it's really required, then there's a place to put your luggage afterwhich the staff will lock. Not safe. Eveyone has access.

From P.e.Nang 2009 - Day 1

We took our lunch in Anggerik Biru restaurant not far from the NRO branch. The Fried Pomfret aka Ikan Bawal Goreng is famous here and cost @ RM5/pc. This place was introduced by our very own NRO staff and damn he was right about the fish. It was delicious. Well, everything that is straight from the wok to the plate is delicious right. We asked for RM12 meal/pax and i think the food served was superb. The place is actually facing the Jerejak Island and it's supposed to be quite happening at night.

From P.e.Nang 2009 - Day 1

After the tummy was tamed, we proceed to our Northern Region Office branch for short visit and inhaled the nice smell of newness in the office while some of us play "pretend" either they're one of NRO staff or the boss.

From P.e.Nang 2009 - Day 1

Then, we checked in ourselves at The Hotel Naza Talya at Tanjung Tokong.

When booking for a large book, of course, we will be talking to the Sales team. Hence, the rate shall be cheaper and bargaining is allowed. We took about 12 Standard Room RM160/Room/Night (2 beds + 1 additional bed), 1 Deluxe RM220/Room/Night (2 beds + 1 additional bed) and 1 Suite (2 rooms - 4 pax, + 1 bathroom) @ RM..forgot. The additional beds will cost more but mind you, don't be surprised if additional bed means additional MATTRESS only - the one you can get from pasar malam one. Some room got the propoer additional bed. Initally, no extra blanket was provided until the committee made noise. There were lots of complaints from the group including me. My hair got stucked in the hair dryer! Suppose my hair is long, then what about my roomate's hair which short? come on peeps, i've never experienced such incident in my whole life. Not even in my younger days when hair dryer seemed a lot like an adult gadget to me.

To give credit, yes, the scenery is good (it's in Tanjung Tokong) and the equipment i.e. shower, kettle, beds, are all new since it's a relatively new hotel. Maybe we're a bit pacified when on the 3rd day, we had lunch in the hotel to replace:

1. The flower arrangements that were supposed to greet the group ala Hawaii style esp the VIPs.

2. the complaints.

3. My hair

The deluxe room (Boss's room) didnt get their additional bed even after we came back from the pusing2. So yeay, we got another complimentary room which sadly, was not fully utilised. *sigh* But hey, Mislia , the pretty sales lady was great.

From P.e.Nang 2009 - Day 1

From pemandangans

View from my room

From pemandangans

From pemandangans

From pemandangans

The itinerary for the evening was quite simple. We left at around 5.30 and headed straight for ..(Burmese street?)...despite earlier planned Penang Fest (sigh..)and Nasi Kandar at MacAllister Road. Yes, we didn't manage to taste any Nasi Kandar through out the trip. Instead, we did some shopping at -i think Burmese Street- We managed with some buying shirts, fridge magnets, asam2, and some Cendul before proceeding to Esplanade for Dinner and later to Prangin Mall for The Storm Warrior. Sorry, no review here. I slept through out the movie.

1 tip: if you're buying tickets for a large group, maybe it's better if you buy online using credit card. But still, you still need to collect the tickets huh. The ticketlady had to re-count our tickets 3 times just because she lost count! My jaw was literally dropped and all i had to do was....wait. The Cathay ticket cost was RM8.00.

From pemandangans

From pemandangans

From pemandangans

Day 2 itinerary, if not fun, was educational. We went to Fort Cornwallis and despite the unforgiving sun, some of us had fun trying to remember everything hoping to answer my questions in the quiz rounds on the bus. Heheh. One of the Q was: What is the shape of Fort Cornwallis? Star shape. 1 tip : if you have a Tour Guide with you, let him do all the tickets buying. Discounts applicable.

There are actually enough shades within the Fort compound. The gift shop, the Gallery, the Chapel, the Gun Powder room can be used as shelter also. :P...The trees have grown big enough for the whole family to picnic. In fact, BARD, a company from Kulim was having their family day when we were there and so the place was kinda full. But not congested, yet. If you notice, one of the picture in the slideshow below also features the actual will of Francis Light. What's written on it? Go and find out. The chapel was the first chaperl in Penang and Francis's widow was re-married in the same chapel back in....??.

From Fort Cornwallis, Penang

We later proceeded to The Reclining Buddha and i missed the Jewish Cemetary..damn. I forgot to ask Saari (the driver) to show me the said place. I'd really like to see it ever since i read it in some blog. Lunch was served in Lidiana Restaurant in Tanjung Bungah. Despite some misundestanding, i'd like to believe everyone's tummy full. This is a group trip. Remember that. We can't please everyone. I always take my cue from certain people in the group and if they said okay, why shouldn't the rest.

There are a lot of stalls selling magnets, keychains, whatevernots in front of the temples. Quite a selection they have there and you can bargain as you please. One note: Upon entering the Reclining Buddha area, please take off your shoes. We had few group members who stayed outside and hence, automatically sELected as the shoes caretakeR :D

From P.e.Nang - Day 2

Hence, the day ended after our visit to the Toy Museum and i'd say, a decent tour of the personal collection museum shall take about 45 minutes and shorter if you're not into toys. It's located infront of Copthorne Hotel and it cost us about RM8/head. There was dicount given.

From TOY MUSEUM PENANG

We managed to stop by a shop selling Penang coffee and choc. For RM25/Packet, it's quite pricey eyy? But if you buy 5, free 1. Buy 10, free 2. So, we bought 12 divide by 12 and each of us paid RM21 only. Genius huh? :P We also got 2 free gym bags. This place could be one of the tour agents' commission spot.

From pemandangans

The highlight of the day was the visit to Hard Rock Cafe for dinner and later for socialising.:P. Vijay went on stage for his reindition of Sweet Child o' Mine and me? i did went on stage for some headbanging until the bouncer came hahahahhaha. We were informed that any Hard Rock t-shirt will NOT bear the name of the location anymore. The Classique t-shirt will only show Hard Rock Cafe logo without the i.e Penang, Miami, Bnagkok, etc.

From pemandangans

The Merchandise shoppe

From pemandangans

From pemandangans

We checked out the next day and had lunch in the hotel. Earlier in the morning, we had fun on the beach doing some mermaid pose. Being the photographer, my face actually came up only 2-3 times in any photos. sigh..:P. Not that i care pun..we reached office at about 8pm. We stopped at Tapah R&R and damn, maybe we should have stopped at Sg Perak or at earlier R&r. It was packed with people who may also on the way home from their much-needed break. I couldn't even find a place in the cafe area and hence, some of us proceeded to Dunkin Donut cafe.. Much better. The Jambu batu cost about RM6/kg and the supposedly sweet Jambu Merah Madu was priced at RM8/kg.

All in all, i missed the Penang Fest and Ferry back to Sebrang Perai. Yes, i was quite frustated but remembering this is a group outing, so i let it be. I am the Organising Chairman and hence, must show good example W#$@#$#@#@!@ :P..

Next? Cambodia. (wahahahhhahahha).