A Trip Round Betel Nut Island - 'Jalan Jalan Cari Makan'

Journal Entry No 36

I lived in an island called Penang - Betel Nut Island or Pinang ~ that is Pulau Pinang. Born and bred, studied, work and trust me - I have NEVER ever left Penang up till this stage- I love my island ~as the saying goes - once a Penangite , always a Penangite. If you need to know more about my island - here goes the link - http://www.tourismpenang.gov.my/

Penang is an island full of culture, happenings and has it's intrinsic value of East meeting West which could not be found in other places...in fact, tourists only knows Penang rather than M'sia....hehehee

Well, nothing could be more FUN than being a tourist ourselves. It was Good Friday when I decided to join hubby and his 'Jalan Jalan Cari Makan' colleagues for a trip round Penang ~~~ er, actually half I should say- can't make it to be full !! The main tour guide was Durai - the initiator, followed by Pala -the food hunter and Chris - the relax macha. Of course, we have Khim Hun - the muscle man and last but not least, Joni - the photographer. Others could not join as they have their own commitments.

Anyways, we started our day with dim sum at Bali Hai which was located at Gurney drive. Pretty nice place too - cos it was facing the sea....so u get some breeze-la...fresh air OK ! Well....since we have time .....we lepak-lepak for while and chit chat, and thereafter to Fort Cornwalis and straight to the Pinang Peranakan Mansion. Quite a cool and cosy place with lots of antique. No doubt, the mansion looks small outside, it was really BIG inside with collections of Penang's 1st Kapitan -Kapitan Chung Kweng Kwee - He was a triad leader at that time... in other words - cantonese cakap 'HAK SEY WOOI' ....

Pala pouring chinese tea





The group minus Durai (he was taking the shot) - photo courtesy of Joni




Hubby and Miss Chin - photo courtesy of Joni (see -pretty bo -wonders of SLR)



Penang Peranakan Mansion - the courtyard area - I think






The dinning area of the Kapitan Chung Kweng Kee





Hall of The Mansion





We had a tour at the Peranakan Mansion and as it was already pretty near to lunch time, we decided to go makan again. Pala, the food hunter suggested 'nasi kandar' at Tajuddins which was quite close to Church Street. Tajuddins' was located at Little India. SOMEMORE, it was already 12pm and believe ME, it was really really HOT ! Reach the place and goodness me...the whole place was so packed with...PEOPLE ! Anyways, we had nasi bryani and the 'kuah' of course....it was GOOD ! ....and we were so FULL !


Tajuddin Nasi Kandar at Little India



Then, desert time ~ Penang Road Chendol was our next destination. Reached there in about 10 mins, ordered and slurp....all gone within 10 seconds....and it was TASTY ! It was so refreshing, so next up - the BEACH with a stop over at the Toy Museum. Took some photos there and hehehe.....had a chance to pose with SHREK !


Penang Cendol




Shrek and me @ Toy Museum





One of the collections





Hmm....where did we go after that ? We wanted to go for massage...unfortunately Penang does not have good and cheap parlours like the ones in Hatyai and Bangkok...so, in the end, while on our way to the beach, we stopped by and had fish spa...It was pretty ticklish initially but it was good to experience it once. However, if compared to REAL massage, this is nothingla....Then, we 'jalan- jalan' a bit and saw a float, and quickly we did some bargaining and deal was done at RM 12- it was for BB Matt ..


Fish Spa -




The float that we got from Batu Feringgi @ RM 12




The Machas



Me ! Me ! ~Along Golden Sand Beach

All in all, it was really a tiring day and I guess all of us enjoyed it. We took a stroll at the nearby beach and dinner was at Gurney, where all of us sat down to have pastas and mexican food....

All ended at about 8pm and no doubt, it was really really tiring, I enjoyed myself and I am so so looking forward to another 'durian' expedition in a month's time.. with the gang and maybe for this time, I will include Andrea and Jess too..

Till then......signing off ;

~~~~.Jalan Jalan Cari Makan at Betel Nut Island -Adelene ~~