Georgetown, Penang, Malaysia

It was my first time to travel to Malaysia and I was doing solo traveling. I’d been hearing that Penang’s foods were very delicious. Penang was tagged as the Food Capital of Malaysia and I was intrigued by it and decided to book a flight to Penang.

Arrival at Penang and Sogor Girls

I had a two-way flight to Kuala Lumpur and transferred to Penang flight. My two flights were both delayed. I arrived at Penang International Airport at about 10 in the evening. While waiting for the Penang flight, I opted to arrange an airport transfer going to Sogor Girls Dormitory in Georgetown since it was already late at night.
I met Christine Koo and she was a tourist guide. I asked her first that I’d look for a money changer first since I don’t have Malaysian Ringgit yet. She offered her services to me for the tour in Penang. It was an hour drive from the airport to where I was staying. Christine also toured me along Georgetown at night before driving me to the dormitory. I was able to see the Queen Victoria Memorial Tower Clock and the Blue House. I told her I’d let her know if I would avail of her services.
Upon reaching the dormitory, the restaurant to where I should check-in was already in their closing time. After checking in, Albertine, one of the staff of Sogor toured me to the dormitory. There were only four of us, including Albertine who was staying in the 20-capsule type dormitory. There was a laundry area with the shower and bathroom. A common room is overlooking the street with books and magazines and on the mezzanine is an entertainment room with more books and a dining table.

One Day Tour of Georgetown, Penang in Malaysia

Georgetown City

The following day, I checked my itinerary first and decided not to avail the tour. I left the dormitory at around 9 AM. I was walking and trying to find a nearby bus stop when I saw the Church of Our Lady of Sorrows along Jalan Macalister. I went there to pray for my journey alone. I turned right from going to Jalan Dato’ Keramat and found McDonald’s near Penang Square.

The McDonald establishment was inside the Birch House. I had breakfast first and then I went inside Penang Times Square. I went back to McDonald’s and asked two men talking where was the nearest bus stop going to Fort Cornwallis. The man said he could take me there since he was meeting a client. His name is Lim and he was also tourist guide.
I got a free ride going to the famous Georgetown, a UNESCO Heritage site and it was past 10 in the morning. He told me that he would drive me nearby and he also offered his services to me if I need the tour guide the following day. He dropped me off in Goddess of Mercy Temple.

He also pointed out where I should go because the historical sites were also walking distance and near each other. I went inside the temple which was also called Kuan Yin Temple. From the temple, I walked to the left side of Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling. I turned right to Lebuh Light and found the City Hall, Town Hall and Penang Art Gallery.

I walked straight and saw Esplanade and at the stretch was the Fort Cornwallis. I went inside the Fort Cornwallis. I toured the fort for about an hour and also stayed there for a while since it was already noon time. There are hawkers stall near Fort Cornwallis. From the Fort Cornwallis, you could also see the Queen Victoria Memorial Clock Tower, which I was able to see from last night.


I walked from the tower and the Esplanade food court going back to Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling to check the St. George’s Church. It was closed for renovation at that time. Next to the church is the Penang State Museum. I went inside the Penang Museum and discovered the history of Georgetown. Besides the museum is Cathedral of the Assumption. Across the street is the State Assembly Buildings.


After which I followed the sign going to Little India. In Little India, I saw the Mahamairamman Temple which was also under renovation. Then I went to Teochew Temple. I went to the next street and saw Kapitan Keling Mosque. Still walking along the streets I also found Seh Tek Tong Cheah Kongsi, Khoo Kongsi and the Masjid Malayu Lebuh Acheh.

Penang Art

Upon reaching Lebuh Acheh Street I decided to take a rest from walking. I saw the “Boy on Chair” Street art in the wall of the restaurant. I went inside the Busy Bodhi Café and ordered a Mango juice. After 30 minutes I decided to check the street art and the marking Georgetown near the area.


But since I was already exhausted because of walking, I only saw the Lion Dance, Cultural Girls, Magic, and Kids on Bicycle along Lebuh Armenian. For the Marking, I saw Cannon Hole, Too Narrow. There were souvenir and restaurants in Lebuh Armenian, including the art galleries. I then walked back to Lebuh Light to ride the free Penang bus going to Komtar Mall.


From Komtar mall, I alighted at the Penang Town Square bus stop. From the bus stop, there was the Nagarathar Siven Temple and Huan Yan Temple before Baru road. At the end of the street was street food and I bought the chicken rice. I was really exhausted with all the walking for almost 7 hours, and it was really hot in Penang.
There were many other tourist spots I wasn’t able to see and there were other street arts and markings that I wasn’t able to check out. One day is not enough to explore Georgetown. The next time I come back to Penang, I would book a hotel along the streets of the UNESCO heritage site. I would still recommend walking along Georgetown.

You can also tour Penang via the Penang Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour

Penang Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour

I tried the Hop-on Hop-off in Penang, Malaysia when I visited last 2016. This was my experience during the tour. There may be changes already as it has been three years already.

It is a double-decker bus tour throughout Penang Island that has two pick-up points – CITY and BEACH routes. The different routes cover the most popular and visited attractions on the island including the beautiful landmarks of Georgetown, a UNESCO cultural heritage and the second famous destination Batu Feringghi.

Where to avail tickets

The 24-hour ticket cost 45 Malaysian Ringgit. The tour goes by the Hop-on Hop-off concept at any designated stop with the choice of the ticket validity for 24-hours or 48-hours or a single trip.  You can buy the ticket on the double-decker bus; Gurney Drive (Stop 1) counter and in Chowrasta (Stop 7) counter; in authorized agents and authorized hotels. Make sure to get a brochure of the Hop-on Hop-off Bus to have a detailed schedule and information about the tour. The brochures are found on the bus and on the counters.

City Route

There are 8 stops for the City Route. The different City stops are Gurney Drive, Penang Hill, Komtar, Chowrasta, UNESCO Heritage, Cruise and Francis Light Tomb (Stop 7). The schedule time for the City route may also depend on bad weathers, road closures and traffic congestion, especially during peak hours and weekends.

There are so many popular landmarks for the City route. The most visited are Gurney Plaza, Gurney Hawker, Botanical Garden, Penang Hill, Kek Lok Si Temple, Komtar Mall, Chowrasta Market, George Town UNESCO World Heritage City, China Town, Little India, The Goddes of Mercy (Kuan Yin Temple), Clan Jetty, Penang Ferry Terminal, Tanjung City Marina, Victoria Memorial Clock Tower, Penang Town Hill, Fort Cornwallis, Penang Museum & Art Gallery, St. George Church, Cheong Fatt Tze (Blue Mansion), Dharmikarama Burmese Temple and many others.

Beach Route

The pick-up point and the first and last stop of the Beach route are in Gurney Drive. There’s a schedule time for the beach route. The 10 stops for the Beach route are Gurney Drive, Straight Quay ,Flamingo, Miami Beach, Holiday Inn, Golden Sands, Hard Rock, Tropical Spice and, Entopia (Stop 15). From Taman Rimba, the bus will make a U-Turn going back to the different stops and the bus will interchange again in Gurney Drive.

There are 18 attractions for the Beach route. The destinations are Straits Quay Lighthouse Mall, Flamingo, Miami Beach, Holiday Inn, Batu Ferringghi Beach, Hard Rock Café, Tropical Spice Garden, Teluk Bahang Fishing Village, Penang National Park, Pantai Keratchut, Bt. Kerajaan Forest Reserve, Batik Factory, Toy Museum, Escape, Entopia Butterfly Farm, Taman Rimba, Teluk Bahang Dam and Teluk Bahang Forest Reserve.

 

Sightseeing from Hop-on Hop-off Bus City Tour

I waited at the Penang Time Square Mall (Stop 05) and availed the 24-hour ticket since my hotel was near the area. Since I already had my walking tour in Georgetown, I decided to tour it by bus and to see the different places from the top.  But the main reason I went for this tour was going to Penang Hill and to tour the Beach routes.

Penang Hill is the second stop (Stop 02).  It is the oldest British hill station in Southeast Asia way back late 1700’s.  The highest peak stands at 833 meters above sea level.  The funicular service started in October 2013 and the existing train is the 4th generation system which started in April of 2011.  The Penang Hill funicular tunnel is 79 meters long and 3 meters wide with the steepness of 27.9 deg.  It is the steepest tunnel track in the world.

Penang Hill offers a panoramic view of the city.  At the summit, there is a flower garden, a mini bird park, and owl museum, bungalows, guesthouses, love-lock area, old train, restaurant and the historic Bellevue Hotel.  The ride is every 15 minutes going down and going up. I went there during the day, but Penang Hills offer a different view during night time.

I ate at the highest restaurant in Penang Hill called The Summit.    I also went to the two temples around Penang Hill.

After which I again traveled the City tour of the hop-on and hop off.  I had a look at Kek Lok Si from afar, the State Mosque on the right side.    I alighted at Gurney Drive Stop 01 to transfer to the Beach route bus.

Exploring the Hop-on Hop-off Beach Tour

From the bus ride, I saw Strait Quays, Masjid Terapung, Miami Beach, the gates going to the National Park and Tamban Rimba where the Teluk Bahang Dam and Teluk Bahang Forest Reserve were located.

I went down to Tropical Spice (Stop 19) and lingered at the white sand beach around the area.  It was also called Teluk Bahang Fishing Village.  I enjoyed a meal in the fishing village. At the far end are rock formations overlooking Batu Ferringhi at the left side.  I went to Hard Rock Café to check the store and went to Batu Ferringhi.

Batu Ferringhi is the most popular beach area because of its winding stretch of the sandbar.  Water sports are available in the area.  Different restaurants, shops, hotels and hostels are found in the area.  I explored the long stretch of the white sandy beach of Batu Ferringhi. I waited for sunset in the area while watching the different water sports activities in the area. I also enjoyed the view while I sat at the sand.

While waiting for the bus I checked out the night market. When the bus arrived, it was already night time and I enjoyed the cool breeze from the top of the double-decker. We were dropped off at Gurney Drive. You can also see the Gurney Plaza and the Gurney Drive Hawkers food stall.

I explored the different hawker’s food stall and bought Satay or Marinated Meat Skewers and Char kway teow or stir-fried rice cake strips. The Gurney Hawkers offers delicious hawker food in Penang Malaysia.

Moalboal, Cebu

Moalboal is located in the Southwest of Cebu and famous for the “sardine run.” It is also one of the favorite spots for scuba diving and free diving. There are so many diving shops and schools in the town of Moalboal.

Panagsama Beach

Most of the beach resorts and restaurants are located along Panagsama. Also known as Basdiot, most of the diving shops and diving resorts are located here as there are so many divers who go to this place. The shoreline is called Panagsama Beach. There are so many excellent restaurants and coffee shops in Panagsama. The nightlife in Panagsama is also booming because of night bars.

White Beach

White Beach or Basdako Beach is a 2-kilometer sand bar in the north of the peninsula in Barangay of Saavedra. There are so many high-end resorts in White Beach and nearby barangays. There are stalls near the beach where travelers can stay and enjoy the long and wide sand bar. There are food houses nearby. There’s a minimal fee for entering White Beach.

Pescador Island

This most famous island in Moalboal is a diving spot with the amazing “sardine run” with the school of several thousand fish. You can also do cliff diving in the area.

Moalboal Backpackers


A place to meet locals, local tourist and foreigners. A nice place to enjoy staycation.

How to get there

From the South Bus Terminal, ride a bus going to Moalboal. It is a three to four hours bus ride depending on the traffic. The drop off will be at the town of Moalboal. Ride a tricycle going to your resort in Panagsama or in White Beach.

Ayala and Yuchengco Museums

Since it’s the International Museum Day, I’d write about the other two museums I like. If you’re in Makati are, there are two museums that are worthy to visit, Ayala Museum and Yuchengco Museum.

Yuchengco Museum

Yuchengco Museum is located at the RCBC Plaza in Ayala Avenue corner Gil Puyat Avenue.


There is an interactive Samsung Digital Gallery, Likhang Pinay, The Rizal Gallery, Yuchengco Gallery and the Art Gallery during the time I visited. Some of the exhibit change depending on the theme. There are different activities also that you can check on their website: https://yuchengcomuseum.org/

Ayala Museum

Ayala Museum is located at Greenbelt. The whole museum was restricted in taking pictures. What I like the most in Ayala Museum was the gallery of golds and the rich history of the Philippines as one of the producers of gold. There were other exhibits like the Fernando Zobel, Indigenous Textile, Ceramics and Philippine’s collection of garments. Some of the galleries exhibit also change depending on the theme.

Ayala Museum is offering free admission on May 19th with this year’s theme is “Museums as Cultural Hubs: The Future of Tradition.” They are highlighting the role of museums in the respective communities. Ayala Museum will be closed for renovation later this month. For more information check out their website: http://www.ayalamuseum.org/

National Heritage Month: Visit a Museum

The island of the Philippines is rich in culture and had a very captivating history.  Where else should we go to discover our cultural heritage and cultural awareness?

It is the Philippine’s National Heritage Month this May.  On the 18th of May is the International Museum Day.  You can also check for free admission for the whole month of May on our government-owned museums in the country, not just the National Museum in Manila and Planetarium including those in other regions: Vigan, Kiangan, Kabayan, Angono-Binangonan Petroglyphs, Tabaco, Bohol, Butuan and  Jolo (Sulu). There are other events in other Museums found on the website of the National Museum.

I went to the National Museum of the Filipino People in Rizal Park. I was able to see the different exhibits such as: Baybayin, Hibla nang Lahing Filipino, Biodiversity and Rice, Lumad, Kaban ang Lahi: Archeological Treasure, Gallery of Women, San Diego Exhibit and many others.  Some parts of the Museum were closed for renovation.

There were not so many visitors during my visit.  There were some students and families who were inside.  I would like to advise people to read the information regarding the displays in the exhibit.  We don’t just look at them but we also need to learn and know about the history, artifacts, archaeological collection, natural cultural treasures and fine arts.

We just don’t go there because it’s where most people post on their Facebook page, Instagram, Twitter or other social media platform.  We go there to unravel chronicles about our own country.  They were preserved for a purpose, for the next generation to see what happened in our past.

Lucban, Quezon

Lucban Quezon is known for the Pahiyas Festival and tourists flock the town to enjoy the festival. Here are the other places to see in Lucban.

San Luis Obispo Parish Church

A baroque design, Lucban Church or San Luis Obispo de Tolosa Parish Church is a Roman Catholic church under the Diocese of Lucena. The construction of the church begins in 1595 under Father Miguel de Talavera. In 1629, the first church was ruined and the second church was established on its present site but was caught on fire. The third church was rebuilt in 1738 but was partially damaged by a bomb in 1945.

Batis Aramin Resort and Hotel

Since we were kids, Batis Aramin had been around where we go swimming in the cold spring water coming from the Mountain of Banahaw. In the present, it has evolved as a tourist attraction and as accommodation for visitors of Lucban

Kamay ni Hesus

A pilgrimage site which is 15 minutes away from the town of Lucban, for more information please check my older post.

Historical Markers

In 2011, the National Historical Commission of the Philippines unveiled the Km 134 Battle of Piis Memorial Marker. There are other historical artifacts that can be seen in Lucban, like the remnants of the Fuente del Binusuan Stone Marker and Fuente de Bamban.

Rizal Park and Municipal City Hall

It is a small park in front of the Municipal City Hall and the oldest park in Lucban. The Municipal Hall is also an old building. Within the vicinity of Rizal Park is the Patio Rizal Hotel.

Falls

1. Taluyong Falls
2. Mayapis Falls
3. Pilipit Falls
4. Abuhin Falls
5. No Name Falls
6. Puki Falls
7. Asana falls
8. Lanot Falls
9. Hangga Falls

I had been to the different falls in our province but I never knew their names before. Two of the falls were near the land of my ancestors in Barangay Piis. The trekking will start where there is Maapon river. I knew the Maapon river, but I think locals started calling them.

Mount Banahaw

You can also go mountain climbing to Mount Banaha, but please check with the tourism office of Lucban for details. Or to also preserve the mountain, it’s also good to just look at it from afar.

Lucban Pahiyas Festival

Pahiyas Festival is a yearly festival in honor of San Isidro de Labrador for the good harvest of the town in Lucban, Quezon.   Every 15th of May the creativity differs from house to house with colorful kipings, anok, different fruits, vegetables, root crops and rice barn, woven hats and other native products, delicacies and food that originated from Lucban.

Lucbanin (locals of Lucban) prepares for the festival at the start of the year.  The municipality gives the route map where the festival will take place. A normal Lucbanin asks “Daan ba sa atin?”  This means if Pahiyas would pass by their street.

The household on the street included in the route map will think of their payas (much often used by Lucbanin) or design of the house.

Kiping is a leaf-shaped wafer of flake made of rice. It is molded in a big leaf from “kabal.”  The colorful kipings are prepared every day because it takes time for the leaves to dry. The famous ‘arangya’ or chandeliers of different colors, needs a lot of kiping.  Arangya, depending on the size can reach the ceiling of the second floor down to the first floor of the house. Or sometimes even up to the third floor of the house. Other decorations can be made using kiping like flowers, orchids, wallpapers, and other artworks. Kiping of different colors are also edible and it is cook by grilling or frying it.

Harvested fruits, vegetables, root crops and rice barns are also used as decorations.  Woven hats or bags and other native products will also be seen as an ornament. “Anok” is a miniature dummy of the mannequin of people, usually farmer. The anok are used as decorations accompanied by a miniature of a life-size carabao.

The food during the occasion are kalderetang kalabaw, hardinera, embotido, pansit habhab or pansit lucban, longganisang lucban, kesong puti, kinulob and other food for the visitors. Delicacies are seen at the table like pinais, suman, halayang ube, budin, broas, meringue, puto seko etc.

On the 14th of May or sometimes earlier, is the start of decorating the front house.  Between 11AM to 2PM, the judges start checking the houses. The prizes include Grand Prize, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, Special Awards, Ginintuang Butil, Best Arangya and other consolation awards

One of the highlights of Pahiyas is the “Parikitan.” In the afternoon, tourists wait for the parade of muses and escorts wearing native costumes and accessories, different floats with carabaos, higantes and the procession of San Isidro Labrador. Awards will also be given during this time.

After the mass at the San Luis Church, you can drop by in the Tiangge outside the church and streets near the church where you can buy different products and pasalubong from Lucban.

At night, there’s a competition for the Best in Lights for the Pahiyas Festival at Night. The lights enhance the vibrant decoration during the night.

For other post about Lucban, please check Kamay ni Hesus

Oslob Historical Sites

Aside from Oslob: Whale Shark Watching and Sumilon Island and Oslob Tumalog Falls and Samboan Aguinid Falls, here are the other places that you can explore in Oslob especially for those who love historical sites.

 

Baluarte

baluarte

It was one of the seven watchtowers built along the coastline of Oslob and was part of the defense system to protect the town. The Baluarte or Lantawan or Watchtower was built in 1788. One of the ruins is near the cuartel.

Cuartel

cuartel

At the intersection of Calle Aeternidad and Calle Aragones is an unfinished building made of coral blocks is known as Cuartel. It was a barracks for Spanish soldiers built in 1860 and remained unfinished until the end of the Spanish era.

Immaculate Conception Church

Immaculate Concepcion

It was built in 1848 with the Immaculate Conception as the patroness. The current church was made of cut coral stone and the adjacent tower was added 10 years. It is also connected to a parish house.

Mortuary Chapel

old mortuary chapel

Across the church is the old mortuary chapel.

Statue of Fr. Julian Bermejo

He was responsible in the effective coastal defense by building baluartes made of coral stone and limestone. There are forty baluartes that was made from the shoreline of Carcar to Santander, in which twelve was built in Oslob. Fr. Bermejo was also known as “El Parroco Capitan.”

You can also enjoy the view of the shoreline from here and the road. For other posts about Cebu, please check  Other Places in Cebu City Tour Historical Tour in Cebu City Churches in Cebu City Malapascua Island Diving Sites Malapascua Island Camotes Islands Bantayan Island in 2009 Revisiting Bantayan Island Why Cebu?

Oslob Tumalog Falls and Samboan Aguinid Falls

Cebu is blessed with stunning waterfalls from North to South.

Tumalog Falls

Tumalog Falls is located at barangay Luka, in Oslob, Cebu. It is also known as “Toslob” or Mag-ambak” falls by the locals.


From Aaron Beach resort it was a twenty minutes motorbike or habal-habal ride heading to the Bacalso National Highway before turning left to Tumalog Falls Road before we reached the registration area. We can either walk going to the falls or hire another motorbike going down. We opted to hire another habal-habal as they told us the road was steep going down. Going down the slope you can also see the top of the Tumalog Falls from the road. As we reached the rocky road, we were near the falls. We could see the small river where the water flows from the falls.


And we reached Tumalog Falls. It was still early and we were the only persons in the falls. Tumalog falls is taller and grander and there are lots of trickling water from different sides. The water that is flowing is also cold. There is a pool that everybody can swim in.

Aguinid Falls

Aguinid is located at Samboan, Cebu, two towns from Oslob.


From Aaron Beach Resort, it’s 25 to 30 minutes ride along the Natalio Bacalso National Highway and becoming Santander – Barile – Toledo Road. The resort offers a motorbike ride that you can hire.
There are 8 levels of Aguinid falls that is according to the locals. But only 5 of them are open to the public. The eight levels are a system of waterfalls that runs for a couple of kilometers along Tangbo River.


The best thing about Aguinid Falls is you need to trek through the cascading waters for you to reach the different level. There are two guides that will help you.
You will definitely get wet during the trek because of the flowing water from the top. Some of the treks get harder because of the raging waters. Make sure that you also have a dry bag or waterproof case for your phone.


Reaching level 5 is really worth it. You will see the majestic waterfalls where you can also swim or hide on the rocks and be mystified with the water falling.

Oslob: Whale Shark Watching and Sumilon Island

Famous for the whale shark watching, Oslob has been a fast-growing tourist destination for years now. It is located at the south of Cebu and near Negros Oriental.

Tan-awan

There are many resorts on the beach side of Tan-awan. The beach resort where we stayed was Aaron Beach Resort in Baranggay Tan-awan. It has a fascinating view of the sunrise, Sumilon Island and a beachfront. The resort also offered the whale shark watching the tour.

Butanding or Whale Shark Watching

Tourists from all over the country and all over the world flocked thru this site to witness every morning the whale sharks. Before we get to see the whale sharks, there were briefing areas where the tour guides explained the necessary precautions and guidelines for tourist. The local government also protects the butandings welfare.
The tour guides and boatman have their ID’s so we felt secure about the tour.


After which, we rode a boat and lined up with other boats at the viewing area. And alas, we were seeing the gentle giants near us.
We were near the boat that was giving them food. There were so many whale sharks who came, there were 6 of them circling around the boats and swimming people.


If you want to swim with the whale sharks, do not put any lotion and do not to touch them.

Sumilon Island

After which, we went to Sumilon Island. Sumilon Island is privately owned by Bluewaters Sumilon Island. They offered an overnight stay and a day tour with lunch. The resort owner allowed non-guest to experience the sand bar which is the highlight of the island. We opted to just stay at the sand bar for a minimal fee.


We enjoyed the sand, sea and sun. During high tide, the sand bar is covered with water, so it’s best to see Sumilon Island during low tide.


There were no shades and no facilities in the sand bar. Tourist bought with food and water because there were no shops. As a reminder, we should always take our trash with us.

How to get there

It is a three to four-hour drive from Cebu City from the South Terminal. Or a 30-minute boat ride from Dumaguete City to Liloan, then a tricycle ride from Liloan to Oslob.