Super-delayed, I know! So let's get started right away.
The Penang trip came to light during the semester when one of my coursemates suggested a trip after the exams. It got draggy, as how every decision is with the mechatronics bunch, but in the end, it was a groupon deal on car rental(which we didn't buy in the end) that really got things rolling.
Long story short, one day after our exams ended, we headed to Penang by bus! Everyone came to Puduraya/Pudu Sentral in the morning. Short breakfast at the food court and off we went on the 8.30am Konsortium bus.
*Before I proceed further, I'd like to apologise for the coming photos as they will not include any of our faces. To check us out, go Facebook :P
Bus was uneventful. On hindsight, it was a decent bus, decent driver, decent speed and decent stop intervals. Go Konsortium!
Anyhow, we reached Butterworth at about 1pm and made our way towards the ferry terminal with, yes, with all those luggage. The terminal has one of the funniest, probably oldest mechanism. You have to pay by coins and there's a manned counter there just to exchange coins for you. *facepalm* Btw, it was RM1.20 towards the island and free on the way back.
The ferry is awesome. I'm officially in love with ferry rides =) The view is beautiful, almost out of Malaysia. Water's pretty clear (It IS the ocean after all!). The ports are lined with petroleum companies, sampans, tugboats, ships, and cruises. Going towards Penang, you'll get to see the famed Penang bridge on your left, and skyscrapers like the Komtar tower and the clock tower right in front of you with mountains in the backdrop. Have I mention I like ferry rides? :)
The ferries are named after islands, like Pulau something. But look at ours!
Anyhow, we reached Weld Quay.
*Before I continue, I'd like to warn you that this post will be pretty long as it also serves as my personal documentary*
Yes, anyhow, we reached Weld Quay. There were 3 options from this point to get to our hotel - bus, taxi, legs. I don't know how it was decided but 8 people somehow decided to lug all the overweight bags right through Little India to Love Lane from Weld Quay. Must have looked like some refugees, come to think of it.. haha
Nevertheless, we arrived in Red Inn, a converted hotel situated in Love Lane, off Chulia Street. It's quite a achievement, really, considering the hot sun, the amount of weight carried and the distance we walked blindly guided by instincts and a GPS.
Not only that, we decided to not rest much and went straight to our first stop. Probably cause we were literally starving at this point - 2pm. So, you've probably guessed the first stop by now - food! In particular, Nasi Kandar. Line Clear Nasi Kandar to be exact.
Ordering Nasi Kandar is crazy I tell you. It's so chaotic, yet so systematic, you have no idea what you just did! Haha... Everyone seems to be shouting something, scooping something or counting something. You only get to order when the guy stops and ask you "Makan?". And then goes on to guess your dishes. Seriously, they don't really ask you what you want, they just take it for you..LOL I wonder if it's a sales technique to con tourists like us. Mine turned out to be RM12.60, simply cause I fell for his kambing suggestion. Oh well, being con is part of the tourist experience isn't it? haha
Next up, cendol! To be honest, I don't know where it is? Thank goodness for Le Boss and his GPS. It's the famous Teo Chew Cendol apparently, so yeap, we got to freshen things up with this icy dessert. And then, there's always the guy who doesn't take beans...
We then went to Komtar to find
our best friend LGE towel cause there will always be one guy who forgets something. In this case, it just happens to be the same guy who doesn't take beans. You know who you are ;)
Towel in hand, we took the free bus to get home. But we missed our stop (that aunty la!) and ended up visiting the beach. Walking along the beach, we arrived at the Esplanade (I think) and Fort Cornwallis (which these bunch of Engineers decided wasn't worth the entrance fee by reasonable arguments, LOL) and settled instead for a bird and bird-shot infested place plus super duper slow service coconut shake. Seriously, don't ever come here. Ever. It's near Fort Cornwallis and it's tempting, but just don't.
After that, we just decided to walk back to Red Inn as we didn't want to wait for the bus. Back home, it was rest, rest and more rest till we were hungry. And when we were, we simply walked out to Chulia Street which has street hawker food every single night. Awesome place. Dinner was simple. I had Yi Fu Mee (I think), which is like Yee Mee but bigger and friend KungFu style, if that's what you call it.
Then it was back to Red Inn for card games! Chor Dai Di and Bluff till we were too tired while Le Boss and Deputy Le Boss planned the next day itinerary. I know, Best Friends Awards needed here. Haha, so that's it for Day One!
