25 March 2015

Goddess of Mercy Temple 观音亭 (Penang)

The oldest Chinese temple in Penang that is located at the intersection of Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling and Lorong Stewart. From the locals, I got to know that the temple is quite popular and will be crowded during the birthday of Guan Yin (Goddess of Mercy) and Chinese New Year period. As the temple is located very near to Red Inn Court where I was staying, walking to the temple took me less than 5 minutes.
How to get there?
Address: Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling, Pulau Pinang Malaysia

From Komtar - take CAT Free Shuttle Bus at Bus Stop No. 9 Komtar Pusat and alight at Bus Stop No. 16 Mahkamah. Bus Stop No. 16 is just next to St George's Church and you can walk to Goddess of Mercy Temple within a few minutes.

From Weld Quay Bus Terminal - take CAT Free Shuttle Bus and alight at Bus Stop No. 6 Muzium which is right in front of St George's Church. Goddess of Mercy Temple is within a few minutes walking distance from the church.

Other buses to Goddess of Mercy Temple - Rapid bus 101, 104, 201, 206 (According to the map, you can alight at the bus stop along Lebuh Chulia, before Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling)

Opening hours
Daily from 6am to 8pm.

Where else have I been in Penang?

18 March 2015

Penang Hill (Bukit Bendera)

One of the oldest British colonial hill stations that you have to visit in Penang. Locates just a few bus stops away from Air Itam Market, you can stop by the market to have your breakfast or visit Kek Lok Si Temple that is nearby before taking the bus again to Penang Hill.

Map of Penang Hill
Download from their website
We took Rapid Bus 204 from the Jetty and went past Air Itam Market.
Shortly, we arrived at the Penang Hill. It was slightly crowded during the weekends. 
Yuni and I waited a while before boarding the train to the Upper Station.
Our train ride to the Upper Station!

We reached the top and the view was remarkable!
 Penang bridge from far!
Had our simple lunch at the Cliff Cafe.
 Char Kway Teow (wet)
Cendol
"LOVE" is just next to the Cliff Cafe.
 Bring your own padlocks or you'll have to purchase from the counter.
Further up, there is a hindu temple - Sri Aruloli Thirumurugan Temple.
As we felt that the buggy ride was a bit pricy, we gathered another 4 persons to take the short ride together which was RM5 per person. Take the buggy ride if you are too tired to walk.
We went past some nice bungalows along the ride.
This trip was worth for us. You'll probably spend about half a day at Penang Hill.
How to get there?
Address: Jalan Stesen Bukit Bendera, 11500 Air Itam, Pulau Pinang
Tel: +604 828 8880 / +604 828 8839 / +604 828 8861
Penang Hill Website

From Penang Jetty Terminal (Weld Quay Terminal), take Rapid Bus 204. It costs RM 2 for the bus ride and takes about 45 minutes to Penang Hill (last bus stop). Take the same bus number back to the Jetty from Penang Hill.


Entrance Fees for Non-Malaysians
Adult - RM 30
Child - RM 15
For the updated ticket fares, check their website.

Opening hours
Daily from 6.30am to 10.30pm ( Last train from top station at 11pm)

Where else have I been in Penang?

14 March 2015

Itacho Sushi 板長寿司

Itacho Sushi never fails to attract long queues outside their doors. Their first outlet was opened in Hong Kong before expanding their operations to Singapore. It was our first dining experience at Itacho Sushi and the food was definitely worth the spend.
Up to 60% off, their sushi is value for money!
3 types of Salmon and Skin sushi that I'd definitely order. Must order!
Salmon & Skin Soya Sauce/ Soya Sauce with Butter/ Soya Sauce with Cod Fish Caviar
(Limit one type of sushi per person)
 Scallop with Lobster Salad
One of my favourites too~!
Salmon Sashimi
Steamed Egg with Scallop
This is good too!
Spicy Salmon Sakura Shrimp Inari with Ebiko
Deep Fried Squid with Lemon Flavour Rice Roll (Right portion)
Top Salmon Belly with Black Pepper
Roasted Egg with Spicy Salmon
Salmon Lobster Salad Roll
Spicy Squid Leg Salad & Ebiko with Sesame Pressed Sushi
Smoked Duck Croquette Roll/Cream Croquette
Squid
Matsu (Assorted Sushi)
Ume (Roasted Sushi Set)
Una Don
 Spicy Minced Pork Mini Don
How to get there?
Address: ION Orchard, #B3-20, 2 Orchard Turn Singapore 238801
Tel: +65 6509 8911

By Car -
  • From Devonshire Road towards Orchard Blvd, along Orchard Blvd, turn right to ION Orchard Carpark
  • Check ION Orchard parking rates here.

By Public Transport -
  • Alight at Bus Stop No. 09023 (Orchard Stn) - Bus No. 124, 128, 143, 162, 167, 171, 190, 700, 972
  • Alight at Bus Stop No. 09022 (Opp Orchard Stn) - Bus No. 7, 14, 16, 36, 65, 77, 106, 111, 123, 174, 175
  • Alight at Bus Stop No. 09047 (Tang Plaza) - Bus No. 36, 77, 124, 128, 143, 162, 167, 171, 174, 190, 518, 700, 972

Nearest MRT Station: Orchard

Opening hours
Mon - Thurs, Sun: 11am to 10pm
Fri - Sat: 11am to 11pm

Other Outlets
Plaza Singapura #02-35, Tel: +65 6337 8922
Bugis Junction #B1-05, Tel: +65 6337 8911
Changi Airport Terminal 3 #03-30/31, Tel: +65 6241 8911
JCube #02-35, Tel: +65 6684 4083
Star Vista #B1-12, Tel: + 65 6694 0880
Bedok Mall #B2-42/43, Tel: +65 6227 8911

11 March 2015

New Lane Hawker Center / Lorong Baru (Penang)

When Yuni and I were in Penang, the locals told us to visit the new lane hawker center for dinner. The place consists of many food stalls that are opened along Lorong Baru which is near to Komtar and Sunway Hotel. We took about 10 minutes to walk there from Komtar.
How to get there?
Address: Lorong Baru Georgetown, 10450 Pulau Pinang
Take the free shuttle bus (CAT City Shuttle) to Komtar and walk towards Jalan Macalister to Lorong Baru (about 10 minutes).
Opening hours
Daily from 5pm to 12 midnight except on Wednesdays
Closed on Wednesdays
Food paradise along this street 
Chicken Wings!
My favorite and I strongly recommend to order.
The wings are sugar-coated which are super delicious!
Satay (Chicken) RM1.10 per stick (min 10 sticks)
Satays are well marinated with their special sauce.
Meat is tender and sweet. Recommend to order!
Chicken Rice (RM4)
Hokkien Mee (RM4)
The hokkien mee is different from what we have in Singapore, it comes with the soup.
Ching Teng (RM2.80)
Stingray (RM12)
Popiah
Goh Chew Coffee Shop is located along Lorong Baru and you can order these from there.
Stir-fried beehoon with fried fish
It looks like a simple stir-fried beehoon but it tastes real yummy!
Lor Bak
A mixture of fried fishball, prawn fritters, sausages, etc (you choose what you want to eat)
The price depends on what you order.
Sliced fish noodle soup