Singapore (SIN) – Penang(PEN)

Penang is an island-state off the northwestern coast of Peninsular Malaysia. It comprises two halves – Penang Island, where the capital city of George Town is located, and a strip of mainland Peninsula named Seberang Perai (formerly Province Wellesley).

Penang’s beaches are nice, though a little lacklustre when compared to those in some other Malaysian states, but this is more than compensated for by the island’s rich multicultural history dating back to the beginnings of British colonisation in the 18th. century, and is full of Malay, Chinese, Indian and European influences. Penang is also well known domestically and in Singapore for being the “food paradise” of Malaysia.

As of 2009, Batu Pahat is the 20th largest urban area in Malaysia in terms of population. In 2006, Batu Pahat surpassed Muar to become the second largest urban area in Johor and by 2012, Batu Pahat is the 16th largest urban area in Malaysia in terms of population.Batu Pahat has developed rapidly over the past few years, its growth encouraged by people from neighbouring townships who come to visit the local shopping centres. Nowadays, Batu Pahat enjoy the name of “Northern Johor Shopping Paradise” due to the rapid development of those shopping malls and hypermarkets.

To Do

• Beaches – The secluded and unspoiled beaches of Teluk Duyung (aka Monkey Beach), Muka Head, Pantai Kerachut, and Teluk Kampi are located on the north-western coast of the island, part of the Penang National Park (free entry). There is a pre-war lighthouse that is accessible from Monkey Beach involving a ~100m hike, boosting views of the pristine natural surroundings. You can reach these beaches by either hiking (1-3 hours from the entrance of the national park in Teluk Bahang) or by hiring a fisherman’s sampan (wooden, often motorized, boat) from Teluk Bahang or Batu Ferringhi. The entrance of Penang National Park is located less than 1km down the road northwest of the small roundabout as one approaches from Batu Ferringhi.

• Jungle Trekking and Camping – The Penang National Park was gazetted as a reserve in 1928 and boost a good many trails through virgin jungle. Camping is permissible wiithin Penang National Park but please check with authorities at the entrance. There are also hiking trails from the Botanic Gardens leading up to Penang Hill. The most frequented ones involves the tarred road that takes ~2.5 hours to complete starting from the entrance of Botanic Gardens. Be warned the hike involves ~800m in elevation and requires moderate fitness. The trails are very popular with locals over weekends and in evenings. There are natural trails criss-crossing Penang Hill but they are unmarked and should not be attempted unless one is with a guide or experienced local

• Watersports are on the agenda for many visitors, although the waters are a bit too murky for scuba diving and a bit too calm for surfing or more extreme pursuits. You can try out jet skis and parasailing near most of the hotels along Batu Feringhi beach.
• Snorkelling is possible on day-trips to Pulau Payar Marine Park. These generally come in the form of arranged tours where hotel pickup would take you to Swettenham Pier in Georgetown to board a boat that takes 2+ hours to get to the marine park. Departs hotel 0715 and returns 1730.

• Cycling (Explore Balik Pulau), Sungai Rusa,Balik Pulau, ☎ +60 16 4522 100. Explore Balik Pulau. Explore Balik Pulau offers daily guided cycling tour around the beautiful countryside area of Penang. See the other side of Penang, vastly different from the hustle and bustle of Georgetown. A friendly local guide will take you through the back roads of Balik Pulau, through Malay and Chinese Villages,orchard, plantation and fishing jetties. Schedule tour daily. Pick up can be arranged at your hotel in Georgetown or beach area by booking ahead. 

• Nightlife can be found in Upper Penang Road, opposite the Eastern & Oriental (E&O) Hotel. It is a very popular place to be at night among locals and tourists alike. The rooftop of City Bayview Hotel (right around the corner of the E&O) now host a bar/lounge called Three Sixty Degree Skybar. Just down the road from E&O, “32 at the mansion” has a beach-fronting restaurant/bar. There are local indie band performances on weekends at China House (Victoria Street). Along Weld Quay, there is a lounge/bar called Jammin’ overlooking the pier and adjoining jetties on top of Via Pre, an Italian restaurant. In Batu Ferringhi, Bora Bora (next to the Ship restaurant) is a laid back beach bar where you get sand between your toes over drinks.