A Quick Getaway to Penang and Ipoh, Malaysia (August 12-14, 2016)

Spontaneous trips often lead to the best adventures!

This time, I found myself back in Malaysia, specifically Penang, for another exciting escapade. This trip also included a visit to Ipoh, adding another city to my exploration during this long weekend getaway.

Penang & Ipoh, Malaysia: August 12-14, 2016

This time, I will review beautiful pictures and places that are different from what I have reviewed before. First of all, I would like to thank Ms. Aum for lending me the Canon 10-22 lens so that I can capture beautiful pictures for you all. For this trip, I set a budget of 3,000 baht, and I spent a little more on food, about 1,000 baht. Most importantly, I got a lot of amazing pictures!!!!

Contact
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12/08/2016 [09.20 AM] Where are you? The car is waiting!!

This trip, we traveled to Penang by van. We contacted the van through the tour of [im asking you].

The cost was 400 baht per person (if I remember correctly) for transportation from Hat Yai to the hotel in Penang. We chose to stay at the Super8 Hotel, which had rooms for four people. The amenities were decent, but there was a problem with the internet, which was very slow. We arrived in Penang around 2:00 PM, and after settling into our rooms, we set out to explore the city.

The first meal in Penang was lunch. We didn't know where to go, so we chose to eat at the food court of 1st Avenue Mall Penang. I chose to eat stir-fried chili beef, and my friends ordered other dishes (the taste was good). We planned that we would not have much time today, so we would go for a walk in the old town of Georgetown and Street Art (I go there often), Penang Hill, and have dinner at Gurney Drive (if we have time, we will go to chill out in the old town area).

The food court offers a variety of dishes, mostly with a sweet and savory flavor profile. Each dish costs around 9 dollars, which is roughly equivalent to 90 Thai baht. Ordering different dishes and sharing them among a group is a fun and enjoyable experience.

After leaving 1st Avenue Mall, we traveled to the Georgetown district to see the street art. Unfortunately, we encountered a light rain, but it wasn't a problem. We were still able to take many photos with the Canon 10-22 lens. The photos turned out like this. We chose to walk through areas like Little India and Love Lane.

This exhibition features the photographic works of various artists. It is definitely worth a visit.

The city's unique charm lies in its ability to seamlessly blend the old with the new, offering a refreshing experience with each visit.

It took a considerable amount of time, but today I had a goal to see Penang from the highest possible vantage point.

Penang Hill Adventure: A Night View Conquest

The allure of Penang Hill, with its breathtaking panoramic views, has always been a magnet for me. However, my previous attempts were thwarted by the ever-present long queues. This time, I was determined to conquer the summit and witness the city's nocturnal splendor.

After a moderate hike, we arrived at Komtar, the iconic landmark, to board the 204 bus. Our destination: Penang Hill, where the promise of a captivating cityscape awaited us. The anticipation was palpable as we embarked on our journey.

The bus ride offered a glimpse into the city's vibrant life, with its bustling streets and illuminated buildings. As we ascended the hill, the cityscape gradually transformed into a mesmerizing tapestry of twinkling lights, stretching as far as the eye could see.

Upon reaching the summit, we were greeted by a breathtaking panorama. The city below was a sea of twinkling lights, each representing a story, a life, a dream. The view was truly awe-inspiring, a testament to the beauty and grandeur of Penang.

The night air was cool and refreshing, a welcome respite from the day's heat. We spent hours soaking in the mesmerizing view, marveling at the city's transformation from a bustling metropolis to a glittering wonderland.

As we descended the hill, the memory of the breathtaking view remained etched in our minds. The conquest of Penang Hill, under the cloak of night, was an experience that would forever be cherished.

I have arrived at Penang Hill. Without hesitation, I paid 30 ringgit (approximately 300 baht) to go up immediately as it was starting to get dark. During this time, there were very few people, so I didn't have to wait for about an hour to go up. This time, I was able to go up as soon as I arrived. Isn't that great? I must say, the vanilla sky during this time is truly beautiful.

We were fortunate to be seated at the rear of the tram, which provided us with a clear view of the cityscape.

An Unforgettable Experience

This is an incredible place! If you ever have the chance, you should definitely conquer this area. Here are some pictures to share with you.

It didn't take long for us to reach the top. The weather was perfect, so I quickly snapped two photos before it got dark.

The air up here is fantastic, just like being in Cameron Highlands. There are quite a few people around, probably waiting to take photos of the city.

The scenery is breathtaking. The summit boasts a variety of establishments, including restaurants, bars, and places of worship such as mosques and Hindu temples. Souvenir shops are also plentiful.

We were fortunate to arrive at this time. If we had come at noon, it would have been unbearably hot. After that, we continued taking pictures.

It took us about an hour, and it was getting late because we still had one more place to wait for.

Gurney Drive, where I went for dinner, offers a captivating glimpse of the city's vibrant nightlife.

However, be warned! If you arrive during this time, after waiting at the tram stop, the staff will inform you that the service is suspended. OMG!

They stopped giving employees a break for 1 hour (20:00). We waited for almost an hour, and there were a lot of people, so we were afraid we wouldn't make it in time. We came down from the Hill at 21:00. After that, we hurried down to Komtar and took a bus to Gurney Drive for dinner. We were so tired at Gurney Drive that we didn't take any pictures. So, I'll leave you with a picture from the Hill.

After visiting Komtar, I took a car to Gurney Drive, arriving around 10:00 PM. The market was already starting to quiet down, so I enjoyed some local cuisine.

English:

Approximately 1 hour and a half later, the buses stopped running!!!! We had to take a taxi back. Our first day was already tiring. That's all for the first day.

Tomorrow, we will have breakfast in Penang and then travel to Ipoh by KTM train.

[07:30 AM, 13/08/2016] We couldn't get into Kellie's Castle. So frustrating!!

Following yesterday's exhaustion, this morning we have a packed schedule of city hopping.

Translation:

Is there anything else I can help you with?

Today's program is Ipoh! With KTM at 2:00 PM Malaysian time, there isn't much time left in the morning. The mission to conquer breakfast in Penang has begun! Waking up early and opening the window, I was greeted by the sight you see here - it's already dark!

We then began walking to a restaurant, which was located a short distance from the hotel. We exited the hotel and…

Turning left, you'll find it right away. It's a local restaurant facing each other according to the coordinates.
And because of my personal habit of not asking, I'll just go sit down and eat. We chose the restaurant on the left, which is a vegetarian restaurant (all flour).
I only found out after I finished ordering lol. I ordered coffee, local noodles (vegetarian red pork), and black bean buns (very delicious). Let's take a look at the pictures.

This meal cost around 20 dollars (200 baht). The table was full of food, and the taste was good. It was a good atmosphere.

Translation:

The morning in Penang was pleasant. Before heading to the Butterworth train station, we took a short walk around our accommodation to capture the morning atmosphere of the city.

Penang's Enduring Charm: A Cultural Tapestry

Penang's essence lies in the harmonious blend of its preserved cultural heritage and modern advancements. The city's inhabitants take pride in safeguarding their traditions, evident in the meticulous restoration of heritage buildings that retain their historical charm. The traditional way of life continues to thrive, offering visitors a glimpse into Penang's authentic spirit. This captivating fusion of past and present inspires countless photographers to capture the city's unique atmosphere.

Indeed, street art is ubiquitous.

The journey was relatively short, as we were concerned about catching the bus to the ferry to connect with the train at Butterworth. We arrived back at the hotel without incident.

We checked out and walked to the Komtar bus station to catch a ferry to the KTM station. We continued our journey to Ipoh by train. We had booked all our train tickets in advance to avoid any problems and to plan our trip effectively. For information on booking tickets, please refer to my previous review of my train journey to KL: http://pantip.com/topic/34636972.

We arrived at the ferry around 12:20 p.m. and took a ferry to Butterworth Station. We were informed by the staff that if we were to leave the city, we would have to pay a fee.

Translation:

There is no charge for the boat ride. Here is a glimpse of the sea atmosphere with a little rain.

The Penang sea view was breathtaking, and we arrived at Butterworth Station. We waited for about an hour.

Translation:

And here comes our train! It will take approximately 1 hour to reach Ipoh. Let's go!

Translation:

I have arrived in Ipoh at 4:00 PM. The first thing I did was to find a hotel. My luggage is quite heavy.

Our next destination was the PI IPOH HOTEL, which we booked through Agoda. According to Google Maps, it wasn't too far away, but it turned out to be quite a distance. We walked for about 30 minutes before finally reaching the hotel. (For future reference, the Container Hotel Ipoh is much closer.)

The IPOH railway station is indeed beautiful, living up to its reputation.

The Container Hotel Ipoh is located near the train station.

The building is similar to Penang. This is a very quiet city, perfect for relaxation.

We soon arrived at the PI IPOH HOTEL after a short walk. It was quite a distance! We quickly checked in and asked the staff about our next destination, Kellie's Castle. However, we arrived at the hotel at 4:35 PM, and Kellie's Castle closes at 5:00 PM. We missed it! Our highlight was ruined. (Note: The public transportation here is confusing compared to Penang. It's better to book a hotel nearby. Taxis are the only way to get around.) We planned our trip well, but we arrived late. All we could do was walk around the old town, find food, etc. We were disappointed. Next time, we must conquer Kellie's Castle!

The picture is borrowed from someone else. This is the hotel we stayed at. Although it is far away, it has its advantages.

Translation:

Having missed our target of visiting the Street Art of Ipoh, we were now famished. Our next goal was to eat, eat, eat. We opted for Ipoh Old Town White Coffee, wondering how it could be considered local cuisine. We had enjoyed it during our visit to KL. Without further ado, we left the hotel and continued our walk.

The atmosphere here, especially in the old town, is quite good. There are many trendy cafes, and most importantly, there are a lot of restaurants.

Translation:

The evening was approaching as I arrived, and the souvenir shops in the alley were already closed. I could only capture the atmosphere. There wasn't much street art here, similar to Penang. We then headed to Ipoh Old Town White Coffee. (For those who arrive late like me, be prepared. If you plan well, you should come to Ipoh in the morning, as there are many other places to visit.)

In my opinion, the food at Ipoh Old Town White Coffee is consistently delicious. The coffee is strong and the water is refreshing.

Translation:

Translation:

The food was delicious, but the price was a bit steep. Each dish cost around 15-20 dollars, which is roughly 200 baht. However, the taste was worth the price. I regret not buying any coffee packets to take home, but I'll definitely be back for more!

After lunch, we continued exploring the city until it was time for dinner at a nearby street. I managed to capture some beautiful photos of the city during our walk.

As the evening approached, we continued exploring the vibrant atmosphere of Ipoh. I highly recommend arriving early in the morning if you plan to visit Ipoh again, as it is a large city with numerous attractions. However, be aware that taxis are the primary mode of transportation. While buses are available, navigating them can be confusing. I intend to return and provide a more comprehensive review. After departing from Ipoh Old Town White Coffee, we continued our leisurely stroll.

This is a map of street art in the city. There is less street art here than in Penang.

The area surrounding Street Art IPOH is located near the Ipoh Old Town White Coffee shop. Notably, during the evenings, the city becomes very quiet, creating a pleasant atmosphere. Restaurants selling food on the street at night begin to set up their stalls, offering an interesting sight.

The majority of the works are by the artist Ernest Zacharevic, whose work I greatly admire.

Those who are interested can follow him on his fan page at https://www.facebook.com/ernestzacharevic.

As dusk settles, a plethora of street food vendors emerge, offering a diverse array of culinary delights. The cuisine bears a striking resemblance to that found in our homeland.

Translation:

English:

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Translation:

The restaurant offers a wide variety of dishes suitable for families, with prices ranging from 15 to 20 dollars. However, since we had just eaten, we weren't particularly hungry. We decided to explore the atmosphere instead. (For those who enjoy alcoholic beverages, it's important to note that beer in Malaysia is quite expensive.) We walked around to aid digestion, anticipating our upcoming chicken rice meal. (They say that if you haven't tried it, your trip to Malaysia is incomplete!)

IPOH does have a night market, but it's quite far away. The different areas are quite spread out.
After walking around the old town, we decided it was time for some chicken rice. We had read reviews beforehand, which mentioned a lot of different restaurants (if you actually go there, you'll realize that there are only chicken rice restaurants everywhere). The best restaurant is probably Restauran Lou Wong Tauge Ayam Kuetiau, but it's quite far from the street art. So we ended up eating at a restaurant in the same area, which was also delicious. Check out the pictures for proof!

Translation:

The evening atmosphere in Ipoh is amazing. And then we came across a chicken rice shop. Wow!!!

Translation:

The chicken is incredibly delicious. It's tender, juicy, and slightly salty. Paired with bean sprouts, it's an absolute culinary delight. The value for money is exceptional.

We ordered a large plate of chicken, two bowls of rice, one bowl of mixed vegetables, and four glasses of sweet water. The bill came to 50 dollars, which is about 500 baht.

It was truly amazing. I highly recommend it. The prices are very friendly. We couldn't even finish everything.

It's now around 11:45 PM. I think we should head back to the hotel after eating, as it's a long walk.

Image from the Pokémon Go Ipoh page

Translation:

This sentence is already in English and does not require translation.

As we walked back, we saw a large crowd gathered near the place where I had eaten. At first, I thought there was some kind of event happening!

It turned out they were all playing Pokémon Go. 555+ I didn't take any pictures, but it looked like they were having a lot of fun.

I just found out that people here are really into it (or maybe it's the same everywhere 555+). The atmosphere was something like this.

Translation:

14/08/2016 [7:00 AM] Morning Market Next to the Hotel!!

After returning to the hotel and going to sleep, who would have thought that when I woke up in the morning, there would be a large morning market right next to the hotel!

Today is the last day of our trip. We need to return to the KTM station at 9:00 AM to catch the train back to Padang Besar, Thailand (approximately 3 hours). The hardest part is waking up early, haha! We woke up late and were already late when we checked out. As we were carrying our luggage out of the hotel, we stumbled upon the Ipoh Morning Market!

Memory Lane Morning Market Ipoh

Front + Hotel + Building

The market is similar to the Khlong Thom market, selling second-hand goods. The condition of these items is 90% damaged. They are very old. It is difficult to repair them. However, the charm of the market lies in its atmosphere, the bargaining, and the availability of local goods that can be purchased. I woke up late and could only walk through the market with my luggage, attracting the attention of everyone.

We then hurried to the train station, capturing the morning atmosphere for you to enjoy. Most importantly, we had to find something to eat in a hurry. As we had seen in reviews, there was a bakery with delicious egg tarts near the train station.

Two adorable grandparents enjoying their morning.

Translation:

This sentence is already in English and does not require translation.

And then we came across the amazing Egg Tarts King shop. 555+

This dish is truly delicious. If you have the chance, stop by and buy some to take home, or you can even eat there until you're full. The taste is excellent, not too sweet. Most importantly, the vendors are very friendly.

Translation:

It's a shame we didn't buy more. We only bought a little because we had to rush to the station. We then went to find food there, but we only had a little time to buy anything.

We walked to the station. Importantly, there was a spot where I could set up my camera, and we all took photos of the trip members. 555

Capturing unforgettable memories in Ipoh. Definitely coming back for more! This trip was a bit chaotic, though. 555

Translation:

After arriving at the Ipoh train station, I was incredibly hungry! Luckily, there was a small restaurant at the station offering various dishes. They had coffee (almost every kind of drink), but it was very, very bland. They also had stir-fried noodles, among other things. I ordered right away, as I was famished.

I ordered a stir-fried noodle dish with soy sauce and a hot coffee. The total cost was around $5 for the noodles and $3 for the coffee.

Translation:

This sentence is already in English and does not require translation.

Translation:

That's about it, and then we hurried back to Thailand (our return tickets were already booked). We'll share some photos with you later.

After approximately three hours, we arrived at Padang Besar Station (Hatyai border). We then had to wait for the Thai train.

Translation:

This sentence is already in English and does not require translation.

Is there anything else I can help you with?

Pick me up at 13:00 (which should give me enough time to browse the duty-free shops). I also secretly ordered food to be delivered to the station. 555+

Throughout this trip, I ate a lot, really a lot. As soon as I arrived, I booked a train ticket, and it was a long journey.

Our trains are very different. The Penang & Ipoh trip is over.

Translation:

This sentence is already in English and does not require translation.

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Here's a breakdown of the trip expenses:
- Van from Hat Yai to Penang: 400 baht per person
- Hotel in Penang (SUPER 8, 4-person room): 1324 baht total, divided by 4
- Train from Butterworth to Ipoh on the 13th: 410 baht per person
- Hotel in Ipoh (2-person room): 1787 baht total, divided by 4
- Train back to Padang on the 14th: 580 baht per person
- Train from Padang to Hat Yai: 85 baht per person
- Average spent so far: 2250 baht per person, including food and other expenses, estimated around 3000 baht total.

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In conclusion, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all of you who have followed me to this point.

In my opinion, Malaysia is a country that still retains its traditional culture. Importantly, travel is convenient and affordable, perhaps because I live in Hat Yai. This time, I missed a lot of attractions in Ipoh, so I plan to visit again. As for me, let's travel, take photos, and write reviews. It takes a little time, but we will be proud to be a part of making people want to travel. Most importantly, don't expect anything, and you won't be disappointed. Travel with low expectations, and you'll always be amazed by what you find. That's why I took so many photos! I'll try to capture every detail. If you have any questions, you can follow me on my channel.

Contact

Instagram: @isarapab.c

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Isarapabc-153377218149435/

In this trip, I would like to summarize 7 mistakes I made and some recommendations.

1. It's advisable to plan your trip to Ipoh early in the morning. Remember, tourist attractions in Ipoh are spread out, so researching bus routes beforehand is crucial. 2. Consider booking your KTM train tickets in advance through their website: http://www.ktmb.com.my/ktmb/index.php?r=portal/index 3. For those interested in nighttime photography at Penang Hill, be aware that the funicular takes a one-hour break at 8:00 PM. 4. Researching mobile phone SIM cards and data plans is essential. Choosing the wrong plan can be costly. 5. Penang's buses stop running around 11:00 PM. Plan your trips accordingly. 6. A day trip is sufficient to cover most attractions. 7. Pokémon Go enthusiasts will be delighted to know that both Ipoh and Penang offer plenty of opportunities to catch 'em all!

Please include my old reviews as well.

Explore Penang and Cameron Highland, Malaysia: A Must-Visit Destination!

This article explores the captivating cities of Penang and Cameron Highland in Malaysia, highlighting their unique charm and must-see attractions.

Penang, a vibrant island city, boasts a rich cultural heritage, delectable cuisine, and stunning colonial architecture. Immerse yourself in the bustling streets of Georgetown, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and marvel at the intricate street art and historical landmarks. Don't miss the opportunity to savor Penang's renowned culinary delights, from flavorful hawker fare to upscale dining experiences.

Cameron Highland, nestled amidst lush mountains, offers a refreshing escape from the city's hustle and bustle. Hike through verdant tea plantations, witness breathtaking waterfalls, and encounter diverse flora and fauna. Indulge in the region's renowned tea culture, visiting tea factories and indulging in afternoon tea amidst scenic landscapes.

This itinerary combines the best of both worlds, offering a perfect blend of cultural immersion, culinary exploration, and natural beauty. Whether you're seeking vibrant city life or tranquil mountain escapes, Penang and Cameron Highland have something for everyone.

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Thank you all.