Bon Odori 2008~ Esplanade Penang

Our second time participating in Bon Odori together. There are a few "first time" this year : Highest attendance in the history - more than 30,000 people attended;  three teams of performers invited from Japan - Miyabi Taiko Drum Team, Ryukyu Koku Matsuri Daiko Troup & Tamagusukuryu Senjyukai Group - who performed for the first time in Penang; the Ryukyubuyo Tamagusukuryu Senjyukai's dance that we see for the first time in Bon-odori; and my first time tried out the Yukata. Thanks to Simmy-san who put it up for me. Next year I will try out Yukata again during the Bon-odiri festival.  

Weekend trek to Monkey Beach, Penang National Park

One of the weekend trek to Monkey Beach, Penang National Park with regular members and newbies. He is one of the newbie today. Here's our first beach stop~ USM CEMAC and that's me trying to catch a white mini crab during short break and the moment has been captured by bestie's camera haha.

Another half an hour later, we reach second beach which our destination of today~ Monkey beach. Take rest and hang out at the giant rocks under the shaddy area as usual. 

Lastly, boat ride back to park entrance. 

Queensbay Seaside~ where aeroplanes flying thru closely

This is one of the seaside bay with Penang bridge view, next to Queensbay mall where we would come to see aeroplanes flying thru closely. Just stay here about 10 mins we already seen 2 aeroplanes fly thru. Off course it is not as close as the aeroplanes spotting hotspot in Batu Maung, but closer enough to see what airline the aeroplane belongs to and strong noise! It is quite windy (and salty seawater smell) but can be very hot even it is late afternoon since there are not many trees around. It is also a popular spot for sunset. 

Olive Korean fried chicken~ Korean BBQ chicken, Gurney Plaza

Newly open in Gurney Plaza, this first and only Korean fried chicken in Penang has become our favourite lately. My most favourite goes to their signature olive fried chicken. The fried chicken deep fried using olive oil is the most crispy yet savory fried chicken I ever had so far. Meanwhile I am not so fancy the Hot-Hot drum (spicy sauce drumstick) that he likes. I find it too spicy to swallow. The spiciness make my stomach feels burning after few bites. eat. Still, he didn't seems to get enough of the hot-hot drum so far.

Obake-ya Japanese Restaurant, Leith Street / Round Penang Island / Bukit Genting, Teluk Kumbar

It's his birthday on a Sunday. I decided to bring him go round Penang Island in one circle. This is his first round island trip. First we went for lunch at a newly open not long ago Obake-ya Japanese Restaurant at Leith Street with Jail theme. Besides looks like a jail inside, there are individual dining room that you can be 'lockup' inside as well when you dine-in. Day time there's jail set available. It's Japanese curry with pork cutlet @ RM9.90 serve on a stainless steel divided tray, green tea in plastic cup and miso soup in plastic soup bowl (serve like how a meal serve in jail). The 2 pieces of salted cracker and a apple must be a typical tea time snack in jail.  

After meal we begin our round island trip via Federal Route 6. Starting from Leith St, Georgetown, we drove to Tg Tokong -- Tg Bungah -- Batu Feringgi -- Teluk Bahang Dam. We stop by the Teluk Bahang Dam for the view, then continue drive along Jalan Teluk Bahang to Sg Jernih and Durian estates. Follow by another pit stop at a view point near the Titi Kerawang Air Terjun before continue head to Balik Pulau. Our next stop in Balik Pulau is go to Bukit Genting for Thai food with hilltop view.

More than a year ago, I discover Bukit Genting via a round island trip with friends. It is a private orchard turn into hilltop restaurant selling Thai food and also have private accommodation. If you are coming from the same direction like us via route 6, along Jalan Teluk Kumbar after passby a big and white PBA water tank on left, slow down for a right turn after you see a orchard with gate open with a sign of Bukit Genting. The road going up to the hilltop is narrow and hilly. When we were here for the first time, we were so afraid that the 1.2 hose power car might stall half way or move backwards while driving up haha! Well, no worries it never happen.

There is a part of the road where we need to accelerate a little more harder before we reach the top but overall it is ok. Compare to last visit, the place changed a lot. There are individual gazebo along the hillside for outdoor dine-in and more parking spaces at the mini hilltop garden. Not only the view with Balik Pulau paddy fields and Straits of Malacca is magnificent, the Thai food is good too! Not sure about the accommodation that resemble a boat house is open for stay or not. It was still under renovation during last visit.

Weekend in Singapore~ Singapore National Museum & Clark Quay

Weekend in Singapore! Just a short 2 days 1 night getaway as his work permit is in the midst of renewing, and he needs to get out from Malaysia and re-enter again to get another 90 days social visit pass for time being. We stay at a 4 stars hotel in Queen St. that recommended by the taxi driver. After check-in to the hotel, we walked to Orchard Rd for lunch and visited the Singapore National Museum. At night we meet up with my ex-colleage mate at Clark Quay and he buy us a nice Japanese meal at Pasta de Waraku in Clark Quay Central. According to him the restaurant is very popular now in Singapore. After dinner we had beers and chats at Clark Quay riverside before go back to hotel for a good rest. The next day noon we return to Malaysia.