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.  

Morning dimsum~ Bali Hai, Gurney

Bali Hai Seafood Market selling seafood at night, and dimsum at day-time. Once in a while during the weekend we would come over for dimsum in the morning if I am not out for hiking. I like the outdoor sitting in gazebo along the pedestrian, facing the sea. Since it is situated in Gurney, you probably think the dimsum would be pricey, turns out it is not. Almost same price as we eat in at my usual dim sum place ~ Dim Sum House at Anson Road. Free parking and more places to park compare to Anson Road as well. We could walk to Bali Hai too since it is just few hundred meters away from my place. It's quite crowded in the morning so we usually come here after 10am. 

Weekend trekking to Monkey Beach, Penang National Park

One of the weekend trekking to Monkey Beach, Penang National Park with regular members. This time we have newbies and he is one of them. Here's our first stop also the first beach at USM CEMAC after 25 mins trek. Usually we will take a short break enjoying the soft sand and look for pinkish shell that scatters around the beach. That's me trying to catch white mini crab. After short break we further our trekking at the end of the beach into the jungle. Another half an hour later, we reach our destination~ Monkey beach, which is also the second beach of Muka head trail. As usual, we love to hang out at the giant rocks under the shady area, eat snack, watch others fishing or playing around the beach. 

After we spend enough time hangout here, we hired a boat ride back to park entrance instead of trekking back. Depending on boat sizes and number of pax, usually a boat will cost around RM80 for one way back for 8-10 pax. Ride on boat back to park entrance has become a routine for us after the trekking. The view along boat ride on the open sea is healing. We also can see the trail along the coastline where we trekked to Monkey beach (which we can't see much while we are inside the jungle). You will amazed how far you have trekked to reach Monkey beach in the 15 mins boat ride.

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.