Trekking in slippers~ Muka Head Lighthouse, Penang National Park

July 2010. Oppa's cousin who is studying law at Seoul University, spent a month in Penang - staying at my place during summer break. Besides enrolled for English course, he also visit around Penang island mostly by himself when I was at work. On his last weekend in Penang before he return to Korea, I brought him to Penang National Park since he likes hiking or trekking as well. Turns out, he plan to trek to lighthouse in slippers because he didn't bring sports shoes with him to Malaysia. He said he did that before in Korea (wear slippers hike up to mountain) in Korea and he is confident... So, here goes our first time trekking at Penang National Park~ where I am wearing my pink hush puppy pink rubber flip-flops and he is wearing the Korean common slippers lol! Who knows. he probably is the first Korean who did that. Anyway, since I am well-versed with the trail and Monkey beach trail is one of the easiest trail in Penang National Park; Wear flip-flops and slipper trekking is no issue for us! However, it is really not recommended if you are first timer to the National Park! It took us about 1 hour and 45 mins to reach our destination~ lighthouse. Even though I've been here so many times, I am still thrill to see the view whenever I am up here. Now that I am going to relocate to KL soon (3 months later). I definitely going to miss Penang National Park the most and all those regular hikes and treks over the weekends. 

Trekking to Muka Head Light House, Penang National Park

March 2009. Today is his first time trekking up to lighthouse (previously only trek to Monkey beach). Started our trekking from park entrance around 9am, we reach the 1st beach - USM CEMACS 25 mins later. No pit stop, continue trekking, we then reach 2nd beach - Monkey Beach another 30 mins later.  After a short break to enjoy the view, we start to climb up the stairs to the top where the light house is. The Lighthouse starting point is next to an old house, at the end of the beach. The old house apparently is the hostel for the lighthouse keeper. It takes about 30-40 minutes uphill climb from Monkey Beach to Lighthouse. It is tougher than the journey from park entrance to Monkey beach since it is uphill all the way. Along the way there are 2 gazebos where we can pit to catch our breath! After a 30mins climb with 2 pit stops, here we are, standing on top of the lighthouse. On our way up, we met the lighthouse keeper who is also on his way up to lighthouse. We were so impressed with his good stamina. Not only he walk up without making any pit stop, speed is way way way more faster than us. He told us that he needs to climb up and down at least twice a day on daily basis so he is well-trained for it!! Truly salute to those who taking up a job as lighthouse keeper.

Tips:

1. Muka Head Lighthouse opening hours are from 9am - 1pm. Anyway the gate and door are remain unlocked, you can still access to lighthouse if you arrived later. 
2. Remember to sign the guest book, remove your shoes before enter the lighthouse. 
3. Keep the lighthouse clean, no rubbish should be left behind at the lighthouse (and the national park). Be responsible, bring the rubbish with you as you left! 

Something unexpected happen that day, after we came down from lighthouse, we discover the tide is high and the pathway near giant rocks that connected the beach and trekking path back to USM was submerged. There is no way we could go back via trekking. I never encounter this before. We have no choice but to hire boat to return to National Park's entrance. Depending on boat size and number of pax. Price range normally between RM50 to RM80 (for 8-10 persons). If no one to share, or you don't want to wait, you can pay for the entire boat and depart at the time u want. So far there is always boat available.  

Trekking to Monkey Beach, Penang National Park

Feb 2008. A month after the hike up to Penang Hill, his youngest brother follows me go trekking to Penang National Park this time. Today is also my sister first time joining, so I took photos to keep a record. Before enter into the National Park, registration with the authority, as well as toilet break is a must! Depart at 9am, we arrived at the first beach at USM CEMACS after 30 mins trek. After a short break of chasing after the tiny white crabs at the soft sand beach, we further trek to Monkey beach and reach by 10.30am - takes about 1.5 hours with normal pace. Normally we (the usual trekking members) will further up to Lighthouse. But since we have first timers here, our destination is Monkey beach only. In order to let them experience the boat ride, we hire the boat to return to park entrance so they could have a view of open sea at Straits of Malacca. 

Weekend trekking to Monkey Beach, Penang National Park

July 2008. 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.