0.0: Ahoi Travelers! Welcome Aboard!

Welcome explorers & travelers!

Hello :)

This is our infamous recollections on our traveling experience around Penang.

 You are about to enter the realm of the unknown.

Here you will be served with colourful and delicious delicacies creamed-filled with laughter, spontaneity and perhaps some embarrassing moments.

Let's get going!

0.1: Epilogue

Weeks after our travel in Penang, while we were having a lunch with bunch of other friends, a friend of ours popped out a question regarding our journey.

“So how’s Penang?”

“PENANG IS GREATTTTT!!!!” :D

“Wow, really? So where did you guys go? Did you guys go to Batu Feringghi? Bukit Bendera? Botanical Garden? It’s interesting there right?  Tell me more!”

There. Just like that. He didn’t realize that with him bombarding us with those questions, he had left us with a sad, hollow realization;

We. had. not. gone. to. ANY. of. the. main. tourist. attractions. in. Penang. 
NONE. 
Not even a single one.

We were there, sitting across him, opening and closing our mouth like a goldfish trying to remember one of the most significant places that we visited in Penang. Then, in a squeaky voice barely above a whisper, we said;

“Urm, Komtar?”

“Err. Komtar isn not really a significant place anymore. Lame. So yesterday. Seriously?”

“OHHH WE WENT TO FORT CORNWALLIS! HAH! IN YOUR FACE SUCKER!”

“Urm, sorry but I went there when I was like seven, and it’s a barren place with rusty cannons here and there”

Well as much as we hate to admit, he actually had a point there. However, his eyes did not lost that glint of hope yet that we might have visited some of the grand places that were in Penang. We decided to take a different turn in this conversation.

“It’s not the places that matter, we discovered that we can ride a bus for free! We hopped on a ‘hop-on’ bus and it took us everywhere we want.” There! With a satisfied breath we finished our sentence.

”So, you go all the way to Penang just to ride a free bus? Isn’t UIA’s  bus free too? And it took you every mahallah and kulliyyah you want!”

That is the time when a cold rush of realization slap right unto our faces. Then, finally all of us look at each other with one knowing look that says:

“Where the hell did we go in Penang actually?”

0.2: Great Expectations

Before we went to Penang, we have listed out a few things that all of us had been expecting to find there. So here it goes..

Top 5 things we expect to find in Penang:

1. Penang would be a little like Hawaii. With small little huts scattered besides the sea-shore, tourists in bikinis everywhere and once you step out of the shopping mall, you will be greeted with the soft waves of evening sea.
2. The city of Penang is well-planned, beautiful and very scenic. The buildings are in proper order.
3. Women in Penang are all beautiful and their faces would all resemble Fasha Sandha in some ways. We had been implanted with the idea that all ‘anak mami’ will look like her.
4. Nasi Kandar will be served everywhere, in every restaurant, every corner of the streets, and every time we turn our heads, there will be signs that shout ‘NASI KANDAR! NASI KANDAR!’
5. The infamous accent of Penang people that makes us drool.

Top most things that we expect to find in Penang is:

We expect that women in Penang would wear gold bracelets and whatnot up to their sleeves. Blame Mami Jarum and Anak Mami movies for this imagery! 

1.1: Meet Up

Three different stories from three different places before the meet up at KL Sentral.

Aina, Kiko and Rabab :

Before going on our trip, we had a fantastic ride in a fantastic car with a fantastic driver giving us some fantastic tips.

Pakcik Hanafi (father of Atikah Hanafi), who offered to drive us to KL Sentral is an awesome person. Knowledgeable, hilarious and a caring father.

Having him drive us to KL Sentral was wild.

But before that, back at our mahallah, Aina was waiting for Kiko and Rabab to get ready and come down. They took forever!

Luckily, Aina struck up a conversation with Kiko’s father, the aforementioned Pakcik Hanafi while they took their sweet time.

He’s a good conversationalist, making jokes here and there, poking fun at his daughter being late, this and that. A nice person.

So finally they both came (with an impressive amount of baggage) and in we hopped into Pakcik Hanafi’s beautiful red, classic Volkswagen. It was a beauty!

The engine roared and off we went to KL Sentral. The car drove beautifully, but those in the back seat were partially deaf due to the engine which was in the trunk of the car (old school style). No worries though, old school rocks!

Along the way, Pakcik Hanafi talked about his experience in Penang some time ago. He gave us some tips on bargaining and food and the people and all kinds of stuff.

We laughed at his jokes, made fun of each other said ‘Ye, Pakcik’ every time he advised us about something.

We avoided the jam (thank God) and got to KL Sentral in no time. Kiko said her goodbyes and we did the same.

Korang jage diri! Hati-hati kat Penang tu. (You girls take care, be careful in Penang)

Ye Pakcik! Terima kasih Pakcik! (Yes Uncle. Thank you Uncle!)

*waves

*zooooom goes the pretty red car

So we hulled our bags and entered KL Sentral to wait for our other 2 group members.

The excitement is boiling up as we’re getting closer to our trip!!

Akmar :

If you know me, you should know that I’m a shopaholic. I mean, only if you are close to me. Or is it that obvious that I am a shopaholic? Hurmm (wondering). Anyway, what does a shopaholic do? Shopping! Obviously! Duhh! So yeah. 

Before our departure to Penang, I went shopping with my sister just to the kill the time. We (the bimbos) are supposed to meet up at 8.30 but then we changed the time to after ‘Isyak prayer (we are International Islamic University students, remember?). Despite the title of our blog which “Pretty Little Bimbos”, I did something that was not so bimbo. Guess what?! I packed up my backpack (the one and only backpack I brought to Penang) only with necessary things which I rarely do! Unbelievable! But wait! As a shopaholic, it is impossible for me not to bring loads of clothes to travel, right? Yeah right! So I went shopping and bought new clothes, new shoes, new sunglasses, new this and new that. Everything is new! Well, now that is the real Akmar! Clever, I know! So, that was the-not-so-bimbo-thing I did (proud). 

After the shopping-of-new-stuffs-for-Penang session, my sister dropped me off at the KL Sentral station where the five of us have planned to meet up before our departure to Penang. This is when my adventure as an amateur cum first time traveler begins… but little did I know that our trip will be…. Eh, shhhh.. if you want to know what will happen after this, read our next post lah! Aiyoo! Toodles.

Dayang: 

At the house, try to find the smallest bag I have and yeay found it. Put everything inside the bag. I tried to squeeze everything. Even my mom helped me to zip the bag. After I 'd done packing, I was satisfied! One bag only and the SMALLEST bag in the house. Being the eldest in the family is never easy, I tell you. It was so hard to tell my parents about the trip. After so many arguments, I won. Guess what argument made me won? “This is an assessed trip ayah. If I were not to go, 20 marks will fly away just like that. This is educational trip.” With a very heavy heart, ayah said yes to my trip. Excited. I barely can sleep the night before. Ayah was helping me also. Right after Isyak, all of my family sent me to KL Sentral. ALL! My mom, dad and adik-adik. It’s like sending me to school trip. HAHA. I was so excited about the trip. So many expectations I have in mind. But what really happened? We planned so many things. Did those things happen eventually? Well.  The answer is : Yyyyyyy –wait-for-it- You need to read the whole blog. 

1.2: Hogwarts Express. KTMB 1.0 Version

Place: KL Sentral

Time: Around 9.30pm 

As always, the moment we see each other’s faces, what we did was to scream outloud, not knowing why. Just cause.. 

 Except for Aina and Akmar, that was our first time to travel by train . So, we’re so excited and we expected the train would be like the one in Harry Potter movies- 

1. With the sliding doors (what we have is a single tiny door for every coach.) 
2. Aunties walking with trays full of chocolates (there were uncles with garbage bags full with err trashes) 
3. Compartment of our own (we have seats of our own and the seats were not in good condition even.) 
4. Beautiful, breath-taking scenery (we cannot see anything since it’s so dark).

(Err. We concluded that it was a very very very high expectation. KTMB to be compared with Harry Potter. What do you expect, really?!)

First thing that we found the funniest was that Rabab and Dayang’s bags were so big. We planned to be there in like 3 days but their bags were as if they were running away from home.

*Look at how big the bags are!*

We made fun of them and they justified themselves with:

“We brought everything from home because we cannot choose what to bring and what not to bring.”

(Many travelers may encounter the same problem, we guess.)

So many people were waiting for the train.

*We got excited with the tickets!*

So when the time comes, everyone was pushing each other. It is funny to think that they had their own seat number. So, what is the point of pushing and rushing? Typical Malaysians. WE LIKE TO PUSH EACH OTHER IN ANY CIRCUMSTANCES – be it for train, bus, or any thing. (it’s even funnier when we did that too.)

We got into the train and again , we’re so excited to just sit there.

*video in train* 

- See how focused Akmar and Kiko were, reading the map. Dayang and Rabab were just excited seeing the train was moving.

We were so loud till a reading-Reader’s Digest- kakak scolded us. (the difference between bimbos and nerd).

*Exhibit 1: If you can see the lady behind Rabab, that is the reading-Reader's-digest-kakak. 

Exhibit 2: Rabab was so high that she even wore the sweater upside down.*

“Dik. Boleh perlahan sikit tak? Bising sangat.” (Sis, can you please slow down your voice.It's too loud.)

“Okay kak.” 

Not even five minutes, we started to be loud again! Hehe. Sorry kakak. We cannot be any quieter.  

We waited for about 8 hours to arrive at Butterworth station. Our train arrived exactly as scheduled- 630am. The train was punctual! We’re impressed since it’s KTMB. (if you know what we mean).

1.3: Quaker City, Penang Style. *smirk

From butterworth station, we decided to ride a ferry to the island. We’re not sure of where the ferry terminal is. So, we asked this uncle for the direction. He was so nice and not grumpy at although it was very early in the morning. We decide to take a picture with him. 

Rabab  : Pakcik. Jom amek gambar pakcik. Nak masukkan pakcik dalam assignment kitorg.
             (Pakcik. Let's take picture, pakcik. We want to include you in our assignment.)

Pakcik : Eh. Takpalah dik. Buat apa nak ambek gambaq pakcik. *sambil tersipu-sipu malu*
            (Eh. It's okay. There's no need to take my picture.) *with a shy look*

Kiko    : Jom lah pakcik. Kenangan. Jauh kami datang ni. Pakcik jangan malu-malu.
            (Let's , pakcik. It's the memories. We came from far. Don't be shy pakcik.)

Pakcik : Taknak lah dik. Takpalah . Hangpa amek saja lah. Pakcik takmau.
             (No, dik. It's okay. You just take. I don't want.)

*he said this but he was smiling to the camera!*

Dayang wasted no time. She captured as soon as the uncle smiled as the girls were already smiling to their ears.

One thing that we learned here is that Malaysians are so malu-malu-tapi-mahu kind of people. We act like we do not want to do this and that, we’re shy and stuff like that. But deep deep in our heart, we do not mind to do it. Like the elderly said it’s the courtesy. Trust us. Try to ask yourselves. You must have come across the same thing, kan kan kan.? Our culture taught us to become what we are now.

We walked through the bushes, crossed the busy road and climbed a high bridge to get to the terminal. It was full with people – the ones with us in train, the Seberang Perai people went to work at the island., the cars queuing to enter the ferry as well. The fare is cheap.! Rm1.20 per entry.

We were queuing for about 15 minutes. While queuing, we recorded this video

                

          

15 minutes were quite long for us since a couple in front of us was doing something that typical lovers would do. 15 minutes to watch the telenovela, free of charge.

*in circle is the couple. but unfortunately, the girl was in front of him*

Once the gate was opened, again the PUSHING scene began. IT’S A WAR FOR A SEAT, PEOPLE! Get ready to be all bloody for a SEAT!. We repeat, for a SEAT! 


We got ourselves seats, of course - well, after pushing everyone. YEAY! The moment we got into the ferry, Hindustan's songs is tuned on and automatically we felt like we are in Mami Jarum the movie. It is nice to actually feel the atmosphere and it made us felt like dancing too. However, realizing that we’re so new in that land, we decided to postpone our craziness to some other time. (Throughout the whole trip, indeed crazy we were. Our craziness is just beyond your expectation)

*with big bags, look at the back there, in circle. We are sorry , kak. We need to prove our point. :) *

One thing about Malaysians, when they’ve got the chance to sleep, they’ll sleep, no matter where they are. We guess it’s because they need to wake up early in the morning and they would then find time to sleep before they arrive the workplace. Most of the people in the ferry were taking their ‘nap’ for 5 minutes journey. You do not need to go to ferry terminal in Penang to see this. Ride our LRT Putra at 7 am and count how many working people were sleeping during their so longgggg journey to workplaces. Time is money , they said. So, a single minute counts – even for sleeping!

*Obviously these two are much too enthusiastic to be sleepy*

We could capture the Penang Bridge!

And another ferry!

Rabab. 

That happened to be her FIRST time riding in ferry. 

Yeah. So, she was more excited than us.

1.4: The Pearl Island

Location: Ferry Port, Penang Island! Wehoo! 

Time     : Approximately 7.50am

After about five minutes, we finally arrived at the island!

Aina’s cousin, Kak Dee, was the one to pick us up since she lives in Penang. While waiting for her, we’re excited, again to see random people walking in front of us, beautiful buildings, crazy Penang drivers and so on. So many things to see, so many things to ponder-after the whole trip.

   *the drivers looked decent. They are not. Typical Penang drivers- they are all mad drivers*

*Cleaner, greener Penang, so they said. *

If you were to go around Penang , you will see so much of these. We were thoroughly impressed and so we thought that:

“Penang must be CLEAN and GREEN, then.”

(After the whole trip, the reality slapped our faces, so many times) 

Reality said:

“Don’t expect too much of how Green and Clean Penang would be.”

Oh! Yeah, another advice to you is don’t trust the signboards around you. You will be fooled for nothing. This applies ONLY in Penang.

*This tourist is handsome, walking alone to only-he-knows-where, with his bagpack. We’re inspired to be like him throughout the whole trip. Change the bagpack part with handbags. Hehe*

Not long after a few minutes of waiting, Kak Dee arrived and sent us straight to the condominium where we were going to stay; Aina’s father penthouse homestay. She actually offered her car to us because she said it’s pretty hard to go many places by bus since we’re tourists. BUT we declined the offer. We said, in a smear of tone that sounded half arrogant and half innocent:

“We can find ways out nanti , Kak Dee. Don’t worry. We want to be like the tourist that we’ve seen before. Itu baru betul-betul tourist namanya.”

*The awesome and pretty KakDee. Much love from us* :)

Well. We regretted that we declined the offer, actually. You’ll know why while reading this blog till the end.

1.5: Tasting our first curry

Location: The Small Mamak Stall in front The Condo

Time     : Unidentified

Once we arrived at the condo, we were starving like mad, so we decided to find something to eat and in front of the condo, there is a stall. A roti canai stall.

The roti canai were the most delicious roti canai ever. The uncles there were nice to us. Somehow, we find it so funny that , in order to serve us the best they could, one of the uncles came to our table so many times to ask whether we are okay or not, ask for the order so many times to confirm. Our first impression towards anak mami - they were incredibly nice.

*behind our horror-struck faces is the condo that we stayed!*

Location: The penthouse

Time     : Unidentified. Who cares? We're too excited by now!

*We are excited in everything. Just everything. Even for the bed. We feel that even the bed also needs to be captured. Exaggerated much!*

1.6: Of Freaking Kueh Tiaw and Barren Bricks

Location: The penthouse

*Yawn! Stretch. Yawn! More stretching!

What a rest we had after an exhausting 8 hour train ride and 30 minute ferry ride. And with all the laughing and fooling around on the journey to Penang, who wouldn’t be?

So as soon as we got to our penthouse, a humble abode overlooking the beautiful and scenic sea and the Bridge, we all collapsed on the master bedroom’s 2 beds.

Turn on aircon to full blast!

Plug in phone chargers!

Fight over which bed to take!

Aaaaaand…

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz (until 1pm)

Time      : 1pm

We’re all soggy from sleep and a bit drained of energy. Hop into the shower, get dressed, put on some make-up for the people of Penang and voila! We are ready, refreshed and revitalized to see this historic state!

Before that we called the taxi first.

Aina: Hello? Yeah, nak teksi bole ah? Jelutong, Jelutong. (Hello, can I get a taxi? At Jelutong.)

Uncle: Lu mau teksi ah? Belapa orang? Kat mana lu mau? Pukul belapa ah? (You want a taxi? How many people? Where do you want it? And what time)

Aina: Lu cakap laju ma, I tak paham. 5 orang. Jelutong, Mutiara Heights. You tau ah? (You’re speaking too fast, I can’t understand. We’re 5 people. At Jelutong, Mutiare Heights. Do you know the place?)

Uncle: Oh Mutiara Heights. I tau I tau. Pukul 2 boleh ah? (Oh Mutiara Heights. I know it, I know it. Is 2 o’clock ok?)

Aina: Boleh boleh. Ok pukul 2. I tunggu kat gate Mutiara Heights ah? (Yes, 2 is ok. I’ll wait at the gate, ok?

Uncle: Ok boleh boleh. Lu tunggu ah? (Ok yes, yes. You just wait, ok?)

Aina: Ok ok terima kasih ah. (Ok, thanks yeah.)


And wait until 2pm.

*vain pictures of ourselves*

When it is already 2 o'clock, we went down to (yet again) wait for the taxi.

Which was late.

Half an hour late.

We were mad and dissatisfied. Akmar, then said:

“Ni lah dia janji Melayu”(Malay's promises).

-         Only to find out that the taxi driver is an Indian! Ironic.

z    Typical Malaysians, don’t have their watches set correctly. Grr.

So we asked Uncle Raja (the taxi driver) for a discount because he was late. Guess what? We got it! *Cue evil laugh.

Off to Padang Kota then!

Uncle Raja was talkative. Pointing us to sights along the way, making good conversation. I guess he liked us, we were an excited bunch!

When we got there, Uncle Raja (who was from Johor, just like Dayang) gave us his card and even some maps.

Be careful, he said.

We will! Thanks uncle! *wave




Location: Padang Kota

It's lunchtime!

We ate lunch by the sea. With the sea breeze in our faces and the smell of sea salt in our nostrils :D

People stared at us as we walked pass.

Why.

Maybe: 

1. We were acting all ‘tourist-like’ with our sunglasses and all
2.  We were 5 (cute?) girls without a single guy walking around
3. We laughed and talked loudly like the place was ours

Menu: Air nyior (pronounced: nyok), kuew tiaw kerang

Surprise surprise.

Not every food in Penang is GREAT. Some are GOOD. Some are good. Some are ok. Some are um, fine. And some, like the kuew tiaw kerang are EXPENSIVE!!

RM8 a plate for a measly plate of keuw tiaw kerang?! What, did you catch the kerang by yourself or something?

Grr.

None the less, we paid up. Our faces hiding the fact that we wanted to punch the guy in the face.

Next we went walking along the pier. Taking in the sights of the ocean, a cruise liner and some people on the streets.

After taking some photos with various landmarks (like the stone remembering who fought the war) and some pretty buildings nearby, we proceeded towards Fort Cornwallis.

Along the way we met an awesome group of uncles lounging about under the shade of some trees, some napping, others joking about. We said hi and they waved and returned the greeting! They even gave us a peace sign. Nice!

"Awesome uncles are awesome. Who said the elderly are dull and boring?*

So after taking a little break from walking by playing in the playground (yes, we played), we entered Fort Cornwallis. Near the playground, we saw trishaw drivers napping, mothers and fathers with their children and even a kid who was studying under a huge tree. It was a nice sight.

Except that we saw a little boy fall off a swing and hit his head! *Ouch. Where are the parents? Tsk tsk tsk.

Enter      : Fort Cornwallis

Entry fee: RM1

In here, we saw statues of Mr Francis Light, a plaque displaying Penang’s roots, some underground structure, a creepy chapel, a shooting house and some cannons!

*screw you Francis Light for conquering Penang!* ;[

There was also a big ship (not sure whether it is a model or the real thing).

After taking some pictures and devouring some ice cream (it was a hot day!), we headed out.