Part II - Over the bridge~ Penang Island

Day Two 30 August 2009

The breeze from the nearby sea was so good that we slept so soundly the night before. When we got up, we expected a nice day as we headed to Kek Lok Si Temple at Air Hitam. After breakfast we took a 15-min drive to the temple, but such disappointment as it started drizzling again. We didn't want to comment much since we were going to a holy place. Along our way to the entrance of the temple, we saw many people were burning joss paper and incents for the dead in front of their village home. Apparently during ghost month, the weather tend to be rainy, marking anniversary death for all the dead - must be solemn.

We spent almost an hour plus in temple - firstly because we got lost inside; it was like a maze! We wanted to take the tram ride to see Kuan Yin statue but can't be seen anywhere. We managed to find the way to the tram ride, which was inside the souvenir shop! Crazy isn't it? I don't think anyone would realise that unless they have a tour guide. We got to the top and only to see Kuan Yin is sheltered inside halfway built constructed pillars. But I heard it was under construction since last year and the condition doesn't seem to improve. So we couldn't take a beautiful photo with Her. Yes, you may ask wasn't it drizzling that time? Ha, it was sunny shine and drizzle at the same time, that was why we could take pictures still. We took the chance that we might as well catch sick. But thank God, we are back in one piece, healthy!

After being all sticky and all, dear and I were all geared up to attempt another tram trip at Bukit Bendera a.k.a Penang Hill which was nearby the temple. It was already 12noon. We had to take a 30-min tram ride to the peak, just like the one in Hong Kong however I felt this tram ride was much longer and frustrating as their service was poor and horrifying ride. It only proved to us that the tram can break down at anytime which I heard rumors it did broke down many time previously which is why now, they had implemented transit trams for safety purposes. The higher we got, the cooler the air is. Downfall in this ride is that only 4 persons get the chance to sit, while the rest has to stand up and cramp like sardine! Silly I would say, no wonder the tram break down!!! Well, nothing much on top of the hill, except fresh good air and one nice panoramic view of Penang - you can see Penang developments from here and it's simply an eye-opener for us. Dear and I had our lunch at one of the stall opened at the corner and hung around for a bit and left for our next ride down the hill.

Feeling quite tired, we decided to head back to the hotel. I wanted to go the beach but the weather as you may all know was wet and damp all time. Nevertheless we took a slow drive to Batu Ferringgi in search for nicer beach area than Tanjung Bunggah and also a place we thought we might have dinner later at night. Along Batu Ferringgi there were many huge bungalows and 5-star hotels and it felt like Miami. Well, there is a house development named after Miami Bay, boy oh boy, the place is really what is said! For the rich and famous, so I've heard mostly owned by expatriates and holiday makers. With a good map in our mind, we know where we were going later at night, we drove back to the hotel and had a short nap.

At about 7-ish, we were at Batu Ferringgi to dine. We decided to try some seafood from a restaurant along the street where the bazaar was. The food was average, nothing to shout about really, we thought we could have eaten better seafood back in KL or Melaka. Perhaps we chose the wrong restaurant! Oh well~ After dinner, we went for a walk along the bazaar. I noticed the stalls were mostly selling pirated DVDs!!! Such an embarrassment to oversea tourists. I got myself a sun-dress which only cost RM24 after negotiating with the shop owner whom was rather stubborn. I also bought two fridge magnets which was a rare item because it is flat and has classic Coca Cola advertisements. It was almost 10pm and we headed back to the hotel.

The next day....

We had our last breakfast by the poolside and you know what, the weather was bright and sunny. Of all time it became a bright torch. Dear wanted to go to the Fort so much since the first day it rained badly...So we finally drove there and took some photos at the Fort. He left the Fort smiling wide. *happy right* We left Penang Island at 11.3oam to avoid heavy traffic later day. We reached KL city at 3pm feeling refresh and happy :)