Trishaw Ride and Dim Sum

On the first day I came Penang, I saw this trishaw, so I always wanted to try ride on a trishaw. And today is the third day I’m on Penang, my friend and I were going some place where we’re not familiar with, and very fortunate a trishaw riding on our direction. I stop the rider, and told him where we want to go. He charges us RM15 for the ride, and off we go.

I’ve asked him how the trishaw business, he told me sometime good, sometime bad. When there is good business, he can ride up to 15 people perday, while for bad business day, he can ride ZERO people. Is very competitive, because I can see there are trishaw everywhere at George Town. When we start our journey, the trishaw rider needs to use his full energy to step on the bicycle paddle to make it go. This is not an easy job.

We’ve reach our destination after 15 minutes. We thank the trishaw rider, and I’ve took a photo with him as memory. He is a nice guy, when I pad on his back; he is sweating, poor guy. Some need to work very hard for a living, and this is one of the examples, I respect him and wish him all the best.

Then we went to one of the famous shop, my friend want to buy Buddha statue. After shopping, we went to the nearby coffee shop to have “dim sum” I love the “dim sum” here. I’m too greedy order too much and barely finish it.


My friend and I need to go Mei Chen Xiang, a place to buy Buddha Statue. Is a long way to walk, and there come a trishaw. I wave at the trishaw rider, and tell him our destination. He charge us RM15, beside that he also offer us a package, he will ride us roam George Town with RM50.


He had decorated his trishaw, to beautify it. Make it more attractive, some of the trishaw even come with police sirens and music!!!


Along the way, the trishaw rider told me that sometime if the business is good, he can ride 50 people in one day, but when the business is bad, ZERO people.


This is a friendly guy, I forgot to ask him name. He has a ear piercing which is very cool.


A photo with the friendly rider, when I pad on his back he was sweating.


I was hungry, after my friend bough his statue. We went to a nearby restaurant to have breakfast, I order some dim sum.


This is the meat bum~~yum~~crispy on the outside, soft on the inside. I love it :)


My dim sum


My friend are vegetarian, so I have to finish all of this.


It looks like they’re closing, after we finish our breakfast, continue to explore around George Town.

My Visitation to Pulau Jerejak

The name Pulau Jerejak, was given by fisherman who lived on the island. Long before it gained its alias as the Alcatraz of Malaysia, because of the Jerejak Prison. This 362ha island is located between the Penang Main Island and Seberang Prai. It's an island rich with history, flora and fauna.




Francis Light
This island though not as famous compared to other islands in Malaysia, has had its fair share of auspicious historical events. Francis Light, Founder of Penang was said to have arrives in Pula Jerejak in early 1786 before heading on to Penang.




Jerejak made it's debut in colonial records when colonel Arthur Wellesly of Wellington, England, proposed that the island act as an alternative naval base to Fort Cornwallis in 1797. The military post in Jerejak was suppose to provide protection for the new town opposite Jerejak, which was to be called Jamestown, now known as Bayan Lepas.




However a sudden outbreak of Malaria caused for a delay in plans. It is believed that the outbreak was a result of clearing the jungle. It was during this time that George Town emerged as a profitable port. Thus the turn Jerejak into a naval base was aborted.




Quarantaine Centre
In order to stimulate the growth of Penang, Francis Light allowed immigrants to claim whatever they could clear thus causing Penang to be flooded with immigrants. As a precaution, these immigrants were first sent to Jerejak for health inspection. In the year 1910, Jerejak was made a health quarantine centre for immigrants planning to go to the main island.




After passing the health check, they were sent to Penang to work. Later in the late 1930's, the British Empire built a hospital for patients with Tuberculosis that could house 150 patients at one time. This was located at the eastern part of the island.




The Russian Cemetery
Jerejak saw military action during the World War II, when a German submarine attacked a Russian naval vessel. It is believed that Jerejak was the site for a German submarine base from June 1943 to March 1944.




In the book entitled History of the USA Naval Operations in World War Two, S.E. Morison wrote that German U-boats sunk about 18 ships in the Indian Ocean. A ceremonial cemetery dedicated to the Russian soldiers still remains on the island, where however, no records indicate that actual bodies were buried at that site.




A Penal Colony
The Jerejak Rehabilitation Centre began operating from 12 June 1969 to August 1993 with its batch of inmates. This first batch consisted of those detained during the 13th May 1969 race riots.




In it's one and only internal riot incident in 1981, The Jerejak Rehabilitation Centre was rampaged when about 100 inmates rioted in the prison, destroying several buildings. The riot was caused by dissatisfaction over decision to lengthen the service period of inmates.




The following years, saw an upsurge in drug related convictions that resulted in the highest number of detainees in Jerejak, 982 to be exact.




As a security measure, fisherman from nearby island were given strict instructions to keep a distance of 200 metres from the beach area of Jerejak. However, 7 inmates still managed to plan a getaway. The escapees were inmates who worked outside the prison area and were nearly finishing their sentences. The first escape incident in January 1988, saw 4 inmates 'leaving' the island while the second incident in May 1988 saw 3 inmates flee. The exact escape routes of these inmates still remains a mystery.




In it's course of closing down the prison, 900 detainees were transferred to prisons in Johor. The first transfer involved 100 detainees whom were sent to Muar Prison, Johor. The following transfers were in groups of about 60 detainees and were all stationed at the Simpang Ranggam Prison, Johor.
The last group left on 13 August 1993.




Nowadays there's a beautiful resort on the island. It's called "Jerejak Resort & Spa".
It's very quiet and you can relax all day. In the daytime you can go visit the main island of Penang or you can do outdoor activities on Jerejak. In the evening you can't do much on Pulau Jerejak, because there a no roads or villages. There's just the resort. All that's left is the the island of Penang.




In the daytime adventure village of the resort is where you go for outdoor action on Pulau Jerejak. Take it to the limits with abseiling, rock climbing, mountain biking or take to nature with fishing, jungle trekking or camping under the stars. The recreational facilities such as rock and wall climbing, low ropes obstacles and archery are ideally situated next to the Adventure Village for easy access.

Penang Ferry Service

Penang Ferry Service is the oldest ferry service in Malaysia. The famous ferry service connects Sultan Abdul Halim ferry terminal in Butterworth to Raja Tun Uda ferry terminal at Weld Quay in George Town in Penang Island. The ferry service began operation in 1920, under the management of a Chinese-owned company. However, today, it is jointly operated by the Penang Port Commission (PPC) and Penang Port Sdn Bhd. For the ferry rate are Adults RM1.20, and Children age between 1 to 12 RM0.60.

This is my second day at Penang, and after a long day of roaming in the cities of George Town. I then plan to take some shoots of the Penang bridge. The time now is 07:03pm, and the sky is still very bright. My friend and I went to the Raja Tun Uda ferry terminal queue up to depart to the next ferry. While waiting, I boot up my laptop and transfer all the photos to free some memory. The ferry goes back and forth every 15 to 30 minutes, and I’ve board the 07:15pm ferry. The haze causes me can’t get a clear shoot of the Penang Bridge which is very disappointed. When I’m half way to Butterworth, I look back Penang Island. Love the dusk scene, Penang Jetty had been cover by a thin haze, which make the scene feels more mystery. It took us around 30 minutes to cross to Butterworth. My friend and I were tired after walking the whole day. We sat at the bus terminal and rest. The time was 07:50pm, I don’t know where to go. On my map I saw there’s a shopping center called “The Summit”, I wake up my friend and board the bus to The Summit. To get there it took us 50 minutes bus ride, when we reach the place it was closing. We went in, and took as many shoots as I can. Then we get in the bus and went back to the ferry terminal.

From the Terminal to The Summit, bus rate RM1.00. From The Summit to Ferry Terminal bus rate RM2.00. To get back to George Town, we need to pay RM1.20 each. I pay a RM1 note to the ticket counter, but he gave me back two RM0.50 coins. I was curious why he do that, and then I just realize that this is not like KL. They don’t issue a ticket or card; we need to insert the coin into the machine to get into the Terminal. The time was 10:00pm, my friend and I was on our way back to George Town. I’ve shoot a lot of night scene, I can’t stable my camera so I set it ISO400 to get a faster shutter. My photos suck because of the high noise level.

Is a good experience with the ferry service. I’ve shot a Panorama photo of the Jetty, hope you guys enjoy my dear readers. :)


This is the Raja Tun Uda ferry terminal at Weld Quay in George Town.


On our way to the Ferry Terminal, there’s a lot of stalls along the way. Penang famous with their Tau Sar Pnah, which is a local delicacy at Penang, and it can be found on most of the stalls here.


One of the ferry park on the terminal here


To enter to the ferry, the ferry is a double deck ferry. The lower deck is for vehicles, while the upper deck is for people.


Sunset on the ferry terminal


Inside the upper deck of the ferry, the people live at Butterworth have to either cross the Penang bridge (with toll) or use ferry to cross over to Penang Island, which personal I think is very troublesome.


sunset on the Penang Island


Penang is a beautiful place for photography


Due to the haze, I can’t take a clear shoot on the Penang bridge


Reaching Butterworth


Crossing over to Butterworth is free of charge, but we need to pay RM1.20 each for going back to the Penang Island


My friend and I took a bus to The Summit shopping center at Butterworth


and it cost us RM1.00 each, we’re using Rapid Penang, is one of the bus services


After a 50 minutes bus ride, we had reach our destination


but the place will be closing at 9:00pm, I hurry take as many photos as I can for memories. Then we took the bus back to the ferry terminal, but this time it cost us RM2.00 each.


The ride last about 30 minutes, with non-stop along the way


We have to pay RM1.20 for getting to Penang Island. They accept coins only, so we can get small change at the ticket counter


This is the terminal, but much people left


night scene of Penang Island, sorry for the high noise level, I can’t get a stable shoot inside the ferry so I have to set my camera ISO level to 400, I have to get myself a better camera :(


From the look of their face, they are all tired after a day of hard work, from the look of my shaky hand, I’m tired after a long day of non-stop photos shotting.


Yeah!!! I love Penang, we’ve reach George Town again


Now where is my map??? we live at a Budget Hotel called the “75 Travellers Lodge” (strongly recommended by Lonely Planer guide book). Is at Lebur Muntri, and estimate 25 minutes walking distant from the Jetty. Good Night my dear readers, see you guys tomorrow morning ;)


Panorama View of the Jetty

Lunch @ Annalakshmi – The Culinary Arts Centre of The Temple of Fine Arts

In Annalakshmi, as the name goes—food is revered. Anna means “food” and Lakshmi is the presiding deity. So, the food served in Annalakshmi is “Prasad” - a sanctified offering. Almost all Annalakshmi outlets world over runs on this concept of “Eat as you want, Give as you Feel”. During my stay at Penang, I was fortunate enough to visit this place.



TFA means Temple of Fine Arts. They are a group of artistic and charitable organization dedicated to serving the society through arts, music and dance. And they has seldom been a fixed price for the show tickets.



So I’ve google on Annalakshmi, and Annalakshmi is the Hindu Goddess of Food and the adage "athithi devo bhava" meaning "the Guest is God" is the motivating factor.



Annalakshmi on the Swan has been a household name for more than a decade in India, Malaysia, Singapore and Australia. It is largely run through the work of voluntary staff that includes mothers and grandmothers all of whom know what it takes to prepare a wholesome meal with homely love.
It is guided by the inspiration of a monk, Swami Shantanand Saraswathi, disciple of Swami Sivananda of Rishikesh.



A Hindu monk once left the shores of India and founded the concept of Annalakshmi - The Indian Vegetarian Restaurant, in Malaysia.



From Malaysia, the concept of serving humanity through the arts spread to neighbouring Australia. Here on the banks of the Swan, Annalakshmi has found a new abode to serve the community.



Here at Annalakshmi, the food is prepared and served with love and the undiminished notion of service to humanity.



Volunteer staff strives to touch the hearts of our guests everyday.The Hindu monk behind the wonder that is Annalakshmi is Swami Shantanand Saraswathi (or Swamiji), who has inspired us to serve you our dear guests.



Through your generosity you not only give us the honour and privilege to serve you with the culinary and performing arts but also allow us to help the underprivileged in India via The Temple of Service, providing free food and medical services.



All of the food here are Vegetarian, and Annalakshmi is an international chain of vegetarian restaurants that augments its dining experience by showcasing Indian arts and handicrafts as well as cultural dance and music performances.



I like the food here, and the volunteer staff are friendly. When you’re at Penang, this is a place highly recommended for dinning.