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.

Visitation to Penang's snake temple

The fame of Penang's snake temple goes back a long way. Two postcards which are believed to date back to the 40s show the temple's altar replete with coiled snakes.

During its heyday, the temple reputedly drew hundreds of local and foreign visitors daily. The scene inside the temple and outside was one of festivity, what with the many stalls selling souvenirs and other items, and the temple hall jam packed with devotees and visitors.



Even today, thousands of devotees make a trip to this "Temple of the Azure Cloud" or "Pure Cloud Temple" (as it is called) during the birthday celebrations of the resident deity, Chor Soo Kong which occurs thrice yearly, on the 6th days of the first, sixth and eleventh months of the lunar calendar respectively.

Local devotees as well as those from as far away as Europe and neighbouring countries in Asia bring offerings of candles, incense and eggs (for the snakes).



Holding aloft sticks of burning incense like bouquets of flowers, devotees turn their gaze heavenward and utter silent yet fervent prayers and making personal wishes. If faith can move mountains, then the large turnout during the deity's anniversary must surely be testament to his powers in working miracles.
In case you were wondering, the names of the temple were crafted to honour Penang's beautiful blue skies.


Beginnings

A monk journeying to Penang from China in the 1800s had in his possession the statue of a famous deity called Cheng-Swee Chor-Soo or Chor Soo Kong, whose name means "an eminent historic figure who is continuously revered by a community generation after generation".



The monk also brought with him myths and legends of this particular deity's power in healing sickness and granting favours to believers. Thus when British resident David Brown (owner of Glugor Estate) heard of this deity and was subsequently cured of an illness in 1873 after praying to him, he donated a tract of land so a temple may be built in homage of the deity who healed him. It is on this land which the Snake
Temple has stood for over a century.

The architecture of the temple is a design commonly found in Southern China. Three dimensional sculptures constructed using a technique knows as Chien Nien (cut and paste) from shards of coloured porcelain decorate the roof.



Legend has it that after the temple was built, snakes from the surrounding forest mysteriously appeared in the building. Sensing this phenomenon as a good omen, the monk immediately gave shelter to the snakes and allowed them to take up residence in the sacred halls. They were even allowed to breed.

A 600 pound bell made in China during the Manchurian Dynasty (1886) still hangs in the main hall. It is rung on the 1st and 15th days of every month of the Chinese calendar to invite the denizens of heaven and hell to pray.


The temple now

Up till today snakes are still found in the temple, although in slightly lesser numbers than before. This is not due to bad omens, but to rapid development around the area which disturbed the natural habitat of the snakes. To help overcome this decline in viper population, devotees donate snakes to the temple on Chor's feast days.



Pit vipers are the only species found. Although vipers are venomous and aggressive, those in the temple appear docile. Devotees say the thick clouds of incense smoke act as a tranquilliser. This is apparently true as the snakes appear to be motionless, even asleep. Be that as it may, one should still handle the snakes (if one wants to!) gently and with care.

Interestingly, a photographer who specialises in snapshots of visitors posing with snakes was spotted milking venom from reluctant vipers one morning! His fees are RM30 for two 5R snaps which can be ready in a few minutes. A collage of some of his photographs is displayed.



A corridor beside the temple houses several cages with fully grown vipers. Just next to these cages is a small altar bearing the Deity of Prosperity & Moral.Some time back, the temple was expanded by the addition of another hall at the back of the original temple. This new wing was built in honour of Kuan Yin, the Goddess of Mercy.
The administration and upkeep of the temple is taken care of by the Hokkien Kongsi, a body which comprises four trustees from each of the five clan houses in Penang, namely Cheah, Khoo, Lim, Tan and Yeoh. The Hokkien Kongsi have been appointed as caretakers of five temples in Penang, including of course, the snake temple.



Chanting of the sutras begin at 5am daily, and the temple doors open to visitors at 6am. Usual closing time is 7pm. Admission to the temple is free. Depending on traffic situations, a bus ride from Komtar to the snake temple should take about 30 minutes.


Who was Chor Soo Kong?

Chor was born in Fujian during the reign of the Song Dynasty (960-1276). He became a Buddhist young at a very young age and lead an ascetic life on Gao-Tai mountain. During a journey to attain spiritual enlightenment, he encountered Zen Master Ming-Song on Da-Jing Mountain. Three years later he returned to Gao-Tai where he provided free medical services to the community and to the needy.

In 1073, Qing-Xi in Fujian was stricken by a severe drought. To the rescue came Chor, whose intervention and prayers brought rains and saved the crops.



Grateful for his help, the community built a monastery in his honour called Cheng Swee Giam, or The Rock of Clean water. He continued to help and to heal until he died at the age of 65. It is said that he died in an upright position.


Why does Chor have a black face?

There are two explanations on the colour of Chor's countenance. One tells of his encounter with demons who tried to cook him. Although he was not harmed, the soot blackened his face. Realising that they were in the presence of a great man, the demons quickly became Chor's followers, faithfully assisting him in his noble endeavours.

Another story describes how during Chor's search for medicinal herbs, he accidentally ingested some poisonous herbs which forever altered his facial tone.
Since then, devotees have always looked upon Chor's black face as a symbol of compassion and sacrifice for others.The statue of Chor is located in the main temple hall

Morning Walk George Town Penang

I didn’t sleep well last night, the room temperature are too cold. The reception didn’t give us the remote, and had preset the temperature to 16°C. So my friend and I woke up early, we’re starving.



We then roam around the town area to look for a place for breakfast, the shops here only operate at 9am, and some are 10am.



If we’re at Kuching now, the coffee shop had start operate from 6am.



When at George Town, I was like walking in a history class. Most of the buildings have this British looks, and is like walking in a history class.



I’ve walk in some very old temple for photos, and when asked about the history, most of them are over 100 years old. :O



Trishaw service are everywhere at George Town, the price range can be around RM5 to RM10 for one trip.


The population from what I can see, Chinese had the most, and then Malay and India are even.



Most of the Chinese here speak Hokian, but the ways they speak are different from how we speak at Sarawak.



My friend and I had no direction, don’t know where are we going.


We just keep on walking, we have reach a place where they have many stalls. Is just like Sunday Market at Kuching, but the difference is that they operate everyday.


They sell fruits, local delicacy, food, foot wear, clothes, meat, fish, you name it, they have it.



Stop here, cause finally we found a place for us for breakfast…

Day 1 @ Penang - CATHAY HOTEL

I reach Penang around 10.30pm, my friend and I choose to stay at George Town area. George Town was founded in 1786 by Captain Francis Light, a trader for the British East India Company, as base for the company in the Malay States. He obtained the island of Penang from the Sultan of Kedah and built Fort Cornwallis on the north-eastern corner of the island. The fort became the nexus of a growing trading post and the island's population reached 12,000 by 1804. Why do I want to choose George Town, cause on July 8, 2008 George Town, Penang was added to Unesco's World Heritage List.


After roaming around George Town with my travel buddy, we decided to stay in this very unique looking hotel, is called Cathay Hotel.


Sandwiched between the hectic Jalan Penang and the backpacker strip of Lebuh Chulia, Lebuh Leith is a relatively quiet and unassuming street. The Cathay Hotel here is an old whitewashed colonial-era villa, set a little back from the street in its own little courtyard.


Stepping inside is like walking into the past, with many of the building's original features having been restored, including the tiled floors and carved woodwork.


It's a friendly place and there are a number of different rooms to choose from; some have attached bathrooms with both bath and shower, others have shared facilities. Rooms are large and simple, but perfectly comfortable and a bargain at these prices.


Those on the ground floor nearest reception may be subject to noise however; ask for one at the back.


The Cathay hotel is located in a very nice white colonial building. The rooms are big and are very basic decorated. We paid RM 80 for a 3 persons room.


That's very cheap and it was value for money. The rooms are clean but not maintained so the bathroom looks definitely 'shabby' because everything turned old.


Another downturn is that it's opposite the night market so it does get very noisy.


I asked the reception how long is this hotel. Well is over 100 years, and it had been operate as a hotel for over 70 years. But RM80 for one night is kinda expansive, so my friend and I had decided to change to a B&B Hotel tomorrow.

Sunday Market @ Satok Kuching

There will be a worshiping ceremony on the coming weekend at the Buddhist temple, I company my friends to Sunday Market to buy fruits. There is a little boy at the fruit stall helping his mom. He has dark skin, and short hair. His math is good; he can calculate our fruits price without using the calculator. I was impress =O my math sucks.


Sunday Market start at Saturday evening 3pm onwards, till Sunday 12pm. The stall are cheap, my friend who has a stall there told me it only cost around a few dollar a day to rent the place.


The fruit stall owner dig all the fruits out, and repack into small packing.


This is the smart kid. I ask how is the apple? He just smile, then I asked him again, if the apple is not sweet, can I change it with you? He smile, and give me a shy look. Hahaha… is nice to talk to kids.


We’ve survey all the pricing first before buying them, Sunday Market at Satok Kuching is the best place to get fresh fruits.

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I'm at Penang now for half month 22July till 06Aug. I’ll miss Kuching :( this is the first time going to Penang.