Beautiful Langkawi, Underwater World & Kilim Geo Park.

Romantic Meal during Sunset.  

Pantai Cenang and Pantai Tengah will be the best place for this. 

Recently I spend a few days at Langkawi, The Jewel of Kedah, Malaysia.  Cuti Cuti Malaysia People.  We drop by 2 Tourist Attraction, One Man Made which is the Under Water World and the other Natural Kilim Geo Park.  I will let the Photos do the talking.  

Penguin Feeding at Langkawi Underwater World 

Go at the right time you can witness this in 2 different Tanks 

Beautiful Corals in a Tank 

Pool View Hotel Room

Splurge a little in getting a Nice Room with a beautiful view.

Heading to the Boat at the Tanjung Rhu Jetty. 

Tanjung Rhu is part of the Kilim Geo Park.  

One of the Highlights of the Tour,  Eagles!  there are 2 types you will see,  

The Rare & Majestic White Bellied Eagles and the Reddish Brown Eagle

Passing through Mangrove Swamps along the River, You can see many wild animals! Monkeys, Lizards, Birds, Squirrels, Mud Crabs even Snakes and if lucky enough Crocodiles.  

Keep your hand inside the boat at all times. & Please do not feed any wild animals! 

Come at the Right Time for Low tide, You can pass through the Crocodile Cave, where there are many bats,  No Crocodile though.  

At the Floating Fish Farm, Pet and Feed a Sting Ray!

Keep your hands away from this giants.  

at the Bat Cave Jetty, Safety First, 

Ensure you put on your Safety Jacket! Before Departing

Waiting to Berth at the Bat Cave! 

Departing the Bat Cave! On ward to the next Stop

Kilim GeoForest Park Signage, Only visible from the Open Sea.

Selfie time!

#Kilim #Geoforest #Underwaterworld

Butterworth Padang - Event Minions in Butterworth

For more information of Butterworth Town Food click here

This Field is commonly know at “Butterworth Padang”, its official name is Dataran Pemuda Merdeka, or Padang Bandaran MPSP.  It’s located right at the centre of Butterworth, and was surrounded by Government Office, Hotels & Commercial Activities. 

During the British Colonial days this is where British Recreation Club, has it club house and activities are organised there.  Now the Building you see is the Dewan Dato Haji Ahmad Badawi, the father of our 5^th Prime Minister,  this is a multipurpose hall, for various activities

Currently various social activities from sports, festivals, parades are held here.  From 23^rd June to 3 September 2017  the Minions Outdoor Theme Event will be held here.      10am to 10pm, with Free Admission Despicable Me movies at 8pm Fri & Sat,  Despicable Me & Minions Products can be purchase.    

MPSP Office, Butterworth Town Branch

Butterworth Town Branch of the MPSP office, is located off Jalan Bagan Luar, at Taman Jawa.

Part Food Court and Part Office it offer a convenient location for you to pay you Municipal Bills

Buutterworth Magistrate Court is also located here .....  

Harbour Place Township .........

Harbour Place 

Picture here is Wellesley Residence 

Harbour Place is the name the largest Township (27 acres), a series of Apartments being built between Jalan Assumption / Jalan New Ferry, near Assumption Church by OSK Property / PJ Developments.  

Already Build and occupied are, Park View, Sea View, Ocean View.  

Park View Tower (the first phase) is a single 24 Story High rise condominium with swimming pool, gymnasium, typical unit size range from 850sqft to 1050sgft, consisting of 2,3 or 4 Bedroom units.  

Sea View Towers (the 2^nd phase) is a twin tower consisting of a 19 story and a 23 story tower, high rise condominium totalling around 350 units.  Typical unit size range from below 700sgft to 1800sgft, Facilities include sauna, gym swimming pool, squash court ….  This Phase was completed in 2008 

Ocean View Residence, completed in 2012, totalling around 380 units is a high end condominium which tower up to 30 stories.  Units size is from approx. 930 sqft to 1100sgft in total, Fracilities include a sundeck for each units, steam room, sauna,  reflexology path, bbq area, outdoor fitness, swimming pool, basketball court.  

Wellesley Residence, of around 400 units consists of 2 towers, one 27 stories, the other 30 stories, with units ranging in size from around 650sgft to 2000sgft.  Its was completed in mid 2014,  Facilities includes Sky Lounge and Gym, Pool,  Sauna & Steam Room, Jacuzzi, Reflexology Path etc  

Woodsbury Suites in the Background

The Latest addition is In 2017 Woodsbury Suites has been completed, this service apartment consists of two tower with the tallest tower at 40 Stories, making this tower the highest in Butterworth currently.   A total of 420 units is spread out across this two towers, with built up areat of 550sqft to 2270sqft, in 8 different layouts from studio to penthouses.  There is 6 commercial units fronting and with direct access to the Main Road (Jalan Chain Ferry),  This tower is bless with more then 700 car parks.  Other facilities includes pool, badminton court, media room, club house, gym, sauna & gym. swimming pool, bbq area. 

In progress at this date (june 2017) is Luminari…… a Service Apartment, as per their website its to be 34 stories high, with 77,000sqft of recreational and communal space   

The Final phase of this town ship is Suppose to be a 40 story Office Building, a 35 story 300 plus service apartment, and some commercial units. 

Photos of Penang Ferry

Penang Ferry is currently the shortest way to access to Penang Island from Butterworth by,  It’s the preferred way for those taking the Express Bus from Butterworth Sentral and via Train at the KTM Station. 

The Iconic Penang Ferry with another Icon in the Background,  Penang Komtar!

Connecting Pengkalan Raja Tun Uda (George Town) to Pengkalan Sultan Abdul Halim in Butterworth. The Journey is approx. 3.2 kilometers,  Many tourist will take the short ride over to experience this unique mode of transportation.  

Ferry at Butterworth Terminal.

For Vehicles,  one can take either of the Penang Bridge,  however the closest distance is again Via the Ferry.  However due to the frequency of the ferry,  Journey time may actually be longer. 

The current Penang Ferry, a Double Decker, Vehicular / Passenger Hybrid, is one of the famous Icon of Penang,  Instantly recognizable,  Vehicles  utilise the bottom and the top deck on a roll on / roll off concept while passenger are house on the top deck.  Originally the ferry was painted in a Betel Nut Orange Colour.  

Car Rolling In, Upper Deck

All this is believed to be started around 1920 by a private firm, making this the oldest ferry service in Malaysia.   however it is currently operated by the Penang Port and is due to be taken over by the company that owns and operate Rapid Penang Bus Service and rumors says will be Rename as RapidFerry.  Hopefully the Ferry Services will get much better and the wait time shorter, while maintaining the same charges.  

Panoramic Shot of the Ferry Interior Upper Deck

Currently if operates from 6am till Midnight daily, Current Charges (July 2017) are  RM1.20 for Adults, RM0.60 child,  you only pay at Butterworth side.  Moto vehicles From RM7.70 (Car)

upwards.

Ferry Interior (View of Pedestrian Seating) ,Upper Deck

Coming up at this location will be Penang Sentral,  which will be the Butterworth Transportation Hub,  Ferry, Rail, Taxi, Bus (both local and intercity) and Possible even Cable Car, and collocation with Butterworth UTC, a center where all may engage with governmental agency.  Penang Sentral is due to be ready soon.   (2018?)

Penang Sentral can be seen at the back

Penang Digital Library

Updates :  
As of 15th of January
Existing & New Members are
1.  Required to be at The Penang Digital Library to renew / obtain new e card number & pay in cash for Membership Fee.
2.  RM60, Student Rate RM30 ,  Pls note in Email send to me its not stated if it a one time payment or yearly fee.

The Penang Digital Library

The launching of the Penang Digital Library is a very commendable effort by the Penang State Government to inculcate a reading community.  However much more effort must be made to build up the number of titles available, and with more copies each. 

I sign up pre Xmas (free till 31 Dec 2016), and there is around 1k members at that time, each member is allowed 2 e books up to 7 days, which means 2000 e books & their copies can be borrowed, there is like 700 titles currently in total.  From what I browse through there seems to be one copy available each.   

Hi There, Join me in Exploring the Penang Digital Library, To join up you will have to visit the Library to Sign Up. 

The Location 

Along Jalan Masjid Negeri, Near the Jalan Air Itam Junction, as heading towards the bridge it’s on the left,  Turn in after the Library, then drive around the entire building to get to the entrance / car park. 

The Premise

A White Colonial Bungalow, with a “Love a Loaf” café, Office and the Library Proper on the ground floor, with Events/Discussion room above.  The Library itself has free wifi, and a few tablets/pads for you to read the Preloaded Magazines there (not loanable – the tablets and the magazines). 

To Sign Up

1. 1.      Bring along your devise to sign up,  As at Jan 2017 there will be an entrance / annual fee (Amount TBA)
2. 2.       See the Friendly Counter Staff and inform him you want to sign up and follow his / her instructions.   
3. 3.       Connect to the Free Library Wifi, go to Google Play and Down Load “Readcasa” App
4. 4.       Open it and Sign in with Google (I did) and key in the Member number 

Café  

Love a Loaf Café at the Digital Library, offers snacks (Bakery Product) and beverage.  Their range of good look interesting, with regular café pricing.  

The Penang Digital Library is located within the compound of the Penang Free School, there are also a number of schools within a short walk away.

How to Borrow a Book at the Penang Digital Library

1. 1.       Each Member can borrow up to 2 books 
2. 2.       Open Readcasa, there will be some news on the front page
3. 3.       Tap the menu, on top left, then select Digital Library
4. 4.       Tap the 2^nd menu on the right,  select Subjects 
5. 5.       All the subjects will be listed, select one
6. 6.       You will see all the book displayed
7. 7.       Here is when it get a bit frustrating currently,  for me at least as the books I want is not available
8. 8.       You will see the books for that subject,  feel free to browse
9. 9.       On top of each book, you will see Available or Wait List as the Book Status

a.       If Available you can borrow the book 
b.      If Wait List, you can request to be inform via e mail when the book is available  

1. 10.   Click on the book, you will get some information on the book, read a sample, and of course to borrow the book itself, by clicking on the Borrow button.
2. 11.   You have now borrow that Book for 7 days

   

How to Read a Book you have borrow from Penang Digital Library

1. 1.       Open Readcasa, 
2. 2.       Tap the menu, on the top left, select digital library
3. 3.       Tap the 3 book Icons,  on the right
4. 4.       You will see the book you have borrow, how many days left, 
5. 5.       Click on read now to read or
6. 6.       Click Return to return  to free up your quota 

Tow Boo Kong Temple, Raja Uda, Butterworth / 9 God Emperor

9 God Emperor Temple, Raja Uda, Butterworth

The Magnificent Tow Boo Kong Temple is the most famous Chinese place of worship in Butterworth due to 1. its strategic location along Jalan Raja Uda, 2. Its large entrance archway, 3.. the yearly Pre Chinese New Year Pasar Malam. 4. Its magnificent complex of beautifully decorated prayer halls, and finally its beautiful lanterns lit up nightly.  

Photograph Taken during a Night Visit 2016  

With a humble start in 1971 @ an attap house, it evolve to this magnificent temple by 2000.  Yearly the 9 God Emperor Festival is on the 9^th Day of the 9 Luna Month according the Luna Calendar.  During this time devotees will consume only fully vegetarian meals, which can be purchase at stalls around the temple.  Such Vegetarian Food which according to Chinese believe, are cooked without using onions, garlic, egg and milk.

At the Start of the Festival, the temple Mediums will invite the Gods Spirit to descend to earth, within the medium bodies (in a trance). The Finale of the Festival will involve devotees & mediums walking on fire / swords or even bathing in boiling oil,  without harm.  

Photograph Taken during Pre Chinese New Year Pasar Malam Night Visit  2016,  Note Change of Lanterns Colour  

Design Village, Penang Outlet Mall

The Name say it all, A Mall dedicated to Brand Names, Designers Products.  Design Village, Penang Outlet Mall is located at Bandar Cassia ,Batu Kawan, Seberang Prai Selatan.  Well design and planed, it offers Local, & Foreign Brands at discounted rates for shoppers to purchase to their heart content, all in one location.

Access to this place is convenient via the 2^nd Penang Bridge directly from Penang Island or Via the North South Highway for those travelling from the north or south. Facilities here includes massive car parks, public restrooms, children play area & Food and Beverage Outlets  .   

We drop by in Novetmber just a few days after it official opening,  about 50% of the shops were open, the others are work in Progress and should be fully open by 2017 according to the information given.  At that time discounts were pretty good.  The only Fast Food Outlet (a wendy) was doing good business.  X mas decoration was already up,  Giant X mas tree and snowman !  

  

My next visit will be in the Evening Pre Chinese New Year to check out their decoration, and their discounts for the festive season as well as to see the place in the evening, as friends say its much cooler and nicely lit up!

.