2
Content April 2012 + May 2012
2
Editor Speaks
5
Jive with Fun
7
Blossoming indie art-deco cafes
9
If These Wall Could Speak... Hong Kong Bar
10 Reviving the Kebaya 11 YB Choice : Hokkien Mee 12 Pearl Palatables by Helen Ong 15 Wesak & Easter Celebrations 16 Meet artists in Penaga
32 Pulau Payar dish, also served
21 Taiping Beacons 24 Stunning Sunset Cruise - Tropical Charters
@ The Cliff Langkawi
26 where2 Salutes Pioneer Tour Agents 30 Award Winning Green Hotel - The Frangipani Resort & spa 32 Sunset Sips at The Cliff
Listing & Essential Info 3
‘Selamat Datang’ to the Pearl of Orient
4
Fact File Penang
6
Penang’s Tourism Attractions
8
Penang’s Heritage Hotels
21 16
14 Come Stay with Me...Penang 18 Map of Penang 22 Welcome to Magical Langkawi 26 Langkawi’s Tourist Attractions 27 Map of Langkawi 29 Come Stay with Me...Langkawi
Plus 24-page pull out, “The Good Food Guide”
In
Penang April + May 2012
1
2
EDITOR Speaks “A
year on, it’s time to reflect on Check out this issue’s Penang Good how where2 has fared; what our Food Guide for a good eat. When readers feel about our bimonthly you visit Langkawi, bring along the sister Langk awi Quality travel and lifestyle magazine. Dining Guide published in the February-March issue. Download To gauge feedback, we invite readers to post comments on our both e-copies from our Facebook Facebook @ where2 magazine. page. The top three best-written comments receive meal or night- Read the story on Kaapcai Café. It stay vouchers; courtesy of our is a typical make-over of pre-war sponsors. ‘Like’ our Facebook for houses into new ‘indie’ cafes and backpacker inns. George Town’s details. inner city is livelier. This issue celebrates the magazine’s second year of operations. In it, we We hope you have fun reading this take on a new look; fresh masthead, magazine and the previous five readable font, and pack it with issues of where2, as much as we listings of boutique heritage hotels enjoy producing it. and tourism attractions, food tips and bite-size info to help you make better choices where to live, play, dine, and shop.
Editor: K.Y. Pung (pungwhere2@gmail.com)
2
Sales & Marketing: Q Yoong Ravin Krishnan Contributors: Lillian Tong Helen Ong Khoo Boo Lim John Chin Noor Hayati Photographer Q Yoong Photo Courtesy of www.visitpenang.gov.my Tourism Malaysia Penang Langkawi Development Authority (LADA) Northern Corridor Implementation Authority (NCIA) Art & Design Pen’ Ads (M) Sdn Bhd PR Design Printer: Eastern Printers (BM) Sdn Bhd (13338-U) Lot 100884, Mk 15, Jalan Rozhan, Alma 14000 Bukit Mertajam, Penang. T: +604 552 2833 F: +604 552 2832 E: info@easternprinters.com W: www.easternprinters.com KDN No: PQ1780/C/50
“
Publisher: Niche Forte Communications Sdn Bhd 18-31-B, Gurney Tower Persiaran Gurney 10250 Penang T: +604 226 1255 F: +604 226 9255 E: info.where2@gmail.com Connec Connect With Us Online facebook where2-Magazine TTwitter where2Mag w Disclaimer: All rights reserved. where2 makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information it publishes, but cannot be responsible or liable in any way for the contents of the advertisements, articles, photographs or illustrations contained in this publication. The opinion and statements of contributions in where2 do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher, Niche Forte Communications Sdn Bhd. where2 reasonably assumes that all articles are factual and not plagiarised or intentionally libellous and are not responsible for error and omission. The editorial team reserves the right to edit all materials for publication. Reproduction of material from where2 in any form is strictly prohibited without the written permission of the publisher.
2
April + May 2012
2
Selamat
Datang
(Welcome) to Penang,
the Pearl of the Orient.
A
s you will see, this April-May issue is chock-full with our features on the multi-cultural celebrations such as the Taoist’s All-Soul’s Day, Buddhist’s Wesak, Christian’s Easter, Sikh’s Vasaki and Thai’s Songkran water festival.
Besides, there are numerous places that we like to recommend you to go, if you are a visitor to Penang.
You can get close and mix with the locals as they partake in the interesting cultural events.
Of course, where2 will direct you to our helpful Fact File on Page 4 should you wish to plan your own. We did that just for you.
If not, pick up where2 for tips on where to celebrate or browse the magazine for a good read in your quiet time.
Welcome
Just in case you are not aware, we are in our second year of operation now.
Getting There
PENANG By Air:
Penang is one of the hubs for the Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand growth triangle.It also has air links with major capitals of the region such as Singapore, Medan Bangkok, Hong Kong, Banda Aceh, Guangzhou, Jakarta, Phuket, Taipei and Surabaya.
The Penang International Airport is 16km away from bustling George Town. There is also a bus service from the airport to town and to the touristy Batu Ferringhi beach.
By Sea: You can get to the island from the mainland Seberang Prai by the colourful ferries, which cater for both passengers and vehicle. One way charges are levied and collected at the Sultan Abdul Halim terminal in Butterworth. There are regular boat services between Penang-Medan and Penang-Langkawi. The Swettenham Port caters to International and regional cruise liners.
Trishaw:
By Rail: The service connects those travelling from the south to Butterworth, onwards to the border town of Padang Besar and Bangkok, Thailand. Train Tickets are also available at the ticketing station next to the Pengkalan Tun Uda ferry terminal on the island.
By Bridge: The opening of the Penang Bridge in 1985 has made the island more accessible. The journey by car across the bridge now takes less than 13 minutes.
Taxis: Although there are stickers indicating no haggling of fares are permitted most taxi drivers still ignore the ruling. Ensure the meter is switched on or agree on the fare before you board the taxi.
These tricycles are once known as the “King of the Road” a decade ago. Hop onto one of them to enjoy a slow ride through the busy town anytime of the day. There is no standard fare, but make sure you agree on the fare before jumping in.
Buses: The Hop-on-free Central Area Transit (CAT) takes visitors around the George Town city for free. The service is available every 15 minutes from 6am until midnight. It plies between Pengkalan Weld at the harbour area ea and Komtar, making 19 stops ops within the heritage enclave. Check out the rapidPENANG Bus Routes Guide at www.rapidpg.com.my/ journey-planner/route-maps. ner/route maps.
016-4191717 April + May 2012
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2
Fact File
You Must Have
Emergencies
Check out attractions in the GEORGE TOWN UNESCO HERITAGE ENCLAVE. You will certainly find Penang’s heritage attractions a joy to behold. Best surveyed on foot or by trishaw, it will take about two hours to complete this historic trail which takes you to the oldest civic buildings and religious institutions in the region. The Trails:
The Trails Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion Lebuh Leith Pinang Peranakan Mansion Lebuh Gereja Goddess of Mercy, Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling Little India Lebuh Pasar Mahamariamman Temple Lebuh Queen Teochew Temple Lebuh Chulia Kapitan Keling Mosque Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling Yap Kongsi Lebuh Armenian Dr. Sun Yat-Sen’s Penang Base Lebuh Armenian Islamic Museum ( Syed Alatas Mansion) Lebuh Armenian Malay Mosque Lebuh Acheh
Australia Austria Bangladesh Britain Canada Denmark Finland France Germany Hungary India Indonesia Japan Netherlands Sweden and Norway Thailand
04 263 3320 04 656 8525 04 262 1085 04 227 5336 04 389 3300 04 262 4886 04 229 4300 04 262 2944 04 647 1288 04 643 3901 04 250 5000 04 226 7412 04 226 3030 04 647 3333
Tourism Enquiries Tourism Malaysia, Komtar 04 261 0058
Seh Tek Tong Cheah Kongsi Lebuh Armenian
Tourism Malaysia, Jalan Tun Syed Sheh Barakbah 04 262 0066
State Legislative assembly house Lebuh Light City Hall Jalan Padang Kota Lama Court Buildings Lebuh Farquhar St George’s Church Lebuh Farquhar Penang State Museum & Art Gallery Lebuh Farquhar
April + May 2012
Hospital (Island) Penang Hospital Bagan Specialist Centre Penang Adventist Hospital Gleneagles Medical Centre Island Hospital Lam Wah Ee Hospital Loh Guan Lye Specialist Centre Mount Miriam Cancer Malaysia Tanjung Medical Centre
Hospital (Mainland) Hospital Bukit Mertajam Hospital Kepala Batas Hospital Seberang Jaya
999 112 100 101 103 04 269 1999 04 899 3222
04 222 5333 04 332 2800 04 238 8888 04 227 6111 04 228 8222 04 657 1888 04 238 8888 04 890 7044 04 226 2323
04 538 3333 04 562 3333 04 382 7333
Airlines 04 226 3459 04 226 8029
Khoo Kongsi Medan Cannon
Fort Cornwallis Lebuh Light
4
Foreign Consulate
Emergency Emergency (when using mobile phone) Operator Service Operator Assisted Calls (Domestic & International) Directory Enquiries Penang Police Penang Tourist Police
Tourism Malaysia Penang Office 04 262 0202 Penang Heritage Centre 04 261 6606 Penang Global Tourism 04 634 0285
Penang International Airport Malaysia Airlines Air Asia Cathay Pacific Airway China Airlines China Southern Airlines Thai Airways Jentayu Airlines Korean Airlines Lion Airlines
04 643 4411 1300 88 3000 03 2171 9333 04 226 0411 04 228 6227 04 227 8177 04 226 6000 04 645 5106 04 644 2099 04 641 5144
Taxi CT Radio Taxi Services (George Town) Island Taxi and Tours (George Town) Maju Jaya Transportation Cooperative (Butterworth) Penang Taxi Driver’ Association (George Town) Taxi Driver’s Cooperative (Bayan Baru)
General Enquiries Customs Department 04 262 2300
Train
Immigration Department 04 250 3410
Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) - Butterworth - Pengkalan Weld Jetty
04 229 9467 04 226 6690 04 323 2045 04 262 5721 04 642 5961
04 331 2796 04 261 0290
2
Jive with
Fun
Words by Ravin Krishnan
There, a keyboardist with a southern American drawl rolls out a set of country and western classics such as ‘Hey, Good Looking’ and perennial favourite, ‘The Gambler’. At interval, a Thai trio of singers and dancers dressed in tight fitting matching outfits, burn through a set ranging from up tempo Chinese dance numbers to slow English classic ballads, all delivered with gusto and synchronised dance moves.
F
ood court is where you find almost all of Penang’s famous street food in one place. It is where you have a good meal and be serenaded with songs from live performers, tickled with laughter by witty banter of stand-up comedians; that is if you stay on for afterdinner entertainment after 8pm.
Food court operators have cleverly re-invented themselves as open-air entertainment spots. Check out Red Garden Paradise at Lebuh Leith- where 30 odd stalls serve up a variety of local favourites to international dishes - that opens daily from 5.30 pm to 2 am. After 9pm, Red Garden comes alive with dance performers and stage singers belting out their repertoire of ever-green songs.
On certain nights, Red Garden’s self-proclaimed drag queen will perform often sexually suggestive movements in a mix of English and Hokkien, a local dialect. Other food courts - not to be outclassed - offer Chinese numbers from karaoke
machines sung by pretty songbirds, a crowd-puller. There, attractive female singers croon and swoon their way till past midnight. Check out Carnation Air Cond Café along Persiaran Gurney, Old Winston Coffee Garden on Jalan Anson and New Pakma Garden on Jalan Burma. Patrons can buy these songbirds a drink or offer to garland them with flowers as a token of appreciation. A tourist who has never seen anything like it has this say, “Great dinner and what a show!” Indeed, thanks to places like Red Garden, good entertainment has never been more readily available and cheaper to enjoy.
April + May 2012
5
2
%ORVVRPLQJ of
Indie Art-deco Cafes and places that made George Town what it is today.
K
aapcai CafĂŠ is a quaint yet homely outlet that resonates with the personal touches of its partners.
Its name sounds like Thai but that’s not right. Kaapcai is the local Hokkien dialect for 70cc Honda Cub motorcycle locals refer to and widely used in the 1950s. Three childhood buddies who not only shared the love of “kaapcaiâ€? and own two of them - now considered a vintage motorcycle - but also decided to pull their talents together to start the cafĂŠ. Anwar, Piston and Mubin are joined by two of their spouses Falina and Yuki in running the cafĂŠ. “The idea to open up this cafĂŠ really first popped up when we were all studying and working abroad. We always dream of coming back to Penang and opening up a cafĂŠ like this,â€? says Anwar,, wh who met Falina in n Dublin. n..
Kaapcai CafÊ which opened its doors early this year at Lebuh Chulia is Georgetown’s latest independent art deco cafÊ in a renovated pre-war shop house. On its veranda is parked two vintage 70cc Honda Cub. Inside the cafÊ are decorated hand me downs antique ranging from solid wood furniture to the personal collection of memorabilia such as vintage bicycles, radios, clocks, telephones, typewriters, ceramic plates, mugs and vases.
Open from 3pm to 11pm daily (closed on Sunday) they serve a variety of comfort food. Their freshly baked pastries as well as their authentic pasta dishes and sandwiches are highly recommended. “We never use store bought ingredients, it’s all made from simple recipes and prepared with love, like how it is done at home,â€? says Falina. “We want this to be more than just a cafĂŠ,â€? chips in Piston.
The interior’s walls coated in hues of forest green, cream, and turquoise evoke a sense of comfort and serenity complete with potted plants and ferns. Art pieces and old photographs offer a glimpse of the people
&RPH $SULO WKH GRUPLWRU\ XSVWDLUV ZLOO UHFHLYH WKHLU ÀUVW JXHVWV April + May 2012
7
2 Penang
Heritage Hotel /LVWLQJ 100 Cintra Street 100, Lebuh Cintra, 10200 Penang 04 264 3581 www.100cintrastreet.com Muntri Mews
Muntri Mews 77, Lebuh Muntri, 10200 Penang 04 263 5125 www.muntrimews.com
Campbell House 106, Lebuh Campbell , 10100 Penang 04 261 8290 www.campbellhousepenang.com
Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion 14 Lebuh Leith, 10200 Penang 04 262 0006 www.cheongfatttzemansion. com
Hotel Penaga Jalan Hutton , 10050 Penang 04 261 1891 www.hotelpenaga.com 3HQDJD
&KHRQJ )DWW 7]H
Banana Boutique 422, Lebuh Chulia, 10200 Penang 04 261 0718 bananaboutiquepenang.com 1881 Chong Tian Hotel 38, 40, 42, Jalan Pintal Tali, 10100 Penang 04 263 1881 www.1881chongtian.com
Yeng Keng Hotel 362, Lebuh Chulia, 10200 Penang 04 262 2177 www.yengkenghotel.com
&KRQJ 7LDQ
11 Clove Hall 11, Jalan Clove Hall 10050 Penang 04 229 0818 www.clovehall.com
Straits Heritage 92, Lebuh Armenian, 10200 Penang 04 263 8128 http://www.straitsheritage.com
Chymes Hotel Jalan Wee Hein Tze , Tanjung Tokong, 11200 Penang 04 890 9088 www.chymeshotel.com Malihom Private Estate Kiri N/T 168, Bukit Penara, Mukim 6, 11000 Penang 04 226 4466 www.malihom.com <HQJ .HQJ
1926 Heritage Hotel 227 Jalan Burma, 10050 Penang 04 228 1926 www.1926heritagehotel.com 1926
Chulia Heritage Hotel 380 Lebuh Chulia, 10200 Penang 04 263 3380 www.chuliaheritagehotel.com
China Tiger 29, Lebuh China, 10200 Penang 04 264 3580 chinatiger.info Mango Tree Place 29, Jalan Phuah Hin Leong, 10500 Penang 014-246-2132 www.mangotreeplace.com Palanquin Heritage Suites 39, Lorong Bangkok, 10250 Penang 04 227 1088 www.palanquinn.com
8
April + May 2012
23 Love Lane 23, Lorong Love, 10200 Penang lovelane23.wordpress.com 55 Cafe & Restaurant @ Coffee Atelier 47-55, Lorong Stewart, 10300 Penang 04 261 2261 Deluxcious Heritage Hotel 15 -17A, Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah,10050 Penang 04 226 9993 www.deluxcious.com.my Fig Tree Hotel Lot No.460, 461, off Jalan Kenari, Sungai Ara, 11900 Penang 04 264 2929
2 +RQJ .RQJ %DU·V LQWHULRU EHIRUH WKH ÀUH
...
k a e p s ld u o c s ll a w ld o e If thes
Hong Kong Bar
r a B t s e ld O ’s g n a n e P
S
ongwriter Jimmy Webb once sang “If these
old walls could speak what a tale they have to tell”. Nowhere is this more apt than
at Hong Kong Bar at Lebuh Chulia, Penang. Its walls in the bar are hung with memorabilia; ranging from bronze army plaques, old and new black and white photographs, notes of currency, badges, lifebuoys and hats, and they provide an intriguing glimpse of the bar’s yesteryears and Penang’s past. The bar’s colourful history, boisterous and bawdy but not seedy, tells many a tale of where sailors and servicemen head to when on shore leave.
Ever helpful and welcoming, she chirpily helps tourists with their queries, often whipping out a large map of Penang along with a magnifying glass to guide them along.
Hong Kong Bar is Penang’s longest surviving bar first established around 1920. In its heydays, it was the most popular drinking holes in Penang, attracting thirsty sailors from around the world. It has come to past that “if you, a sailor, have not stepped into Hong Kong Bar, you ain’t visited Penang.”
“I can’t even remember how many plaques and photographs we have!” quips Jenny about the memorabilia. “There are mementos dating back as early as the 1950’s, all of them given to us by our guests. We also make sure our guests sign our guestbook, we have over 20 books now!”
Today, the bar has a new lease of life amongst backpackers. The bar’s iconic status has rendered it into a must visit for photographers and history buffs, with some couples even choosing the bar as a venue for their wedding album shoots.
It hasn’t been all rosy times for the bar. Badly damaged by a fire in 2004, new photos and memorabilia were sent to the bar by former patrons in order to replace damaged items. “I suppose this place means a lot to them, so they kept them after all these years” says Jenny as she points to one of the many photo albums filled to the brim with photographs she received.
The cosy, modest interiors have a ring of nostalgia. A well-used wooden jukebox sits proudly near the front of the bar. Behind a solid wood bar counter, stands the ever smiling sight of Jenny Tan.
It’s perhaps easy to understand why the bar resonates so deeply for so many, even visitors today can be easily swept away by the allure and old time charm of the bar. “From the moment I entered I was blown away by its history, it’s such a thrill to be part of it all” says Amanda, from New Zealand. And for the price of an ice cold beer you too can experience the warmth, comfort and history that makes The Hong Kong Bar an undeniable part of Penang’s story.
April + May 2012
9
2 Reviving 7KH Kebaya
T
he kebaya’s popularity has been on the rise in recent years, thanks to a revival of its significance in Malaysian popular culture.
-RFHO\Q /HRQJ (winner)
Melinda Lee (2nd runner up)
10
April + May 2012
O r i g i n a t i n g f ro m t h e Javanese Majapahit Kingdom circa the 15th century, the quintessential kebaya consists of a semi-transparent blouse (kebaya), a torso wrap (kemben) and a ‘sarong’ (a tube like dress).
Newly crowned Miss Penang Kebaya 2012 Jocelyn Leong, aged 23, a food science & nutrition student, defines Kebaya as a traditional attire that is a very comfortable costume that suits different body types and sizes.
Today it has adapted to the times, incorporating modern touches that have elevated its status as a sought after and revered part of modern haute couture fashion. From weddings to black tie events, the modern ‘kebaya’ has steadily become the apparel of choice – evening dress - for today’s modern Malaysian woman.
Runner-up Angelyn Yeap, aged 24, and second runnerup Melinda Lee (21) echoe Jocelyn’s sentiments. “It looks like a simple dress, but it has got so many unique little details”, says Angelyn.
As part of this revival, the inaugural Miss Penang Kebaya 2012 pageant held in February was a ground breaking beauty pageant organized with the aim of promoting modern ‘kebaya’ designs to the nation’s younger generations.
Pang Yi Chuen (21), who was crowned Miss Roadhouse Grill Inspiration, says she has learned a lot about Malaysian culture through the pageant. Both had never worn the Kebaya before.
where2 magazine met up with the pageant finalists at a celebratory dinner held at Roadhouse Grill to find out what these Penang born beauties thought about the Kebaya.
“Wearing the Kebaya for this pageant has made me a real fan of traditional costume!” Melinda adds with a laugh.
girls and the public to learn more about Malaysia’s multicultural history and heritage” says Miss Malaysia Kebaya 2011/12 organiser Jason Hee.
$QJHO\Q <DS (runner up)
Her elder sister Yi Yun, 24, says the competition has helped to raise awareness and interest about the Kebaya. All this is in keeping with the pageant’s aim of “providing an educational platform for the
Pang Yi Chuen(R), Pang Yi Yun (L)
2
Y.B.
(Your Best)
CHOICE! A
s a Penangite, I can’t seem to help having this privileged feeling of being born into this lovely enchanting island; so blessed with such culinary diversity that the people have become a pampered lot when it comes to food.
Super Hokkien Mee 1 Corner Café @ Jalan Bawasah (B)
Pasar Pulau Tikus Food Court (lady operator) inside the Pulau Tikus wet market. (B)
:RUGV %\ %/ .KRR I am guilty as charged for having the obsession of always wanting to discover new eateries, especially hawker stalls. Of all the many types of hawker food that is available in Penang, my personal favorite is the Penang Hokkien Prawn Mee. It is a dish of blanched yellow noodles and vermicelli (bee hoon) added with crunchy bean sprouts and water convolvulus (kangkung) that is served in a rich, aromatic, flavorful stock that is mainly made from prawn shells and Classic Hokkien Mee Classic Café @ Jalan Perak opposite Padang Food Court (B)
with chili paste for the extra spicy punch. To ensure the freshness of the stock, the preparation has to be done daily. This dish is normally garnished with sliced prawns, sliced pork, crispy deep-fried shallots and hard boiled egg. Extra toppings like pork ribs, pork intestines, pork liver, roast pork, fish balls, king size prawns, mantis prawns come with an additional price to it. Traditionally this dish came with garnishing of deep fried Cifu Omar Hokkien Mee (halal) Tanjung Tokong Foodcourt (B & L)
pork fat (bak eu pok) and slices of pork skin, but many stalls have stopped using them for health reasons I guess. My personal favorites where I go and have my weekly fix are listed below. It includes a stall that serves “halal” Hokkien Prawn Mee. You will be surprised that this stall comes very close to the original and will give the many “non-halal” ones a run for their money.
Hokkien Mee (lady operator) @ Lebuh Presgrave (evening only) near to Kwong Wah Yit Poh Press
My 10 Choices Hokkien Mee stall (husband & wife team) ground floor of a block of flat directly opposite the main entrance of Jalan Perak (Thor Lor Ow) wet market (B)
Hokkien Mee
Hokkien Mee @ Star Hotel, Lebuh Carnavon (Operated by the father (B) and T&T Café @ Lorong Selamat (Operate by the son (B & L)
Cifu Omar Halal Hokkien Mee
“Uncle Teh” Hokkien Mee Huat Heng Café @ Jalan Sungai Kelian, Hillside (B & L)
Swee Kong Café Hokkien Mee @ opposite the Pulau Tikus Police station (B)
“Keow Kah” (Under the Bridge) Hokkien Mee @ Jalan CY Choy – after the traffic lights of Jalan Magazine look towards your right hand side (B & L)
* (B for breakfast, L for lunch) April + May 2012
11
2
Steamed Fish @ Tan Jetty
Thai Otak-otak @ Maa Roy
Tan Jetty Thai
THAI FOOD
Words by Helen Ong
I
love Thai food.
There’s something about the heady combination of the five key flavours – salty, sweet, bitter, and particularly the last two: sour and spicy – combined with fragrant exotic ingredients like fish sauce (nam pla) and lemon grass which really appeals to our palates. Lately, quite a few new Thai restaurants have opened up in Penang, many of them run by Thais, so, short of travelling north to nearby Thailand, you probably can’t get more authentic than that. As it is such a large country with distinct geographical regions, the same dish can have quite different manifestations, so it’s a matter of picking the chef who does it the way you like best, or the setting you prefer. Whether it’s in a restaurant, alfresco or over water, here are a few to choose from.
Pad Thai at Tree Monkey
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April + May 2012
Enjoy a spectacular bird’s eye view of the horizon from Bukit
Moo Kata Thai BBQ Genting (+604 827 9805) which offers Thai steamboat, and on serves Thai food from about Burmah Road itself, there’s the noon right through to dinner. Sukhothai (+604 227 9262) If you prefer not to go that far, which specialises in beef then try its branch in Jalan noodles. Try some homeClove Hall (+604 227 6758). cooked southern food economy-style (+604 2277 599) In town, dine in stilts over at Anna’s Thai Kitchen near water at Madam Lee’s Thai the wet market. food outlet (+6014 907 1808) at the Tan Clan Jetty in Pangkalan When I feel the need for a Weld. The Thai woman from quick pick-me-up without Phanga in southern Thailand, all the hassle of going to a who married a Tan and moved restaurant, then I head for Ah there over 40 years ago, Im’s Thai food stall (+6016 466 opened up the small outlet 8875) in Old City Food Court in there. She’s famous for her Tanjung Tokong, which does Steamed Siakap with lime juice an excellent Minced Pork and chilli. and Basil. Served over rice with a fried egg on top, it’s There’s also Maa Roy Thai unbeatable! (+604 227 6816) in Lorong Abu Siti, where even Thai Try the rustic TREE MONKEY expats head for. Started by (+604 881 3494) in Teluk the enterprising Palita when Bahang, an unique alfresco she was a student here restaurant in Tropical because she missed authentic Spice Gardens. The food is Thai food, it continues to be predominantly of the northpopular with both locals and eastern Issan variety, with Thais alike. mainly barbequed meats and spicy salads. And the reason In Pulau Tikus, check out the for the name? Watch out for new Thai restaurants that open the white-eyed grey Misty lately. The Moo Kata (+6010- Monkeys which roam freely 379 9852) in Lorong Burma there!
2
10 things
We e love about a Penang 11. Eat pickled nutmeg, nutmeg nut tmeg, a popular ppopul oppularr snack. snack sna n ck. k. B Buy them at Chowrasta Market in Jalan Penang. Tourists take home by the bagfuls. Nutmegs come in various forms; medicated oils, essential oils, syrup or also those dried with various spices. 2. Gawk at the steel 2 teel Betel Nut N t sculpture s ulpture sculp lpture and d fountain ffo fountai fou founta ntaii nt aatt Fort Fortt Cornw C Corn Cornwallis. nwallis walliis. Betel etel nu nut or Pinang in Malay is how Penang derives its name. Betel nut chewing (for its effect as a mild stimulant) is a cultural practice among the older generations of the Indian community here. 3. Go mountain 3 moountain mount ntain taii biking b biki g to t explore explo exp ex xplore plore ree Penang Peenang a g Hill Hi as well well as durian d ia i orchards orch cha hards ard ds in i Balik ik Pula Pulau. The popularity of this hobby has increased so much so that there are clubs, groups and online communities dedicated to it. 4. Walk 4 Waalk k along aloong g Lebuh Lebuh Pant Panta Pantai ntai during ur ng car-f car-free car-fre r ffree reee Sunday d and d cycle on weekend d to encourage a healthy living and go green. As many as 3,000 bikers would take part during cycling day in the inner city.
Precinct 10 W
5.. Exp 5 Explore E x lore Penang xpl Penan e a N enang National Naationa ttiionall Park, Paark P ark k, the smallest national k, park in Malaysia. The meromictic lake (a distinct layer of cold river water over warm denser sea water) is an intriguing fairly rare phenomenon – only two in the world - at Pantai Kerachut there. 6. Go for 6 fo morning or i or evening eve i strolls stro troll att the th seafront seaf sea eaffront ront ntt p omenadee att Le promen promenade promenad Lebuh Sungai Sung Pinang Pinang. Pin nang. ng. A Along the twokilometre long stretch stands the four f 26-meter tall pillars called “Celebration of the Sky”. 7. Try 7 Try a one-hour oonee hour ho r trishaw trishaw w rid ridee along alo g narrow narrow rrow streets rr stree reetss in in the he inner city cit ity area. area. Step on wooden planks as you walk into the Chew Jetty for an experience living on stilted homes at the foreshore area. 8. Ta 8 Take a fi five mi ute ffu five-minute funicula funicular icular train rain ride up to Penang Penang Hill for a breath-taking and refreshing overview of George Hill Town and sip afternoon tea while there. 9. Ch Check e k outt Pantai eck Pan Pant antai tai Bers Bersih Be rsih ih in in Butterworth Butt B But tttterw tterworth rwort rw rth at rt at night n nig gh ht for for a scenic look towards the well-lit Swettenhem Pier and Gurney Drive from across the straits. 10. Visit 10 Vis i itt Juru J ru r Auto A t City’s Cit ity’s Shop ity Sh p in in d’Park d’Park d’Pa r for an unique rk shopping experience.
The latest happening place hy not check out Precinct Precinct 10 at Tanjung Tokong, located next to Island Plaza mall? Penang’s newest and trendiest hang out spot is a two-storey self-described foods & beverage mall. It has already turned heads with its unique design and spread of exciting medium to upscale eateries and bars. Since its soft launch in February, Precinct 10 has already attracted the likes of Burger King, Winter Warmers, Old Town White Coffee and Sushi Zento as tenants. Further highlights include Chez Wang and BeerBQ Bistro.
Chez Wang serves grilled western cuisine amidst chic & contemporary décor, whilst BeerBQ Bistro offers ‘beer cuisine food’! This means their dishes are cooked and prepared with a range of carefully selected beers, it’s certainly intoxicatingly good. If you’re more in the mood to let loose and knock back a couple of drinks, Nueve (Spanish for nine) is the place for you. Featuring a new age interior with an industrial edge, there are wide arrays of cocktails and imported beers to suit even the most
discerning taste. Throw in, theme nights, periodic live performances as well as an in house DJ, Nueve is guaranteed to get you off your feet! There’s certainly plenty more to come from Precinct 10 in the next few months, including the eagerly awaited ‘SOHO Gastro Pub’. With ample parking and HSBC Bank branch office readily available for your convenience, the next time you’re at your wits’ end, check out Precinct 10 and let the good times roll.
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SHOP - IN d’ Park
Wine & Dine Automobile
F&B Outlets: Secret Recipe Nasi Kandar Pelita Shelaiton Restaurant Mc Donald Isshin Japanese Restaurant Double Good Restaurant Coffee Bean Haagen-Dazs Boston Golden Triangle Restaurant Sakae Sushi & Teppanyak Swensen’s Café Toa Authentic Asian Cuisine Starbucks Coffee Ice Ice Baby Nando’s MFM Restaurant Old Town White Cofee: Pizza Hut 23 Takehana Seoul Garden Jiu Jiu Sze Chuan Resturant Sushi King Winter Warmers Subway KFC Tak Krai Café Tutti Fruti Xian Ding Wei Entertainment Outlets: Highwaystar Party World Fuel BED Soho Country House Citi-Box Karaoke Room
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Pulau Payar Marine Park The jewel of an island of Langkawi in its sheltered waters.
E
xperience the exciting feelings of baby sharks swimming around your exposed legs in shallow waters in the bay in Pulau Payar marine park while rangers feed them. Or feed small fishes and feel the sensation of these fishes nibbling on your fingers and arms.
Pulau Payar Marine Park is about an hourâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s boat ride out of Langkawi. It is a collection of four, emerald-green islands and the best marine park along the Straits of Malacca. There is a floating pontoon platform moored off the island where the real attraction lies below the sea - spectacular beautiful corals, fishes, big groupers and a lone 2-metre long barracuda on perpetual patrol. You can either dive or snorkel to swim aamong o g the t e fishes s es and a d explore e p o e the t e corals co a s
If you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t wish to get wet, the special underwater observatory allows you to experience a close-up view of marine life within this sanctuary. There is no accommodation on this island as it is a marine park but an excursion to this exotic park is still a must for all nature lovers, scuba divers and snorkelers. The best times to visit the Pulau Payar Marine Park are from October to March although it can be visited throughout the year.
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salutes Langkawi’s pioneer travel operators Words by JOHN CHIN
Rohaiza Hamzah
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ANGKAWI’s tourism sector flourishes after the island was accorded duty free status in 1987, the year that according to local folklore coincided with the end of a seven-generation curse.
Eric Sinnaya
P. Nadarajah
Pishol Ishak
Over the next two successive decades, this island grew into Malaysia’s premier tourism destination with over two million visitors annually.
Travel Agents (Matta) as the first-ever lady chairperson. She recounts fondly how she first arrived in Langkawi in 1999 from Pahang.
His office was an attap chalet unit and even today, he still maintains it as a reminder of how the tough times were when he first arrived.
This year, plans are afoot under an ambitious Langkawi Tourism Blueprint - to take the tourism sector onto the next level of growth; to achieve the target of three million visitors to the island within three years.
“It was initially difficult especially when I am a woman. People would stare at me when I barked out orders,” recalls Rohaiza, who decided to relocate her agency Envomarine Travel and Tourists Sdn Bhd to tap tourism growth potential on the isle.
Nadarajah started as a tour guide before opening up his own agency. Today, his tour company is the market leader for the inbound India and the Middle East market while his contemporary Goh, who is fluent in Mandarin, handles most China arrival which is on the rise. Pishol, the owner of Sala Travel and Tour, arrived in the 1990s and has dug in like a local.
where2 takes this occasion - on the outset of the blueprint - to salute the accomplishments of early pioneers, many of whom are not from Langkawi, whose labour daunting yet rewarding has borne much fruits. Among the pioneers are Eric Sinnaya, P. Nadarajah, Pishol Isahak, Goh Lian Huu and Rohaiza Hamzah. R o h a i z a’s d r i v e a n d entrepreneurship has earned her counter-parts’ respect and she helms Kedah Malaysian Association of Tours and
She prevailed and today her agency which specialises in car rental and tour packages is thriving there. Sinnaya relocated to the island after finding Penang too commercial for his liking. Able to converse in basic German and with a strong command of English, he tapped into the European market and was among the early piorneers who brought in the heavyspending Germans to the island.
Together with Sinnaya, who heads the Langkawi branch of the Malaysian Nature Society, they are fervent in the island’s environment; knowing fully well that Langkawi’s future lies with preserving and conserving its nature.
‘‘s Must Visit Attractions in Langkawi!
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Air Hangat Village Air Hangat Road KM16, Lubok Semilang, Padang Matsirat
Bird Paradise Wildlife Park Jalan Ayer Hangat, Kampung Belanga Pecah
Al-Hana Mosque Lencongan Putra 2
Cable Car Jalan Telaga Tujuh, Tulek Burau
Atma Alam Batik Village Lot 227, Jalan Padang Matsirat
Crocodile Farm Jalan Datai, Mk. Ayer Hangat
April + May 2012
Field of Burnt Rice Kampung Raja, Mukim Padang Mat Sirat Galeria Perdana Kilim, Mukim Air Hangat Mahsuri’s Mausoleum Kampung Mawat, Mukim Ulu Melaka Laman Padi Pantai Cenang, Mukim Kedawang
Oriental Village Jalan Teluk Burau, Pantai Kok Sky Bridge Jalan Telaga Tujuh, Teluk Burau Telaga Harbour Park Telaga Harbour Park, Pantai Kok Underwater World Pantai Cenang, Mukim Kedawang
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Langkawi
Aseania Resort Langkawi Simpang Tiga, Jalan Pantai Tengah, 07100 Langkawi Tel: 04-955 2020 www.aseanialangkawi.com
Casa Del Mar Jalan Pantai Cenang, Mukim Kedawang, 07000 Langkawi Tel: 04 955 2388 www.casadelmar-langkawi.com
Beach Garden Resort Jalan Pantai Cenang, 07000 Pulau Langkawi 04-955 1363 www.beachgardenresort.com
COME STAY WITH ME
CasaFina Fine Homes & Avenue Lot 53, Persiaran Pantai Cenang, Mukim Kedawang, 07000 Langkawi Tel: 04 9533 555 www.casafina.my
Frangipani Langkawi Resort & Spa P.O. Box 138. Jalan Teluk Baru Pantai Tengah, Mukim Kedawang, 07100 Langkawi Tel: 04 952 0000 www.frangipanilangkawi.com
Four Points By Sheraton Kuala Muda, Mukim Padang Matsirat, 07100 Langkawi Tel: 04 955 6888 www.starwoodhotels.com/fourpoints/property
Mali Best Resort Jalan Pantai Cenang, Mukim Kedawang, 07000 Langkawi Tel: 04-955 8202 malibestresort.com
Bon Ton Resort & Restaurant Jalan Pantai Cenang, 07000 Langkawi Tel: 04 955 1688 www.bontonresort.com
Sheraton Langkawi Beach Resort Jalan Pantai Kok, Teluk Nibong, 07000 Langkawi Tel: 04 952 8000 www.starwoodhotels.com/sheraton/property
Westin Langkawi Resort& Spa Jalan Panti Dato Syed Omar, 07000 Langkawi Tel: 04 9608888 www.starwoodhotels.com/westin/property
April + May 2012
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Frangipani Langkawi Award-winning Green Hotel Words by JOHN CHIN
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HE first impression most visitors would get upon walking into the Frangipani Langkawi Resort and Spa is the great care the resort staff has taken in preserving the greenery. This award-winning green hotel along Pantai Tengah in Langkawi is an eco-sustainable system by itself; where its entire operations are geared towards conserving and preserving nature. The hotel’s management has put in place almost 200 “green things” – unheard of huh! - that not only reduce the carbon footprint but also in the process save cost.
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April + May 2012
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Managing director Anthony Wo n g to o k ove r t h e management of Frangipani Langkawi in 2006 and introduced his version of responsible tourism by putting in place many environmental and sustainable programs. His take is that acceptance and conservation practice can only succeed when hoteliers see a healthy bottom line. His enthusiasm has led him to improvise 200 green ways to save water, conserve energy and reduce solid waste which he documented scientifically with the assistance of two inhouse environmental staff. The resort is arguably the first in Malaysia that supports the principle of responsible tourism where it has adopted eco-friendly policies such as
using furniture made from recycled wood, re-using old paint containers as rubbish bins, growing herbs and vegetables in the resort’s gardens and watering them from captured rainwater. Solar panels are fixed on roofs for heating and lighting in common areas at almost no cost and the initial investment involved is amortized over a few years. Anthony took the where2 editorial team through a walk through his resort; pointing out benefits of recycling, the creative use of discarded bottles as wall panels, turning waste into compost in disused bath tubs, large water tanks to collect rainwater for gardening. And, his proud wetland to treating wastewater from kitchens and septic tanks into drinkable water though he uses them to water his vegetable plots. The wetland is planted with water hyacinth
Climbers on the Porch help Reduce Heat
to absorb nutrients such as ammonia, urea nitrate and phosphate in the wastewater. He took a sip from his cupped hand to prove it is potable.
little wonder then that he has chosen the name Frangipani - a flower associated with beauty, charm, grace, love and loyalty, as the name of his resort.
He says from his recycling practices, he saved 40% of energy cost and 60% of the resort’s water bill.
On hand running the popular resort, comprising 115 chalets and villas, is general manager Jeffery Goh who has Anthony’s mandate to propagate the green practices in the resort.
Anthony is no stranger among conservationists. He was a founding member of the Malaysian Nature Society. His other company, Asian Overland Services Tours and Travel, is Malaysia’s leading in-bound eco-tourism tour operator. He helped to promote Taman Negara long before Malaysia’s National Park becomes one of the top eco-tourism assets in the region. A green crusader, Anthony spends a fair amount of his time lecturing in both local and foreign universities. It is
Wall of Recycled Bottles
Even now, Frangipani is a model for students and academicians keen on going g g green the moneyspinning way. Jeffery Goh
The Frangipani Langkawi Resort & Spa, P.O. Box 138, Jalan Teluk Baru Pantai Tengah, Mukim Kedawang, 07100,Langkawi, Kedah Tel: (604) 952-0000 Fax: (604) 952-0001 .co com Email: rsvn@frangipanilangkawi.com om www.frangipanilangkawi.com
Solar Panel
Wetland April + May 2012
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Sunset Sips Nothing is more memorable than lazing around and sipping sunset cocktails at The Cliff’’s D’Reef section. Wafted by the evening’s sea breeze and lulled by piped-in music and waves lapping the sandy beach amidst a laid-back ambience, it is one of the best places to watch sunset in Langkawi. Here, at the raised beach-side lounge deck, you have an unobstructed panoramic view of the entire stretch of the popular sandy beach of Pantai Cenang, with its hive of beach activities including para-sailing and jet-sking. With an island bar in the middle, the deck at the D’Reef section is wide open and can fit in 40 persons comfortably in a relaxed atmosphere. “Many want to come here around 6.30pm as they like the feeling of watching the sensational sunset and listening to the waves crashing onto the rocks and beach with a cocktail in hand before heading for their dinner.
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April + May 2012
“Apart from our reasonably priced draft beers, fruit juices and wines, we have in our menu an exotic list of specially mixed cocktails to choose from. Come and try our own concoctions,” says manager Ramesh Somu. The Cliff Restaurant and Bar is the island’s popular dining of local delicacies which is a fine balance of Malay and Western cuisine. “Our staff is committed to making your experience the very best it can be. We want you to come back again and again,” says Ramesh. Rightly, it is the best place to watch sunset this part of Pantai Cenang on the west coast of Langkawi.