Penang Ferry - Attraction & Transportation

As you aware, Penang state is consists of Penang Island and Seberang Perai located at the mainland of Peninsular Malaysia. Before the first Penang Bridge being introduced in year 1985, Penang Ferry is the only economic public transportation that being used by people to travel between island and mainland.

Penang Ferry

Nowadays, even though the second penang bridge also being open to public, but the Penang Ferry is still maintain its service to passengers. For those people or tourist travelling with public transport like bus, you will find the ferry service very convenient because it is next to bus terminal at both island and mainland side.

Penang Island Rapid Bus Terminal

Penang Mainland (Butterworth) Bus Terminal

If you prefer to take taxi, no problem, you will get it here too....

Penang Mainland (Butterworth) Taxi Terminal

After few years not taking this ferry service, last Sunday we woke up bit early and drive to jetty purposely for the ferry. Previously we used to travel together with car but this round we parked our car somewhere around and board the ferry without vehicles. 

While making the way to the jetty, you might want to get some snacks at stores along the pathway. For tourists, there are some local products offered here which could served as the souvenirs. But the choices are limited, don't put on high expectation ya!!

Stores Along the Path Way to Jetty

Due to the ferry is having two decks, pedestrians are directed to sit on upper deck while passengers with vehicle are arranged to park their vehicles in lower deck. While we move up to the jetty, we are seeing the vehicles like car, motorcycle and bicycle were queuing up to board the ferry.

Vehicles Waiting to Board the Ferry

When we reached the waiting area, then only we realized that there were many people still using this ferry service.

Penang Ferry Waiting Area

In order to know the waiting time and frequency of ferry travelling around, lets look at the electronic signboard. When getting to peak hour, the number of ferry would increase to fulfil the demand.

Electronic Signboard

When the ferry stop at the jetty, all passengers and vehicles were directed to leave the ferry. Once it was clear, the vehicles were allowed to board the ferry first, probably to ensure there is no unnecessary accident happen to the pedestrians. But surprisingly now the cars are also boarding the upper deck of ferry together with the passengers.

Car Boarding the Ferry

The Pedestrian Boarding the Ferry

Car and Passengers at the Upper Deck of Penang Ferry

Once all passengers and vehicles are settle down, the jetty connector is rising up and ferry started to leave the jetty.

Jetty Connector Rising Up

Oops, seems to be I forgot to talk about the ferry fares. No worry, either the Penang Bridge or Penang Ferry service, we only pay the fares when we travel from mainland to island, but no fares charge to our return trip.

Since the trip would take us almost 20 to 30 minutes, so we could just walking around and enjoy the scenery.

The Cruise

Penang Bridge

Cargo Ship

Small Ship

Although the ferry trip only take us 20 to 30 minutes to reach another end, but please identify where the life jackets located and how to use it during the emergency.

Life Jackets are located in Overhead Compartment

Life Jacket Wearing Instruction

In case you feel hungry or would like to take some snack, you may want to check it out with this in-ferry food stalls. But I noticed they mostly sell breads and drinks....

In-Ferry Food Stall

Now is the time to share about the ferry fares when you make the trip to Penang Island. Basically the adult fare is at RM1.20 while children at RM0.60. There is no ticket required but just insert coins into the push gate before you could make a move.

What if you do not have sufficient coins? Don't worry, just exchange your money with the staff in the small room at the left. After cross the push gate, just wait for the ferry and enjoy your trip.

Before I ended my sharing here, for tourist, I recommended you to board the ferry at least once to enjoy the scenery of Penang Island. Don't miss the chance to experience this historical icon of Penang!!

Penang Ferry

Penang Island - Raja Tun Uda Ferry Terminal (Weld Quay)
Penang Mainland - Sultan Abdul Halim Ferry Terminal (Butterworth)

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Chicago Rib House - Penang Gurney Plaza

Although many people had recommended Chicago Rib House to me, but I had no intention to try the food there due to it is located in Penang Gurney Plaza that famous with its fully occupied car park and traffic jam. Furthermore, people commended that the food price there is bit expensive. However, the recent promotion by Chicago through Groupon on-line voucher that giving me 52% discount on its half rack pork ribs with 2 side dishes, pushing me to pay a visit to this restaurant.

Chicago Rib House, Penang Gurney Plaza

Since our purchase did not require any reservation, we decided to have our lunch there on Sunday around 1.00pm. When we reached the restaurant, we being informed that the restaurant was full house. However, a kind staff was proposing that we came in 15 minutes later and they will reserve a table for us. For verification purpose, we gave him our phone number and enjoyed our window shopping in Gurney Plaza. Roughly 10 mins later, the staff was calling us and inform that the table was ready. The responsible staff was giving me very good first impression.

Chicago Rib House

After took our seat, we were requested to select 4 side dishes from the choices which included beer battered french fries, coleslaw, fragrant rice, baked potato, mashed potato, corn on the cob and fresh vegetables. In terms of drink, we got ourselves a glass of Bobo juice (a mixed fruit juice) because it was at buy 1 get 1 free promotion...

Chicago Rib House

While waiting for the set lunch to be served, we randomly snap the interior design of the restaurant.

Chicago Rib House

Chicago Rib House

Do you know how to name each part of the pork that you take in daily? If not, please refer to the green board above...:)

Chicago Rib House

Between the 15 mins waiting time, we kept on seeing customer looking for the seat. There was no vacant table available along our visit.

Chicago Rib House

Do you notice the label on the salt & pepper bottle? The big word stated 'KIDS EAT FREE EVERYDAY'. By purchase one main entrée, there is 1 free kid meal for your kids, but limited to 2 free kid meals per visit.

Finally our Bobo juice was serving, follow by the main course and side dishes.

Bobo Juice (RM8.90)

The Bobo juice was a kind of orange juice mixed with some other fruits, giving us slightly sour but nice taste.

BBQ Original Half Rack Pork Ribs with 2 Side Dishes (RM 33.90)

BBQ Original Half Rack Pork Ribs with 2 Side Dishes (RM 33.90)

The pork ribs served in this Chicago Rib House was tasty and the meat was nicely cook until we could easily separate it out from the bone. Although the portion of pork ribs might not be considered big, but with 2 side dishes, I believe your stomach would be fully filled.

Out of the 4 side dishes that we choose, I more preferred beef battered french fries. The fries taste was bit rich as compare to common one. In terms of the coleslaw, the taste was good but I'm not really appreciate the item in cool serving. As for the baked potato and fragrant rice, I felt both items were not bad but the taste were bit plain.

After we called for bill, a staff was coming to serve us with warm hand towel (already remove from the sachet and ready to be used), and giving us the sweets and toothpick. This extra step really make me feel happy and appreciate the caring that being delivered by this restaurant.

In overall, I'm really satisfy with the food and service provided by Chicago Rib House, Penang Gurney Plaza. Strongly recommended it to you. 

Look like now Chicago is still doing promotion through Goupon on-line voucher purchase. Please don't miss it ya!!!

Chicago Rib House

Lot GP-170-G-43,

Gurney Plaza,
Persiaran Gurney
10250, Georgetown, Penang

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Penang Hill (升旗山) Funicular Train Service

Although Penang Hill is a famous attraction in Penang Island, but I cannot recall when was my last trip to this tallest hill in Penang, especially through taking the funicular train. In the past, most of the locals might be reluctant to go up Penang Hill due to the train system was very inconvenience. Just imagine you need to wait 30 mins for the train to pick you up to the middle station, and you need to walk out and take another train going up to the top station. The whole process could easily take you an hour's time. Would you feel comfortable if you are in the train fully filled with people? At least I don't think so.

Previous Version Funicular Train

However, this uncomfortable train service had been ended since 3 years ago, after it being replaced with the new version of funicular train from Switzerland that able to send you directly from the ground to the top station within 5 minutes' time. 5 minutes??? Yes!!

Latest Version of Funicular Train

The fast train speed and few new attractions being introduced in Penang Hill such as Owl Museum and Monkey Cup Garden made me so excited to give it a visit. So, after made some arrangement, finally we were there.

When we arrived then only we discovered that the foothill station had being change to a new look.

Penang Hill (Foothill)

Beside the ticketing counter and souvenir shops being nicely arranged at each side of the main entrance, installation of the roof also shielding the visitors from expose to direct sunlight or the rain drops. There are also some 'bench' ready for those who are tired or need to wait for someone.

Penang Hill (Foothill Station)

Meanwhile, there is a big red signboard that we noticed for the first time since our last visit. The big word 'Penang Hill 1923' (Bukit Bendera is referred to Penang Hill in Malay) clearly stand on top of the station, telling the visitors that Penang Hill railway service was opened to public in year 1923. Remember to take a photo before you get into the station. Of course you could also snap it during return trip...hehe.. :). Meanwhile, could you notice the cannon in the photo below??

Penang Hill (Foothill Station)

Although we were there around 10am, but the queue to purchase ticket already long enough to make us wait for 15 mins before our turn.

Penang Hill Train Ticket Counter

While queuing, I try to study the train ticket price listed beside the ticketing counter...

Penang Hill Train Ticket Price List

For round trip ticket, Malaysian adult is charged RM8 while foreign adult visitor is charged RM30. Children aged between 4 to 12 years old and the student( include college & university student) are entitle for half price ticket. In case you are visiting Penang Hill with your family members, then you might want to consider the Family Package. If you are looking for one way ticket, then you would be charged slightly higher price for single trip, if to compare with round trip ticket.

As a reminder, for Malaysian, please get MyKad ready during you purchase the ticket. One MyKad only entitle for one ticket. During our last trip, the long queue during ticket purchasing process was mainly due to the locals not get the MyKad ready, and time wasted for them to collect it from friends and relatives waiting on the other sides.

After paid for RM16.00, we finally got out ticket.

Penang Hill Train Ticket (Front)

Penang Hill Train Ticket (Back)

I still remember the old time ticket was just a thin paper but now it being replaced with printed card with bar code. Thumb up!

Upon got into the entrance, there are cupboards storing the historical photos that telling the visitors on the old time of Penang Hill.

Penang Hill Historical Photos

Before we entered the actual train station, the ticket need to be scanned.

Train Ticket Scanned Counter

If there is a crowd and you need to queue up, just looking for the sign below to get an estimation on how long you need to wait before on-board.

Estimation on Waiting Time 

Due to the new train travelling speed is very fast, we just wait for 5 to 10 mins and then came to our turn. When we got into the train and it started to move, I started to time the journey from bottom station to top station. The whole trip only taken 5 mins!!! Just imagine previously we spent 1 hour for the same journey but now only 5mins. I felt nothing during the first trip from bottom to top station. However, the return trip made me feel like got into a roller coaster, but really excited.

Interior of the Funicular Train

Oh ya, the new train now is equipped with air-conditioner already.

Penang Hill Railway  (Taken from Top Station)

I shall share out the attractions found in Penang Hill in the following post.But here I would like to share a bit on the transportation. Due to some technical issue, the multi level parking space for Penang Hill visitors still could not be occupied during our visit. Besides, the parking lot along the road side are also limited. However, there is a free parking space located around 5 mins walking distance away from the station. Even though with this open air car park, please try to be there as early as you can. I did experience where totally no parking space for me when I arrived at 11am.

Open Air Parking Space

If you think car parking is an issue, perhaps you could consider to take the Rapid bus. We managed to take the bus with route number that could bring you to Penang Hill.

Rapid Bus 204

In overall, Penang Hill is worth to visit, especially to those who never being there or someone like me that not visiting it for many years. Enjoy!!

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SS D'Sampan Seafood Restaurant - Sg Nibong Penang

Lately if you take express bus to Penang Sungai Nibong Bus Terminal at night, you might be attracted to  a restaurant with colourful lighting that exactly opposite the main gate of the bus terminal.

Sungai Nibong Express Bus Terminal

The nicely decorated Malay restaurant is named as the SS D'Sampan Seafood.

SS D'Sampan Seafood (Front View)

SS D'Sampan Seafood (Side View)

Since the first day I noticed this restaurant, I am so attracted by the colourful lighting everyday when I pass by. Although being plan to give it a visit but we keep on delaying until to the end of January, when we would like to take dinner before watch the movie in Queensbay Mall. 

We drove to this restaurant and found that there is a free parking space ready for the customers. I'm not sure whether this parking space is specially developed for D'Sampan customer or it is open to public that visited the shops at that area. Just in case the parking space is full, then you might consider to stop your car at the road side, but definitely not on the main road.

Parking Space

This restaurant is quite unique because they do have few chalets for customers who preferred to enjoy themselves privately. Initially we want to experience in taking dinner in the chalet, but later we change our mind because the chalets are at the road side. We just wondering the dust and exhausted gas from vehicle might going to contaminate our food. However, after we had our seat and made order, then we noticed that another side of the restaurant also have few chalets, but it was too late and we were lazy to make a move.

Beautiful Chalets

Anyway, it was not bad to sit inside the restaurant as I had a chance to take some photos of its interior design.

SS D'Sampan Seafood Restaurant

SS D'Sampan Seafood Restaurant

After we took our seats, a friendly waitress was giving us a menu for reference. The small booklet which is the A la carte menu clearly stated the dish offered together with the price except for those seafood that depend on the market price. You could choose the dish size from small to medium to large. But this menu is not including those fried item such as fried noodle or fried rice, even though they do have it. We got to known about this fried item when the customers next table made an order to the waitress. Meanwhile, this restaurant had grill seafood service where you could choose the seafood by yourself and ask the staff to grill it for you.

In the past two visits, we had tried out few dish which include:

1) Pattaya Fried Rice

Pattaya Fried Rice (RM5/plate)

In order to ensure our stomach was filled with some carbohydrate, we get ourselves a plate of Pattaya Fried Rice. For those who don't know what is Pattaya Fried Rice, it is a Malay style fried rice that being stuffed into an omelette. It is tasty!!

2) Tom-yam Seafood Soup 

Tom-yam Seafood Soup (RM5 - small)

As expected, the tom-yam soup was sour and spicy, but just within our acceptance level. Surprisingly the RM5 seafood soup was came along with prawn, squid and some chicken slice, worth for money!!

3) Paprik Chicken

Paprik Chicken (RM5 - small)

Paprik Chicken is quite common in Malay food menu where the chicken slice is cooked together with various vegetables. The taste is in between sweet and salty!

4) Omelette (Telur Dadar)

Omelette (Telur Dadar - RM1.00)

Omelette or more accurate to call it as Telur Dadar in Malay, is a simple fried egg with some vegetable contained inside it. The vege could be the onion, chilli, chives, etc. The telur dadar served by this restaurant was having crispy taste. Nice!

5) Spinach with Shrimp Paste (Kangkung Belacan)

Spinach with Shrimp Paste (Kangkung Belacan - RM3.50)

Spinach is one of my favourite vegetable but it must be cooked together with shrimp paste. Although this dish is bit dull without other ingredients, but the it is surprisingly tasty. Good!

6) Grilled Fish

We did tried out the grilled fish but could not recall why no photo being taken, perhaps it had been served half way after we started our dinner. Anyway, just to share a bit on this grilled item. The stingray fish was selected by us on the counter and later being weight by the staff before it being process. When the fish was served, the physical look was nice. However, the taste was bit 'special' to us if to compare with the Chinese style grilled fish. I don't know how to describe the taste but it was still acceptable. The grilled fish was at RM11, it was relatively cheaper than Chinese stall where you would be easily charged RM15-18 for the same size of the fish. 

7) Iced Milk Tea

Iced Milk Tea (RM1.50/glass)

Whenever I have my meal in Malay restaurant, iced milk tea is always my standard drink because I believe the milk tea by our Malay friend is the best. But over here, the iced milk tea was below my expectation.

In overall, I'm satisfy with the food, service and environment of the SS D'Sampan Seafood Restaurant. For those who taking express bus at Sungai Nibong Bus Terminal, or someone stay in the budget hotel opposite the terminal, perhaps you could have your dinner here. Enjoy!

SS D'Sampan Seafood Restaurant
Opposite Sungai Nibong Bus Terminal
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