To all the wonderful Penang Mommas and Daddies out there:
Happy Holidays!
We’re off until the New Year to work on another special project (check the photo carefully…new addition expected Christmas Day!).
Archive | December, 2011
Ministry of Transport New Summon Charges
20 DecThe Ministry of Transport (JPJ) enacted new traffic violation charges effective this week. I was out driving this morning and found the men in white with blue flashing lights in full force. Be careful out there, and be aware of these new guidelines. I have also heard that the fine will be significantly reduced if paid early or on time. Here is the information I was passed from our rental car company. All fees are in Malaysian Ringgit:
| TRAFFIC SUMMON CHARGES Price quoted below are nett without further discount, bargaining are subject to price increase without further notice. Speeding: Exceeding 1 – 20km/h = $130 + 4 Demerit Points. Careless Driving = $150 + 6 Demerit Points. Inconsiderate Driving = $170 + 9 Demerit Points + Court. DO NOT hold your handphone in your hand when you drive even with loud speaker or ear piece. Drink Driving (1st offence) = Up to $5,000 Fine and, or Jail Term + License Suspended + Court. Drink Driving (2nd offence) = Jail Term + Fine + Court. Making an illegal U Turn when there’s no U-Turn sign = $70 . Fail to Signal when changing lanes = $70 . Driving at night without Headlights or Taillights switch on after 7pm = $30 . No Number Plate = $70. Obstructed Number Plate = $70. Obscured Number Plate = $70. Number Plate Of Unapproved Type = $70 Demerit Point System :Let’s say you have 0 point on 1st January 2011, and you committed the offence of Failing to Put on Seat Belt. So now, you will have 3 demerit points and this will last for 1 Year. If during this 1 year you have no demerit points offence at all, your 3 demerit points will be gone on 1/1/2012. But, if during this one year, From 1/1/2011 – 1/1/2012, you committed another offence with demerit points, your very first offence will be extended for another year until 1/1/2013. For more information on Demerit Points (Kejara) go to http://www.jpj.gov.my/malay/kuatkuasa08.htm |
Organic Groceries
15 Dec
To my delight and surprise, Penang has a great selection of organic grocers and products available. Most major grocery stores have a section for organic or natural products, but there are also quite a few specialty natural food stores located around the island. Some of these shops stock some hard-to-find ingredients you might miss at Cold Storage, Giant or Tesco, especially dried goods and alternative flours and baby products. Most of the grocers offer a discount program when you become a member, and can take advanced orders on produce. Below is a list of a few of my favorites, but you can find a very comprehensive listing here.
i.e. Organics Located on Jalan Pasar, the same street as the Pulau Tikus market, they have a great selection of alternative flours, including oat and quinoa. Also of note are the frozen organic meats, including pork and chickens. Closed Monday and public holidays.
Oon Organics Just down the road from i.e., this is another great option. I’ve specifically noticed a great selection of seeds available here, including hemp and chia, as well as seed and nut butters. They have almost everything, so be sure to ask if you don’t see it on the shelves. Closed Monday and public holidays.
Just Life Your Tanjung Bungah hillside option, has all the great selection of those nearer G’town, plus at times some really delicious tropical fruit.
Juice
13 Dec
One of my absolute favorite things about living on this tropical island is the constant availability of affordable fresh squeezed juice. I am not a coffee/tea/soda drinker, and with one on the way can’t really order anything alcoholic and these juices have saved me from the tedium of soda with lime. Literally everywhere has a juicer and can serve up a glass of fresh apple juice, if not a much more interesting combination. Most hawker centers offer fresh juices along side their teh tarik and kopi-O. My trick here is to ask for a “double” with no added water, sugar and little ice. Often I will end up paying 2x (maybe 2.5RM total), but I get a mug full of fruit juice only. This is great to use if you have juice drinking children as well.
My absolute favorite fresh juice haunt in town is on Waterfall Rd, between the large Hindu temple and the botanical gardens, next door to the Craft Batik shop. Juices here run 4-6RM, but are 100% pure fresh squeezed from fruit grown at their own farm! They have a massive menu full of combinations and suggestions, with a few ingredients you will not find elsewhere. Personal favorites include beetroot-apple-celery (4RM) and pineapple-passionfruit (5.5RM). They also sell fruit from the farm and some natural products. Durian cakes are available during the season. There are some lovely shaded picnic tables to sit and enjoy your drink, looking out into the lush vegetation leading up Penang hill, feeling lucky to be in Penang.
Hair Removal
5 Dec
Shave it, wax it, pluck it. We’ve all got a little extra somewhere that we routinely remove. Luckily, Penang has the experts to help you out. Here are a few of the sources I use to rid myself of the unwanted:
Fluff Salon: Located in 2F Gurney Plaza, Fluff is a waxing salon that does it all. I’ve been going there for over a year and have been continuously impressed with the level of service. They will take walk ins. They will allow your baby/toddler to sit with you or on you. And the best – they are fast. They get it done, which is very helpful when you have said baby/toddler wanting to poke around with those cool wooden sticks. They also offer a nice pedicure. Call for appointment: 04 226 8896
Jessie at Home: I just learned about this lady and I am very excited. She comes to your home, loaded down with all the equipment to wax off, and at very reasonable prices. She also offers facials, which I have heard are splendid. Call for appointment: 0124116500, and tell her Laurel sent you.
Threading: There are several salons operating in Little India offering threading (pictured above). Threading is a practice of hair removal that is similar to plucking, but uses a twisted thread to snag the hairs instead of tweezers. If you have sensitive skin, it is certainly less aggressive than waxing, which tends to pull the skin (and create wrinkles, some say). The Santhi One Stop is open 9:30-9:30 every day and provides eyebrow shaping/threading as well as other facial threading. Price is extremely reasonable, think 5RM. Just drop by, it only takes a few minutes. Also offering facials: 51 Lebuh Penang, 0124635502
What’s Going On
1 Dec
From Oktoberfest through Chinese New Year, Penang’s social calendar is packed. I’ll try and post a lot of the kid-friendly stuff up here, but I encourage you to check out some of the events for us big kids too (like this weekend’s Jazz Festival, or next week’s Orchid Show). Here are some of the sources I use to find out about Penang Events:
Official Penang Tourism Newsletters: It’s true that a few of the important details may be frustratingly missing from some of the events on this calendar (like when, where), but the VisitPenang newsletter and website are very helpful in highlighting some of the cultural events around town, as well as calling to your attention some delicious eateries. What would a Penang newsletter be like without a food section?
Spiral Synergies: An expat-run events company (you’ll soon meet up with Michelle, I’m sure), this group offers events from day trips to Ikea (lorry included!) to shopping events on the island. Subscribe to the newsletter for email updates.
What’s On Penang: Web listing of some of the more night-life oriented events going on in Penang, also with food updates (of course).
Food Friends: Run by the writer and foodie Maggie T, there are tons of food-related events on all the time, from set lunches/dinners to chef demos to fancy black tie events. Also has a newsletter for updates.
And “like” these FB pages to get updates on more events:
Any other great resources you use to find events in Penang? Please share in the comments!
Penang Momma 