Taiping Zoo

We headed down to Taiping Zoo one quiet weekday morning before CNY festivities got underway and were impressed with what a perfect outing it made for our kiddos.  It’s no Singapore Zoo, but the small size makes it manageable and the variety of animals kept our interest.  I’m not one for huge snakehouses anyway (are you?).

The zoo opens at 8:30am, and leaving Penang shortly after 7 ensured we missed Georgetown traffic and arrived at the zoo before the heat of the day set in.  It also meant we made it for feeding time for most of the animals, and our slow amble at a 3-yr-old pace throughout the zoo basically followed the food wagon.  We even got to participate in feeding, tossing bread to the fish, bananas to the monkeys and even saw one primate catch and peel a whole hardboiled egg while swinging one handed from a tree limb.  By 11:30, we had completed the figure-8 loop and things were heating up.  We headed into downtown Taiping for a hawker lunch, and were back to Penang in time for an afternoon at the pool.

The drive is easy with sufficient sign-postings along the way.  The zoo size is perfect for little people on foot, and accommodating for a stroller for the tiny ones.  The entrance is very affordable (12RM for adults, 8RM for kids over 3), and the animals for the most part seem very happy and well taken care of.  I would definitely recommend Taiping Zoo as a destination for families in Penang with a free morning.

Birthday Party with Birthday Castle

One thing more stressful for a mom than her child’s birthday party is planning it, especially when the guest list gets a little daunting.  It’s my [son’s] party and I [his mother] will cry if I want to.  Luckily, the events company Birthday Castle can take away all that stress and make the party fun for all.  Even if you invite 50 people.

The above photo was of a Disney-themed treats table at a recent one-year old’s party.  There was also a clown sculpting balloon animals, a face painting station, and some helpers handed out Mickey Mouse ears for all the kids to sing Happy Birthday.  Gender-specific goodie bags were passed out and we walked home with some helium balloons.  My two-year-old was in heaven.

Another mom went to a 5-year-old’s party where there was a DIY Key Chain and Bracelet station as well as a clown who did both magic and balloon animals. Perfect backup for a pool party where the weather may not go as planned.

www.birthdaycastle.com.my

Got Visitors? A 3-day Itinerary

We recently had some visitors in town and I thought I would share a (very detailed) account of our itinerary.  If you have friends or family coming around, this might get you going in the right direction.  Between our visitors and my family, we had 3 kids under 3, so this is the toned-down version of everything you could possibly squeeze in.  But who needs pressure, remember they are coming to a tropical island and a little pool time (especially in “winter”) is probably just what they need.

Penang is such a special place, we love living here.  However, whenever visitors come around, I feel like there aren’t really any “WOW” attractions.  It’s the sum of all the good attractions that make it great.  I think this itinerary gives a little taste of it all. Like good Penang-ites, we first considered our meals and built from there.

Day 1: Low Key Temples & Local Flair. Get up and have a light breakfast at home.  Stroll down Gurney Drive and turn down Lorong Burma.  Stop for a peek inside the Burmese and Thai Buddhist temples.  Continue down across Burma to Moulmein and have a leisurely stroll through the Pulau Tikus Wet Market.  Buy any fruits and snacks they have never seen or you insist they try (read: durian) and then grab an outdoor table at the hawkers along Moulmein.  Order up some kopi-O and local specialties and eat your fruit, giving any rejected portion (read: durian) to other happy diners.  Pick up some Nasi Lemak and Curry Puffs for afternoon snacking and head home.  Arrange a masseuse/facialist (I have a recommendation if you need one) to come to your home in the afternoon while kids/jetlagged adults take a siesta.  Hit the pool for late afternoon.  Arrange a local cook (again, I got someone for you if you need) to come fix local specialties for dinner.  Early night or head out for some ice kacang at Northam Beach Hawkers.

Day 2: Georgetown.  Stop for some roti canai and teh tarik for breakfast, then drop the visitors off at E&O for a peek around the hotel and to pick up a tri-shaw for a 2-hour tour around G’town.  The drivers should have a list of stops.  Arrange to meet up on Armenian St and stroll to Acheen St 5RM Banana Leaf Curry for lunch or Amelie/China House if it’s time for a western meal.  Head home for a refresh and siesta.  Hit up Beach Blanket Babylon happy hour with the kids and enjoy the evening hours near the water.  At night, head out for some delicious Nyonya food.  I recommend Ivy’s kitchen on Burma Sq – conveniently two doors down from That Little Wine Bar for post dinner drinks.

Day 3: Nature!  Depending on energy levels and interest, head to either the National Park, Penang Hill, or the Botanical Gardens.  We had runners among us, so I ferried kids to the gardens while the rest of the group made it on foot.  Meet up and stroll around the gardens, then head for fresh juice at the juice bar.  Run or drive home to freshen up then hit up Burma Rd hawkers for lunch and grab a bubble tea after.  Girls head out for little India beauty (eyebrow threading!) and browsing, stopping in at Sam’s Batik for some serious shopping.  At night, get fantastic Thai takeaway (we like Chok Dee Thai) and convince everyone to move to Penang.

Top Picks for Indoor Fun in Penang

A big thank you to today’s guest blogger, Malaysia Meanders.  Just in time for a rainy day.

Penang has more than its fair share of beaches, jungle walks and parks. But sometimes, I just want to do something indoors with the kids. They need a place to burn off some youthful energy while I can rest my weary, middle-aged bones without worrying that they’ll run off into the wilderness. The air-conditioning is a bonus, too. Here are a few of my kids’ favorite spots.

Adventure Zone
When we visited our home in Texas, people would invariably ask the kids what is their favorite thing about Penang. The younger two always declared, “Adventure Zone!” It’s part of the Golden Sands Resort in Batu Feringgi but open to the public and a very popular place with tourists in the area.

Double Drop Slide with ball pit and Demon Drop Slide

The centerpiece of this play area is the drop slides. Seriously, I’ve never seen anything like this in the United States. There’s a trio of wavy racing slides and one double-drop slide that ends in a ball pit. But the scariest one of them all is the Demon Drop Slide. It’s 24-feet tall and extremely steep. In fact, I couldn’t bear to push my child off at the top. It just went against my maternal instincts to shove my kid into an abyss. Luckily, there’s always an attendant at the top who is more than happy to help out the youngsters. Adventure Zone also has a 2-story playscape plus a separate area for toddlers and a play kitchen.

Upstairs, kids can play the Nintendo Wii (RM15 for 30 minutes), foosball or the few arcade games. For an extra charge, try out the Segway Course just outside. As for me, I really like that they have a cafe with drinks (Coffee!!), snacks and ice cream.

Racing Slides

Admission is for 2 hours of play, and kids are required to wear socks and long-sleeve shirts. My son loves this place so much, he had his birthday party here.

Open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
RM20 on weekdays
RM30 on weekends and public holidays
Reduced rates for resort guests
Adventure Zone sometimes runs a promotion letting the 4th child in free with 3 paid admissions.

Mega Kiddie World

The top floor of Queensbay Mall has quite a collection of amusements for the youth of Penang. My daughter always begs to go to Mega Kiddie World. I think there’s another location at Sunway Carnival Mall in Butterworth, too. This multi-story playscape easily entertains kids from ages 3 to 7 years. My only gripes are that the waiting area for parents has a paltry 3 small benches, and they charge adults if they want to accompany their young child inside. Admission is for a full day of play with wristband. Bring socks.RM12 on Monday-Thursday
RM15 on Friday, Saturday and Sunday
RM18 on public holidays and school holidays
RM3 for adults accompanying children into playscape

Mega Kiddie World in Queensbay Mall

Fun World Roller Skate

Next door to Mega Kiddie World in Queensbay Mall, you’ll find the roller skating rink. This is the place that my tween always requests. In fact, I spend most of my time running between Mega Kiddie World and the Roller Skating Rink just to check on everyone. If the parent doesn’t want to skate, they seem to have no problem with you wearing regular shoes while helping your kids keep their balance around the rink. Hubby has hit-or-miss success with whether or not they have shoes for his Size 11 feet. Admission is for a full day of skating plus skates with wristband. Bring socks.

RM15 on weekdays
RM20 on weekends and public holidays

My kids prefer the uncrowded days at the rink.

Video Game Arcades
I’ve seen these at quite a few malls around town. Not surprisingly, they are loud and filled with tweens and teens. I didn’t see many games suitable for young children.

• Mega Leisure World in Queensbay Mall, just around the corner from Mega Kiddie World
• Gurney Plaza on the 7th floor past the movie cinema
• Tesco Shopping Center in Tanjung Bungah, 2nd floor

Movie Theatres
It’s air-conditioned, and I don’t have referee the kids for a blessed 1.5 hours. What’s not to like? Who cares if the plot makes no sense and the jokes are only so-so? Kids’ movies at Gurney Plaza sometimes sell out a couple hours before the start time on weekends, so I highly recommend purchasing your tickets online ahead of time or hit the box office early. Snacks and drinks are so cheap here compared to America — US$3.30 for 2 regular drinks plus a regular popcorn!

• Gurney Plaza – Golden Screen Cinemas
• 1st Avenue Mall in George Town – TGV Cinemas
• Prangin Mall in George Town – Lotus Five Star Cinemas
• Queensbay Mall – Golden Screen Cinemas
• Bukit Jambul in Bayan Lepas – Lotus Five Star Cinemas

Hiking

Sure, trekking up and down Gurney Drive on a Saturday night will allow you to experience Penang.  But if you want to get a taste for our tropical island without the professional karaoke of Carnation, head to the trail.  You will be amazed at the serenity offered off the beaten track, of how quickly the jungle takes over just a few steps away from Batu Ferringhi.  From Penang Hill to the National Park (Penang’s true gem), there are a multitude of options for the day-hiker, and even a few camping options if you want to sleep under the coconut palms.

The book Selected Nature Trails of Penang Island features many of the available hikes and treks, plus offers info on the flora & fauna to be seen along the way.  I have seen this book available at the Botanical Garden’s gift shop (enter the gates, turn left) and from this site.  The Forest Explorers website also shows a few of the hikes available with hand drawn maps and descriptions.

A particularly useful resource crafted by one of our own expats has uploaded routes to the Everytrails website, featuring over 100km of jungle hikes around the island, each with downloadable GPX Track to keep you on the path when the jungle may have intervened.

Penang’s National Park, Taman Negara Pulau Pinang, is truly one of the most wonderful things about this island.  From Monkey Beach to the canopy walk to the turtle hatchery at Pantai Kerachut, there are a myriad of wonderful things to explore and do.  The trails are well maintained and easier than many routes up Penang hill. (A friend’s 3-yr-old can hike independently to Monkey Beach!) There is an added bonus that you can arrange a one-way hike here, taking a boat back from your destination.  There is camping allowed at several spots, but check first for permits.

Make a day of it: Start off by arranging a boat for 2 hours time at Turtle Beach. Sign in at the guards station and follow the easy trail across the suspension bridge.  At the end of the bridge, turn left and follow signs to Pantai Kerachut.  This hike is basically over a hill, so the first half goes up, and then goes down until the beach.  You will pass the merometric lake and find a beach with jetty.  There are toilet facilities here, and a (sand free) covered platform to have a snack.  Walk on past the jetty to the turtle nursery.  Finally, meet your driver for transfer back to Teluk Bahang.  Enjoy some delicious lunch at Khaleel Nasi Kandar in Teluk Bahang before heading home.

Penang Hill (also called Bukit Bendara) is a fascinating place to do some trekking. There are as many routes to the apogee as versions of Asam Laksa, from a paved road to a funicular train to extreme jungle hiking.  I don’t think we’ve taken the same trail twice, but we always end up where we’re headed.  With Penang Hill, you also have the option to make it a one-way hike, taking the train or a jeep down.  There are toilets and refreshments (and refreshing breezes) at hill stations 5, 84, and the top of the hill.

Make a day of it: Start at the Moongate on Waterfall Rd and head right on the trail.  Follow signs to 84, or the blue and orange markings on the trees.  As I mentioned, there are a lot of ways to get there, and you will make it eventually if you keep heading up.  (Go with a seasoned hiker the first time if you are worried).  Arrive in 1-1.5 hours, and enjoy a cup of tea and a biscuit at the station (leave a few ringgit for supplies), then walk down the hill until the 1.5km marker.  Here, veer left toward the pull-up bars and back onto a trail.  Take the steps down and emerge at the botanical gardens.  Exit the gardens and head down to the juice bar for a refreshing blended coconut or a mixed juice of your choice.

Hiking with Children: All of the above hikes were done with the company of my two children, 2.5 yrs and 8 months.  We use Ergo baby for carrying (available at Peekaboo or through Bullfrogs & Butterflies), the baby on my front, my son on my husband’s back.  Hiking with kids can be extremely rewarding, it is great getting out and seeing them marvel at the scenery or helping to navigate.  My son can even walk a bit on his own, and a friend’s 3-yr-old can make it all the way to Monkey beach solo!  Do be sure to be prepared: water, snacks, insect repellent and first aid are important.

Happy Trails.

Hard Rock Hotel Membership

The Hard Rock Hotel in Batu Feringgi offers a “stage pass” membership to local Malaysians and Expatriates.  You pay an annual fee and are entitled to use of the the hotel pool facilities for your family at any time, plus get perks such as dining/spa voucher, discounts, and even a free night’s stay (plus upgrade).  The pool at the HR is fantastic, complete with several water slides, a splash pad area, and a sand-bottomed baby pool. It is a great option for families who do not have pool amenities at their home or even for those that do, feel like you are on holiday each weekend and head to the hotel for the day, then bring the kids home to sleep in their own beds.  Perfect!

The past few years, the Hard Rock membership has been very popular among the Penang Mommas and their families.  It is a great place to meet friends, host parties, and enjoy a weekday afternoon or a weekend morning.  Check the Stage Pass link on the Hard Rock website for details.

Penang Butterfly Farm

If you have kids in Penang, and you haven’t done so already, I highly recommend you follow the signs to Taman Rama-Rama and make your way to the Penang Butterfly Farm.  This lush jungle is enclosed by a green house about halfway between the Teluk Bahang traffic circle and the dam.  It is filled with flowers, running water, pitcher plants and of course, butterflies.  It is as mesmerizing to an adult as to a 2-yr-old, and my 5 month old even loved watching the colorful flittering wings.  Fans of Eric Carle will enjoy seeing some tiny, very hungry caterpillars on some hanging plants near the entrance, and see them in the cocoons waiting to become beautiful butterflies.  The garden is enchanting.  After you’ve had your fill of winged creatures, check out the millipedes, lizards, frogs, snakes and beetles on display as you head indoors.  Then enjoy the fantastic gift shop which has every item you wish you had bought in your travels in South-East Asia but didn’t get around to: Vietnamese thread paintings, Terra Cotta Warriors, and last time I picked up a Balinese batik butterfly I had been looking for.

Tips: The park opens at 9:30, get there AT 9:30, or even before.  A greenhouse in the midday sun heats up to an incredible temperature.  By 10:15 we were dripping.  It’s also pretty magical to be the only ones milling around.

Make a day of it: After the Butterfly farm, head back towards Georgetown and stop at the beach across from the Spice Garden (my favorite beach in Penang!) for a play in the sand and a splash for the kiddos.  Then replenish your resources with an ice cold fragrant coconut, asam laksa and nasi goreng cina from the beach front hawker or head up the hill to Tree Monkey Cafe if you are in the mood for a splurge (and another great gift shop).  It’d be about nap time for everyone at this point, so make your winding way back to town.

George Town Festival :: 15 June – 15 July

The George Town Festival (GTF) is one of my favourite times of the year in Penang. For a whole month interesting and unique local and international music, theatre, dance, film and art events are held all over Georgetown. It is great to get a fix of culture that is not always readily available in Penang and a great way to discover places and organisations that have always existed here.

“The unique appeal of the festival lies in its well-balanced blend of local cultural performance 

and events with cutting edge international performances. For centuries, Penang was renowned 

as an international commercial gateway. GTF was created to put George Town and Penang 

back on the world stage as an international boutique destination for art and culture. 

International media giants such as The New York Times, CNNgo, Wall Street Journal have already

  covered the festival and the buzz for this year’s festival is stronger than ever.”

Most of the events are free of charge but some of the international “highlight” acts do require tickets. (Ticket prices are well below what you would pay to see the same act at an Australian Arts festival). I have already bought tickets for The Manganiyar Seduction, which I am very excited about.

The George Town Festival web site: www.georgetownfestival.com has detailed information on all this year’s events. It also has an on-line ticketing option, however they were experiencing some problems with the provider. If the online ticketing option is down, you can call “Ticket charge”; +603 9222 8811 to book tickets and they will courier them to you free of charge. There are also ticket outlets around Penang: GTF office, 90 Armenian Street, Sentuhan at Straits Quay and Speedy Videos in Gurney Plaza. Discounts are offered if you buy 10 or more tickets.

Today, Friday May 25th, GTF will be launching “CODE RED” an interactive game for kids/teens/adults to play and win tickets to some events. The game is basically a “code” hunt, where series of 6 barcodes will be located on selected heritage buildings in George Town, and each code, once scanned, will reveal a question and a hint to the next location. Once all questions are answered, the contestant must complete a form which can be found at http://www.georgetownfestival.com/node/97

Content from Anna J.

Cruising Penang by Bicycle

We love to get around by bike.  You can avoid traffic and park pretty much at the doorway of where ever you want to go for free.  The terrain is flat and the weather is usually good.  Sure, Penang is not the most bike (or pedestrian)-friendly spot, but drivers are used to lots of 2-wheeled vehicles and seem to steer clear; a bell on front warns wayward walkers of your approach.  A basket on the front of your bike means you can bring home a market load or cruise Georgetown as a family.

You may have seen me around town at the end of last year, my toddler in the basket and a big baby bump in front of me; I love biking Penang so much I rode until my 39th week and even to my doctor’s appointments (I told you the parking at Island Hospital was horrible!).  I may be crazy, but if you want to join in the insanity, I want to share where you can pick up an old-school ride like I have (and hope to be riding again soon, I got a helmet for the once-bump-now-babe!)

Down Armenian street, near the corner of Pitt St, a double-shop front carries used bicycles and a myriad of antiques. Chin Seng Leong Bicycle Shop is a Penang classic, and owner Chen is a laid back dude who will help you get what you want.  Especially cool are the red postal bikes with convertible basket/baby seat.

Please, please, please always wear a helmet when riding anywhere, and make sure it fits too.  Same for the kiddos.  I’ve brought our helmets from the states, but any of the Giant or other large bike shops can outfit your noggin.  Check out the shops on Carnavon St (there are a couple on either side of the road).

Riding the Rails on Penang Hill

The reopened Penang Hill funicular rail is a great activity for kids and your visitors. My 2-yr-old cannot contain his excitement for getting to ride a choo-choo train (with a ticket!), and visitors from the states fully appreciate the 10 degree drop in temperature at the top. The station is at the dead end of Air Hitam Rd, follow signs to Bukit Bendara (Penang Hill in Bahasa) and go straight at the round-about. There is a parking garage that is not yet open, so find parking on the street, parking attendants on motorbikes will show you the way. I recommend getting there early, before 8:30am, if it is a weekend or public holiday. Unfortunately, there are two ticket prices, one for myKad holders and one for foreigners. Guess which is higher. Children under 3 are free. The train leaves every half hour on the hour and half past in quiet times, and every quarter hour when there is a line.

Once at the top, you can enjoy vistas of Penang and the Straits of Malacca from a cool 22 degrees. David Brown’s restaurant serves English-style tea and fare from the choicest vantage, and recently opened a drinks bar over-looking Penang Bridge. There are a couple other eateries currently under construction, and also an owl museum coming up soon.

Our typical itinerary for a Saturday morning is to drop off those keen to walk up the hill (or in my slightly-insane husband’s case, run up the hill) at the moon gate near the Botanical gardens around 8am, then drive with the children over to the railway ticket office. We try to get the “front” seats which are actually in the back of the train looking down and ride up to the top. I’ll pack a breakfast picnic (and a towel and change of clothes for those who hoofed it up) and find a shady spot in David Brown’s garden or on a bench to enjoy the cool breeze. We’ll all take the train down (a one-way ticket can be purchased at the top) and head off for lunch somewhere around Georgetown.