8/10 Penang Hill

Monday 8^th Penang Hill

This being our last full day here we decided to bus to the funicular that runs up the 3000 ft mountain. We had some trouble finding the right bus stop so we changed the plan and aimed at going to the Butterfly Park. However, just at that moment, the 204 bus approached and the driver kindly stopped for us at the wrong stop. So we were back on track.

Kek Lok Si Temple - largest Buddhist temple in SE Asia

Georgetown is much bigger than we first thought and we passed some very large and spectacular temples and mosques. The island is probably typical of the whole country, where apparently the various ethnic and religious groups coexist closely and harmoniously. The majority are Moslem and Malay but they would be regarded as moderates, with the women attired in colourful clothes and headscarves. There was one woman on the train with us wearing the full burqa and dark glasses hiding even her eyes. Incongruously, her husband sat next to her in shorts Tshirt and thongs.

 Funicular track

 Mosque

 Hindu Temple

 Old car

At the top of the mountain a mosque and a Hindu temple shared the commanding views all around the island. It was misty when we arrived but the sun shone through in patches and eventually we had clear view of the mainland to the East and the open sea to the North. We were amazed just how much of the land was built up with highrise blocks.

The view.  Looked better to the human eye.  We were just glad it cleared at all as it was totally clouded in when we arrived and others had no view at all in the previous days.

My Grandaughter Alyssa just loves owls due to 'Giggle & Hoot'.  So this definately made us think of her.  The markets are also full of all things 'owl'.

Georgetown ranks as the 8^th most liveable city in Asia and has large expatriate communities. The North coast has long stretches of very good beach and clusters of resorts and condominium complexes.

We had Malay lunch up the hill and some bought some girly clothes. Back in town we stalked the markets and collected a whole lot of boy stuff. We were lucky enough to be spared rain all day. Dinner was back at the Indian restaurant from 2 days ago.