Hello and welcome to Penang Travel Tips!
I am Timothy Tye, aka Tim the Traveler. It's a great pleasure to welcome you into my world. As a travel author, travel business owner and former council member of the Penang Heritage Trust, I created Penang Travel Tips to showcase Penang in mersmerizing detail. You'd find here lots of useful information on Penang. Over the years, Penang Travel Tips has become an online source of information used by everybody, not just visitors but also locals, students, teachers, tour guides and even journalists.
Penang Travel Tips is a website, not a blog (I'm a web author, not a blogger. I am saying this here because many people cannot tell the difference). Penang Travel Tips is a spin-off from AsiaExplorers, which I started in 2003, and forms just a minute portion of my world travel guide. I am passionate about information, and am working to describe the whole world, one place at a time. Everything you read here is thoroughly researched and regularly revised and updated.
If you're a visitor to Penang, it's my great pleasure to bid you a very warm welcome. Though we may not meet in person, my website serves as a proxy in showing you around and giving you the distinctly Penang hospitality. Penang is a destination that many people love to bits (and I'm one of them, of course), and with this website, I want to show you why. At Penang Travel Tips, you can find information on just about anything related to Penang, from the tourist attractions, localities, streets and businesses to bus maps, beaches, history, heritage sites, street art, condominiums, skyscrapers, food, coffee shops, churches, mosques, temples, even the language.
Even if you're a resident in Penang, you will find lots of information that is useful to you. Looking for a bank, mechanic, dentist, handicraft shop, pharmacy, Chinese medical hall? There's over a hundred different businesses in Penang listed, each neighbourhood and street has its own list of business. Looking to fill your stomach with good Penang food? You'd find here a directory of coffee shops. Where to get laksa, nasi kandar, char koay teow, Hokkien mee, mee goreng, wantan mee? Every Penang hawker food is pinpointed on Google Maps showing exact locations where they're sold. If you love shopping, there's information on shopping malls, bazaars, stores, shops, outlets, etc.
If you're simply curious about Penang, there's more than enough information to turn you into an expert. There's indepth detail on the history of Penang, on Francis Light, on the British in Penang, on the history of the Chinese, of Kedah's hisotry with Penang, and so on. As you walk the streets of George Town, you may be keen to look up information on the architecture of Penang, the various styles, from mosques and temples to godowns and five-foot ways.Indeed, for anything and everything about Penang, there's Penang Travel Tips!
If you're driving to Penang, there's a guide for driving and parking as well as tips on where to find petrol stations, traffic-jam prone spots, even clamping zones. If you're coming to live in Penang as an expatriate or permanent resident, get details on where to stay, nearest markets, schools, night markets, hospitals, and so on. Looking for an apartment? There's hundreds of apartments and condominiums listed on this website, along with useful tips to make sure you find the best property.
Why Penang Travel Tips?
Why do I write Penang Travel Tips? As mentioned, it's part of my description of the whole world, but more than that, it's a reflection of the overflowing of curiosity I have for things around me, and the quest to completely understand the world results in this free sharing of information that I have uncovered, about Penang and everywhere else. I'm so curious of stuff - I'm the bear who wants to know what's on the other side of the mountain. For Penang alone, I've assembled so much information that if you just read it, you won't need a Penang guidebook.
Writing Penang Travel Tips require checking out places, taking photographs, understanding local history and culture, talking to people, reading the news, updating existing pages and so on. To many, what I do may look like a lot of hard work, and it probably is, but as I approach it with much passion, I don't really think of it as work at all. I am a prolific writer, I know I am, but even then, 24 hours a day is not enough for one person to describe the whole world, so my websites is forever a work in progress.
I am happy to be able to state here that I receive no grants or sponsorship from anybody to maintain Penang Travel Tips (never applied for, don't intend to) and all my other sites. And no plans to so I do not have to answer to any "body" that will exert its influence on what I write and how I choose to write it. The opinion expressed on this website is my personal views. I am however thankful for all the encouragement that you readers have given me, the emails I received from you, I do appreciate all the emails you write to me and I look forward to receiving them all.
My friend Pearly has just come up with her own cookbook, A Nyonya Inheritance. 35 Nyonya authentic recipes appreciated by many Westerners. You can now learn from our own Penang Nyonya with her first cookbook, put together after six years of teaching local cooking to overseas guests. Also, if you wish to learn cooking from Pearly, you can get more details right here.
You can purchase A Nyonya Inheritance by clicking this link. If you are keen to try good Nyonya food, you can also find out how you can dine with Pearly.
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If you need your municipal councillor to fix a broken pipe or mend a road, get the municipal councillor's contact here. If you are staying on mainland Penang and working in the Bayan Lepas Free Industrial Zone, find out how you can save money by taking the free Bridge Express Shuttle Transit (BEST) buses provided by the Penang State Government.
If you're a budget traveller, Penang Travel Tips is a treasure trove of details to help you stretch your dollar. Find out how to visit Penang on just US$18 per day, inclusive meals, lodging and sightseeing. Find out about all the free bus routes.
If you enjoy Penang Travel Tips, visit also my website on Malaysia, Asia, and the Whole Wide World!
Let me show you Penang in person!
I generally maintain a very low profile. (Having said that, I believe most people in the tourism circle in Penang know me.) People in Penang will often see me in the streets, but in general, I seldom meet up with people. In addition to this website, there are two occasions where you can meet me in person for me to share what I know about Penang with you. The first is at a Penang Heritage Trust Site Visit. These site visits, held about once every month or so, offer a glimpse into historical places in Penang, many of which are usually not open to the general public. I have been helping in organizing these site visits since 2006, and even now, as an ordinary member, I continue to provide input on this. If you are interested to visit such places, contact PHT at 04 264 2631, and tell them you want to become a member and join the site visits with me.
The second opportunity to meet up with me is through a "Continuing Tourism Related Education" (CTRE) session, usually conducted by Sentral College (contact Joanna: 04 2299168) or the Penang Tourist Guide Association (PTGA), . Although these are meant to educate tour guide, I believe they are open to accept the paying general public if you are interested in the topics. A CTRE is a 3-hour session. I often conduct one on something related to Penang.
If you want the most indepth, intimate insight into Penang, let me show it to you myself. All you need to do is sign up for a Penang Heritage Trust (PHT) Site Visit (contact Miss Koay, 04 261 4461).
Preparing Money for your trip to Malaysia
The currency used in Malaysia is the Malaysian Ringgit (MYR). For more details, take a look at the Malaysian Ringgit currency notes.
Where to stay in Penang? You have at your disposal the whole gamut, from the most luxurious palaces of pampering to the most basic bed-and-nothing. Let me describe the hotels, the hostels, the guesthouses, all the places where accommodation is provided.
Why pay travel agent prices
Top value Travel insurance
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What's there to see in Penang? Borrowing a line from Shrek, let me tell you this: "Penang is like an onion." It won't reveal its secrets till you peel it, layer by layer. Then and only then, you'd discover the charming, magical destination that so many people are raving about. At Penang Travel Tips, so that you shed no tears, I peel the onion for you.
Places of worship? There's plenty here, in Penang and streets, with more being added from time to time.
If you are visiting Penang with a special interest, you've reach the right site. If you're into photography, learn where are the scenic spots in Penang, get my tips on where to go. Find out when's the best time to visit Penang. Find out about all the colourful festivals in Penang and when they take place.
If you're into history, you can dive right in and learn Penang's history, from the earliest chronicles, to present day. Find the Cherok Tokun relics, the Sam Poh footprint, the oldest mosque in Penang, the oldest Hindu temple, learn how George Town grew, see Penang from your mind's eye how it looks like two hundred years ago.
Languages Spoken in Penang
Would you have trouble communicating with the people in Penang? I don't think so, as most people speak English, albeit often localized into Manglish. But you can also learn to speak Penang Hokkien, the predominant dialect used here. It's easy to learn, and a simple grammar and syntext.
If you need someone to show you, write to me, and I can help arrange for a licensed tour guide to take you. As a member of the Penang Tourist Guide Association, I can get you guides according to what you want, heritage specialist guides, nature and ecology specialist guides, food specialists guides, etc.
What to eat in Penang
Ah, when you're in Penang, you're in Malaysia's gastronomic paradise. If you are Malaysian, you would know that Penang is a famous local destination for food, and plenty has been written by hordes of Penangites about their local fare.
Penang people are very proud of their food. If you have no time to spare, never argue with a Penangite on food - he will always say Penang food is best (even when sometimes it isn't). If you are visiting Penang friends, be sure to compliment the food - Penang people can never get enough of hearing how nice their food taste! Everyone has his own favourite stalls, and I'm no exception to this.
If you do not like the food in Penang, keep your mouth shut, or say something like "Ah, the taste is very, very interesting, and so different from back home!" It's better to be insincere than to be tossed off the Penang Bridge!
Penang Local Fare
Oh, and speaking of food, if you love food, you're in for a treat! Penang is famous for you. Learn how Penang Food looks like (fyi, Hokkien Mee in Penang is different from Hokkien Mee in Kuala Lumpur!) Get my recommendation of where to go for my favourite hawker food. Find coffee shops. And if you feel like bringing home the recipe, no problem, the recipes are already waiting for you right here! Learn about the ingredients, the spices, the herbs, learn the history of the food!
Coming to work in Penang
Coming to live and work in Penang? Welcome to the Land of Expensive Real Estate! Penang has one of the highest property prices in the country. To make your journey a little less bumpy, let me help you get to know every neighbourhood in Penang. Find out where you should buy or rent. Which is closest to your office?
Some neighbourhoods may appear inexpensive until you factor it the travel time and traffic jams. Learn before you leap! Looking for an apartment? You'd find here a long list, from the filthily opulent to the no-frills bare minimum. Find out where it's located, where's the nearest market, school, petrol station, how close it is to the city centre (find out where's Magazine Circus, a place that's now neither a circus nor a roundabout).
Retiring in Penang
Coming to retire in Penang? Let me tell you about Malaysia My Second Home program. Let me introduce to you places where expatriates hang out, organisations that you can join.
And the daily necessities? Don't worry, I list out the location of the banks, the markets, even the 7-Elevens and the McDonald's.
Learn Penang Hokkien
If you're really hardcore to fit right in, here's something else at Penang Travel Tips that's fun and is sure to impress everybody: learn to speak Penang Hokkien! Learn the useful phrases, learn to count, learn to ask for directions, learn to bargain! Speak to seller on the streets, in the market, at the bus stop. They will be so impressed, and so will your friends!
If you're simply reading this website for fun, then you'd find lots of fun facts. Learn the history of all the roads in George Town! Find out how they got their names. Learn about places that are disappearing, like the Canals of George Town, obscure clan houses. Learn who are the famous people in Penang.
Having learned about everything and everybody related to Penang, you can also learn about me. I am many things including, a Council Member of Penang Heritage Trust and a member of the Penang Tourist Guide Association. But above all that, I am a travel enthusiast, I am passionate about Penang as well as all the destinations in the world.
Thank you once again for visiting Penang Travel Tips, and be sure to visit my other websites, as listed in www.timothytye.com. Have a great day ahead.
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