Explore a different destination 8, 10 & 12 Popus Lane


      EarthDocumentary World Budget Travel Guide About Me Compare Hotel Room Rates from different Booking Sites




8, 10 & 12 Popus Lane (24 April 2009)
© Timothy Tye using this photo

8, 10 & 12 Popus Lane Location Map


View 8, 10 & 12 Popus Lane in a larger map


8, 10 & 12 Popus Lane (24 April 2009)
© Timothy Tye using this photo


8, 10 & 12 Popus Lane (24 April 2009)
© Timothy Tye using this photo


8, 10 & 12 Popus Lane (24 April 2009)
© Timothy Tye using this photo


8, 10 & 12 Popus Lane (24 April 2009)
© Timothy Tye using this photo

8, 10 & 12 Popus Lane is a row of pre-war houses that have been beautifully restored by Pat and Alan, an Australian couple from Melbourne who decided to make Penang their new home under the MM2H, Malaysia My Second Home programme. Since deciding to live in Penang about four years ago, Pat and Alan have bought up a few pre-war houses.

Many of the houses were in a poor condition when they purchase them. The couple had to completely re-do the interior, while keeping the exterior faithful to its original design. According to Pat and Alan, it is so much cheaper to do up the house in Penang. It would have been too expensive to do the same back in Melbourne. Delighted by their accomplishment, they have opened their homes to other foreigners contemplating Penang as a second home. Often Pat and Alan would rent out their houses to those who are in the process of settling in Penang. The houses provide useful ideas on how new comers can create a good living environment for themselves within George Town itself.

Will this not have a detrimental effect on the price of houses in George Town, I asked Pat and Alan. On the other hand, they responded. The locals often do not appreciate the pre-war houses that they have in George Town. Perhaps, as foreigners, they can offer a glimpse of how these pre-war houses can be properly restored and made into comfortable homes that measure up to the expectations of the present-day lifestyle, and be sufficiently comfortable for foreigners too.

Asked why they love staying in Penang, Pat and Alan told me that the enjoy Penang for many reasons. The weather is good - it is neither too hot nor too cold. According to Alan, it can get so hot in Australia, it feels like sticking your head in the oven. Also, there are plenty of flies in summer, even in Melbourne, something which the folks in George Town aren't aware. Pat and Alan said that they can easily get good, inexpensive food anywhere in George Town; where they come from, it costs and arm and a leg to eat out, but over here, people eat out practically every day out of convenience - though Pat admitted, it isn't doing a good job on her waist!

Pat and Alan showed me through their home in Penang, and then we drove over the Popus Lane where I was given a little tour. The houses at Popus Lane were constructed in the 1940's - around the Second World War. The way Pat and Alan have done them up is to make them very comfortable living space, especially for foreign couples.

If you are a non Malaysian contemplating the Malaysia-My-Second-Home programme, you can get in touch with Pat and Alan, who would be thrilled to offer you tips. You can reach them in Penang at +60-16 6142181. You can also write them at the email address shown below:

Getting there

Take the free Rapid Penang shuttle bus to Bus Stop No. 11 (Kedah Road). From there, walk a short distance to Popus Lane, which is off Transfer Road.

Nearby Sights

  • Keramat Dato Koyah



  • Click for list of Penang Heritage Sites

    Get the best rates when booking Penang hotels

    Before booking a hotel room, make sure you are getting the lowest price for it. Different hotel booking websites offers the same room at different prices. If you stick with one site all the time, you could be paying more for the same room. Now why pay more?

    The form below is a Research Engine. It doesn't take bookings. Instead it lets you find the hotel booking website that offers the room you want at the lowest price. You can see and compare what different sites are offering, and then click to choose the one with the best price. Do this, and you're guaranteed to save a whole lot of money on your room reservations!



    Flight Checker

    Our Flight Checker helps travelers compare flights and get the lowest fare for their trips. If you're flying somewhere, use our Flight Checker to compare the rates from different airlines. To use it, enter where you will be flying from, where you will be flying to, your departure date and return date. Select the number of passengers, and then click search.

    Our engine will return you a list of possible flights that you can take. You can compare the fare of different airlines for your trip. Click on your selected airline, and we transfer you to the airline website.


    Return to Penang Travel Tips homepage

    My message introducing God to all the world: THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO TIM


    Bookmark and Share   Follow EarthDocumentary on Twitter


    Tim's Travel Tips and globe logo are trademark and service mark of Timothy Tye. Copyright © 2008-2010 Timothy Tye. All Rights Reserved.
    Penang Travel Tips is researched and written by Timothy Tye, universally known as Tim. The text is the copyright of Timothy Tye, and may not be copied for commercial use or re-published in another website without the author's permission. Information provided is in goodwill and is believed to be correct and up-to-date at time of writing. Photographs on this website are the copyright of the author and may not be reused without prior permission. For commercial licensing of photographs, read the licensing terms.