Muka Head is the name of the promontory on the northwest tip of Penang Island. It is the site of the Muka Head Lighthouse which was built by the British, in the year 1883. Standing at an elevation of 242m in Muka Head at Teluk Bahang, at Latitude 05º 28.4' N and Longitude 100º 10.9' E, the lighthouse is a 14m high white granite tower. It is one of two lighthouses on Penang Island - the other, at Forn Cornwallis, and was built in 1882. Yet another lighthouse is located on Pulau Rimau off the the southeast coast of Penang Island. (For more information on the lighthouses in Malaysia, visit the Malaysia Marine Department, http://www.marine.gov.my/light/index.html website.)
On the way to the Muka Head Lighthouse, one passes the USM Research Station. It was established in 1996 to carry out researches on tropical marine and coastal studies. According to Mr Tajul Arosh of the MNS, as pointed out the MNS Penang webpage in 2002, http://www.geocities.com/mnspenang/articles/2001/PAFR2001.htm, while research is still being carried out at the station, it was on a near extinct species of clams that are moreover a transplant from another state. He lamented the penchant that Malaysians have for all things new but are not keen on the preservation or maintenance what we already have, be it buildings or the environment. I do share his sentiments; at AsiaExplorers, we endeavour to education the public about the need to preserve and maintain what we have. Our massive membership base is testiment that we are slowly getting the message across.
There was another trekking party on the way to Muka Head, and I happened to know a few of the participants.
Teluk Duyung is a bay in Muka Head. There are a few dilapidated bungalows here, said to belong to the late local tycoon Tan Sri Loh Boon Siew. The only form of running water available is in the form of stream water piped in for use. The toilet was again a hole in the ground.
At the time of my visit, the Muka Head Lighthouse was manned by a kindly caretaker, Encik Shukor, who allowed us the privilege to climb to the top for a panoramic view of the surrounding northwest tip of Penang. He even offered us some hot tea. He earned quite good money to stay at the lighthouse for the whole week, taking turns with two other caretakers. There is no television to keep him company, just a radio. I know I would go absolutely ravingly mad if I were to stay in the same spot for more than a day, but Encik Shukor looked quite sane to me.
Upon returning from the lighthouse, one group of members, including myself, left for home. Another group, led by Christopher Choong, made camp to stay the night. Christopher later reported to me that on the following morning, when the tide was out, the remaining party discovered that the floor of the bay was strewn with discards and trash.
Considering how low the level of civic education of the general public, I would advocate that forest rangers be posted at the Penang National Park and a fee be charged for its upkeep. I do not mind paying money to enter the park, as long as I do not have to double as garbage collector. I want to come here to enjoy the fresh air and natural beauty, and not have to come across discarded water bottles and wrappers. And I would expect amenities in good working order, taps to run, and toilets clean and working. A reasonable park fee will also keep out "cheap" people who are also the most likely to leave their trash behind.
Timothy Tye
2 March, 2004
Finding Accommodation in Penang
If you're going to Penang, you now have the option of finding accommodation in a hotel, or look for one in hostels and guesthouses. To book a room in a star-rated hotel, use the Penang Hotel Guide for Budget Travelers. To find accommodation in a Hostel or Guesthouse, use the Penang Guide to Hostels and Guesthouses. Each link provides detailed listing of the type of accommodation you can expect in Penang. Be aware that you get what you pay for. If you need a certain degree of comfort, then a star-rated hotel may be an ideal option for you. On the other hand, if you are able to forego a bit of creature comfort, then hostels and guesthouses are clean, safe, and incredibly good value for money. For accommodation in other destinations, visit Hotel Guide for Budget Travelers or Hostels & Guesthouses Accommodation Guide.
Map of Penang Northwest: Location of Muka Head
The Lighthouse of Muka Head.
Muka Head Photo Gallery
Group shot of AsiaExplorers members participating in the Muka Head Excursion.
Left: Hikers crossing the suspension bridge at Teluk Bahang. Right: Boulders line the way.
View of the sea between the trees.
Members of AsiaExplorers hiking towards the lighthouse.
The spiral stairway to the lighthouse.
View from the Muka Head lighthouse.
The bulb of the lighthouse.
The lighting element of the lighthouse. Note the size of the bulb.
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Thank you very much for visiting Penang Travel Tips! My name is Tim. I am the writer of this website. I created it to share with travel enthusiasts information that I have assembled about Penang, which I hope is useful to you, and is as accurate as I am able to put together.
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