Penang - The Pearl of the Orient
Location
Penang is located on the North-West coast of Peninsular Malaysia and is the second smallest state in Malaysia after Perlis, and the eight most populous. The state capital of Penang is George Town.
Penang is divided into two sections by the Straits of Malacca: The Penang Island (which is around 293 square kilometres) and Seberang Perai (760 square kilometres) that borders Kedah in the North and East, and Perak in the South.
Climate
As Malaysia is situated near the Equator, Penang enjoys a year-round equatorial climate which is warm and sunny, along with plentiful rainfall, especially during the Monsoon season (from April - September).
Language
The most common languages in Penang are English, Penang Hokkien (Chinese dialect), Mandarin and Bahasa Melayu (national language). It is safe to say that everyone in Penang can speak English as the English Language is taught in schools. Common useful phrases in three languages (English/ Mandarin/ Bahasa Melayu):
English Mandarin Bahasa Melayu Good Morning Zhao Aun
Selamat Pagi Good Afternoon Wu Aun
Selamat Petang How Are You? Ni Hao Mah? Apa Khabar? My name is.... Wor De Ming Zhi Jiao.... Nama Saya.... Thank You Xie Xie Terima Kasih I'm Sorry Dui Bu Qi Minta Ma-af I Don't Understand Wor Bu Ming Bai Saya Tidak Faham How Much is it? Qing Wen Duo Shao Qian? Berapakah harganya? Is There Anyone Who Understands English? Qing Wen Yuo Shuei Dong Ing Wen? Ada Sesiapakah Yang Memahami Bahasa Inggeris?
Transportation
Getting to Penang is easy since Penang is connected by road, rail, sea and air. However, getting around Penang might be a little bit tricky as the Penang Bus Services are generally unsystematic and unreliable. The Penang City Council (MPPPP) has, however, provided FREE shuttle bus services to all for travel within Georgetown.
Taxis in Penang are aplenty. However, although it is compulsory for taxis drives to use the meter system, Penang taxis drivers have yet to conformed to this policy. Thus, it is always advisable to bargain the taxi fare before getting in the taxi.
The Penang International Airport is located in Bayan Lepas and international flights are available to Hong Kong, Singapore, Medan, Taipei, Bangkok, Phuket, Siam Reap, Xiamen, Guangzhou and so on. The airport handles both domestic and international flights, and serves as the Northern gateway to Malaysia.
Food
Penang Islang is a food paradise and has earned the nickname of being the Food Capital of Malaysia. The unique cuisine is an ethnic mix of Chinese, Nyonya, Malay, Indian and Thai. Penang is famous for its "hawker food" - a variety of food that are being sold and eaten by the street. Places to head out to when one wants to sample Penang's hawker food are:
- Gurney Drive
- Pulau Tikus
- New Lane
- Swatow Lane
- Penang Road
- Chulia Street
- Batu Ferringhi
If local food is not to your liking, there are numerous restaurants and food outlets that serve international cuisines such as Japanese, Korean, Italian, Western, Lebanese, Swiss and Taiwanese. However, if you are more of a coffee lover than a food lover, then you're in for a treat as Starbucks and Coffee Bean outlets are strategically located around the Island.
