Greetings to you. May you feel at home and enjoy what I am sharing on this little corner. I am learning as much as I can from you and fellow blogger community. It is my first attempt at blogging. Who knows, it could be another source of information for the community and at the same time it could well be another source of income for me as I am as much interested in making money online. Let's go from here...
Most of us in Penang who have own transportation such as motorcars and motorcycles very seldom take a ride on the public bus services. With the revamp of the local transportation routes, frequency timetable and regular scheduled trips from the main stations to the depots along major roads on Penang Island and Seberang Perai, the Bus service provider, Rapid Penang has improved the transportation for many who relied on public transport. The Rapid Penang buses are fully air-conditioned and with wide glass window panel that allow you good sighting of all places as you travel on the route. This is a plus point for the tourist who can travel in cool environment and have great view.
Balik Pulau Bus Depot for Rapid Penang Buses
The Destinations and Routes Charts
The bus company is owned by the Federal government and they have taken over almost all the routes servicing the Penangites all over the Penang State. One thing, the seats are more comfortable and the steps and alighting doors are fully automatics with the bus driver having the control buttons to help assist the handicapped - wheel chaired and senior citizens to get on board by lowering the bus body to facilitate them to get into the bus and getting down at the designated bus stops and stations.
Rapid Penang Bus arriving at Balik Pulau Bus Depot from Jetty
5S
Bus at the parking bay at Balik Pulau Depot with the information board
Bigfoothill happened to be in Balik Pulau Rapid Penang Depot in the late evening and witnessed the washing and cleaning of the buses that are based at the depot. You can now enjoy clean and shiny seats and standees handles on neat and tidy buses that do not emit thick black smokes. Even the bus stations and stops have new looks and better waiting seats and roof shelters as the company upgrade the facilities together with the local councils MPPP and MPSP. They practiced the Japanese 5S to help them stay clean and orderly. We can help to lessen the pollutions and greenhouse effects by traveling on common public transports that are efficient and reduce the need to build more and wider roads for private single occupied passenger vehicles and thus avoid traffic jams and reduce our traveling time from one point to the destination.
One word of caution from the friendly staff, Mr Nordin, the Security Staff at Balik Pulau Depot especially for those of you who are traveling to Balik Pulau by Rapid Buses for the sole purpose of buying the famous Durians home to eat with family and friends. Durian fruits are prohibited from entering the bus unless you open up the fruits and take all the flesh and put it in sealed containers to avoid its smell from floating in the bus thereby causing discomforts and unpleasantness to its passengers. If you unknowingly already brought a whole load of it to the station, please finish eating it before you get into the bus or open the fruits to put the flesh and seeds into a air-tight sealed container to carry it home. Best of all, have a Durian feast and invite all at the station to help you finish eating it in 1Malaysia spirit.
Best way to eat durians is with hands
Some of the buses servicing from the Balik Pulau depot are number 401, 401E, 501 and 502 that go all the way to the Jetty at Georgetown. Please check it out as there could be some changes to the timetable and routing.
With the excitement on the festive Hari Raya Aidil Fitri going into second day on Wednesday August 31, 2011, in Malaysia, it is also the day where we Malaysians are reminded of the day the British granted independence to Federation of Malaya on August 31, 1957. Our First Prime Minister, His Royal Highness and Honorable Tunku Abdul Rahman made the proclamation of Independence of the Federation of Malaya by proclaiming "Merdeka!" three times at the official ceremony held at the then National Stadium which was known as Stadium Merdeka. "Merdeka" is the Malay word for Independence
It is interesting to note that my country known as Malaysia to the world was only formed under the Malaysia Agreement on September 16, 1963 after the coming together of Malaya (which is the territory on peninsular of Malaya) and three other equal nations consisting of Singapore( formerly a part of the Straits Settlements together with Penang and Malacca. The State of Singapore Act was passed in the United Kingdom Parliament in August 1958 providing for the establishment of the State of Singapore), Sabah (Formerly known as British North Borneo which attained self-government on August 31, 1963) and Sarawak(which were officially granted independence by the British on July 22, 1963). Both Sabah and Sarawak are on the Borneo Island.
According to historical archives, the idea of formation of Malaysia was first mooted by the first Prime Minister of Malaya, Tunku Abdul Rahman in 1961. It was targeted that the date August 31,1963 for Sabah and Sarawak to be independent from British and together with Singapore to join Federation of Malaya to form Malaysia to coincide with Malaya's independence day on August 31st in 1957 then. However, due to the objections and confrontation with Indonesia and the claim on Sabah by the Philippines which were related to its Sultanate of Sulu at the Southern Philippines, the United Nation sent a delegate to confirm with the people of Sabah and Sarawak of their intention to join in the formation of Malaysia. This has caused the delay and resulted in the ultimate formation of Malaysia on September 16, 1963 with Sabah and Sarawak and Singapore.
So Malaysia Day is on September 16 of every year. Many Malaysians and generations like Bigfoothill learned the history of Malaysia from books that said that Malaysia achieved independence on August 31, 1957 which is not correct as it was Malaya's independence from the British. As children, me and my friends,we always look forward to the parade and programs lined up by the state government of Perlis. We would also watch the live telecasts of the street procession and celebrations held at the Federal Capital in Kuala Lumpur where the King or Yang Di Pertuan Agong took his salutation and inspections of the throngs of armed forces, navy, air-force and other civil contingents. We get excited and felt proud when we saw the fly pass by the air-force helicopters and jets, the drive through by the arm forces artillery, tanks and combat vehicles.
Now the history of Malaysia gaining independence from British is very much talked about by politicians especially after the last General Election held on March 8, 2008 as the current ruling Government from the National Front Coalition is holding to a slight marginal edge over the Opposition through seats they won comfortably from the states of Sabah and Sarawak. These two States who were formally being independence nations maintained some special privileges under the Malaysia Agreement. It seemed that the politicians from the Peninsular from both the ruling party and opposition are making and offering a lot concessions such as appointing more cabinet ministers,deputies, secretaries and the Parliament Speaker and offers plenty of funding and development projects to the politicians of the two states ruling coalition parties in order to secure their supports and the mandate to form the Federal Government with the seats won especially at the 12th General Election. With the next General Election coming soon, there are more politicking across the South China Seas and the politicians from the Peninsular Malaysia will make more trips to the Borneo Island to woo the voters there.
As a Malaysian, it saddened me to think of my fellow Malaysians especially Sabahans and Sarawakians who do not enjoy the same kind of infrastructures and amenities like us on the Peninsular, such as the basic electricity power supply and clean piped water supply to their homes. They have to travel by rivers using riverboats services that are taking long hours and rides on the bumpy road to get from one point to another point, and especially for the children to take the dangerous paths to schools by walking though jungle treks and crossing rivers on rafts and small boats. On the Peninsular, we have the highways, the electric trains services, the mega structures and the good basic amenities as compare to our fellow Malaysians from Borneo Island.
The two states are rich in natural resources such as timbers, oil and gas and contributed to the wealth and well being of for the Federal Government but majority of its peoples are still living in conditions that are below poverty level especially those from the interiors and the indigenous tribes. They have been neglected for far too long by the leaders of the country and their own states legislative.
The Federal Government has only declared Malaysia Day on September 16 every year as a public holiday from last September 16, 2010 onwards so as to win the hearts of the people of Sabah and Sarawak. To the present Prime Minister of Malaysia and his cabinet and anyone who is elected as the future Prime Minister of our country and leaders, please do not discriminate amongst us just for your political gains. We were taught in history books that the former colonial masters divided us and rule. We cannot give the same excuse that we were divided then for we are our own master for the last 54 years. Now the past 54 years of Malaya independence and the 48 years of a nation called Malaysia, we seemed to hurt each other across our political divides but failed to see that we are all a One Malaysia. We channeled funds for developments only to the people and areas who only voted for the elected leaders and ruling government. We can be so loud in championing the civil rights and liberty of foreign lands thousand miles away such as Palestine, Afghanistan, Bosnia and relentlessly supported with financial aids but we failed to recognize the very needs of our very own brothers and sisters in Sabah and Sarawak. Leaders should be Malaysian First and Politics Last.
When we compete in sport events, we cheered for the swimmers and divers from Sarawak and the Athletes from Sabah who helped us win gold in SEA games, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games and World championships. A Sabahan, Aricco Jumitih did us proud by winning the weghtlifting gold medal in Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, India. Likewise, the Sabahans and Sarawakians cheered for our Penangites like Datuk Lee Chong Wei and Datuk Nicol Davids in Badminton and Squash World championships.
Elected Leaders, especially Parliamentarians, I urge you to look into and study at our many old Enactments, Ordinances and Acts of the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s for a start to review it and repeal it where it deemed fit. One such law is the ISA and its relevancy in present day social and political environments. Even the Housing and Local Government Acts are important to safeguard the rights and remedies of the citizen who are purchasing a home for the first time to provide shelter for family. There were just too many incidents where the poor citizens lose their hard earn savings through unscrupulous developers and contractors where the houses were not built or partially completed leaving the purchasers with financial burdens of paying banking loans and litigation fees. Why are we Malaysians still electing leaders who are warming their seats in Parliament to entertain us with their racist and chauvinistic propaganda. Why do we have the Senators appointed even after they were rejected and lost in the elections? Though we can argue that there are some deserving losers to be appointed to tap on their leaderships,talents and skills but there are some who are hopeless. Can our wise leaders of their respective political parties scrutinize their candidates and groom them to be a top class leader with a heart for the people?
There could be more benefits for everyone if the Leaders of Malaysia are truly Malaysians before they sing Malaysia Truly Asia. Before we let the visitors and tourists see the backwardness of our fellow Malaysians, leaders who have the heart of all Malaysians, please see beyond the boat rides to explore the beauty of our National parks, rivers, jungles,caves, flora and fauna in Sabah and Sarawak. Let us build and construct roads more accessible to them so that our young ones who are our future, can go to school and travel safely. Let them have clean water for drinking and washing. Build them houses that they can call home so that they can study quietly and have a resting place. Give them irrespective of race, colors, religions, and political inclinations, the educational supports such as providing them with free books and library besides building more schools in the interiors. Let them have access to the internet and get connected. These simple budget spending are better than spending millions of Ringgit sending our Astronaut "Angkasawan" to space when we cannot even design and build our own rocket to propel us to the moon. It is better to have clinics and health facilities for the people than building iconic buildings and hiring consultants to build the biggest and the largest this and that for the sake of Guinness Book of Records achievements.
Please remember Malaya is going to reach employment retiring age of 55 years next year 2012. To the Leaders of Malaya, you have only one year left to work very hard to contribute to the family of Malayans. You, Leaders of Malaya and the present day Leaders of Malaysia, by virtue of your extended family members in marriage on September 16, 1963, you are given an extension of seven (7) more years to bring up your children to be on par with your first Malayan children before you call it a day at work.
For the next seven (7) years will you toil very hard to retire as a responsible and dedicated Malaysian Leader like the head of a family to look after the welfare of each members of the 1Malaysia family? Come this August 31 and/or September 16, let it not be just another flag raising day to flag you off to hurt, harm, hate our own fellow Malaysians nor squander and waste our visions and rich resources, natural and intellectuals away. There is only one race... and that race is Malaysian GP..(God Provide). There is only One (1) Malaysia and you are the Father of our nation so why there is still the column for race in our birth certificate? Are you not tired of racing against the very little time you are left with to bring our children to a united common race known as Malaysian where we can be Malaysia Truly Asia so that we will be a great nation called Malaysia that leads other nations of the world. Son of Malaya and a citizen of Malaysia.
Wishing all our Muslim friends "Selamat Hari Raya Aidil Fitri". Bigfoothill is looking forward to having a great time at the "Open Houses" held by his Muslim friends. There will be plenty of local Malaysian foods and cookies serve by our friends and their family. The children will be looking forward to the "Duit Raya" or money bags given out during this festival where the Muslims in Malaysia will be celebrating the new year with the end of the fasting month of Ramadan and the first day of the month of Shawwal on this Tuesday August 30, 2011 with the official announcement being made by the Keeper of the Rulers' Seal with the consent of the Yang Di Pertuan Agong or His Royal Highness The King Of Malaysia yesterday evening.
As a child I used to like this festive song sang by the late Saloma. The "Hari Raya" is not complete without the listening and singing along with the festive songs.
Hi Readers,
Here are the videos captured at QEII, Penang recently for your entertainment. On the floor and let us party. So if you are in Penang for holidays, do have a great party time at you know where...
Push Push Dance anyone?
So you think you can dance?
You can dance the Hindi Bollywood style or you can do the Arabian belly dance. Best of all, you can do Salsa On The Floor like Jennifer Lopez.
Well, here is one very sporting Penang Idol wannabe singing out of tune a golden oldie love song duet with the pretty and lovely lady singer like Paula Abdul of 916 Entertainment at the Hungry Ghosts Festival at Church Street Ghaut, Penang. Like the panel judges, we the Penang Simons(Simon Fuller the creator of American Idol and Simon Cowell) and local Paula Abdul voted out (XXX) and censored him.
By the way, if you are wondering why the streets name in Penang have so many Ghats which are spelt as Ghaut in English or Gat in the local Malay language such as Macallum Street Ghaut, China Street Ghaut, Acheen Street Ghaut and Chulia Street Ghaut. you can learn from List of Penang Streets Names
So the Ghaut or Gat is actually GHAT as you will know that Penang rich heritage can be traced to the Bengali and Gujarati from Indian Origins who were the early traders and migrants who came to Penang, Malaysia through the port in Penang Island, especially at Port Weld. These Ghats can be mostly found to line across the Weld Quay Road (or the local name Jalan Pengkalan Weld) as these are the steps leading to the seafronts for the disembarkation to the island for the ships and boats that called at the port with their cargoes and spices especially during the merchant East India Company reign in the South East Asian Regions in the 1600s. Below is the little definition of ghat provided by Wikipedia.
As used in many parts of South Asia, the term ghat (Bengali: ঘাট ghaţ, Hindi: घाट "steps") refers to a series of steps leading down to a water body, usually a holy river. In Bengali-speaking regions, this set of stairs can lead down to something as small as a pond or as large as a major river.
For a little bit more of history of British India, I found this blog by Mr Vinay Lal very interesting for your reading pleasure and adventure into the Indian History, Cultures, politics and religions.Thank you Mr Vinay Lal.
So here Bigfoothill set sailed to Penang Island from Bukit Mertajam on the mainland of Malaya(old name for Peninsular Malaysia) and landed out of tune with the singers and sank steps into Church Street Ghat in my automobile driven through the Penang Bridge which was once being one of the longest bridges in South East Asia.
With so many ghosts parties in Penang during this Seventh Lunar Month of the Chinese Calendar, like the one nearby QEII at Church Street Ghaut, let us go to Churches in and around Penang on Sundays to be with the Holy Ghost.
Okay this place was really jammed up when it was newly opened a few year ago. It is still the happening place in Georgetown, Penang today. Come Friday nights, you will have a great fun in the companies of friendly pretty ladies from Penang at QEII as it is TGIF like Ketty Perry singing. It is Ladies' Night every Friday.
The foods and drinks served have received many appraisals from blogs and visitors. I personally liked their pizzas which are baked in traditional bricks oven and heat with fire from woods. If you are hungry like the Hungry Ghosts in Penang, head to QEII for dinner as they do have some good foods in the menu for you to pick.
The price of the F & B are steep. Someone commented it is over-priced. If you have the budget to splash on your loved ones on a special occasion, for a noisy evening amidst the changing sky colors and the shimmering lights reflected on the sea across the Channel as the Sun goes down, go ahead to dock your boat at Tanjung Marina or park your car right at the front stairway of QEII along Weld Quay and have a romantic date and enjoy the scenery of beautiful reflection on the waters, clouds, the Moon and Stars and Ladies Yeah...Yeah ..Yeah like Chris Brown. You can rock on the sofa seats like the love boats and yachts undulating over the waves parked next to it.
Don't like paying for pricey parking fee at free parking spot at night and paying to the "private" car parking attendants who "look after" your car, drive you car over to the opposite public meter parking where it is free after 5pm and park at you own risks. In case you do not want to be drunk walking across the road after a fun night, please park in front but do not drunk driving if you had too many glasses down and after discharging it into the sea through its toilet.
Just to share with you the videos shot with my NOKIA E72 mobile phone video camera for your entertainment
Almost everywhere in Georgetown, Penang and the suburbs including Bukit Mertajam on the mainland where there are Chinese Taoist Temples, these are the places you can drop by to catch a Penang Roadshow concert where pretty and sexy lady singers wriggling and dancing while singing their favorite and popularly requested songs for the audience. They have quite a wide range of repertoire where one moment they sing you a Mandarin song followed by an English song and then a Hokkien song and even a Malay song. I remember once there was this Roadshow concert at nearby temple celebration, I heard the singer sang a Lady Gaga's famous song "Poker Face" and then went on to render a popular romantic Hindi song "Tum pah Se Ayers" and even dressed up as much like the famous singing idols.
Well this time the Roadshow is at nearby the Central Business District of Georgetown Penang and by the roadside along Church Street Ghat or "Gat Lebuh Gereja" which coincidentally is nearby Chartis Place building which is the Penang branch office of Chartis Malaysia Insurance Berhad, a leading General Insurance company. Not far from that Penang Roadshow concert is QEII the hottest and happenings place named after the Queen Elizabeth II similar to the infamous ship at Penang.
The Roadshow is held annually for the Hungry Ghosts "presumably the lost souls" inhabited there to appease them since heritage and the days of the British India where there were many traders and migrants from the Easts, especially from China provinces such as Canton or Guanzhou, Xiamen (where most of our ancestors of Penang Hokkiens people originated), Shanghai, Hainan Island and many other places and from the West, especially from Ceylon or present day Sri Langka, India, East Pakistan(Bangladesh), and West Pakistan (Pakistan of today) and the Arabs from the Middle Easts and the Persians and Turkish. Of course, the Whites from the far far away Europe such as British, Portuguese, Dutch and Romans. So many of our forefathers and "great-great grandmothers" must have labored very hard to make Penang the Pearl of Orient and an important marketplace and port that it once belong to part of the Strait Settlements together with Malacca and Singapore(before Singapore became a Republic and independence from Malaysia on August 9, 1965) during the British Empire. You will probably want to check out the history of Penang from the museum archives for this place which is also founded by Captain Francis Light. I love to study the subject history at school during my primary and lower school days as I am fascinated by the heroic sacrifices and wars and the conquests by Warriors and Kings, and, bravery and romantic Queens from France (Joan of Arc and Marie Antoinette). I belief the history books me and my schoolmates read long long ago have been updated with more current local famous names as it is part of nationalists pride and an attempt to give credits to the so-called Malaysians. I am not arguing about who deserved to have their names on the streets and bridges but rather it is important to keep our heritage (Penang is now listed under UNESCO World Heritage Sites together with Malacca) and to help us residents to receive our snail mails and to give directions to those foreign and local tourists and locals as to how to get from one place to another in Penang for visiting famous tourist spots or savoring famous Penang Foods.
I believe the existing streets' original names should be retained while the new roads and avenues can be used to name after the famous and very important Malaysians instead of petty politicking by politicians. There are so many of our roads and avenues which are now named after fruits, animals, flowers, trees and what not including alphanumeric such as PJ for Pauh Jaya and not the Selangor PJ for Petaling Jaya or even SS2(Secret Service?) or Starhill in KL (Kuala Lumpur the federal capital for Malaysia) which we who grown up through the past 50 years and generations knew the place as Bukit Bintang ( Bukit is Malay word for Hill while Bintang for Star). So you want to be famous and have your name, image icon engraved on Bintang Walk with five-pointed terrazzo and brass stars embedded in the sidewalks at Bukit Bintang, KL which is like the famous Hollywood Walk of Fame?
When we ordinary folks have a stone to mark your demise, it is just a grave stone in the cemetery with your name and your family linage inscribed on it. Your were just a set of beginning numbers (Date of Birth) and a dash - followed by another ending numbers (Date of Departure). Your name has no distinguished Order of the BE (OBE) or the Malaysian Titles of Honor conferred by the Royal Highness on it and is not named with those that had theirs on streets nor Walk of Fame. What legacy have you left for your family if you have not left any for the state or country or the world?
So let me get to the Bpoint here, the Hungry Ghost Festivals are for those souls with nameless stones, streets or walks, who labored and fought a good fight before they laid underground in green pastures or their ashes strewn into the seas. So be entertained and may their souls rest in peace(R.I.P). Those living souls are generous and shared the worldly entertainments in the form of Chinese Operas, Puppets shows or Live Concerts like Penang Roadshows to make peace with them and also offered prayers.
As the month of August 2011 is auspicious in Muslim calendar as it coincides with the fasting month of Ramadan. It is also the month which coincided with the Hungry Ghosts Festival which is the Seventh Lunar Month on the Chinese calendar. The biggest day of the Seventh Lunar Month in Chinese Calendar is on the 15th Day where the moon is full and bright. It falls on the August 14, 2011. There was a street procession held by the Hindu temples around Bukit Mertajam recently as I was passing one of the roads in town which was already famous for the daily traffic jams due to the ongoing Railway Double Tracking project for electric trains and roads realignments.
If you are visiting Penang, Malaysia, you will see lots of festivals and events being held almost every evening at most places of worship. The streets are lined with colorful flags which were erected by the local community to claim the territory for the ghosts, along with the Malaysia National flags. Anyway, August is also the "Merdeka"(Meaning Independence) month where Malaysia is celebrating its Independence day on August 31 every year as it got its independence from the British Empire in 1957. Malaysia was then known as Malaya.
I remember my childhood days during the annual Hungry Ghost Festival month where our folks warned us not to wander out in the dark and at night because the ghosts are being released from Hades or Hell and are on the prowl for foods and victims who are unlucky or are in the poor state of health or are prone to mishaps and accidents. I do not really understand the significance of the prayers and burning of incenses, candles, papers and giant fierce looking effigies made of papers pasted on bamboo sticks frames of the Gatekeeper of Hades or Hell.
A child, we get excited as this is the time where the temples are usually having Traditional Chinese Opera shows in the 1960's and having Chinese Songs and comedy sketches at the Concerts later in the 1970's onwards on temporary stage build on wooden stilts or on empty petrol barrels. There are many ice-creams vendors, lollipop candy seller and other food stalls at the temple areas. There are also toys being sold or it being "sold" through buying tickets which we then pry open to match its numbers with the prize toys winning numbers. Gone were the days where we would also hop from rows of wooden benches as we play around it while the folks would sit at the benches to watch the Opera shows which were held twice daily in the afternoon after lunch hours and in the evening till late midnights.
Mind you, the 1970's were more fun as the naughty boys would go underneath the stage to steal a peek at the actors and singers changing their attires and outfits. The peeping toms were chased away by the caretakers or the leaders of the local temples. Once, a bunch of us went to the oldest cinema in Kangar, Perlis known as Empire theater immediately after school lessons in the afternoon. The price of a ticket for a seat at the front rows class was only 60 cents then. We watched a Hong Kong production movie starring David Chiang and Ti-Lung and other Co-stars which is about the Hungry Ghosts haunting an old village in China and they came out annually to kill the local folks until these heroes fought and killed off all the Hungry Ghosts. The village became peaceful and happy ever after. Know what? We were scared till we screamed and hid under the row of seats in front of us or cover our eyes with both hands when the scenes shown Devilish Ghosts haunt the folks and killed the villagers. Later, we guys had fun by playing and acting out the roles like in the movie whenever we chatted and talked during school recesses. That was so long ago my friends.
Now the stage shows in modern Hungry Ghosts Festival celebrations are equipped with latest laser and LED lights and sound systems with deejays playing with discs and digital media players to entertain the Hungry Ghosts and worshipers thronging the temples and floors. The singers are young and energetic. They can dance like Lady Gaga or Jennifer Lopez. The folks are having good time too.
Here are some lively on the floor but not so sexy entertainments for the "Hungry Ghosts" to feast "Hungry "Eyes and Souls" to share with you in case you did not wander out at nights in Penang lately. Do not worry, be happy. Do not fear ghosts but fear God, please.
We were hungry after the trip to Tanjung Piai, Johor as we skipped lunch that day. We traveled south for a Corporate presentation on Professional Indemnity Insurance the night before at The Puteri Pacific Hotel, Johor Bahru. So on the way back, we dropped by Hill Top Restaurant, a newly open restaurant along the Kukup-Tanjung Piai Road at No. 1, Jalan Pinang. Permas Kukup 82300, Pontian, Johor. We were among its first customers on the opening day to eat and dine there. As we were rushing back to the city for buffet dinner at Grand Paragon Hotel, we ordered their famous fried rice vermicelli or "bee hoon" Singapore style to lightly fill in our empty stomachs. The food was tasty and delicious. Price is reasonable. The restaurant owner cum chef is Mr Tang Ting Hwa (Ah Han). Their signature dishes are Steam Fish, Black Pepper Crab, Chilly Crab, Frog on Hot plate and more. You can call him for reservation at mobile no. 019-728 8466. , Hill Top Restaurant, Kukup, Johor, Malaysia.
Fried Rice Vermicelli Singapore style
Jalan Pinang sounds like our familiar Penang Road
Hill Top Restaurant at No. 1, Jalan Pinang, Permas Kukup, 82300 Pontian, Johor
Chef Tang taking orders on the mobile 019-7288 466
Some flowers and friends at the newly opened Hill Top Restaurant
The trail to the southernmost tip of mainland Asia
Mangrove and sandbags prevent soil erosion
Cape of Tanjung Piai landmark
Congratulations! You are now standing at the Southern Most Tip of Mainland Asia
Jump on top of the world at Tanjung Piai
Pineapple monument at Pineapple town
Hooray....welcome to Tanjung Piai, Johor National Park. Bigfoot must have gone downhill and have made it to the southernmost tip of mainland Asia from Bukit Mertajam, Penang. It is wonderful experience to be there at the southernmost tip of mainland Asia. The journey to the south was long and tiring but worth a lifetime exploration of our beautiful country called Malaysia truly Asia.
It is located at the latitude 01 degree 16 North/ Longitude 103degree30.46East. This is also the point where the Strait of Malacca meets Strait of Johor. Strait of Malacca is the sea between Malaysia and Sumatra, Indonesia while Strait of Johor is the sea between Singapore and Malaysia on the southernmost tip of Mainland Asia.
Tanjung Piai got its name from the ferns "Paku Piai Raya" that are found in abundance in the local mangroves while "Tanjung" is the Malay word for cape. It is about an hour's drive from the city of Johor Baru in the southern state of Johor, Malaysia passing through Pontian town and Pekan Nenas (Pineapple town) in the district of Pontian before travelling along the Kukup road that leads to Tanjung Piai. You will also be able to go to the nearby Port of Tanjung Pelepas, power plant at Tanjung Bin and the Fishing village of Kukup.
You will never walk alone at the Tanjung Piai National Park and also in Liverpool.
Most of us in Penang who have own transportation such as motorcars and motorcycles very seldom take a ride on the public bus services. With the revamp of the local transportation routes, frequency timetable and regular scheduled trips from the main stations to the depots along major roads on Penang Island and Seberang Perai, the Bus service provider, Rapid Penang has improved the transportation for many who relied on public transport. The Rapid Penang buses are fully air-conditioned and with wide glass window panel that allow you good sighting of all places as you travel on the route. This is a plus point for the tourist who can travel in cool environment and have great view.
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