Backpacking in Penang, Malaysia (Traveling solo but never lonely, making new friends every day) January 7-11, 2016. Self-planned, self-researched, self-photographed. A relaxed exploration of the entire island of Penang, culminating in an 8 km hike through Penang National Park for the avid hiker.

Penang, Malaysia. This is my first visit to Penang.

The return flight ticket costs 980 baht.

The train ticket to Hat Yai costs 850 baht.

Round-trip fare to Penang: 750 baht.

The first night's room rate is 270 baht.

600 baht for the last two nights.

The first night's meal allowance is 100 baht.

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Review of Khao San Nok Wua

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Penang, one of the thirteen states of Malaysia, is known as "Pulau Penang" in Malay, which translates to "Island of the Betel Nut." This name originates from the abundance of betel nut trees that once flourished on the island. The state of Penang encompasses both Penang Island and Seberang Perai on the mainland.

Captain Francis Light, an Englishman, discovered Penang Island. Later, in 1786, Captain Light received Penang Island from the Sultan of Kedah on behalf of the East India Company. In exchange, he promised to protect the land from Siam. He renamed the island "Prince of Wales Island" because the event occurred on the Prince of Wales' birthday.

Captain Light subsequently established "George Town" as a duty-free port, which spurred economic growth and rapid development. George Town became the first place in Southeast Asia to offer English language instruction, leading affluent Thai families to send their children there for education.

Penang is currently hailed as the "Pearl of the Orient" due to its reputation as one of the most beautiful and romantic cities in the region. This reputation is particularly evident on Penang Island, where we will be embarking on our exciting adventure. To gain a comprehensive perspective of Penang Island's urban landscape, a visit to Penang Hill (Bukit Bendara) is essential. As the highest point on the island, Penang Hill offers breathtaking panoramic views.

Traveling solo in a foreign country is not as difficult as it may seem. Anyone can do it, but it's important to plan ahead. Research the country or city you're visiting to identify any potential dangers or risky areas and avoid them. Familiarize yourself with the transportation system, including public transportation routes and fares. Explore attractions and activities available during the day and night, and discover local culinary specialties and popular tourist destinations. Choose affordable accommodations in convenient locations, such as near convenience stores, food sources, rental car agencies, and bus stops. For this trip, I opted for mixed-dorm hostels due to their affordability. When selecting accommodations, I prioritize locations that are lively both day and night, as this ensures safety and convenience when venturing out for food, shopping, or bus stops. Initially, I booked two nights at The Frame Guesthouse through Booking.com, which included breakfast, bread, tea, coffee, and fruit (I loved it! It was stunning, with beautiful views from every angle, and cost 350 baht per night, including a shared refrigerator). However, I later realized that two nights wouldn't be enough, so I booked an additional night. Unfortunately, the original guesthouse was fully booked, so I opted for Old Penang Guesthouse instead, which was also satisfactory and cost 300 baht per night. I made a conscious effort to pay for everything in advance to ensure that even if I lost money during the trip, I would still have accommodation and a return ticket. For the outbound journey, I took an overnight train to Hat Yai (I had never tried it before, so I decided to give it a shot, and it turned out to be more comfortable than a bus, with cool air conditioning and a comfortable bed). From there, I took a van to Penang. For the return trip, I booked a Nok Air flight at 3:00 PM, as I wanted a comfortable journey back (but... there was a hitch, so stay tuned for the next installment).

One-way train ticket

Arrange a return flight booking.

The round-trip price for a van to Penang is 750 baht. There are many companies offering this service, but why do people only review this particular company (which I used and was not impressed with)?

Prepare photographic equipment, power strips, various tripods, and video cameras.

The departure time is approximately 5:00 PM. Take the express train number 37 at Ban Pong Station (LADY sleeper car).

Crazy property, carry it alone, carry it lightly, beautifully.

The officer (female) instructed everyone to make their beds. Those who haven't made their beds yet can do so now.

The curtains are drawn and the lights are on. People are reading books, looking at the view, eating snacks, taking notes, napping, and talking to the staff. The snack vendor is always walking around, so there's no need to worry about going hungry. There are also souvenirs for sale. Wow! I read earlier that there wouldn't be anything to buy, but they brought three or four bags of stuff from 7-Eleven. It looks like they'll be using it on the train for the rest of their lives.

I don't recall the exact time, but it was around 11:00 PM when I went to bed.

Waking up around 6:00 AM, I would wash my face and brush my teeth. I would rush to wake up early because I was tired of having to queue with other people later in the morning.

With nothing to do, I took some photos for fun. At the time of the photo, I was in Phatthalung Province. I remember it clearly.

I drifted off to sleep, only to be jolted awake at 8:30 AM by the announcement that we had arrived in Hat Yai. The suddenness of the announcement left me scrambling to put on my shoes and clothes. No sooner had the announcement been made than the bus came to an abrupt halt.

This image depicts the front of the train station. Upon arrival, you may be approached by individuals inquiring about your destination. Ignore them, as most tour companies are located directly in front of the station. The first alleyway on the corner and those within it house numerous options. However, as you have already booked your tour, proceed to collect your ticket and wait for your transportation.

The front of the van has tea, coffee, and porridge for sale.

Please read the rules.

Exchange money here. The van offers an exchange rate of 8.40/1 RM.

Read the brochure.

The symbol "้" is a Thai diacritic called "mai ek" which indicates a short "e" sound. It is placed above a consonant to modify its pronunciation.

After passing through immigration, we drove for a while and encountered a checkpoint. The soldiers conducted a routine inspection. (We continued driving for about 3 minutes when a tourist police car signaled us to stop. They requested to see the van's documents, which the driver provided. However, the officer refused to let us proceed and demanded 10 RM from the driver before allowing us to continue. Outrageous!)

We skipped the immigration process as it was straightforward. We dressed neatly (although the area had a distinct seaside odor, which we found unpleasant). This was the case from the moment we left the Thai shore.

The car left Hat Yai around 9:30 AM. The drive was very long. Next time, I'd rather stay at the pier and take a boat to Penang. I was so bored. Around 1:30 PM, I started to see the sea and crossed the Penang Bridge. I must admit that it was beautiful, breathtakingly beautiful.

The van dropped us off at our first night's accommodation. The caretaker was Indian, and their English was difficult to understand.

Arrive at

Receptionist: Good afternoon, how may I assist you?

Reception: May I inquire if you have a reservation?

I have booked the hostel online. Here is the document.

Receptionist: May I see your passport, please?

Here it is.

The host provided a room key and instructed guests to remove their shoes before entering. They then showed the bathroom and dining area, informing guests that breakfast was available and that dishes needed to be washed afterwards. The hostel closes at midnight. Lockers are available, but guests must bring their own padlocks as the ones provided are small. The host suggested purchasing a padlock at a nearby 7-Eleven for 300 baht, but the guest declined due to the high price.

General atmosphere

The bathroom is clean and well-maintained.

The atmosphere is really good. If anyone drinks too much, please send them back to their room.

Seating area.

The price of beer is incredibly high.

The accommodation is less than 10 minutes away. We left our belongings and went out to explore. We walked out of the accommodation and walked to the end of the alley. Then we turned right and found the police station. The bus stop is located opposite the station. There is no need to go to the Komtar bus terminal, just wait at the bus stop. All buses pass by.

The Kek Lok Si Temple, a renowned Buddhist temple in Air Itam, Penang, is a must-visit destination.

Kek Lok Si Temple is accessible by bus route 204. The bus fare is RM2. Disembark at the bus stop and turn left into an alley lined with shops. Kek Lok Si Temple in Penang is the largest Buddhist temple in Malaysia. The temple was founded by Beow Lean, a Chinese monk from Fujian province, in 1887. He chose the site on the slopes of Air Itam Hill for its strategic location. The architecture blends three styles: a Chinese base, a Thai-inspired middle section, and a Burmese-style top.

The Kek Lok Si Temple is renowned for its Pagoda of Ten Thousand Buddhas, which took 20 years to construct and was completed in 1930.

The Wat Lamlang temple is currently undergoing renovations and construction.

Set up the tripod and press the remote control repeatedly. Don't worry about what others think, it doesn't affect our lives.

Many beautiful angles.

The location offers many beautiful angles for photography, however, the weather is extremely hot and humid.

Strolling around.

There are many pagodas in various zones. I'm not sure what they're called.

This temple is popular among Chinese tourists.

After leaving the temple, I was very hungry and ate three pieces of food. I haven't eaten anything since morning. I ate the egg and the thing that you pointed at. Walk to the right, where there is a swing, that is the bus stop. Only bus number 204 stops there.

I rode the bus with my foreign friend, but I didn't take any pictures. I was too busy taking pictures of myself. On Penang Hill, you can escape the heat of tropical Georgetown. The hill, also known as Bukit Bendera, is 830 meters high (2,750 feet) and is much cooler than the city below. It is about 3 degrees cooler than coastal areas. It is a popular destination for both locals and tourists.

From Wat Tao to Penang Hill 2.00RM

Surrounding views

The ticket booth is on the left-hand side. There will be a barrier guiding you to walk in a loop.

Purchase a 300 THB round-trip card.

The ascent was too crowded for photos, and the speed was incredible. The steep incline was unbelievable, and the car's velocity was astonishing.

I made many female friends. If I could turn back time, I would buy them deodorant.

A popular viewpoint, waiting and waiting for a solo photo. Before

after

Task accomplished.

Do I care about the society around me? Not really.

The strong wind constantly messes up my hair.

I like this stone wall. I wanted to take a full-body picture, but this is all I got. It's okay.

Hindu temple on Penang Hill

Hindu temple on Penang Hill

Penang Hill Mosque

While waiting for it to get dark, I met some friends, but their nationalities were not specified.

Three cameras protruded, taking up a lot of space for others.

Task accomplished.

My energy is running low.

Dark, windy, rain is coming, scary lightning, going home on the last bus.

On the way back, you don't have to worry about transportation. A car will be waiting in front to take tourists back. The same line, 204, will stop in front of your house at 753 Love Lane, George Town, Penang Island 10200, Malaysia.

I'm home. The house next door has a bar and sells pizza, but I'm alone and can't finish it, so I'm not eating.

Love Lane in George Town is a street lined with accommodations. At the entrance, there is a 7-Eleven convenience store that sells similar items to those found in Thailand, but at double the price.

The bicycle rental shop is located at the front of the alley. I spoke to them beforehand, and I'm sure I'll get a bike tomorrow morning. It costs 150 baht per day, plus a deposit that I don't remember exactly, but it's no more than 300 baht.

The food market is located at the mouth of the alley, to the left of the 7-Eleven.

The image is not very clear.

This bowl of laksa costs 35 Thai baht.

Chang Beer should hire us as their brand ambassador. We are affordable and our fees are lower than Dome's.

People.

Char Koay Teow Danang (Malaysian Fried Noodles) with shrimp and clams, 40 Thai baht. Very delicious.

The customer was told by the vendor that they were not allowed to sit without ordering a drink. The customer was upset and said that they would not return. They ordered a drink but did not consume it, costing 20 baht.

After wandering around for a while, I returned home to find my roommate sitting alone. I gave her a beer, and we chatted until midnight before going to sleep.

7:00 AM: Wake up, eat breakfast, rent a bicycle, and go out to collect RC. Plan to check out around noon.

Capturing moments

This photo is difficult to take. I can't find the right angle. I've been sitting here for a long time, but I'm giving up. I'm tired.

Many beautiful buildings, but full of parked cars.

This image depicts a traditional Thai dessert shop.

Ordered rice with fish curry and iced tea. The rice was 10 Thai baht and the tea was 15 Thai baht. It was delicious and came with a boiled egg, but I was already full.

20 Thai baht for a slap with a crunchy pineapple that has no taste at all.

There are many things to sell in this area.

The image depicts a scene with a high volume of vehicles. The photographer mentions the difficulty in capturing the shot due to the traffic. Despite their initial intention to avoid shopping, they ended up purchasing a hat for 180 Thai baht.

It's almost noon, and I'm tired and hot. I don't want to cycle anymore. I'm returning the bike. I don't care anymore. I didn't even cycle for a full day. I'm going back to my accommodation to prepare for moving.

The Frame Guesthouse

168, Lebuh Chulia, 10200 George Town, Malaysia is not far from the original location. Exit the alley and you will see a 7-Eleven. Turn left and walk a short distance to reach the destination.

This place is excellent. We are impressed.

We slept in a mixed dorm, from the time we arrived until everyone was asleep. There was one foreign couple and a Taiwanese-Thai man who was studying in Singapore (we only found out he could speak Thai on the last day, after speaking English to each other for so long). We got the bottom bunk and created a landmark when we arrived.

The hotel offers secure parking. We arrived at noon to check in, but our room wasn't ready until 2 pm. No worries, we went to Batu Ferringhi beach to relax and enjoy the afternoon.

Take bus 101. I'm waiting on the opposite side of 7-Eleven.

The bus will stop in front of the hotel. We can walk to the beach, where there are shops selling beachwear. The prices here are cheaper than in Penang.

Batu Ferringhi Beach

Batu Ferringhi Beach

Batu Ferringhi Beach

The beach is frequented by both tourists and locals.
I bought this outfit at the market while cycling. The shirt cost 150 baht and the pants cost 250 baht. However, prices at the beach were much cheaper. I ran to the sea and cried.

Wandering around, I felt hungry and chose the restaurant with the most customers, assuming it would be the most delicious. https://youtu.be/-ItFQeQxn4w

The 60 baht dish I ordered was delicious. The smoke billowed out, and the oil splattered on my arm, causing intense pain and tears. My eyes stung from the smoke. lol

At approximately 2:30 PM, I walked to the same spot to wait for the bus. I took the bus back, but I got off at the bus terminal near the beach. I wanted to take the free city sightseeing bus, which is called The Cenotaph & Esplanade. If you walk in this area, you can capture almost all the buildings and structures, but I didn't walk anymore because I was tired.

I got off the bus at Lebuh Light Street in front of the High Court. Why can't I remember my studies like this?

The sea is not beautiful, but local people come to sit and relax. There is no beach, and it resembles a deep-water port.

This location is within walking distance of the Penang Time Tunnel 3D.

Take the bus back to the original stop and ride the free bus to the clan jetty along weld quay. It is a seaside village with nothing of interest.

This seaside village is the point marked as Tan jetty. We walked back up to Lebuh Chulia Street to continue taking pictures.

At 5:00 PM, I obtained these two images. I inquired with nearby residents because the location was secluded. The young man who informed us inquired if we were Chinese. We responded that we were Thai. Coincidentally, his family was performing a ritual offering, and they invited us to join them for dinner. We were hungry, but who would dare to eat?

I went back to take this picture again because I didn't know I had to take a picture of the bike at first.

Strolling along, aiming to reach the accommodation.

In the evening, there is a walking street with live music performances.

Cute items for sale.

And then I walked and found this picture. After that, I went back to my accommodation to rest. I went out to find food around 7 pm.

I had planned to visit this restaurant because I love Indian food. It's just one traffic light away from my house. Just wait for the pedestrian signal and walk straight ahead. You'll find it easily. The restaurant is open 24 hours.

This person is staring at us very intently. Feel free to look back, it's free.

The menu was so extensive that I was overwhelmed. I asked the waiter what the most popular dishes were, and he said he would take care of it. It was delicious!

The total cost was 120 Thai baht. We couldn't finish it because it was a lot. We were very full, so we ordered a takeaway. We also ordered iced tea for 15 baht and lemonade for 20 baht. The lemonade was noticeably sweeter.

Returning home the same way, looking left and right before crossing the road. I was planning to go home, but... I walked to the lane where I stayed again. Why am I like this? I walked to the market near 7-Eleven, which was as lively as ever. But today there was this shop, which wasn't selling yesterday, so I tried it out a little. The damage was 45 baht.

Delicious. Hot weather, eat hot food.

Can you please provide the price?

The bar closed at midnight. Today, I came back home to relax because the atmosphere was nice. I went upstairs to get something and met an Asian friend who initially said that we didn't know each other was Thai. I grabbed a beer, and she asked me in English where I bought it. I told her that I brought it from home. She then realized that I was Thai. We talked for a long time. She is visiting and working in Singapore. She is half Thai and half Taiwanese. She only visited the streets and didn't go anywhere else. She saw that I went out all day and asked me where I had been. When I told her, she was surprised and asked me how I dared to go out alone. She also asked to follow me on Facebook, but I didn't let her. I told her that my Facebook is private and not open to follow. -_-" I shouldn't have.

This is where you can write in the visitor's book. Feel free to share your thoughts and feelings. If you're curious about what others have written, you can read their entries.

At midnight, I went to sleep. At 6:00 am, I woke up and did my personal things, ate breakfast, and walked to the bus stop in front of 7-Eleven, the same place as yesterday. I didn't say goodbye to my friend because he was leaving at noon. He said he would go to the Snake Temple first, but I was going to Penang National Park. I took the bus to the end of the line for 40 baht. I originally wanted to go to Escap, but it wouldn't be fun to go alone.

Penang National Park (Taman Negara Pulau Pinang), upon arrival, please proceed to register.

To obtain this permit, proceed to the outdoor equipment store located in front of the park to purchase a water purchase form.

Capture a side view.

As I walked to buy water, an Indian uncle and aunt asked me if I was from China or Korea. I told them I was from Thailand. They said Siam and greeted me with "Sawasdee." They asked me where I was going, and I said I was going to watch the sunset at the lighthouse. They asked me who I was with, and I said I was alone. They said it was not safe because it was very dark and far away. They told me I should return before 5:00 PM. They also said that if I went out, I should let them know at the shop so they would know I had left the forest.

Various signs

Click here to watch the video.

The video of our hike

Before we set off, we asked this group where they were headed. They said they were going to another beach, which was in the opposite direction of Monkey Beach, our intended destination. We inquired why they were going to that particular beach, and they responded that they wanted to see turtles and that the beach was more beautiful than Monkey Beach. We mentioned that all the reviews recommended Monkey Beach, but they insisted that it wasn't as beautiful as they claimed. Intrigued, we decided to follow them to see the turtles, although we were still curious about Monkey Beach's beauty. Ultimately, we trusted the locals and enjoyed the company of our newfound companions.

I thought it would be a nature walk, so I wore the shoes I bought from the uncle I talked to. I almost cried. I walked 8 km, climbed a mountain, and looked at my friends. They were fully equipped with sneakers.

The map shows the entire journey, including the visit to see the turtles and the beach that friends recommended. As friends probably knew that I wanted to visit another beach, they arranged for a boat and rented a warb to Monkey Beach for 60 Thai baht per person. However, the beach was not actually beautiful.

After a long hike, we emerged onto a beach that our friends had described as beautiful, and it truly was.

My friend said they would be here for half an hour, so we could go for a walk. However, they strictly forbade us from swimming, as there have been frequent drownings here, with three recent deaths. Due to the lack of adequate supervision and the island's vastness, some people camp and fish here, occasionally staying overnight. This has led to a rise in accidents.

I rushed to take photos, snapping away by myself.

The scenery is beautiful, but the sun is scorching and the sand is hot. We feel like roasted chestnuts in an oven.

My friend then took me to see the turtles at the center. They were truly adorable.

Friends will enjoy this place very much. They listened to the officer speak for quite a while.

We retreated to lie down and play, and said that they should follow us if they wanted to return.

This park is excellent and completely free. There are no entrance fees or any other charges.

A friend found a boat for us and took us around to Monkey Beach.

We will arrive at the beach around noon. My friend said they will be there until 3:00 PM. We can do whatever we want.

I'm hungry, let's find something to eat first.

60 baht is delicious.

The foreigners were confused by our actions. We wrote on the sand and ran around taking pictures. After we finished taking pictures, the foreigners asked their partners to take pictures as well. It seems they were inspired by our idea. Haha.

Next time, it would be better to invite someone else. I miss you.

Capture intricate angles.

Resting our legs before trekking back through the jungle for another 2 hours.

Grab the iPod and play some music. Oh, that's the good stuff.

The journey back to the park began at 3 pm after a long nap. The arrival at the park was delayed until 6 pm due to a detour for swimming. Upon arrival, a report was made to the park's uncle and aunt, and farewells were exchanged with friends before returning to the accommodation. The wait for the return trip began at the original location. The return journey ended at the 7-Eleven store, despite the initial plan to end at Komta or Jetty. The bus runs every 15 minutes, but the journey did not end as planned.