Little Penang Street Market

Little Penang Street Market is a cultural and art market held on Upper Penang Road every last Sunday of the month (subject to change if falls on public holiday).

I was here in both November and December market. It's definitely worth for a walk if you happened to be here on a Sunday. Lots of talented people and impressive art or product are all gathered here.

I guess I will just show you the pictures instead of mumbling whole page of story, enjoy!

I luv old stuff~

 

Handmade soap

Christmas Deco

They are made by beans

 There are signature food stalls too~

The center stage on the street inviting different people and organization to perform every month. There are choirs and dances, Christmas caroling during Christmas season and Wushu (martial art) Performance.

Not forgot to mention, Penang has successfully implement the Recycle Dustbin in whole Georgetown. I do hope our resident and tourist can utilize it properly, way to go for a green environment!

And I bump into my secondary school teacher's origami booth from Modern Origami Studio.

Little Penang Street is a great place to walk. Especially meaningful when getting a present for a special person because most of the art creation or handmade product are one-and-only-one in the world.

Little Penang Street Market
Address: Upper Penang Road, Georgetown, Penang
Opening Hours: Last Sunday of every month -10:00am to 5:00pm (lots of stalls closed after 3pm)
GPS Coordinate: N 5 25.357    E 100 20.110


Direction:
Drive all the way straight along Pengkalan Weld, passed by Victoria Clock Tower, Fort Cornwallis.
Follow the one way street and turn into Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling, and then turn into the FIRST RIGHT turn. Go all the way straight until you reach a traffic light. Just a short distance after the traffic light you will see Little Penang Street on your right.

Pik Nik, another nice cafe in Georgetown

I finally found my time to check out the cafe that has been famous for quite sometimes, the Pik Nik Cafe.

I was attracted by the courage of the owner in its strong colour usage, like everyone did.

The food and beverages have a reasonable price. But still have room for improvement on food variety and tastiness. I wish they have few main course. :)

The Pik Nik have its own style compare to other cafe on heritage trail. Definitely successful in giving comers a nice ambient place to chill out with friends, lover and family.

Especially loves every song plays in the cafe. If Pik Nik's owner happened to see my post here, I really like to copy your songs collection. Haha...

The owners with great taste.

Pik Nik
Address: 15 & 17, Jalan Nagor, 10050 Penang, Malaysia
Tel: +604-226 0562 /+6016-4529250
Business Hour:
Mon - Thu    :    3:00 pm    - 12:00 am (Tuesday Closed)
Fri - Sat        :    3:00 pm    - 2:00 am
Sun               :    1:00 pm    - 12:00 am
GPS Location: N 5 25.303    E 100 19.584

* 11/3/2012 - Revisit last month, there are more food in Pik Nik now, and they are really delicious! Guess they have hire a new chef~ Great job for Pik Nik!

Where is Penang Countdown 2012

Padang Esplanade, Georgetown, Penang Island
Event             :    PG2012 Over The Rainbow
Event Date     :     31 Dec 2011
Time:             :    7pm - 1am

Penang Golden New Year’s Eve Countdown Celebration has drawn people from all walks of life to gather in Penang Island to usher in the year with hopes and wishes. The performance of the energetic live bands and the colorful fireworks had captivated approximately 100,000 or more audience each year since 2005. It’s indeed the most awaited annual event for Penangites and probably soon if not already, for the Northern region of Malaysia.

This year, a day replete with excellent entertainment will be planned. The programs will be as follows:
    11am – 6pm - PG2012 George Town City Day Heritage Ride by The Rainbow Riders
    3pm – 6pm - PG2012 Street Dance Competition
    7pm – 9pm - George Town City Day Parade organized by MPPP
    9pm – 1am - PG2012 New Year’ Eve Live Concert and Fireworks

Auto-City, Prai
Event                    :    Auto-City Christmas & New Year Countdown Fiesta 2012
Event Duration     :     Fri, 23 Dec 2011 - Sun, 1 Jan 2012, 6pm - 12am
Company              :     Auto-City Juru Interchange Prai Penang
   
Various activities, competitions and concerts have been lined up in conjunction by Auto City for its annual Christmas and New Year’s Celebration starting from the 23rd of December to the 1st of January 2012.
Some of the highlights include;  a Street Dance & K-Pop Challenge 2011 judged by Marcus Tucker, Becky and Ruffneck, Live caroling and a special appearance by Santa Claus on the 24th of December 2011.

On the 31st of December, there will be a special Chingay showcase, and a concert by Taiwanese artist Alien Huang and Aura 21. The year will end with a bang with a special firework display.

Sunway Carnival Mall, Perai, Penang
Event              :    2012 Countdown Celebration
Event Date     :     31 Dec 2011
Time:              :    7pm - 12am
Extended shopping hours until 11.30pm

An extravaganza line-up of street dance competition, band performances, late night shopping, mini booth games and a chance for one shopper of the night to win an Ipad2 and welcome in 2012 under a burst of fireworks display!

Straits Quay @ Waterfront, Penang
Event             :     New Year’s Eve extravaganza By-The-Sea
Event Date    :    31 December 2011
Time              :    6pm – 1am

Be mesmerised by Dasha Logan, daughter to legendary Loganathan from the Alleycats, and the Aseana Percussion Unit performing live. There will be fun inflatables, stilt walkers, balloon sculpturists, clowns, street magicians, fire eaters capped with a fabulous fireworks display at midnight. For the fashion savvy we have several fashion shows to tempt you to buy. Straits Quay, that's where you want to be.

All the Countdown location above are FREE Admission.

Source:
http://www.visitpenang.gov.my/
http://www.facebook.com/creativision
http://www.sunwaycarnival.com/ev_eventAtTheMall.asp
http://www.qmurate.com/event/view.php?id=40
http://www.straitsquay.com/things_to_do/make_a_date_with_us
http://www.autocity.com.my/

A Day at China House, Penang 唐人厝

It was a sunny day on Saturday noon. We were on traveling mode as we going to have a one night stay in Penang Island, Home away from home... Hah!

After finish all the must-do weekend house chores, we finally out from our house around 3pm. The first stop was to check out Kopi Cine, have heard the name long time ago but haven't got the time to check it out, long list on our schedule. :p

Driving up and down the Beach Street (Lebuh Pantai), but we failed to find the shop named Kopicine. Half of the Beach Street is in one-way-street, while the other half at banker side are 2 ways. We were told it's after the Bomba Station, after? From which direction? Wrong wrong wrong...

Finally, we park our car and start walking instead. 155, Beach Street..... 155... Deng Deng~ Found 155! Yii? The shop's signboard is not Kopi Cine wor... "zap lap" already izzit?
Anyway, it is now named China House. Located same row as Bomba Station, just few shops away (not more than 6 shop lots I think) on the left of the Bomba (one way street side), slightly near to the opposite of Lebuh Ah Quee.

The moment we step into the shop, haven't found a seat, we already started shooting, ahaha.. can't help. I trying to avoid eye contact, wondering if shop owner or any staff is showing a supercilious look on us, haha~

First part of the shop are furnished with Colonial cafe settings. 

After that, is the courtyard place, the greatest Chinese house structure which is long forgotten in 21st century construction. The patio, at the center of the house, bringing sunlight to the darkest place of all, making the whole house fully sunshine covered.

Next, it comes to a reading area with long table and bench. Plenty of reading materials on the shelf, you can really spend your whole day here.

 After the reading spot, we saw washroom, thought is the end of the shop, but... no. A back garden welcomed us.

Passed through the back garden, is a bistro in front of me. A nice ambient lounge feel area with an old piano below the staircase.

Walking through the lounge towards the door, I stepped outside, find myself standing on a street and asking, where am I? I turned my back, looked up, the signboard above - China House.

Exploring the shop itself was a great surprise. There are few spots that I didn't upload, kept them for you to explore.

We finally finish shooting, and sat back for a tea break.

We ordered a slice of Asparagus Quiche, Chocolate & Raspberry Layer Cake and a pot of English Breakfast tea. They cost RM8, RM15 and RM10 respectively, before tax.

The quiche and cake is good. Not impressive but tasty. The tea is good as well with its smoothness. I believe they use quality ingredients, I saw they using Farmhouse fresh milk when making the drinks. So with the pricey, you get what you paid for. I must say, the people in the house, they all speak really good English.

The lounge, which they named it The Canteen, is inviting people to show their talent on every Sunday, 6-8pm. The rest of the weekend night, they have different artist performing live here. And they have Kien Lim on concert tonight. Wanted to check it out here again tonight? Why not?

The table is covered by mahjong paper and noticed the crayon in the cup above? Some casual drawing? Feedback: Don't buy those oil-based crayon, very hard to draw... stick with Buncho instead. :p

Left the place at 7pm and we were here again around 10pm. This time, we went into China House via Victoria Street's entrance. Kien already started singing his own song with his own guitar. I had myself a Tiger beer and V ordered cider, enjoy the blues and sometimes busy taking pictures of the great singer in the house.

There are so many talented people in Malaysia. Penang have given a room, created an environment for the locals to pursue their dream.

Like my friend said, Penang gives you surprise in every little things in life. Truly amazing. 

China House
Address:153 & 155, Lebuh Pantai, Georgetown, Penang.
The other entrance: 183B, Lebuh Victoria, Georgetown, Penang.
Tel: 04-2637299
Business hours: 10.00am – 12am (daily)
GPS Location: N 5 24.902     E 100 20.339

Ryokan Chic Hostel in Penang

I was in Ryokan Chic Hostel last weekend. There's not much chance for a person to stay at a hostel/hotel at his/her own place. Thanks to Venice, who bought extra voucher for the bed and thanks to her friend who did not show up, we got 2 beds available for the Saturday night.

Ryokan Chic is currently Number 1 hostel in Penang on Special Lodging category in TripAdvisor. I went there as a semi-penangite with a high expectation, and probably kinda strict when writing the review but only hope for a improvement on the hostel in Penang. However, I am not rating Ryokan with a hotel standard, but on a very basic thing a hostel should have.

Ryokan, is nicely decorated, with modern and comfortable design. They provide en-suite bedroom and also dorm bed. We were staying in a 4-bed dorm that night.

There are 5 things which I find really important when we looking for a accommodation.
1. Cleanliness 2. Hot Shower 3. Aircon 4. Price 5. Location
Yes, Ryokan did all these 5 very well.

The whole hostel is really clean. If you just looking for a clean place, yes it is.
They use a rain shower head for their bathroom, really great shower, big flow of water, hot water working fine. Individual air-condition in the dorm room, working fine, adjustable temperature.

They have a good quality bed and pillow and plenty of extra features you might not find at other hostel in Penang. Free wifi, IPAD in common area for use instead of an old PC, reading area with books on shelf, surfactant (shampoo & shower gel) provided, individual locker, bed-side lamp, power plug and small compartment where you can put your valuable belongings beside you when you sleep.

ipad ipad~

power plug and small compartment

Individual locker

However, the Big Big problem, I couldn't sleep At All whole night.
Why? With this kind of high quality stuff, why can't I sleep?

There is no blanket provided, it is on a rental basis at RM3. Is my fault not to rent one? Why am I want to pay an extra RM3 for something which is so BASIC??  I will assume they did it because their hostel rate is too low for ROI, charging on a most basic thing, AirAsia strategic man~

The gorgeous wooden floor is another culprit, staying in a heritage house, it wasn't fun. :( I can hear people walking around with the "ngek.. ngek..." sounds cause by the wooden floor, and the bed even shaking when some big guys passed by.
There must be a way to solve this problem, I hope Ryokan can solve this to make it a real No.1 in Penang. You are almost perfect!

Hesitated now? If you sleeping like a pig usually, not too worry. At least my friends able to catch a good sleep. After all, it is a very good hostel with all the things they have provided.

You can find my review in TripAdvisor here.
*Photos credited to V - Life's Simple Pleasures.

Ryokan Chic Hostel
62 Lebuh Muntri, Georgetown, 10200 Penang, Malaysia
Email: enquiries@myryokan.com

Tel: + (60)4-2500287
GPS Coordinate: N 5 25.193E 100 20.166