welcome to heritage site CHEW JETTY

HERITAGE SITE CHEW JETTY FULL 

WITH CHINESE FISHERMEN

Assalamualaikum and very good days to my readers. Today i will share to you about Chew Jetty, 

Pulau Pinang. Do you know where is Pulau Pinang? And do you know where is Chew Jetty?

Pulau Pinang is a state in Malaysia located at northwest coast of Peninsular Malaysia.

 Chew Jetty, Weld Quay, 103000 George Town, Penang Malaysia.

Next i will share to you about the history of Chew Jetty. Chew Jetty have been made by clusters of 

wooden houses who being build by Chinese poor immigrants works at port during nineteen century

The immigrants is from south-eastern coast of China, known as Fujian province. They also a

maritime clan communities in China. The communities become bigger from 10 families back in the 

20s to over 1,500 residents today.

What you can do in Chew Jetty? First you can feel the ambience from surrounding exudes sense of 

nostalgia in this uniqe waterborne community. At the end of Jetty you can see mainland and the 

the island with also magnificent glimpse of the third longest bridge in the world. In the night whole 

scenario changes as the amber lights from lamp post to give warm and cosy atmosphere.

At there you can also ride a boat. you also can feel the culture and kindness of Chew Jetty. You also 

can buys souvenior for your family and friends. you also can experience another jetty at Weld Quay.

you also can see the dragon boat along side of Chew Jetty.

you aslo can buy food at Chew Jetty

the end of Chew Jetty

Boat at Chew Jetty

REMINISCING BLOOD & TEARS

"MALAYAN TEARS"

   Not a long time ago, I heard about haunted museum in Penang but at that time I thought it was a joke or an invention story that made to attract tourist. But one day, when one of my friend asked me to explore the museum, I thought it was a joke to scared me but she was very serious since our beloved lecturer gave us an assignment; to explore about a selected place to write about in travel blog later. My friend challenged me to experience that haunted museum but she said instead of a scary place, it is actually have a sad story behind the history of war museum. 

The entrance of War Museum

ARRIVAL

   We arrived at War Museum at 1 p.m. When the first time my foot stepped at the museum, my jaw dropped. Was this is real? Me? At the War Museum? Would this be my first real haunted trip? I spent the rest of the day worrying about how to explore the haunted museum but my friend asked me to 'feel the pain' inside the museum.

   The staff welcoming us politely. She gave us a lot of information about that place and some guiding for us because this place is quite big. They also provided us a small map around the place to explore. I totally not make a joke if I say that you have to bring a bottle of mineral water and wear a suitable shoes as we have to climb hill and many stairs. We had interviewed one of the friendly staff there, a Chinese woman. She worked there from the first day of the museum was open. She told us about the history of that place .

THE HISTORY BEHIND THE WALL

The cells that built to place the offenders based on their position ranked.

 
War Museum, Batu Maung Penang, had known for its painful history since decades ago. Located at Bukit Hantu, named by the nearest citizen because of Malay people that had sent to there never coming back again. This place started its history in 1930 by being British fort to protect Penang from enemies. However, later this place had been took over by Japanese army when they success to conquer Malaya in 1941. Since that, this fort become a place for torture  Malayan's citizen at that time. After the Japanese invasion ended, this place has been abandoned for 60 years before it been found again in 2002 and built as War Museum by its founder, Mr. Johari Shafie. The violent and brutality of Japanese people still can be feel if you go to this place.

The darkness inside the secret tunnel.

THE SECRET WAY

   We took the chance to visit this place to show the uniqueness of this place that can attract tourist come to visit. There a numerous tunnels, where one can experience what it was like being a soldier then. This tunnel attract us to go inside. We just go inside and somehow make us realized how hard should they face when walked along this narrow tunnel.

Japanese tourist came out from one of the tunnels.

   As the area is quite big, we planned to spend about 2 hours here as we need to walk and climb the stairs that abound on this hill. Proper signage and information about the artifacts are clearly displayed here. As it can be quite humid and hot during the day, do not forget to bring along a cap to protect your head from the heat of the day and have insect repellent ready to ward off the mosquitoes as you move deeper into the hill.




TIME TO END YOUR LIFE! 

   War and cannon cannot be separated. This place has too many cannons. This spot known as cannon firing bays. For night tour, you can hear the sound of the cannon by yourself but for day tour, they did not provide the sound of cannon. There also has an underground place to keep weapons and for communications. Do not be afraid if you feel like General Yamashita is looking at you. General Yamashita is the officer with the highest rank of Japanese army at this camp. He controlled everything in this fort at that time. The museum's staff said that we can see General Yamashita spirit walking around this museum at night. The truth is we have to experience it by ourselves. The war museum's dark past caught the attention of a National Geographic television program called  "I Wouldn't Go In There" and list it as top ten list of Asia's most haunted spots.

A mortuary that will open for night tour only.

   This is the most scary thing that we saw, a mortuary. You will shiver and feel like there have something around you. That is why this place are famous for dark tourism as many ghost hunters came here just because they want to see how haunted this place. In addition, the founder hang two to four fake heads and banshee at mortuary. Rumors said that it just to attract the banshee's attention to not to disturb the night tour's tourists.

"Bring me their heads!"

   This is saddest reality that we witness by our own eyes. Not about the ghost and evil spirit but what we saw are there. The place to torture Malayan people. We saw a lot of torture tools that had been used by Japanese army that time. The head cutter place is also the haunted spot in War Museum. Colonel Tadashi Suzuki is the famous head cutter in that area.
 
   In Penang during that time, Malay, Chinese and even Indian people were afraid to die in Colonel Tadashi Suzuki's hand as he was the police officer during the Japanese invasion in Penang. He will just cut the head of people that he did not like to give some warning to Malayan not to go against Japanese. Before, he cut the head, he will shout out "Banzai!"and then cut the head. The blood that dripping from his samurai sword will be kept in his wine bottle because Japanese believe the blood that had been drink will make them loyal to their master.

"Welcome Back To The Malaya"

HISTORY THAT WE SHOULD PRESERVE

   Truly, we can say that this place is worth to visit. Besides, the entrance fee is quite affordable because of the priceless of the history behind the wall which is RM 21.40 for adult. It teaches us about our own history. Make us realize that war is something horrible that we cannot even imagine it. For those who said this place haunted, you can say it haunted. But the truth is, it was haunted by its own history. This place should become one of the attraction that we must protect for our next generation .

An old torture room that still exist and preserved until now.

Remaining of the bullet holes.

   From both pictures above, we can still saw the remaining of the bullet effect after the victim got shot in a very cruel way in this room. Actually, there were a story before the one of the rooms closed forever. A visitors, a man brought his son here. He said that his 4 years old son said, he saw blood on the wall but his father cannot saw any blood. Just a bullet effect. 

Additional note:

• Opening hours : 9 a.m until 6 p.m (Day Tour) / 7 p.m until 11 p.m (Night Tour)
• Other than night tour, War Museum also provide more activities such as Jungle Trekking, Camp Stay, 100ft. Tunnel Explore, Paintball, War Games and Team Building.
• They also provide more parking free of charge.

Thank you for reading!

By: Nur Jannah binti Ahmad

     Nazmiyah binti Abdullah Omar

STRAITS QUAY : LET’S THE SCENERY SET YOUR LIFESTYLE

                                 

   The sea was kindling its own symphony, the sounds of human laughing, smells of good foods, beautiful architecture of building such a good combination in one of the attraction place in Penang. First and only seafront retail marina in Penang which make this place a ‘must-visit’ whenever people come to Penang. Straits Quay was opened to public in November 2010. This glamorous retail marina shopping complex is located to the north of Georgetown. In the reclaimed land area Seri Tanjung Pinang. Operation hours? This newer attractions around where you can shop and also see the various yachts moored in the quayside open everyday for you to come visit ; Monday – Saturday (9 am -10 am) , Sunday (9 am – 12 am).

    Can you guess how many floors by looking at this picture? Yes or No? Straits Quay is not a huge shopping mall, it only has two floors and focus line on having a good time instead of endless rows shops but with attractive over 100 shops where people must go and purchase anything from each shops because the beautiful products itself will caught your eyes and your money will fly but it is worth it.

 

  Also, they have restaurants, boutiques and most important is they have arts shops which are karyaneka, art to art enterprise and royal Selangor. Their arts was amazingly beautiful that when you go into the shops, you do not want to leave it even only for a second.

   Furthermore, usually when a building provide shopping center, people will only thought about there will be a food court and few restaurants or at least playground where parents put their children there while they are going to buy some stuffs but different to this fantastic Straits Quay. They provide an entertainment for kids and also for parents. For instance, there is a shop called The Art E Space where they can have fun creating art together with all materials are provided. Can you thinking what I’m thinking? Instead of going for a walk, go shopping, Straits Quay provide different way to bonding with your family which is through arts.

 

    Also, this wonderful place Strait Quay will give you an experience where difficult for people to find it. It is cruise on the water limousine. There have four types of water limousine here which are Lady Martina Service. This is from Eastern & Oriental Hotel to Straits Quay. Next is Lady Martina : Water Limousine Rides where will give guest experience along the shorelines of Penang also enjoying the scenic coastline. This service will shuttles across the bay along Gurney Drive from Straits Quay to Eastern & Oriental Hotel. While, to give guests a new seafaring experience along the shorelines of Penang is one of the limousine service named Lady Martina : Evening Harbour Cruise. Lastly, for limousine service is Lady Martina : Private Charter Service for private events, exclusive business meeting and intimate leisure cruises. Guests can buy the tickets at Straits Quay Tourist Centre.
       
                               

  What else that this amazing Straits Quay have? Do not be surprise, besides shopping and the limousine water, Straits Quay also full with energy and events that attract people even tourist to come there. There is also a fairly active program of events including Friday Boot Fairs so definitely worth a visit. The theatre for kids ‘The Owl Who Was Afraid of the Dark’ take place from 25 February until 23 March 2016 attract many kids and also their parents to come and watch the theatre because it was live in stage and also in real 3D that what suit to children needs. It also have workshops, contest and also performing Arts that can covering all ages because if  you are a mother that have a little child then you are going to bring them so that you and your child would have a bonding time together. Moreover in arts and craft class, they can learn all about creative crafts and that happening every weekend from 2pm – 4pm and 4.30pm – 6.30pm and also suitable for children of 6 years old and above. You can find it at brochures space.

    In Straits Quay also they are provide business and services such as convention centre that actually the first waterfront convention centre in the Northern region of Malaysia and it is easily accessible and makes for a refreshing choice for those interested to hold memorable events in Penang. It can stands at 25,300 square feet and has the capacity for 120 standard exhibition booths, 2,300 delegates for theatre style seating and 1,800 guests for banquet style seating.

  How to come to Straits Quay? There have many various ways to come to Straits Quay which are :

·         It only 45 minutes’ drive from Penang International Airport, 5 minutes from Gurney Drive and 20    minutes from Batu Ferringhi.

·             Only 20 minutes by car from city centre of Georgetown and 35 minutes from Penang Bridge.

·              Also by Rapid Penang No. 102 (Teluk Bahang to the Penang International Airport).

·         For all beach hotel guest they can hop onto the Straits Quay FREE Shuttle bus, which run daily,     10.00 am – 10.00 pm

    This high end condo and marina is how the very rich spend their money and leisure time. This is because when you go there, there are many foreigner and local people that spend their time there with their family. The quay itself is free to wander around and there are some great sight to be had looking bad towards the city as well as Marina itself. Straits Quay actually is a beautiful spot to watch amazed boats on the harbor, amazing views. It also have nice walkways and vet pretty views to look out at the city mainland skyline.

    Last but not least, we also did an interview with 2 beautiful woman who went for a walked there. We asked why make they came there and one of them said the reason why they choose Straits Quay as the place to meet because their hearts felt peace and calm whenever they came. We also asked since when they knew about this place and they said since they came to Penang as a UiTM students and this was the first place they came to visited.

                               
                          

    Do not you ever think that you will lost here or feels like lacking of something because Straits Quay is very full of facilities. They have information counter if someone need to know more about Straits Quay or have any questions to ask. They provide wheelchair if their guests are old people and disabilities person. They have escalator and lift to make people feel ease and not tired go to upstairs. These facilities is the most important things because to protect their guests they need to give full attention to what wants and what needs of their guest especially the things that can make them feel ease.

    In conclusion, Straits Quay is the place where you can do many beautiful activities either with your friends, your family or solitary. The full of ambiance, creative and pureness of nature and well-managed infrastructure. Do not worry if you go there with no ideas of what you are going to do because once you step on the entrance, the scenery of the Straits Quay will leads you what you are going to do which will connected to your lifestyle and really make our life will change like living in other world.

By : PUTERI FARHANA NADIRAH BINTI JAMALUDIN
       NUR RAJAA' NAZIRAH BINTI JAKIRAN
      ANIS SHAFIQAH BINTI ZAIFON

LOCK YOUR LOVE AT PENANG HILL .

1)    Arts

        A memorable vacation is one that we can never forget. Tranquility in the hot and humid weather of Penang. Our journey begin from UiTM Permatang Pauh across the second largest bridge in Malaysia renowned as Penang Bridge and ahead to Ayer Itam which is Penang Hill is located.

First step at the bottom of the hill make us felt excited to reach up the hill. Before we gone too far with the excitement, we want to touch a little bit about the Penang Hill. Penang Hill also known as Flagstaff Hill was the first colonial hill station developed in Peninsular Malaysia. It is the last patch of tropical rainforest in Penang so the flora and fauna here have been protected since 1960. Opps! It’s not about the history subject okay lets continue about our journey there. Even though some of us are from Penang and already came to this place, but the moments this time we spent together with ours’ friends make it felt out of ordinary.

2)    Arts make from thousands of needles

          Penang Hill had welcomed us with the amazing ambiance of the entrance with the unique art’s picture of Penang Hill using a million of needles. The entrance for 3ocal visitors is RM10 (Adult) RM5 (Children) while for foreigners is RM30 (Adult) and RM15 (Children). After paid for the tickets we have to waited at the waiting area about 15 minutes for the funicular train to board the passengers to the apex of the hills.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

3)    Peoples in funicular train

             Before we continue the excitement to go up there, we had been reminds about the safety instructions in the funicular train. Along the journey up to the peak of the hill, we had attracted with the stunning views of the diversity of nature of the tropical forest. 

4)    Views from the apex of Penang Hill

            This is the time when we arrived at the peak of the Penang Hill. Ours’ eyes stunned with the wonderful views of beautiful creatures. We’re now at 830 meters above sea level on Penang Hill and we had enjoyed a spectacular panoramic view of overlooking Georgetown and Straits of Malacca. The temperature ranging from 20-25 degree celcius. It is going to be a place to relax, remember and rejuvenate. 

5)    Newly-wed couples we meet at Penang Hill

             We had bumped with the sweet young newly-wed couples that go to the Penang Hill to take the pictures to devote their precious memories. They said that they choose to take their wedding pictures at Penang Hill because this is the place when they first time meets.

          There are many exhilaration attractions at the apex of this hill consists of viewing deck, henna arts, love lock , Mini Toys Museum, The Owl’s Museum and many more. For the information, the viewing deck is the latest attraction that  focus on enhancing visitors experience and maximizing the extra ordinary views. The decoration of the viewing deck is incredible like garden and the skyway allow outstanding 360 degrees views. 

                                                         6)    Viewing deck

           Love lock are famous among couples, families and also friends that want to lock their love there as a sign that they have been at Penang Hill. There are many words written  on the padlocks, some of them  that catch our eyes , wrote that they promise to come back at Penang Hill 5 years later from the date they came.

                                                       7)    Love locks

        Penang Owl’s Museum is located near the food court which everybody can take a look. Penang Owl’s Museum is South East Asia’s first museum and has been declare by the Malaysia Books of Record because there have 1000 exotic and unique arts and craft artifact collected from 20 countries including Japan , South Korea , Uruguay and many more. Penang Hill also provided several facilities such as food court, mosque , Hindus temple , garden , buggy car and many more. If you want to know more you must come here and discover it. 

                                      8)    With ours’ friends at love lock deck

9)    Signboard of The Owl Museum

10) Panoramic views at night

                Vacation is a chance to take a break from exhausted life, see the world and enjoy time with families and friends. We are kindly suggested Penang Hill as the best attraction and the required place to visit when come to Penang.

 

                    11) Flora at Penang Hill                     12) Artist                   

 

By : NUR FASYA BINTI FAIZAL NOOR.

       SYADATUL NADIA BINTI KASIM

       FAZLINYANTI BINTI FAZIL

TAMAN RIMBA IS ABOUT THE NATURE

LEISURE AT TAMAN RIMBA TELUK BAHANG!

 "NATURE IS A NEVER ENDING STORY"

The Clear Water Flow at Taman Rimba Teluk Bahang

“What’s your favourite place?

We always been asked that question at least once in a day and several times. It’s not an easy question to answer, as most travelers can attest. Our lists are long and we can’t pick one place above all. But during our research, a trip to Penang caught our eyes and it quickly piqued our interest.

You see, if you’ve ever thought of Malaysia, I bet that the top destination that comes to your mind is Kuala Lumpur; so for sure, it intrigued us what might be there to see in Penang.

We actually have a favourite place in Penang now. It’s a little nature peace place called Taman Rimba Teluk Bahang or Teluk Bahang Forest Ecopark.

The Memorable Moment had by People at Taman Rimba Teluk Bahang

The Mini Waterfall

"We had never heard of Taman Rimba Teluk Bahang on our first visit to Penang two years ago — and now that we’ve been there, I am singing its praises to everyone I know."

This is kind of a local family-outing place. There are attractive picnic grounds around a man-made (or man modified) stream. Taman Rimba is a popular and well-maintained recreational park equipped with park benches, picnic and camping areas, waterfalls and a playground. The pureness and clear waterfall can change our intuition from just having a walk there turn to taking bath at there. How amazing it is!

 

The Nature of Taman Rimba Teluk Bahang  

Taman Rimba Teluk Bahang Overview

A favourite recreational ground and camping site for local families, Taman Rimba is measuring a whopping 32-hectar forest park in Teluk Bahang. Enjoy the serenity of nature far away from the humdrum of city life.

Showcasing a wide variety of flora and fauna, Teluk Bahang Recreational Park provides an interesting introduction to the Malaysian rainforest with a good network of hiking trails and a well-manned forestry museum.

For hiking enthusiasts, Taman Rimba offers five hiking trails with different levels of difficulty and challenges.

Mini Waterfall

The Taman Rimba Teluk Bahang offers visitors with a variety of mini waterfalls. We experience cool and clear water in which to swim or splash around in. The natural beauty of the surrounding adds to the soothing and relaxing ambiance.

The Natural Bathtub

Leisurely Strolls

For a milder form of exercise, footpaths are also provided for visitors to stroll around the forest recreational areas. The cool and clean atmosphere coupled with the chirping of birds and the creaking of insects further add to the sensory experience communing with mother nature.

Actually, Taman Rimba is a lovely excursion for those who wanting to see some of Penang’s natural beauty. It is a great outdoor attraction which family can gather or a place to go on some nature hikes. The view is truly uniqueness and special once we reach there.

Our Friendships Getaway

As we share the same interest in having a trip that we can enjoy the nature as well as having a great time together, we decide to come here and feel by ourselves the clean and beautiful nature.

This time in our lives, we were looking for something different. This would be a trip where we could get near to nature out a bit more. A trip where we wouldn’t feel pressure to do a ton of sightseeing or activities.

In other words, when you’re starting to get some adventure out, THIS is where you go next. Go here for a hiking up the trails. Go here to get your hiking experience and being near to nature.

Hiking up the Trails

There are some trails of varying lengths (1-5 hours, round trip) through the jungle. And the entrance to a longer trail up Penang Hill is here. It’s supposed to be longest forest trail in Penang, and we think it’s about 10km, we was told it would take 6 hours, which we guessing was one-way. 

We didn’t have the time or the gear with us to try any of them: you will need the right shoes and plenty of water, and the longer ones sounded isolated enough that even if they’re not that long you should take reasonable precautions for injury and sudden nasty shifts in weather.

 There’s actually a sign at the bottom that says that Penang isn’t responsible for loss of life or property on the trails.

It’s all very pretty, and very much jungle. There were sightings of flying lemurs in the evenings.

The Longest Trail at Taman Rimba Teluk Bahang

The Hiking Steps to the Trails

There are a total of four hiking trails within the Forest Park and the fifth trail which span the Forest Park in the North and Penang Hill in the south.

The trails are specially designed to include not only for the increase of physical stamina but also to teach avid hikers on identifying and appreciating the island’s exotic flora and fauna.

The hiking trips are all open to the public at no charge and each is planned according to different levels of difficulty : 

Monkey-Cup Forest Trail - Hiking Trips Level 1

Simpoh Gajah Trail - Hiking Trips Level 2

Charcoal Kiln Trail - Hiking Trips Level 3

Ridge Top Trail - Hiking Trips Level 4

Penang Hill Forest Challenge - Hiking Trips Level 5

Forestry Museum

There is a forest museum with displays that range from hard core ecological (“Bad human, don’t touch!”) through to logging and what all humans can use from the forest.

The dioramas have seen better days, and we’re not sure why all the creatures were baring their teeth, but there’s a series of touch-and-feel displays too that we really liked-engaging, and who knew stuff from the jungle felt like that?

Overall nicely done, but probably not an attraction in its own right for the average tourist. Go for a picnic and visit the museum at the same time.

Several people were staying at the hostel at Taman Rimba for a few days. For us, a day trip was perfect.

The Takeaway

We loved our time in Taman Rimba. It’s easy to get sick of its cool and clear water, as lovely as they are, and Taman Rimba is the perfect antidote that will distract you until you leap back into the park once more. At here, sound of bird chirping,flow of waterfall and blowing wind make us feel like in a heaven.. Very peaceful and how fantastic it is.. It makes us to come again and again in the future! 

Penang may be seen as a cultural destination, but that’s certainly not the case.

But beyond that, it’s an incredibly beautiful recreational park and one that we highly recommend.

Whether you visit with a friend, like we did, or solo or with a partner or with your family, we know you’ll appreciate what a special place this recreational park is.