Malaysia 2007- Sunset over Pangkor isle & Penang island

Malaysia 2007- Sunset over Pangkor isle & Penang island

In February 2007 my wife and me went to Malaysia. We booked an inclusive (flight & hotel) tour since it was our first trip to Malaysia and we stayed at Swiss Garden Resort in Lumut, which is north-west of the peninsula. The Resort is a great place, sprawling complex of the main hotel and apartments and sport facilities. It is 35kms from Lumut Town and is ideal for relaxing and not going anywhere else. There is a shuttle bus service from the hotel to the town leaving at awkward hours of 11.45and returning at 17.00 and 18.00. The alternate mode was the taxi,
charging MR 50 each way.
From the beach at the resort, the island of Pangkor is visible on the other side of the sea. At that time, it was shrouded in mist, we could not use the beach either because of jelly fish which was as big as a dinner plate and hundreds were lying dead on the beach. The photo on the left shows the island of Pangkor from our resort. We went to Lumut city, took the ferry to the island and enjoyed the beach there, although we could not swim.
After a few days' stay at the Resort, we went to Penang island for two days. We enjoyed it very much, its Buddhist temples, the China Town and Little India, and the night market. And the food.
The photo on the right shows the harbor in George Town, island of Penang.
The Swiss Garden resort had two restaurants and a buffet. In the evenings there was sea food bar-b-q on the beach (MR 70pp). However eating seafood in the night did not appeal much. Of the two restaurants, one was serving fish and the other Chinese food, appropriately named Noodle House. So we had to do with the daily afternoon and night buffet or eat in two other restaurants. Twice we entered the Noddle House and found it empty, so we chose not to eat in the silent splendor and went to the other. During our dinner, we were the only table occupied. The fish was fresh but the waiter could not tell us the name of the fish so he suggested we have one swimming in the fish tank. An ugly looking brute. We declined and had the one already in the kitchen. It came baked with vegetables and was quite alright. The bill was l00MR with one beer and one soft drink included.
The food at the resort was Malaysian, breakfast consisted of toast and butter, omelet and chicken sausages, noodles, fish curry (mackerel) chicken (fried and in curry) rice and fresh fruit. The afternoon and evening menus varied little. The buffet cost MR. 40 pp. All food and drinks, even ice cream had 8% tax and 10% service charge.
The food was alright but it lacked flavor. It did not have the aroma or taste, which spices in food, in tropical countries, have. But we liked Malaysia very much and promised ourselves to return. Which we did in November 2007.



Posted by Island Hopper at 06:50