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  1. #26
    Thailand Expat

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    Question Penang Island / Pulau Pinang

    I take it that Georgetown/ Penang share a great sense of the British Empire's past; therefore, the history and pleasant architecture brings to mind a tropical colonial past.
    From the several fantastic TD threads I surmise that the real gems are to take several walking tours throughout the area and enjoy the best Indian food this side of Kolkata (Calcutta) , is that correct ?

    I readily understand that this area may not / (is not) for those expats seeking carnal delights , discotheques and late night pubs with available ladies for keeping company after dancing the night away.

    For those of you who have traveled there in the past three years :
    (1) did you feel any perceived threat to traveling freely as a 'whitey' approx 150 km from Thailand's "troublesome" Yala border ?
    (2) is there a tourist 'high' / 'low' season for Georgetown ?
    (3) if you traveled with a Thai lady , did they enjoy the trip ...or is it best to leave home with only one bag in your opinion ?

    Your input will be greatly appreciated.

  2. #27
    Thailand Expat terry57's Avatar
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    ^

    Mate in short,

    Penang is a brilliant tourist spot especially this time of year.

    I took the Handbag down last year and she loved it.

    I enjoy it every time I go there, the locals are friendly, it's safe and all good.

  3. #28
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    1 no
    2 yes
    3 yes
    4 no

  4. #29
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    david44's Avatar
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    Great pix spent a year there in instalments.The night shot is I think the town hall and most of colonial heritage Georgetown has been restored as in 1990s the old French consul had weeds in the roof.

    Must go again
    All the food is great from the banana leaf curries to superb dim sum in Da Tong on Lebuh Cintra and the hotels.
    Never forget the hideous hissing ugly old Katoeys outside the Hong Kong bar in Chulia street with their Pschhht, and lunghi barely clad poor ole Tamil waif rickshaw hustlers trying to sell you anything

    Want lady ?
    No thanks
    want lady boy?
    Not really Enccik
    Want boy?
    Good night that's quite enough
    Want Ganja/tour/smack/change money?
    No go away
    Want ride?

    Terimah kasih
    Last edited by david44; 03-01-2016 at 01:02 PM.
    Quote Originally Posted by Latindancer View Post
    I just want the chance to use a bigger porridge bowl.

  5. #30
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    Penang is a fine alternative to Thailand when one truly grows weary of foolishness and mess.

    Georgetown, the Peak, Snake temple, Batu Ferringhi beach, wandering around the old town, enjoying pavements and light-controlled crossings that actually function as such, the absence of whores and soi dogs (in the evening in Jalan Pinang a few tranny whores quietly importune the odd solitary tourist but nothing intrusive), eating fine Indian food and proper street food from established restaurants that observe basic hygiene, buses that are modern, cheap and comfortable and run according to timetable, locals that do not treat you as a sub-species simply to be gouged, a cultural heritage rich in diversity and varied architecture and McDonalds serve quarter pounders.

    Sadly, decent pork sausages and bacon is hard to source in restaurants but one can't have everything.

    I recommend the E&O Hotel for a nice slice of colonialist living when decent white, Christian, British folk reigned the world.

    For a poignant and somewhat bucolic side trip I recommend a visit to the European cemetery not far from Fort Cornwallis on Lebuh Light or thereabouts.

    Ten years ago the majority of visitors were from the arriving cruise ships, backpackers and visa runners, and a lot of British holidaymakers of the conservative kind. Now, one sees many more Asian visitors. In the summer months, when the Middle East broils in the heat, hundreds of Arab couples and families visit Batu Ferringhi when the beach is festooned by their women all dressed in their black chadors and resemble a huge flock of starlings. Quite bizarre, really.

    Great place for a quiet time but the bar areas around Jalan Pinang can be lively in the weekends when the local Chinese, the majority ethnic group of Penang, like to come out and play. I like it immensely and would quite happily live there but it's not really suited to the Thai temperament except for shortish stays.

  6. #31
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    Quote Originally Posted by Seekingasylum
    the absence of whores
    There's plenty of whores, you just need to know where to look

    Quote Originally Posted by Seekingasylum
    Sadly, decent pork sausages and bacon is hard to source in restaurants but one can't have everything.
    You can get a half decent full English from a cafe in Tanjung Bungah or even better buy your own bacon and sausages from Cold Storage. It's fun to place them on the till on your way out and watch the cashiers squirm

  7. #32
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    nigelandjan's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by somtamslap
    I went to Penang once.

    Details are somewhat sketchy but I'm quite sure a gentleman in an alluring frock featured.
    Its ok mate your safe to go back for another visit , Dillingers had counselling and he's stopped that unacceptable behaviour now

  8. #33
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    It may have been looper, I don't remember any cake arsed Norvenner in Lycra complaining

  9. #34
    I'm in Jail

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    Quote Originally Posted by Dillinger View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by Seekingasylum
    the absence of whores
    There's plenty of whores, you just need to know where to look

    Quote Originally Posted by Seekingasylum
    Sadly, decent pork sausages and bacon is hard to source in restaurants but one can't have everything.
    You can get a half decent full English from a cafe in Tanjung Bungah or even better buy your own bacon and sausages from Cold Storage. It's fun to place them on the till on your way out and watch the cashiers squirm
    Have they got a gullivers tavern and sky train yet gent?

  10. #35
    Thailand Expat Bobcock's Avatar
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    One of my favourite places in Asia, have visited many times over the last 28 years..... I'm off for Thaipusam again next month, can't wait, I'm a much better photographer now.....






  11. #36
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    Do you go to the Batu Caves in Putrajaya or stay near Hindu temple in Georgetown for pics ?

  12. #37
    Thailand Expat Bobcock's Avatar
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    I thought the Batu Caves were in KL, whatever, if there is a Batu Caves in Penang Thaipusam doesn't go there.

    I take the majority of my pics in the car park of the Stadium Bandaraya opposite the Sri Muthu Mariamman Temple out off Jalan Dato Keramat and then follow the procession out to via Jalan Utama to the hillside temple the name of which escapes me where the procession ends. After that I tend to drift back towards the car park for the later shots....

  13. #38
    Thailand Expat lom's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Bobcock
    I'm off for Thaipusam again next month
    2016 date Sunday, 24 January 2016

  14. #39
    Thailand Expat Bobcock's Avatar
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    Of course we've had a change in month... I'm going this month, funnily enough, the date you mentioned.... 5555

  15. #40
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    I loved Penang, but I couldn't manage to get myself out of Little India. Spent my whole visit there basically eating at every restaurant in that area.

  16. #41
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    Just back from Penang which is a world away from the conflicts of the southern Thai border.
    Unfortunately I developed severe gastro before I left and had to forgo any culinary delights but stodge.
    I was on a visa renewal run and although the visa office of the Thai Consulate was run-down and dilapidated it was super efficient.
    One Thai guy processed more Visa applications in an hour than Phuket Immi does in a morning with five officers!
    When I arrived at 2pm the next day to collect the passport there was a line-up of 100+ (the road was full of big buses, minivans and cabs - the same guy cleared that within 15 minutes, including arguments from several applicants that had got less than what they requested and one refusal.
    Just shows what Thai officials can do if they are motivated.

  17. #42
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    The problems in south Thailand don't impact on Penang.

    There are busy times in Penang CNY which is Feb 8 this year plus there are quite a few festivals and school holidays. Malaysians love Penang food.
    myPenang - Home

    Even a fussy Thai can eat in Penang.

  18. #43
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    I think you meant to say, the problems of the South don't "affect" Penang. Impact isn't a verb and its use as such should be actively discouraged.

  19. #44
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    The Penang version of Gullivers is called Soho, gent, and is located on Jalan Penang

    Just in case you were wondering


  20. #45
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    Quote Originally Posted by Seekingasylum View Post
    I think you meant to say, the problems of the South don't "affect" Penang. Impact isn't a verb and its use as such should be actively discouraged.
    impact


    verb

    verb: impact; 3rd person present: impacts; past tense: impacted; past participle: impacted; gerund or present participle: impacting

    /ɪmˈpakt/
    have a strong effect on someone or something.
    "high interest rates have impacted on retail spending"


    synonyms: affect, influence, have an effect, have an influence, exert influence, make an impression, act, work; More

  21. #46
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    shaggersback's Avatar
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    ^^

  22. #47
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    That a solecism might appear in some lexicon or other doesn't alter the fact that poor English remains poor, irrespective of usage.

    It's simply just another dreadful debasement of the language reflecting use by pretentious bureaucrats adding ever more to their vocabulary of wankspeak.

  23. #48
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    There are free walking tours of the Georgetown heritage area on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 10.30am leaving from main entrance of whiteaway building on Beach St. More info from Global Penang office in whiteaway building

  24. #49
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    Nice one Looper. I went to Penang once, or twice - back in the fifties - bars were good then!

  25. #50
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    Been many times ...Was there a few years back with the wife near Chinese Temple Love street...frickin shower of heavy roof tiles from one of the old buildings missed the wife by inches...

    Red Garden food court has entertainment..Chinese country and western dancing one time. There is a pub behind across the road... good fare.

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