I have been dreaming a tranquil voyage across the emerald water of the sea since I first heard the Pearl of the Orient story from my friends back in the primary school in the late 1980s. Back then, my parent didn't have the luxury to afford my school trip to the mystery island called Penang, one of the most modern state in Malaysia at that time. Now thinking back, I'm perhaps more fortunate by missing the school trip as the story has set-off many of my wonderful imagination as a kid... the longest bridge, the tallest building, the biggest temple, the first electric funicular hill railway, the oldest ferry rides in the country.This is one of my childhood memories that I'm cherish till now.
It is great to be back to Penang, the Pearl of the Orient... this time not in my imagination but real experience! It is greater to realized my childhood dream of a tranquil voyage across the emerald water of the sea!! Now it is greatest to ride the car on my own into the oldest ferry rides of Malaysia, which can trace its history back to the 1920s!!!
My journey start at the Pangkalan Sultan Abdul Halim in Butterworth Town on the mainland. It is a brisk passed through the toll gate during off-peak hours. The toll fee is MYR 7.7 (about SGD 3.3) for motorcar, while different categories of vehicle such a bicycles, motorcycles, tricycles, and lorries have their own rate. Some of the ferries also cater to pedestrians with different fares for adults and children.
Aye captain! after a short waiting of less than 10 minutes, I'm gung-ho to go, driving through a narrow bridge into the pot belly of a ferry. Gusto to the efficient ferry crews, one by one the vehicles entered and parked in an orderly fashion in the lower deck of the ferry. The entire parking exercise took less than 10 minutes! I'm bit nervous at first as the car I drove was rented at the Penang airport and I cannot imagine the penalty if scratch or bump the car while passing through the narrow bridge.
I quickly alight from the car and went to the upper deck after safely parked the car. Aah, I'm bit disappointed as I thought can see how the pedestrians deck look like. I realized the ferry I boarded is exclusively for vehicles only. I didn't dwell in my disappointment and quickly pulled out my dslr and triggered happily!
The photo shows the brightly painted Pulau Angsa ferry berths at the jetty with the Penang bridge faintly in the background. The Pulau Angsa is a twin decks ferry with the upper deck for pedestrians and the lower deck for vehicles. Aiyoh! I should be able to ride on the Pulau Angsa if I'm few minutes late as the passengers are seen just alight from the ferry.
Looking to the north are several fishing boats anchored near to the beach with the Penang Port in a distance background. It is pleasant scenery to see the white sandy beach and clean emerald water despite the area is busy with shipping and industrial activities.
Okay, fasten your seat-belt and raise the sails! Oop, sorry there is no seat-belt and sails on-board :D The ferry is ready to sail after the gates were closed and the bridges raised. The thrill of a tranquil voyage across the emerald water of the sea start beating strong in my heart!
The Butterworth Container Terminal, which is part of the Penang Port can be seen to the north as the ferry crossing the Penang Strait. Penang Port is one of the oldest in Malaysia with her history trace back to over 200 years when Francis Light started the first British colony in the peninsular Malaysia. The port literally bring life to Penang and as it becomes a port of call for ships sailing between the western and eastern worlds, so lively that Penang is crowned the Pear of the Orient in her heyday.
A container ship anchored in the Penang Strait, not far from the port. I'm always curious how life aboard a ship is like. Is it full of adventure that your blood never stop surging and the heart never stop beating wild? Perhaps, I watched too much the movie Pirates of the Caribbean :D
Across the beautiful emerald water of Penang Strait is the scenic 13.5 kilometers Penang Bridge. It is one of the longest bridge in the world, the longest in Malaysia and national icon. The bridge was mooted by Abdul Razak (Malaysia Second Prime Minister) in the 1970s and constructed during the administration of Mahathir Mohammad (Malaysia Fourth Prime Minister) in the 1980s. It is another alternative for travel between the Penang Island and mainland.
Looking west or ahead is Georgetown, the state capital of Penang. The city was founded in 1786 by Francis Light and named after Britain's King George III. It become a city by royal charter granted by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008 and ranked 9th most liveable city according to ECA International, 2010. As for me, it is a foods haven that no other places in Malaysia can beat, which is also confirmed by New York Times in 2009 that ranked Penang as one of the top food destinations in the world!
The ferry voyage across the Penang Strait end at the Pangkalan Raja Uda on the island. It is relatively short 15 minutes ride for me but nostalgic with the rich history and beautiful scenery. It is time to crawl back to my car parked at the lower deck.
A ferry voyage across the Penang Strait is worth the time and money. Most important it is a rich legacy that every Penangite and Malaysian in general feel proud of. However, will the ferry rides last forever or it will become a history in the near future? It is some sort of million dollars questionnaire taking into the fact that the second Penang bridge that connect Batu Kawan on the mainland and Batu Maung on the Island is under construction now and scheduled for completion in mid-2012. It will look overkill to maintain two bridges and the ferries concurrently. Deep in my heart, I hope the ferry rides will be continue as long as possible.
Well one of my childhood dream was fulfilled! If it is your dream to ride on the ferry voyage too, stop procrastinating and go for it soon ;)
It is great to be back to Penang, the Pearl of the Orient... this time not in my imagination but real experience! It is greater to realized my childhood dream of a tranquil voyage across the emerald water of the sea!! Now it is greatest to ride the car on my own into the oldest ferry rides of Malaysia, which can trace its history back to the 1920s!!!My journey start at the Pangkalan Sultan Abdul Halim in Butterworth Town on the mainland. It is a brisk passed through the toll gate during off-peak hours. The toll fee is MYR 7.7 (about SGD 3.3) for motorcar, while different categories of vehicle such a bicycles, motorcycles, tricycles, and lorries have their own rate. Some of the ferries also cater to pedestrians with different fares for adults and children.Aye captain! after a short waiting of less than 10 minutes, I'm gung-ho to go, driving through a narrow bridge into the pot belly of a ferry. Gusto to the efficient ferry crews, one by one the vehicles entered and parked in an orderly fashion in the lower deck of the ferry. The entire parking exercise took less than 10 minutes! I'm bit nervous at first as the car I drove was rented at the Penang airport and I cannot imagine the penalty if scratch or bump the car while passing through the narrow bridge.I quickly alight from the car and went to the upper deck after safely parked the car. Aah, I'm bit disappointed as I thought can see how the pedestrians deck look like. I realized the ferry I boarded is exclusively for vehicles only. I didn't dwell in my disappointment and quickly pulled out my dslr and triggered happily!The photo shows the brightly painted Pulau Angsa ferry berths at the jetty with the Penang bridge faintly in the background. The Pulau Angsa is a twin decks ferry with the upper deck for pedestrians and the lower deck for vehicles. Aiyoh! I should be able to ride on the Pulau Angsa if I'm few minutes late as the passengers are seen just alight from the ferry.
Looking to the north are several fishing boats anchored near to the beach with the Penang Port in a distance background. It is pleasant scenery to see the white sandy beach and clean emerald water despite the area is busy with shipping and industrial activities.Okay, fasten your seat-belt and raise the sails! Oop, sorry there is no seat-belt and sails on-board :D The ferry is ready to sail after the gates were closed and the bridges raised. The thrill of a tranquil voyage across the emerald water of the sea start beating strong in my heart!The Butterworth Container Terminal, which is part of the Penang Port can be seen to the north as the ferry crossing the Penang Strait. Penang Port is one of the oldest in Malaysia with her history trace back to over 200 years when Francis Light started the first British colony in the peninsular Malaysia. The port literally bring life to Penang and as it becomes a port of call for ships sailing between the western and eastern worlds, so lively that Penang is crowned the Pear of the Orient in her heyday.A container ship anchored in the Penang Strait, not far from the port. I'm always curious how life aboard a ship is like. Is it full of adventure that your blood never stop surging and the heart never stop beating wild? Perhaps, I watched too much the movie Pirates of the Caribbean :DAcross the beautiful emerald water of Penang Strait is the scenic 13.5 kilometers Penang Bridge. It is one of the longest bridge in the world, the longest in Malaysia and national icon. The bridge was mooted by Abdul Razak (Malaysia Second Prime Minister) in the 1970s and constructed during the administration of Mahathir Mohammad (Malaysia Fourth Prime Minister) in the 1980s. It is another alternative for travel between the Penang Island and mainland.Looking west or ahead is Georgetown, the state capital of Penang. The city was founded in 1786 by Francis Light and named after Britain's King George III. It become a city by royal charter granted by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008 and ranked 9th most liveable city according to ECA International, 2010. As for me, it is a foods haven that no other places in Malaysia can beat, which is also confirmed by New York Times in 2009 that ranked Penang as one of the top food destinations in the world!The ferry voyage across the Penang Strait end at the Pangkalan Raja Uda on the island. It is relatively short 15 minutes ride for me but nostalgic with the rich history and beautiful scenery. It is time to crawl back to my car parked at the lower deck.A ferry voyage across the Penang Strait is worth the time and money. Most important it is a rich legacy that every Penangite and Malaysian in general feel proud of. However, will the ferry rides last forever or it will become a history in the near future? It is some sort of million dollars questionnaire taking into the fact that the second Penang bridge that connect Batu Kawan on the mainland and Batu Maung on the Island is under construction now and scheduled for completion in mid-2012. It will look overkill to maintain two bridges and the ferries concurrently. Deep in my heart, I hope the ferry rides will be continue as long as possible.Well one of my childhood dream was fulfilled! If it is your dream to ride on the ferry voyage too, stop procrastinating and go for it soon ;)
