Danielle's OOTD (PDP III)

About Me

Hello and welcome to my blog everyone! My name is Danielle Ong, a 22 year old student from KDU Penang University College. I am a Penangite who is excited to share with you about the beautiful and charming places that my lovely island has to offer. Join me in my journey around Penang Island!

A Getaway Trip Amongst Friends

What better way to spend your holidays than with your friends who have gone through so many ups and downs with you, especially in studies and assignments?

Here are some of the locations and things that my friends and I did on our holiday after our exams!

We first planned a half day itinerary on how we would spend our time in Georgetown, Penang.

Our Itinerary

My OOTD

Before starting off my blog, I would first like to introduce to you my outfit of the day!

Black shirt from Uniqlo ↣ RM 50
Short jeans from Forever 21 ↣ RM 40
Blue sling bag from Mizzue ↣ RM 120
White gold necklace from Riche Jewelry ↣ RM 389
White Sandals from Birkenstock ↣ RM 329

Starting on our trip, we first met in KDU Penang University College. We than started off our trip according to our itinerary by travelling in one of our friend's 6-seater car (wow so rich!). It was a glorious day. The sun was up high in the sky, shining brightly down upon us (p.s. bring along your sunblock, hat, or umbrella if you don't wanna be a different color after your trip!). We were all in excited spirits, talking cheerfully with one another on our way to our very first stop, BREAKFAST!!! We chose Ah Lai Kopitiam ("kopitiam" means "traditional coffee shop" in the Hokkien dialect) as our place for breakfast.

Ah Lai Kopitiam - Under The Big Tree @ Church Street

Despite explosions of breakfast places that are sprouting out in Penang, there are still some local favorites that continue to stand strong after operating for many years. If you were to ask any of us locals' favorite place for breakfast, you will often hear the name "Ah Lai Kopitiam - Under The Big Tree".

Ah Lai Kopitiam is located at Gat Lebuh Gereja, 10200 Penang. Heading to the town area via Jelutong Expressway, turn left into Gat Lebuh Gereja where you can see the DSOP building. Keep straight and you will see the cafe located under the tree on your right.

It is not easy to find parking here but you may park at Victoria Street and walk to the coffee shop. Since it is under a big tree, it is not too hot but shady and windy as the place is almost open air. The ambiance of the simple and no frills coffee shop might not be appealing to everyone, however, it offers some old-school dishes with evocative flavors - instant noodles, well-executed Hainanese Coffee, and some toast. The place has garnered an appreciative following and regular customers throughout its years of operation.

As there were many customers, we waited for the server to take order from our table as they do not accept order at the counter inside the cafe. We ordered Butter & Kaya Toast (RM1.80), Half Boiled Eggs (RM1.80), Iced Coffee Special recommended by the server, two bowls of Maggi Curry Soup (RM3.80/bowl) and a cup of warm water.

The Butter & Kaya Toast was very nice as it was not overcooked. The spread of butter and kaya were thick too. We liked it! I wanted to take a snap of the half boiled eggs, however my friends had already finished it in a shot. Oh my!

We were quite surprised by the presentation of Iced Coffee Special as it was our first time seeing a thick bubble wall on top of coffee. After tasting it, we dare say that there is something special about the flavor, might be due to coconut milk that was added into it. The combination was really good!

At last, our Maggi Curry Soup arrived! It was served with slices of cabbage and sausages, and an egg topped with melted cheese. The soup was quite thick and the noodle, springy. It was quite spicy for me but not for my other friends.

We enjoy our breakfast, would you?

About Ah Lai Kopitiam - Under The Big Tree @ Church Street

↣ 15, Gat Lebuh Gereja, 10200 Penang

↣ Monday – Friday: 0900am to 0500pm

↣ Saturday: 0900am to 0300pm

↣ Sunday: 0700am to 0100pm

↣ Contact: 016-4771332 (Ah Lai/Ah Lim)

↣ No service charge & government tax

↣ Halal

Armenian Street, Georgetown Penang

After our hearty breakfast, we proceeded to our next stop, a street that is famous for its street arts and iron sculptures, Armenian Street!

Armenian Street, or Lebuh Armenian, is a street in the inner city of Georgetown and within the core zone of the Georgetown Unesco World Heritage Site. It derives its name from an Armenian family who once stayed at the junction of the now Armenian Street and Beach Street in the early part of the 19th century. The street is the venue of the weekly Armenian Street Fair.

We first visited Choo Chay Keong Temple, that is located at the junction between Armenian Street and Cannon Street. It is a Chinese temple for the Yap clan. Completed in 1924, it is dedicated to the patron deity of the Yaps, Hoay Che Chung Wang.

Although Choo Chay Keong Temple is relatively small sized compared to most Chinese temples within Georgetown, it has a number of distinct features, such as the dragon pillars supporting its front porch and a polygonal structure in front of it, which was only added in the 1990s.

Side view of the Choo Chay Kyeong Temple

Front view of the Choo Chay Keong Temple

Close up picture of the exquisite designs on the walls

Beautiful designs of the pillars

Close up of the intricate designs of the pillars

Getting To Choo Chay Keong Temple

If you are walking from the Weld Quay Ferry & Bus Terminal, cross Pengkalan Weld using the pedestrian bridge. Turn left and walk along Pengkalan Weld until the junction of Gat Lebuh Chulia. Turn right into Gat Lebuh Chulia. At the junction of Lebuh Pantai, Gat Lebuh Chulia becomes Lebuh Chulia. Continue along Lebuh Chulia until the junction of Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling. Turn left and walk along Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling until the junction of Lebuh Armenian. Turn right, and Choo Chay Keong Temple is on the left side of Lebuh Armenian, next to Yap Kongsi on its right.

Choo Chay Keong Temple can also be reached by taking the Rapid Penang Bus 10, 103, 301, 302, 401, U502, disembarking at Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling. From Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling bus stop, walk in the southwards. You will see Choo Chay Keong Temple at the junction of Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling and Lebuh Armenian, to the right.

Next, we went to visit the Hock Teik Cheng Sin Temple, which you will have to first go through a small passage with stunning red lanterns overhanging the passageway. A bastion of Taoism in Penang, the Hock Teik Cheng Sin Temple was built by Chinese immigrants almost 165 years ago. Dedicated to Tua Pek Kong, the temple was symbolic of the values of the community and rituals conducted were very similar to what was practiced in the Fujian Province where most of them originated from.

One of the many unique features of the architecture is the roof. This temple is the only one in Malaysia that has a `Kuan Kong' figurine perched regally on its roof. The deity is synonymous with Chinese secret societies because it represents loyalty.

Another unique feature is the temple’s bungalow-like layout – an architectural rarity as most prayer pavilions back then were on the ground floor of smaller single story buildings.

Entrance of the passageway leading to Hock Teik Cheng Sin Temple

In the passageway with the stunning red lanterns overhanging it

Me and my friends in front of the Hock Teik Cheng Sin Temple

Getting to Hock Teik Cheng Sin Temple

The Hock Teik Cheng Sin Temple is located within its own compound at the corner between Armenian Street and Cannon Street. It is accessed via a short passageway. You can take Rapid Penang Bus 10, 12, 103, 301, 401, and CAT to Pitt Street (Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling), then walk south till you reach the corner of Armenian Street and Cannon Street. The entrance to Hock Teik Cheng Sin Temple is on your left.

Going on, we entered the lovely Armenian Street that was decorated with beautiful parachutes overhanging the entire stretch of street.

Armenian Street with parachutes overhanging the street

Close up picture of the artistic parachutes

The place was crowded as usual and we walked down the street, encountering many wall arts. Next to Hokkien Work, we did not miss a tiny little piece of art at the corner of the Hokkien artwork! It’s so cute, and it’s not very big. Turn right and walk up Lorong Soo Hong, away from Lebuh Armenian, and you will see it right away.

My friends and I with the cute artwork depicting the 3 different races of Malaysia

We came to the end of Armenian Street and saw a long line of people waiting to take pictures with the famous mural "Little Children on a Bicycle". "Little Children on a Bicycle" Mural is the most popular artwork in the UNESCO World Heritage Zone. painted by artist Ernest Zacharevic. It depicts a little girl taking her younger brother on a bicycle ride. The joy in their faces echoes down the street, providing a ray of cheer and adding character to Armenian Street. Ever since the mural was completed, it has drawn visitors in increasing numbers to stop over and take shots with them.

Our turn for a picture with the most famous wall mural in Penang Island!

Location of the "Little Children on a Bicycle" wall mural

After walking the whole length of Armenian Street, we entered Victoria Street or Lebuh Victoria, and found a few sweet spots that are great for taking pictures with!

Me in the first pretty spot in Victoria Street

Now a picture with my friends and I!

Second sweet spot along Victoria Street. Is it just not picture perfect!!!

Chew Jetty

After walking along Victoria Street, we moved on to the next stop of our itinerary, which was Chew Jetty. Do you know that there are approximately 6-7 waterfront settlements housing with different clans in Georgetown built in the mid-19th century? Most commonly known by the tourist is the Chew Jetty.

Directions from Armenian Street to Chew Jetty

Chew Jetty is along the same main road of Pengkalan Weld so you can just hop over. The Chew Jetty is name after the surname of the clan living in the water village with wooden houses perched above the sea by stilts, a homeland for generations of the Chews.

The Chew Jetty is a favorite tourist spot where some of the wooden houses have transformed to be souvenir shops and restaurants. It has been commercialized throughout the years. All thanks to Agu’s movie "Ice Kacang Puppy Love" and Ernest Zachaveric’s painting, this place has since boomed.

A Chinese-style pavilion greeted us when we entered and it was only when we neared it that I realized it was the front of a temple!

The architecture was unique in the sense that there was only one dragon adorning the roof and the lonesome being was placed right ahead of the temple, as if the fearsome protector was guarding the religious abode.

Key things to note before you begin your exploration: stick to the main passageway, no trespassing into the houses as many are homes, and do keep your volume down.

Let's start! Do not expect modern infrastructure as the century-old jetty was, in literal sense, heritage houses on stilts with planks of wood acting as the floor we step on.

Walking on the Chew Jetty

We marveled at the rows and rows of souvenir shops, drink shops, food shops, and came to the end of the Chew Jetty, which was a beautiful open space to breath in the sea air and marvel at the gorgeous sights before us. We spent some time there, just to relax and enjoy the beauty before us.

Enjoying the scenery before us!

Tan Jetty

Next up, we walked from Chew Jetty to Tan Jetty which was just located about 200 meters south of Chew Jetty. Tan Jetty is not as commercialized as Chew Jetty as the residents do not turn their homes into shops.

Directions from Chew Jetty to Tan Jetty

The main attraction of Tan Jetty is this narrow wooden pier with a little hut which attracts photographers.

Me walking along Tan Jetty

Tan Jetty *dab!*

A must have picture with friends on Tan Jetty!

Sekeping Victoria Cafe

Directions from Tan Jetty to Sekeping Victoria

Lunch time came, and we went to Sekeping Victoria Cafe to have our lunch. An extended member of the Sekeping Retreat group, Sekeping Victoria is the group's first "branch" in Penang. The Sekeping brand is famous for its rustic-forestry retreat; similarly, Sekeping Victoria is designed for those who are looking for a quiet escape from the fast and busy city life. Ironically, Sekeping Victoria is located in the heartland of Georgetown - Victoria Street, off the bustling Weld Quay and Beach Street.

We were astonished by the rustic interior design, it was an eye-opening experience. Guests can relax and calm their minds amidst trees in this artsy space. Minimal changes were done to this heritage house, Sekeping tries to maintain everything just as it was. Having a relaxing afternoon here is truly a unique experience as compared to those conventional cafes; Sekeping Victoria is also a picturesque place perfect for portraiture.

Weight-watchers may go for their Lotus Root with Mesculin Salad and Citrus Dressing (RM 12.50), a very simple, direct but delectable combination. Raw lotus root was somewhat new to me, it surprised me with its juicy crunch which goes very well with the rest. It was not monotonous, the chef played a nice twist by adding a touch of honey, which added a mellow sweetness to the tangy citrus dressing.

At the entrance of Sekeping Victoria

Quiet Reading in Sekeping Victoria

Picturesque spot in Sekeping Victoria

Picture with friends is always a must!

Group picture in front of Sekeping Victoria Cafe

About Sekeping Victoria Cafe

↦ 164A-B, Lebuh Victoria, Georgetown, 10300 George Town, Penang

↦ Weekdays: 1100am to 1100pm

↦ Saturday: 1000am to 1100pm

↦ Sunday: 1000am to 1000pm

↦ Closed on Tuesdays

↦ Contact: 04-2613707

Eastern & Oriental Hotel

After having our lunch, we walked back to my friend's car and drove to Eastern & Oriental Hotel, also known as E&O Hotel to have a look, as it is the oldest hotel standing in Penang Island and it has many antique furniture.

E&O Hotel is the brainchild of four Armenian brothers, the Sarkies, E&O has become the standard of luxury in Penang and a traveler's retreat for over 100 years. It’s a property that takes you back to a time of elegance and sophistication and makes you never want to leave.

From the moment you walk into the grand lobby being greeted by the khaki-clad doorman and see the perfect blue ocean glistening in the distance, you know you’re somewhere special. The building is a history book, just begging you to turn the pages and explore the stories. It’s no wonder families have been visiting E&O for generations. It’s a place that stays consistent, traditional and where expectations are always far exceeded.

Beautiful Antique Furniture in E&O Hotel

Sidewalk of E&O Hotel

A hallway of E&O Hotel

Beautiful ceiling lights

Posing with my friend in the garden of E&O Hotel

Travelling alone is not fun!

Another hallway of E&O Hotel

The lobby of E&O Hotel

A picture in the lobby of E&O Hotel

Time to depart home.......

Sadly, the time came for us to depart home. We had a wonderful time together visiting the different beauties of Georgetown, Penang; and we will definitely visit once again, this time to different spots in Georgetown!

Bye for now!

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Copyright © Danielle 2017