penangseaview - Tumblr blog

[penangseaview]

The Beach Street Police Station, Penang: Then and Now

The original Beach Street Police Station in Penang was part of the colonial infrastructure that dotted George Town, known for its strategic importance during British rule. Beach Street itself was central to Penang’s administration and commercial activities, being one of the oldest roads established by Captain Francis Light in the late 18th century. The street grew as a hub for trade, particularly…

[penangseaview]

Fort Cornwallis Moat - History and reinstatement today

[penangseaview]

A Glimpse into the Future of Fort Cornwallis: Action footage & photos

[penangseaview]

Penang Hill Festival

You can’t have George Town Festival and not have Penang Hill Festival, after all it was chosen as the holiday destination of Penang’s colonial days. (more…)

[penangseaview]

Penang Durian Festival

It’s official, and it’s a thing. Due to popular demand, and we do mean popular demand for the thorny fruit, the Durian, Penang now has a Festival to honour the king of all fruits.

(more…)

[penangseaview]

Nostalgic Photos of Rural Penang

Nostalgic Photos of Rural Penang

Attap huts, coconut palms and seashores that have mostly disappear replaced by high rise buildings, tarred roads and shops. Here are some nostalgic photographs from olden days of rural Penang.

(more…)

[penangseaview]

Penang Clock Tower: A photographic journey

Penang Clock Tower: A photographic journey

Its surroundings may have changed over time but the century-old Jubilee Clock Tower, located in what founder Francis Light deemed to be the most militarily strategic corner of George Town, Penang remains intact and continues to chime every Westminster quarter.

(more…)

[penangseaview]

Crag Hotel, Penang Hill

Crag Hotel, Penang Hill

The site was originally owned by William Clubley. In 1885, it was sold to Captain J.W. Kerr of the East India Company who was trading between Penang and Aceh. (more…)

[penangseaview]

Golden Sands Resort Penang

Golden Sands Resort Penang

Enclosed by the wrap-around semi-circle structure of the resort building, the true paradise of Golden Sands are it’s magnificent pool, laid-back gardens, open terraces and as it’s name suggests, the golden sandy beach that lines it’s shore front. (more…)

[penangseaview]

Rasa Sayang Resort and Spa Penang

Rasa Sayang Resort and Spa Penang

Nestled among centuries-old rain trees and built in a traditional Minangkabau (roof) style, lies the vast sprawling 30-acre resort of Rasa Sayang. It’s name, literally translated to mean ‘feel love’ is both apt and true. (more…)

[penangseaview]

Hidden behind a curtain of rainforest trees, the Parkroyal Penang, painted mint green in colour is almost completely camouflaged from sight, it is only when you turn in to it’s almost concealed entrance that the resort reveals itself to you.

Walking in to the Parkroyal Penang, you are at once enveloped in an atmosphere of calm sophistication. It’s triple height lobby and reception centre with it’s large open lounge area assures you that you have arrived at a destination aimed at providing you with an experience of calm, quiet collectedness; one in which you can be who you are without worrying about what others may think.

It’s large open archways invite you to step beyond the buildings in to a beautifully landscaped environment featuring the beautiful freeform swimming pool, surrounded by palms and fronds.

Slightly further afield, the manicured grassy lawn provides a haven of deck chairs and coconut palms for the beautiful days in the sunshine with a good book and a gorgeously cold drink and just beyond this lies the enticing golden beach of Batu Ferringhi.

Facilities

The Parkroyal Penang provides a good range of facilities for it’s guests, typical for a resort of it’s standard and calibre. The freeform swimming pool also has a shallow wading baby area and for slightly older children, there are two slides to keep them entertained while enjoying the pool.

A gym fully equipped with treadmills, bicycles, and a range cross-trainers and weights is also available to guests, along with tennis courts for that friendly game with friends or other guests.

St Gregory Spa offers a range of local and international spa experiences, from the local Malay massage to the ancient time-tested Ayurvedic experience. Also available right along the beach front in specialised areas are Garden Massages ranging from the full body massage to the very effective foot massage for better blood circulation.

Catering to the business executive, the Business Centre also ensures that if need be, communication with the office and with work are not disrupted despite being in a paradise getaway.

Kids Club

The long-established Koko Nut Club caters to children between the ages of 4 and 12. The indoor and outdoor areas are designed specifically with the children in mind. A quiet area as well as arts and crafts corners ensure that the children have a wide range of activities to choose from. Separate charges may apply to different activities and meals can be catered for, if required (separate charges apply).

Highlights: Look out for this…

Dotted around the outdoors are conveniently placed large claypots filled with water. These deep-filled wells of water hark back to a slower, more traditional time when running water was not as common place as it is today; and ‘saving’ water in large containers made it’s use and availability more constant. These large containers are dotted around the garden, along with a ‘scoop’ bucket encouraging you to wash the sand off your feet prior to entering the lobby area.

Who should stay here

The Parkroyal is perfect for those wanting a quiet peaceful getaway in which they can relax and chill in calm, beautiful surroundings. Whether it is a couple on their honeymoon or a young family looking for the experience of a tropical getaway, Parkroyal caters well to the needs and demands of each guest regardless of what they may be.

Parkroyal Penang Resort Hidden behind a curtain of rainforest trees, the Parkroyal Penang, painted mint green in colour is almost completely camouflaged from sight, it is only when you turn in to it’s almost concealed entrance that the resort reveals itself to you.

[penangseaview]

The Bayview Beach Resort is the last hotel along the stretch of Batu Ferringhi resorts. Situated along the beach front, it has 250 rooms in a high-rise building that is surrounded by landscaped gardens and swimming pools.

Although relatively modern in architecture, the Bayview Beach Resort appears to have become ‘stuck in time’ with little having been changed since the 1990s. The rooms are arranged in a circular fashion around two polygonal towers with a full height air-well in the middle.

Glass lifts race you to the upper floors with speed and efficiency although if preferred, there are also covered lifts. The lower ground floor is a mix of restaurants, lounging areas and a guest library.

Facilities

The swimming pool in Bayview Beach Resort unusually has a ‘sunken bar’ built in to the pool itself, which allows guests to sit in the pool while enjoying their drinks. Younger guests may particularly enjoy the shaded children’s wading pool along with a splash area with spouts and self-filling buckets and water jets.

The gardens of the resort are very well maintained with deck chairs optimally placed among coconut palms and mango trees. The range of brightly coloured flowering plants in the area add to the vibrancy of the gardens, encouraging guests, not just to lie back and enjoy the tropical sun, but also managing to encourage an appreciation of the diversity of flora from the region.

A range of organised activities from cooking demonstrations to games and walking tours are also available for guests to participate in.

Games Rooms

A games room complete with old school video games, and various table-type games provide an escape from the younger guests looking for something to do while on holiday.

Kids Club

The Kids Club adjoining the Games Room provides a place for children to participate in a range of activities from board games to craft activities supervised by members of staff.

Highlights: Look out for this…

The ‘sunken’ bar at Bayview Beach Resort is one that provides the twist of being able to enjoy cocktails, not just poolside, but actually ‘in’ the pool, however, there are limited operational hours.

Who should stay here

The Bayview Beach Resort ultimately appeals to families who have stayed before or those that are working within a particular budget. It is a resort that has seen better days and unfortunately without reinvestment in to upgrading and updating it’s facilities, the Bayview Beach Resort remains a shadow of it’s former self.

Bayview Beach Resort Penang The Bayview Beach Resort is the last hotel along the stretch of Batu Ferringhi resorts. Situated along the beach front, it has 250 rooms in a high-rise building that is surrounded by landscaped gardens and swimming pools.

[penangseaview]

Hard Rock Hotel Penang

Hard Rock Hotel Penang

Where The Golden Sands Resorts epitomises the laid-back beach style and the Parkroyal offers a more sedate, calming atmosphere, the Hard Rock Hotel specialises in a party, all-out fun time for all the family. Casual and laid-back styles are the order of the day as hotel ‘crew’ casually dressed in Polo-tees and beach shorts ensure that everyone has a good time. (more…)

[penangseaview]

Pan Mee

Known as Mee Hoon Kueh in Hokkien, a local dialect commonly spoken among the Malaysian Chinese community is a flat noodle dish. (more…)

[penangseaview]

Hokkien New Year - Jade Emperor God’s Birthday

Hokkien New Year – Jade Emperor God’s Birthday

On the ninth day of the Chinese New Year, the Hokkien Community celebrates the birthday of the Jade Emperor God. More commonly known as the Hokkien New Year, it is often celebrated on a larger scale than the Chinese New Year itself. (more…)

[penangseaview]

Cendol

On a hot day, if you come across a crowd standing around a food hawker stall under the blazing sun by the road side, they are likely to be enjoying a bowl of Teochew Cendol or Ice Kacang, both desserts made with ice shavings. The perfect way to cool down. (more…)

[penangseaview]

Curry Puffs

What is s Curry Puff? Think Cornish pasties, only smaller and spicier. Curry Puff or known to the locals as Karipap is a savoury snack taken as breakfast in the morning or late afternoon tea. But being Penangnites, food is consume at any time of the day and so is Curry Puff. Curry Puffs are crescent shaped parcels made from local pastry with spicy potato and onion curry filling. These are not…