Penang (Malaysia) Day 2: Penang Hill + Sky Terrace

We took a Grab to Penang Hill Lower Station which was about 20 minutes drive from our hotel for RM14 (or $4.67) and reached at 12.15pm.

We purchased the round trip tickets online at RM30 (or $10) per pax but needed to exchange them for physical tickets at the counter. The station was very crowded on a Sunday that even after getting our tickets, there was a 35 minutes wait before calling our batch to join the queue, followed by another 40 minutes queue before it was finally our turn to board the funicular train.

The funicular train ride was about 5 minutes and run on a steep track that reminded me of the Peak Tram in Hong Kong.

I was filled with excitement as I stepped off the train and was greeted by the breathtaking view of Penang from a height of 833m above sea level. This stunning view of Penang Hill was definitely the highlight of my Penang trip.

Penang Hill is a hill resort made up of several peaks on the island. It is the oldest British hill station in Southeast Asia, dated to the late 1700s and known by the Malay name Bukit Bendera, which actually refers to Flagstaff Hill, the most developed peak.

It was hard not to fall in love with this spectacular view which looked like it was straight out of a dream. The bird's-eye view of the city and the sea surrounding Penang was so serene that I did not feel like moving at all.

The view was worth the one hour wait to come up, but if we knew of such situation, we would have purchased the express pass ticket. Time is an opportunity cost, especially since we were only here for the weekend.

There were various viewpoints scattered across Penang Hill, offering breathtaking panoramic views of Penang, alongside with the multiple peaks and Straits of Malacca.

As it was already past 2pm, we decided to settle down for lunch. The nearest option was Sky Terrace under David Brown's Hilltop Garden Restaurant. We decided to go for this to experience the highest garden restaurant.

The interior of the restaurant was simple yet inviting, a perfect spot to unwind with food and drinks while soaking in the top of the world view.

We chose a seat by the edge to enjoy the breathtaking, unmatched view of Penang. It felt wonderful to bask in the surroundings. I loved the relaxing vibe. Penang has many activities and food options to keep us occupied.

I had Orange Juice which came up to RM30.32 (or $10.11) after tax and service charge. Price was not cheap as we paid for the ambience. It was refreshing and paired perfectly with the laid-back view as we waited for our food. The ambience made the simple drink even more enjoyable.

The Chicken Karaage Donburi priced at RM41.98 (or $13.99) after tax and service charge was delicious. The crispy karaage was nestled in a curry sauce, while a soft and creamy omelette topped the rice, creating a mix of flavours and textures.

Sky Terrace was the perfect spot for a meal in Penang Hill, creating a memorable experience with its casual vibe, charm, and picturesque view. I was so glad we came here as Penang Hill is slightly out of the way, and our time in Penang was short. 

The queue was shorter when going down the hill, we queued for about 20 minutes before it was our turn to board the funicular train. We reached the lower station at 3.30pm.

Penang (Malaysia) Day 2: Roti Bakar Hutton Lane + Penang Road Famous Teochew Chendul

I did not manage to sleep well for this trip, tossing and turning until 4.30am, awoke again at 6.30am. I just continued staying on bed until 8am to prepare myself for the day ahead.

While waiting for my turn in the bathroom, I caught a bit of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 playing on the television.

The rain has stopped, allowing us to proceed with our plans. Georgetown is quite a unique area, filled with red-tiled roof shophouses that gave a sense of history. From where I stood, I could catch a glimpse of the sea at the far end, just beyond the tall buildings.

By 9.15am, we were done with preparation and ready to go. I applied some sunscreen before heading out for breakfast, eager to start the day.

The walk from our hotel to the breakfast spot was 13 minute walk. We took this opportunity to take in the sights of George Town and admired the historical charm of the neighbourhood.

Crossing the streets in George Town can be quite a challenge, especially at places without traffic lights. The flow of cars seemed never-ending, making it difficult to cross safety. Whenever we spotted an overhead bridge, we will use it to cross over despite the longer route.

We reached Roti Bakar Hutton Lane at about 9.40am and it was crowded with people. We managed to find an empty table at the far end of the lane. I wanted to try one of their local specialty from street food stall as George Town is known for its street food scene, and I found this local's favourite breakfast spot.

The queue to order food was quite long, it took us 20 minutes queue for our turn. Oh well, good things are worth the wait.

I had R.B Telur Goyang at RM5 (or $1.67), a simple dish featuring crispy toast spread with butter and two soft-boiled eggs. The eggs were still runny, and when the yolk burst, it soaked into the toast, adding a creamy texture to each bite. It reminded me of traditional kopitiam breakfast, but with a twist.

 The roadside stall was bustling with locals enjoying breakfast with their families. We did not stay long and left once we finished breakfast as people were streaming in.

Roti Bakar Hutton Lane

300, Jalan Phee Choon, George Town, 10050 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia

Operating hours: 5am to 1.30pm daily

We crossed over the overhead bridge to the opposite street for dessert but chanced upon Ding Tai Yuan, selling local snack specialties. I went in and picked quite a handful of snacks for my family and relatives, spending a total of RM97.30 (or $32.43).

Along the same stretch as the snack shop was Penang Road Famous Teochew Chendul. Another humble roadside stall that has been around for years.

As the name suggested, their chendol is very popular, drawing a queue of customers. The queue moved quickly as the staff scooped the ingredients in an impressive speed.

We walked back to the hotel to off load our loots and toilet break. We spotted Hotel Jen and continued toward the direction. We reached hotel at 11.10am and had a short break before our next adventure.

The amount of snacks that I gotten from the snack shop earlier. 

After packing them in the cooler bag I brought, my bag was officially full.

After half an hour break, we were ready to head out again. I slipped into my new Skechers Bobs Squad shoes. I started to wear comfortable footwear with thick cushioning even when overseas, so that my feet feel comfortable even after hours of walking.