The Eyes in the Sky @ Penang

It's harder to find me blogging under the "the eyes in the sky" label as even full-service airlines like Singapore Airlines charged for seat selection; but I could be fortunate sometimes to secure window seating, as in the case for my visit to Penang! 

No idea where we were but I am guessing it's somewhere around Perak. A check on Google Maps confirmed that this was Bukit Merah Lake located in Simpang Empat Semanggol, Perak.

Since Penang is an island off the coast of Peninsular Malaysia, seeing the coastline was a giveaway that we shall arriving at Pulau Pinang (the official Malay name for Penang) very soon.

Having said the above, some parts of Peninsular Malaysia actually fall under the state of Penang although my understanding is that Penangites themselves differentiate between those staying on the Island, and Mainland. 

Cruising past the north-eastern part of Penang (island).

Bottom right would be the Penang Container Terminal Port. 

This section of Penang island would be the UNESCO World Heritage site; unlike Hoi An, it looked a lot more modernized, and a bit like Singapore in the 70s and 80s, before massive development changed its urban landscape.

Unlike my visit in 2016, the rest of Penang appeared to have undergone a lot of changes. I can see so many high rise buildings beyond the UNESCO World Heritage section and it somewhat gave a Hong Kong vibe. 

In the past, the iconic KOMTAR would be all that caught our attention; but now, so many tall buildings jostled for the same attention. Anyway, I can see St. Giles Wembley hotel, my accommodation this time, from the above photo! 

See the sheer number of high rise buildings, especially bordering the waterfront! And they were all residential blocks. I heard from some YouTubers that Penang is having an oversupply of housing units. 

Cruising along, and passing by Penang Bridge, the first road connection to the mainland that was opened in 1985 and spanned 8.4 kilometres across Penang Strait. 

Right behind those high rise buildings would be the Penang Hill, a popular destination for many tourists! As you would probably guess by now, we landed shortly after at Penang International Airport.

A few days later, it's time to fly back to Singapore and even though I was nursing a badly sprained ankle, it didn't dampen my spirits to take photographs! That bridge in the photo would be the Penang Second Bridge, which was opened in 2014, to serve as a second land connection. 

Known officially as the Sultan Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah Bridge, the Penang Second Bridge was much longer and just for the stretch over water, it already doubled the first Penang bridge at 16.9 kilometers! 

Did you manage to see the Penang International Airport from the above. Surrounding the airport would be the factories; in case you are aware, Penang is known as the The Silicon Valley of the East. p.s. the airport was said to be undergoing further expansion, including construction of an LRT station near the main terminal.

This large island is known as Jerejak Island and was "once famous as a settlement for exiled prisoners"; quite similar to our St John's Island in Singapore. 

I think these were fish farms. 

Pulau Gedung and Pulau Aman.

Not much information about them on Wikipedia. 

On the side of Peninsular Malaysia.

Since our plane was scheduled to depart at about 6.00 pm, we were blessed to catch the setting sun and also the beautiful rays reflected on sea water, as if gold were shining through the water. 

- The End - 

Not the end yet!

I forgot I have a video! 

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Click here for my Five Days 

Itinerary to Penang in 2024