BATU FERRINGHI, PENANG

Get in

From Kuala Lumpur, a 45 minute flight to Penang Airport, or several hours by bus. On Penang Island (and neighbouring Butterworth), Penang's Rapid Transit bus system is very efficient, with a fleet of modern buses (some even have free wi-fi). It's possible to catch a bus all the way to Batu Ferringhi from the airport, or you might have to go to the central transport hub, Komtar in Georgetown, first. Bus drivers are usually quite helpful. Taxis are the alternative - they almost never use the meter, so negotiate a price first.

Get around

Taxis trawl up and down the windy roads of the north coast. Fares are negotiable but tourists will have a hard time getting anywhere for less than RM 15. Most hotels have shuttle services too. Penang Rapid Transit buses are fairly regular till about 11pm, plying the route from Georgetown through Tanjung Bungah, Batu Ferringhi to Teluk Bahang. One bus route goes down the western coast from Teluk Bahang, but with an average frequency of 2 hours at best, and reputedly can't be relied on. 7-day Rapid Transit Passport cards (30RM) give unlimited travel, though are available from limited locations including Komtar and the airport (see website for complete details - www.rapidpg.com.my/). Rapid Transit has a useful iPhone app, which is linked to GPS-equipped buses to estimate arrival of buses at a bus stop. Bus stops can be unmarked, so ask a local.

See

• Butterfly Farm, 830 Jalan Teluk Bahang, Phone:+60 4 885-1253, Fax:+60 4 885-1741, mailto:info@butterfly-insect.com, [1]. Mon-Fri 9AM-5.30PM (Last entry at 5PM), Weekend & Public Holidays 9AM-6PM (Last entry at 5.30PM). Open 365 days all year round except half-day on Chinese New Year eve. More than just a tourist attraction, it is set up as a 'live museum' to educate the public as well as a research centre to develop breeding methods. The farm houses about 4000 Malaysian butterflies of 120 different species, including most famouse in Malaysia the Rajah Brooke's Bird wing of the Papilionidae family. The farm also exhibits dead-leaf mantis, orchid mantis and Trogonoptera. Admission (including Govt. Tax): Adult RM27 and children RM15.

• Muka Head Lighthouse is located at the northwestern cape of the Penang island, this impressive lighthouse serves as a beacon to sailors and ships in the region. The tower, while not as accessible as other structures on the island, offers spectacular ocean views. There is 2 ways to reach the site: taking boat from Teluk Bahang jetty or climb over the hills by foot.

• Tropical Spice Garden is between Batu Ferringhi and Teluk Bahang, easily reachable by bus or taxi. The well-done eco-tourism site was set up in 2003 on an old 8-acre rubber plantation, with three trails meandering through the beautiful jungle landscape. Around 500 species of spices, herbs and exotic flora to explore. At one corner is Tree Monkey Cafe (predominantly Thai food) set on a deck in the middle of a rainforest and sea views, and a gift shop and cooking school - these are accessible from the exit gate so you don't have to pay an entry fee to get to them. Entry fee to the garden is reasonable, and guided tours are available and recommended.

• Toy Museum, Tanjung Bungah, Mobile phone:+60 12 460-2096. M-Su 9AM-9PM. This is the latest attraction in Penang, located at in front of Copthrone Orchid Hotel. Rank as Asia's first and World's largest toy museum, the owner Ir Loh Lean Cheng spends his 30 years to collect over 100,000 toys, dolls, models and other fun collections. The vast collection includes characters from cartoons, comics, computer games, sports, movies, novels, shows and the music world. Dozens of amazingly realistic, life-size figures add to the Fun. Admission fee: Adult and children above 3-feet RM10, children below 3-feet RM6.

• Tropical Fruit Farm, 18 Miles Stone, Jalan Teluk Bahang, Phone:+60 4 866-5168, Fax:+60 4 866-5170. In this 25-acre tropical fruit farm, about 200 types of tropical and sub-tropical fruits are planted. Durian, the King of Fruits, despite their odour, are undeniably rich, sweet and creamy. A guided tour and ratings are available - this attraction is at its best when fruits are in season. There is a shuttle bus service that picking visitors from few hotels to the farm and vise versa.

Various species of durian

Durian flesh

Shuttle Bus Schedule (estimate)

Do

• Fruit tasting while visiting Tropical Fruit Farm.

• Jungle trekking & camping - Enjoy walking through the reserved forest in Teluk Bahang, Muka Head go to northwestern cape of the island and stay nights over there, you will experience an unforgettable life with beaches, sea and the sky.

• Shopping at the famous "pasar malam" (night market) stretching 1KM along the road from Rasa Sayang Resorts & Spa Hotel to Park Royal Hotel, or the 2Ferringhi Night Bazaar (over 100 stalls) located right in the middle of the 1KM night market, near the iconic "The Ship" Restaurant.

• Sunbathe on the beach, enjoy the foot or body massage could be a good idea to rest and relax.

• Watersports are on the agenda for many visitors, although the waters are a bit too murky for scuba diving and a bit too calm for surfing or more extreme pursuits. Beware of the jellyfish! If stung, apply vinegar and if you experience chest pain, consider seeing the doctor for something to combat the allergic reaction.

• Food is a must on your list while you're in Batu Ferringhi. Ask around the over 300 traders in the night market, or the hotel staffs, and they'll surely point you to some not too "touristy" spots, or something up to your preferences.

Buy

Cheap stuff from the night bazaar, also known as the Pasar Malam.

Eat

There are plenty of places to eat all around, although discerning gourmands might want to explore less watered-down Malaysian cuisine in George Town.
One option worth a special trip are the seafood restaurants at the pier of Teluk Bahang, at the northwestern tip of the island, past the hotels and the little village. The famed "End of the World" has closed, but quite a few have sprung up to take its place.
For families, or those who just want to get out of the resort, you can't go past the hawker centres and fresh fruit stalls on the side of the road. At the hawker centres the kids can pick and choose what they like from the different shops, you just pay the bill when it is delivered to your table. For best results, stick with the Asian cuisines, the attempts at Western food are not worth eating.

• Ferringhi Garden, just south of the Parkroyal Plaza. A little pricey, but a wonderful atmosphere and a very wide ranging menu.
• Gerai Makanan, hawker centre near the Golden Sands Resort Hotel, a dozen or so food and drink stalls. Covers a range of cuisines, with Indian, Chinese, Malay, Seafood and reasonably priced beer.
• Khaleel Nasi, at the south end of Eden Parade mall, serves reasonable muslim Indian food such as roti, prata and nasi kandar. Good for breakfast, brunch or lunch and expect to pay RM8 per person for a filling meal and a soft drink.
• Summer Beach House Seafood, good quality seafood restaurant at reasonable prices almost on the beach near the Lone Pine Hotel.

Drink

Fresh juice at the hawker centre about halfway through the markets. At RM2 each, these are a bargain and there are many different combinations, helpful if you are travelling with fussy kids!