CFAL 10 - Day 5 Goodbye Penang & Back to Kuala Lumpur

A morning to accompany my mum and sister to Chowrasta Market.

Someone I know in Chowrasta Market on the first floor.

The first time coming to the renovated Chowrasta Market.

My train to Kuala Lumpur leaves Butterworth at around 4.30pm I shall then spend the extra time nosing around George Town's UNCESCO Heritage site.

The front of Sri Mahamariamman Temple along Queen Street, George Town

 At the back of Sri Mahamariamamman Temple at Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling. 

Combing the corners of Chulia Street which is well known as a backpacker street.

Han Jiang Ancestral Temple is the only Teochew-style temple in Georgetown. Awarded the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage Award for Culture Heritage Conservation in 2006, it is run by the Penang Teochew Association. The temple is dedicated to the Taoist God of the North, a Teochew patron deity.

History of Han Jiang Ancestral Temple In 1885, due to the rising number of Teochew immigrants from China to Penang, the Teochew Kongsi was formed when six immigrants banded together and bought a house at Lebuh Beach. In 1869, it moved to its present site at Lebuh Chulia and became the precursor to the Teochew Kongsi; in 1935 its name was changed to the Han Jiang Ancestral Temple.

So much of a Teochew establishment in Penang, by the way Gua Si Teochew Nang. 

Taking a short shade from the hot sun at the five foot way of the old shops at Chulia Street.

Lim Kongsi (GPS: 5.41565, 100.33828), or Lim Clan Association, is a Hokkien association located at Ah Quee Street, George Town. Its full name is Kew Leong Tong Lim Kongsi. Kew Leong Tong, which means Hall of Nine Dragons, is the principal association of Lim Kongsi. The name Kew Leong Tong is to commemorate the nine sons of a particular Lim clan in China who were elevated to the status of chief magistrates during the Tang Dynasty.

Nagore Durgha Shrine was built in 1803 by Muslims of southern Indian origin, then known as the Chuliers by the British. Soon after Captain Francis Light landed on Penang Island in 1786, the Chuliers, who were mostly merchants and moneylenders, began to populate Malabar Street in great numbers, causing the street to be renamed Chulia Street in 1798.

The Muslim shrine, the oldest of its kind on Penang Island, honours Syed Shahul Hamid, a Sufi Muslim saint who lived in Nagore, India until his death in 1579. The Nagore Durgah in Nagore was built in his memory, as is the Nagore Durgha Shrine in Singapore, which was constructed later in the 1820s.

 More wall graffiti for the day before leaving the place.

 It was a relief as it was only 10 minutes of waiting for the ferry which I have allowed for a possible delay.

The last and the only bicycle into the ferry.

Full to the edge as the access ramp being hoisted up for the departure.

Goodbye Penang Island I will be back.

 Always like to stay at the rear of the ferry ever since I was a small boy travelling on these ferries and remembering the time with my late dad where he will bring us in his car crossing the sea.

Last in last out.

Butterworth here I come from the side entrance crossing a railway line.

Finally I was back to Kuala Lumpur after a 5 days outing in the northern peninsula of Malaysia. Visit Malaysia and Cuti Cuti Malaysia.

CFAL 10 - Day 4 The Day Itself

We came to Penang during the most popular time for cycling which was the CFAL evenet and it was the tenth year in a row. But this group of friends did not take part in the event on that particular morning hence I took the liberty to take them for a ride to Kek Lok Si Temple in Air Itam.

We met at Farlim and rode to one of the largest and finest temple in Southeast Asia near Penang Hills. Before climbing to the top of the hill for this statue Goddess of Mercy also known as Kuan Yin we had our breakfast at the foodcourt next to Air Itam Market.

The bronze statue of Kuan Yin stands a height of 30.2 metres (99feet)  and is housed in a pavilion with a octagon shape roof. It was not easy to cycle up with my tiny wheels most of us had to dismount and push at certain stretch.

A good place to view Air Itam, George Town and the near by sea from this elevation.

It was time to roll down the hill and back to city centre.

We visited Air Itam War Memorial also known as Oversea Chinese Anti-war Memorial located next to a roundabout with exits to Penang Hill and Air Itam Market.

A memorial to remember the Chinese people of Penang who died during the Japanese Occupation in World War II and those who volunteered as lorry drivers and mechanics to send supplies to China via Indochina.

An interesting history many people is not aware of and it will interesting to probe further the details of this happening. Thanks to the present State Government for supporting this memorial park.

I proceeded to the finishing point of CFAL 10 where it was relocated back to Esplanade instead of Youth Park. Many have consented that the finishing at Esplanade was a good choice. Meeting many friends from all over whom joined the event almost every year. Another successful CFAL event and congratulation to the organisers.

Met another group of friends from Kuala Lumpur where we decided to try the cendol in Penang Road after staying a while at Esplanade. 

The famous Penang Teochew cendol has been very much over rated and the quality of the cendol has dipped. Personally I prefer the stall directly opposite it, less waiting time and most importantly it's delicious.

One shot at the many wall murals around the area as I was heading back to Air Itam.

On my way back to Farlim I stopped by at this coconut stall for a drink along Datuk Keramat Road.

The weather remained very hot and a fresh coconut water was undeniably the best choice in such situation.

CFAL 10 - Day 3 Moving Around George Town

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow launching a portion of the Coastal Cycling Route on the eve of CFAL 10, 2018

Cyclists and pedestrians will be able to head from Tanjung Tokong to Padang Kota Lama (Esplanade) and back using a designated lane. The distance is about 4.5km.

I had the opportunity to cycle along with some local friends together with cycling buddy Joseph.

Coming to the completion of the 4.5km ride launch as we were near Esplanade, Padang Kota Lama.

Friends from KL later joined and met more of our KL friends at the Esplanade and were waiting for a fun ride around George Town.

And off we went towards Bayan Lepas using the coastal riding route.

A big family of cycling buddies a few of them were from Singapore and have been our regular partners for several rides. Well done and forever we shall ride together as long as we can.

A picture at the 4 big blue pillars with a wish came true when I simply said that it would be lovely to have a drone flow over to capture us. And true enough there was a guy flying one and was willingly to do it for us without any obligation. Thank you so much to this dear friend.

The drone that took a clip of us at the four pillars.

We had an ardent friend purposely flew in to join us for the gathering where we met up at the Coastal Cycling Route near Queenbays Mall. We also bumped into friends from Taiping, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur. It is always a good time and a good chance to meet up with friends during CFAL.

Waq & Baki for the album.

We met another long lost friend and was good to meet up with Nash after his long absent. Happy Cycling bro! we shall meet more often.

All were hungry after completing the cycling route near the second bridge. We had an eating proposal and Baki took the lead for the food adventure back to George Town.

Coming down from the dedicated bicycle bridge over Pinang River after a rest at McDonald's Kapal Singh Drive.

Taking control of Beach Street as we inched closer towards Little India.

Here we were at Little India for an insanely delicious nasi kandar. The gulai tasted heavenly and I shall remember this place when I am back in Penang. And I wouldn't forget Ayam Bawang the next time I come back to Restoran Tajuddin Hussain. It is located at Queen Street very near to Sri Mahamariammam Temple.

At the front of Sri Mahamariamman Temple which is the oldest Hindu temple in Penang built in 1833.

After the lunch the group splitted, some went for more food adventure and some went back to Esplanade to collect their CFAL jerseys. Later I cycled back to my mum's place, rested and later went out dinner with her and my sister.

Wow I rode for 67km without realising the distance but it was real hot by the time I went back to mum's place.