The Lost World of Penang - Permatang Damar Laut

The day when Penang held the inaugural Penang International Bridge to Bridge Ride (PgIB2B) 2019. The date was June 30, and it has drawn an overwhelming response from 3,900 particts. It was initially limited to 3,500.

In the wee hours of a Sunday morning I rode from Farlim to Weld Quay to meet up friends for a ride to somewhere themed as the lost world of Penang and will be lead by Chin Huat. While the participants for the Bridge to Bridge ride were assembling at Queensbay Mall we went for another cycling adventure.

It was the first time I use the coastal cycling lane in the early morning.

The initial 5 of the us crossing the bicycle bridge over Sg. Pinang. Chin Huat was waiting at the end of the bridge to capture a picture.

After a simple roti canai at a nearby mamak shop we gathered at the Kapal Singh Drive's Four Pillar for the final regroup for the ride. The time was before 7am.

And off we went for the adventure while we could see participants of the B2B up at the elevated Tun Dr. Lim Chong Eu Highway. In fact, we waved and were able to speak to a few of our friends from the cycling lane.

The spiral bicycle and pedestrian bridge near Queensbay Mall is one of the new features of the cycling lane and it is named as the Harapan Bridge.

Somewhere opposite Pulau Jerejak as we resumed the ride after visiting the spiral bridge.

A stop for a toilet break at Kompleks Selera Sri Pantai Dan Medan Ikan Bakar and a view of the fishing village with the rising sun. GPS : 5.311558, 100.299518

The fishing boats docked at the shore on a Sunday morning.

On of the several bicycle bridges along the coastal cycling lane. The bridge would be attractive if it were to be painted with multi colour.

Nearing to the end of the coastal cycling lane with a view of the second Penang Bridge at the background.

W completed the entire stretch of the coastal cycling lane and continued on with this gravel road to proceed further to Batu Maung. I came back to this spot a few months later and was glad to see that the trail is now being tarred.

I love this shot taken by Sim Lan with the Penang Second Bridge at the background.

Sam Poh Foot Print Temple - The last time I came to this place would be probably during my pre-school days and always remembered as a fishing village with a foot print on a rock by the beach. I guess the place is now different from from the past due to the vast changes and development of Penang. A mural of Admiral Cheng Ho and his ship on the wall.

A temple with a well enclosing the huge foot print found inside the temple.

Pretty Good Kopitiam has many good stalls for local food and it is worthy to come back again if I am around the neighbourhood. Located at GPS : 5.287712, 100.280706 Taman Iping, Batu Maung.

Along Jalan Batu Maung and a little further up we will turn left to Permatang Damar Laut. GPS : 5.280270, 100.271913 just before a pedestrian bridge.

We turned left after passing by the Pondok Polis of Permatang Damar Laut.

Shortly after the turning, there isn't anymore tarred road ahead as we followed Chin Huat making his lead.

The trail got interesting and were lined with boulders and earthed wall.

Suddenly we were astonished and could see a beautiful sea view as we arrived at a beach known as Pantai Essen. The narrow road to this spot can only cater for the most for vehicle like motor bikes. Our bikes did well coming into this paradise surrounded with many tall coconut trees and dense vegetation.

There was a man at the sea shore busy collecting siput clams, this was his collection in a bucket.

Essen Beach is getting popular especially for those who like to enjoy a quiet and serene beach. In fact the Tourism Department is promoting the place and hope it will become one of the attractions in Penang.

There was a couple seen relaxing at the beach and the single chap patiently in the water collecting siput clam. These were the only human beings found at Pantai Essen on a beautiful Sunday morning.

We joined in the tranquility of the beach, spent sometime relaxing, having fun and chatting with the couple. What a nice lovely beach away from the city centre.

One for the album, simply love Essen Beach.

The end of the road for our bicycles if I remember Gan & Sherine volunteered to keep an eye on the bikes while we hiked to the peak.

A rest hut found at mid way to the top with a good sea view and ideal spot to chill and relax. Pondok Rehat Pantai Indah as seen on the eave of the hut.

Another paradise for natural lovers who like to hike and enjoy the lush greenery.

A Tua Pek Kong Temple at the top of the terrain, we were invited to stay back for some food after their special prayer. It was one of the auspicious days for the temple to celebrate and we were fortunate to witness the activity. Mineral water were also offered to us but we did not wait until the completion of the prayer and left the temple to continue our exploration.

Rolling down in between cut trench was fun as we maneuvered to civilisation. Just wonder whether it will collapse during raining season.

The road running near the tip of the runaway of Penang International Airport. Sometime there are people stopping by at the road side to view at planes either landing or taking off from the runway.

A pit stop for toilet break and replenish our drinks at this petrol kiosk (Caltex) located along Jalan Permatang Damar Laut GPS : 5.283000, 100.257363

Interestingly we saw a densely vegetated land full of greenery after we have detoured off the main road to Kg. Sungai Batu then suddenly emerged a lovely seaside spot with people picnicking. Apparently there is a hidden pond within the area and is worth to check it out.

Little did I know there is such a beautiful seaside at this part of Penang as we arrived at Pantai Teluk Bayu for a popular Malay prawn mee.

One of the best Mee Udang in Penang, the prawns were fresh and succulent. Highly recommended.

Pak Tam Mee Udang located at Pantai Teluk Bayu, Sg. Batu GPS : 5.278657, 100.241808

In deed a fantastic view of the beach so scenic and serene. Even our Bromptons were also enjoying the atmosphere.

Enjoying our Mee Udang by the seaside with a superb view. I remembered we double up our drink order we were really thirsty.

From this picnic haven, we further indulged ourselves riding through Bayan Lepas (Jalan Dato Ismail Hashim), Sg Ara, Bayan Baru then Sg Nibong before a stop for coconut drink at an open space at Jalan Aziz Ibrahim. I then parted from the group where I detoured my ride to Farlim at the junction of Jalan Ahmad Nor from the cycling lane (another 7km for me before I reached home).

It was a long ride for a Sunday by the time I reached back my mum's place I was totally exhausted and needed a recharge badly but it was a memorable discovery ride. Thank you once again to Tan Chin Huat for leading this amazing ride.