We arrived at Balik Pulau Foodcourt at about 7am from Farlim Air Itam. There were alreay a few locals taking their breakfast while some food stalls were still in the midst of opening. We has a light breakfast before we commenced our ride.
The weather was perfectly good for cycling as we have to pass by the heart of Balik Pulau town.
Within a short while we were already into the tranquility of a Malay kampong enjoying the quietness and serene atmosphere. Jo loved it so much and kept on mentioning about it.
As sun slowly rose we came back to the same route at Kampong Paya Kongsi with Sg. Kongsi running parallel with a quarry dust path.
The vegetable farm was covered with maturely grown vegetable such as sawi, kangkong, purple spinach and others.
This stretch is long and scenic with a few cows and horses stationed at the river bank. I simply love the scene.
Balik Kampong at Balik Pulau is a eatery joint which popular for its authenticity of Balik Pulau Assam Laksa and Hokkien Mee (Penang Prawn noodle). Other than these two dishes I understand that they also serve good Belacan Fried Rice and Green Curry Chicken Rice. Unfortunately we were not able to savour the food as we were too early and it only opens at 10.30am.
A couple of fishing boats moored at the river bank as we pedalled further up Jalan Kuala Jalan Baru into a small "commercial" zone.
A coffee shop named Ah Huat was marked for another possible makan cum rest spot.
As we continued further down the road there is a small Tua Pek Kong Temple and a quiet cycling trial. After spending some time at this area we decided to reset our orientation and head towards Pulau Betung.
Cutting across a paddy field still within the vicinity of Kg. Jalan Baru and connecting to Jalan Kuala Sungai Burong. There a lots of swifts birds seen some resting on the power line while some gliding above the low sky.
After going through a shady and super serene segment along Jalan Kuala Sg. Burung we were near Pantai Malindo which we have been to this place before. This time around the massive piles of huge rocks has disappeared, they have been removed leaving a flat surface without anymore water break or protection. I guess there must be a good reason for it.
The scenery was awesome which I could not resist myself taking a lot of shots towards the sea.
And time to move out of Pantai Malindo and continued the desired loop before the sun gets fierce.
Our plan to savour our favourite noodle at a house at Kg. Pulau Betung did not materialise as it was closed, we were lucky to encounter a food stall a few metres away after the noodle house. We had Char Kuay Teow, Kuay Teow Th'ng and Lobak. The food was good and tasty, all the lobak was freshly prepared.
Penang is surely a food heaven you can find food almost anywhere in the island and most importantly the food always taste yummy and authentic.
We then headed to Kuala Pulau Betung to visit the fishing jetty and passing by its fish market.
This small island is Pulau Betung sited just a short distance from the fishing village as we viewed it from an elevated spot (the road towards Kem Bina Negara Balik Pulau).
A little bit of uphill pedal just to have a view of the sea and the Pulau Betung. And the sun has started to get hot.
And back to Kuala Pulau Betung there was a few men net fishing at the river mouth of Sg. Pulau Bentung.
A stop at Kampung Kuala Muda to snap a shot of this mural. Hidup Malaysia Baru!
The Malay Warrior (painted by Julia Volchkova) welcoming back us to Balik Pulau Town.
Finally a stop at this famous Balik Pulau Laksa shop in the old town for its Assam Laksa noodle before we leave the town.
We were sitting at front of the shop peeping through the five foot way at another piece of Julia Volchkova's mural that is the Old Fisherman Mural.
The bowl of Balik Pulau Assam Laksa we tasted, was good and satisfying . The other popular dish is its Siamese Laksa which we will try it on our next visit.
The route we took for the lovely morning for about 28 km.
The date was 27 March 2016, a Sunday, my buddy Joe fetched me from Farlim to Balik Pulau for a countryside ride. Our local friend Francis Chin took the lead, we happily followed him and enjoy the beautiful scenery of this countryside of Penang.
Going through many lanes and intersections with different and interesting scenery. The air was fresh and refreshing.
We rode on all kind of roads such as a gravel road like this which slowly lead us to the coastline.
There are many canals, many cultivation such as paddy fields, vegetable planting and many animals seen along the way.
The view was magnificent and serene as we leisurely rode on this wonderful morning. The weather was kind and nice.
The path along a canal with fishing boats parked on the upper stream.
Walking to the end of the path for a better view of the sea.
At the tip of the road, Malindo Beach.
There are stalls for food and drinks next to the boat parking area, a good place to rest and savour the calmness of this fishing village.
A mangrove forest arboretum is found nearby where we went in for a feel of the atmosphere.
The tide was really low & dry. We walked on the timber boardwalk constructed for an easy access and observation of the mangrove.
It was time to explore Pulau Betong, we covered a section of CFAL route, we could see some cyclists practicing in groups.
A stop at this house cum a food stall for a bowl of delicious Hokkien Mee (prawn noodle) and Dr. Ang was happy with his yummy laksa. The GPS location here : 5.303531, 100.195328
My bowl of prawn noodle was found to be surprisingly delicious. We were told to come back during the durian season where the durian is good and cheap. So watch for the coming durian season.
A climb to this spot for a better view of Malacca Strait.
As we returned to the town of Balik Pulau, we went hunting for the eyecatching murals such as the Hakka Dancing Girl and the Malay Martial Art - Silat.
Another two big murals (the Fisherman & Silversmith) we visited before we call it a day.
