One of the most popular attractions in Penang is the Botanic Gardens. I went there on a lazy Sunday afternoon in mid December. As it was the start of the Christmas Holidays, there were many tourists - mostly from Kuala Lumpur and Singapore - visiting the gardens on that day. The biggest draw of the gardens are the long tailed macaques, medium sized monkeys who freely roam the park. They are neither wild nor domesticated, as they have adapted to the frequent presence of human beings.

The macaques usually hang out near the park entrance as they welcome the many camera-toting visitors, overtly soliciting for handouts. Unfortunately many people make the mistake of trying to feed the monkeys. This is a big mistake in my opinion, as the long tailed macaque can become awfully nasty when they’re surrounded by too many human beings. Furthermore the monkeys seemed to be bothered by the flash of cameras. While I was there, I saw several gals run for cover when an alpha male made a charge at them, baring his fangs and making threatening postures. Talking about trying to bite the hand that feeds you.

One of the larger males even had the audacity to make charge at me before I scared him off by making whooping noises and shaking my fist at him. Grrhhhh

Cost of eating out If you eat at local cafes, Moslem and Indian food shops (or at the more pedestrian food courts) it can cost you as little as 20RM (5-6USD) per day for three meals. If you go to some of the nicer restaurants (not crass tourists places) frequented by Malaysians, it will cost more of course - expect to pay $15-25USD per day for three meals.

To give you an idea of my dining expenses, I had a western style breakfast - two eggs, a small glass of fruit juice and toast - at Four Leaves Cafe, located across the street from Traders Hotel. It cost me all of 4.00RM (1.35USD). I also had lunch at a small local eatery (across the street from Traders) that offered only Halal and Indian dishes. The lunch cost me all of 3.60RM (a little over $1.00USD).

My dinner expenses for the three nights that I was in Penang were as follows:

• First night - Woodlands ….. 14.30RM
• 2nd night - Sri Anan Bahwani …17.50RM
• 3rd night - Luk Yea Yan… 23.60RM

The first two are very respectable Indian restaurants located in Little India, while the third restaurant is a very proper vegetarian Chinese eatery

There are a bunch of moderately upscale restaurants and cafes - including McDonald’s at the big shopping center located next door to Traders. On the bottom floor of the mall is the ever popular Starbucks.

Starbucks To put the cost of dining in MALAYSIA in perspective, consider this - if you go to a local Starbucks, a Veinte Latte will set you back 12.10RM (3.40USD) and a Veinte Americano 8.35RM (2.35USD). These prices are what Westerners are used to paying, but for Malaysians, Starbucks represents a big splurge!

Nightlife About 1.2 Kilometers away from Traders Hotel is Georgetown’s Pink Zone, a very touristy area with many upscale clubs & bars, trendy restaurants and outdoor bistros. Most of Western tourists can be seen congregating here at night. Be prepared to spend some serious monies if you go there.

Taxi For 7 ½ hours of touring, I paid 270RM, the equivalent of 76USD! Not too bad, my taxi driver was happy and I was haPee!

Note: 1.00USD = 3.55 Ringit (RM)

There are many things to do and see in Penang Island. Like most tourists, I managed to squeeze in an all day highlights tour of Georgetown, Penang’s bustling and historic capital city.

Cultural Heritage and Temples To start my day of touring, I stopped at Khoo Kongsi, a classical Chinese clan temple. At one time it was an active temple but now it is strictly a heritage exhibit for visitors. The elaborate wall ornamentation as well as the exotic statues, murals and paintings pay homage to the clan’s rich history and to their deities. This temple was far different than what I am accustomed to seeing during my numerous trips to Thailand; it made me feel like I was in China.

Many tourists visit a replica of a Thai Wat – inside the temple complex is a mock version of the famous reclining Buddha. Across the street was a replica of a Burmese temple - again I’ve seen Burmese style temples in Northern Thailand and those were the authentic article. Needless to say, I didn’t spend much time here.

Next up was a Hindu temple – many Hindis gathered here on this Sunday, most of them dressed up in their traditional garb. Apparently there was a special festival being celebrated on this day, and everybody was enjoying the vegetarian feast that was hosted by the temple. They invited me - a total outsider - to partake of the feast. While I helped myself to lunch, I also made a donation to the temple.

The View at Penang Hill The biggest tourist trap in Penang. Most people take a funicular to a viewpoint located about 830 meters (2750 feet) above sea level, the highest point in Penang. While I am not fond of tourist traps, I admit that there are some absolutely spectacular panoramic views of Georgetown, the Straits of Malacca and Peninsular Malaysia. You can even see the long causeway which connects Penang Island with the mainland.

As I visited Penang Hill on the last Sunday of the holidays, the place was jammed with tourists – mostly from Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. Besides the view, there was a ‘horse and pony show’ going on – a crowd gathered around to watch fellow tourists pose with pythons draped around their necks.

The Monkeys of Penang Botanic Gardens If you have a limited amount of time, can take “A mini-shuttle bus” for a quick tour of the gardens. The star attraction of the gardens are the long tailed macaques, medium sized monkeys that freely roam the park. These monkeys can get very nasty - baring their sharps fangs and making threatening postures - when surrounded by too many camera toting tourists, who aggravate the situation by trying to feed them. One of the monkeys even had the audacity to make charge at me but I scared him off by making whooping noises and shaking my fist at him. Grrhhhh