Aventuras De Viaje's Blog, page 15

Erawan Falls Review, Kanchanaburi, Thailand

This post is a Erawan Falls review.

Erawan Falls is actually Erawan National Park and is potentially the most beautiful waterfalls in Thailand (according to Erawan Falls tourism committee). Erawan National Park is located about a 90 minute bus ride from the city of Kanchanaburi in Thailand.

This Erawan Falls review also contains costs, directions, pictures, and other useful information.

Featured Image: One of the 7 featured waterfalls in Erawan National Park.

Cost(s): 300THB for adult foreigners.

Address: Tha Kradan Sub-district Si Sawat District, Kanchanaburi 71250, Thailand.

Erawan Falls Review

I hadn’t intended to go to Erawan Falls but was convinced by the owner of the Sorn Waree Apartments (where I stayed whilst in Kanchanaburi) that I should. I’m glad I did. It was a great day out.

There are 7 levels of waterfalls in Erawan National Park, and plenty of places to take a dip on the way.

After the third level you can not take any food in, and you have to “check in” you water bottle. You leave a 20THB deposit to make sure you bring it back out.

It’s a really nice hike, and the fact that you can cool off at any time along the way is just and added bonus. It kind of reminded me of a small version of Plitvice National Park in Croatia.

There where some places where you could jump of or slide down.

And you can go “off the beaten track” a little bit if you are feeling adventurous.

There is even accommodation in the park, and I am pretty sure you can hire a tent from the visitors center and camp there.

The whole hike to the end took me about 90 minutes, which included stopping, taking pictures, and going “off-road” for a little bit.

Spot the fish in the bottom right corner. I went into the part with the waterfall, but I’m sure there were fishes “biting” me in there.

Getting back to the bus once I had taken a dip only took about 20 minutes.

Need somewhere to sleep while visiting Erawan Falls in Kanchanaburi? Find your perfect accommodation in Kanchanaburi no matter what your budget.

Getting to Erawan Falls in Kanchanaburi

You can hire a motorbike but I did that the day before to go to Hellfire Pass so instead I took the bus.

Just go to the bus Kanchanaburi bus station and ask someone for the bus to Erawan Falls. It costs 50THB one way and takes about 90minutes to get there.

Here is the timetable. I crossed out the first three return buses because they were not on the sign on the timetable at Erawan falls, although I suspect it does run at those times, but does not go into the falls.

The bus drives you all the way into the national park, and you buy an entry ticket on the bus. Someone boards the bus to sell you the ticket.

For both ways, it is best to get on the bus at least 20 minutes before departure to secure a seat.

Do you agree with this Erawan Falls review? Feel free to leave your own Erawan Falls review (and anything else you want to say) in the comments

Hellfire Pass Review, Kanchanaburi, Thailand

This post is a Hellfire Pass review.

Hellfire Pass is a WW2 heritage site where POW’s and other workers had to cut through a mountain to build the Thailand to Burma railway for the Japanese. They did it with no machinery and in torturous conditions. Many people died in the process.

Hellfire Pass (Konyu Cutting) is located about 80km north(ish) from Kanchanaburi in Thailand.

This Hellfire Pass review also contains costs, directions, pictures, and other useful information.

Featured Image: Looking into Hellfire Pass.

Cost(s): Free entry. Donations accepted. 200THB refunded deposit required for the audio guide.

Address: Tha Sao, Sai Yok District, Kanchanaburi 71150. Phone: 034 919 605.

Hellfire Pass Review

Hellfire Pass was easily the most interested thing I did whilst in Kanchanaburi.

After parking the motorbike I went in and got my audio guide. Make sure you do this. It is very good. You need to leave 200THB and a form of ID for security. You get it all back when you return the equipment. I told them I wanted to do the whole walk so they also gave me a walkie talkie.

It is amazing that they cut through this rock with no machinery, and they did it whilst malnourished, in monsoon weather, and while being beaten by the Japanese.

In order to finish the railway in time they had to work day and night in 12 hour shifts. By night they would work under the light of bonfires and bamboo lanterns. This how the name Hellfire pass came about.

Many of the workers died. Some found solace in the beauty of the landscape.

This is known as Kwae Noi Valley, and over the hills lies Myanmar.

To walk the entire track took me just under two hours. This included stopping and listening to the audio guide, as well as walking back. Of course, you can just turn around and walk back whenever you want.

Need somewhere to sleep while visiting Hellfire Pass in Kanchanaburi? Find your perfect accommodation in Kanchanaburi no matter what your budget.

Getting to Hellfire Pass in Kanchanaburi

I hired a motorbike. It was as least an hour ride to get there. The motorbike cost me 200THB for 24hours and I put about 80THB of fuel in it to get me there and back.

The motorbike rental places will ask you for your original passport, but leaving it with them seems crazy to me. Try offering a deposit of a few thousand baht instead. I also give them a photocopy of my passport. If they wont accept any of this then just find somewhere else to rent one.

I saw lots of tour groups while I was at Hellfire Pass so that’s another option.

You can probably take a public bus, but would have to get off on the main road and walk in. I would say it is not worth the hassle – hire a motorbike or get a private driver instead.

Do you agree with this Hellfire Pass review? Feel free to leave your own Hellfire Pass review (and anything else you want to say) in the comments

Bridge on the River Kwai Review, Kanchanaburi, Thailand

This post is a Bridge on the River Kwai review.

Bridge on the River Kwai is found right next to the Kanchanaburi train station in Thailand. It is walking distance from town.

This Bridge on the River Kwai review also contains costs, directions, pictures, and other useful information.

Featured Image: The Bridge on the River Kwai from the ground.

Cost(s): Free unless you want to take the train.

Address: Ban Tai, Mueang Kanchanaburi District, Kanchanaburi 71000, Thailand.

Bridge on the River Kwai Review

The Bridge on the River Kwai is probably one of the most famous WW2 sites in Thailand thanks to the book and movie made about it.

Basically you go there and walk across it.

Walking across.

This picture is taken from on top of it.

Nice view of the river.

And here is what it is on the other side. Underneath the bridge you can hire a boat.

This is still a working rail-line.

Station platform.

Today, the bridge is still in use and you can even catch a train over it.

The train that goes over the bridge.

Need somewhere to sleep while visiting the Bridge on the River Kwai in Kanchanaburi? Find your perfect accommodation in Kanchanaburi no matter what your budget.

Getting to the Bridge on the River Kwai in Kanchanaburi

The Bridge on the River Kwai can easily be walked to from town.

If you want a lift there from the bus station it will cost around 50THB.

Do you agree with this Bridge on the River Kwai review? Feel free to leave your own Bridge on the River Kwai review (and anything else you want to say) in the comments

6 Day Melaka Itinerary, Malaysia

This post is a summary of my 6 day Melaka itinerary.

Melaka is a UNESCO heritage city located in West Malaysia, about two hours bus ride south of Kuala Lumpur.

This 6 day Melaka itinerary also includes a costs summary with the total expenditure and daily average in local currency and USD.

Featured Image: View coming down from St Paul’s Hill.

A while ago I had booked a ticket to Kuala Lumpur without really knowing where I would go – Kuala Lumpur is a good airport to go pretty much anywhere else in the world.

Since buying that ticket I decided I would stay in Malaysia a little longer than originally planned decided to have a short local trip instead. I chose Melaka.

6 Day Melaka Itinerary

Links will direct you to item specific posts or other useful websites.

Day One

Arrive Melaka.

Sleep Food Tourism House.

Looking at the church where the bus drops you in town.

Day Two

Heritage walk.

Sleep Food Tourism House.

Street art on one of the side-streets of Jonker Walk.

Day Three

Mini Malaysia.

Sleep Food Tourism House.

This is the only house in Mini Malaysia where they made such nice stairs. It is the Melaka house.

Day Four

Melaka Botanical Gardens.

Night markets.

Sleep Food Tourism House.

Small but well maintained garden inside the Melaka Botanical Gardens. That structure behind it is actually a fish tank.

Day Five

Malay Sultanate Palace.

Sleep Food Tourism House.

Looking back towards the Malay Sultanate Palace from the far rear of the garden.

Day Six

Back to Kota Kinabalu.

Jonker walk night market.

Here’s a video slideshow of the photos I took during this 6 day Melaka itinerary.

6 Day Melaka Itinerary Costs Summary

This summary of costs for my 6 day Melaka itinerary includes return flights to Kota Kinabalu, food, accommodation, and any other expenses during the six days.

Total Expendature: 760MYR = 175USD

Average Daily Expenditure: 127MYR = 30USD

What places would you add to your 6 day Melaka itinerary? Let us know them, or anything else you want to say, in the comments

10 Incredible Things to do in Melaka, Malaysia

Discover 10 incredible things to do in Melaka.

Melaka is a UNESCO world heritage city in west Malaysia.

It is located about two hours bus ride away from Kuala Lumpur.

This list of 10 incredible things to do in Melaka gives a short review of each of the things to do in Melaka as well as links to more detailed reviews (where applicable).

It also has other useful information about Melaka such as accommodation in Melaka and how to get to Melaka.

Featured Picture: View from St Paul’s Hill (#6 on this list of incredible things to do in Melaka).

Initially my plan was to only stay in Malaysia for three weeks and then travel overland into Thailand before flying into Cambodia to meet Ayase for what seems to becoming our bi-yearly travel stint.

I decided instead to stay in Malaysia until mid December. I had already bought a ticket to Kuala Lumpur so I decided to check out Melaka.

10 Incredible Things to do in Melaka1. Heritage Walking Tour

Every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday at 9:30am starting at the tourist information center, there is a free walking tour of the heritage area. It goes for two hours.

I didn’t do it myself because I didn’t know about it. Instead, I just walked around the area myself.

To get to the tourist information center catch bus #17. From Melaka Sentral bus terminal (where the bus from Kuala Lumpur drops you) it will cost 2MYR. The journey there is shorter than the journey back. I guess it does a one way loop.

Looking at the church where the bus drops you in town.

2. Temples

A came across a number of temples while walking through the heritage center. I didn’t actually go in any of them myself but did see tourists in them.

One of the many temples in Melaka.

3. Jonker Walk

Jonker walk is a historical tourist street. It has a night market on the weekends. The rest of the time it is a bunch of tourist shops, food, and some sightseeing stuff also.

Street art on one of the side-streets of Jonker Walk.

4. Museums

The heritage area is full of museums. At least six. None of them really peaked my interest but it seems the entry fee to most of them is only 10MYR for foreigners.

Maritime museum.

5. Markets

There is no shortage of market places in Melaka. Typical for Asia though. A good way to get out of the sun and buy some souvenirs if you are so inclined.

On the weekend there are a few good night markets around also (such as Jonker Walk).

Melaka also has a couple of pretty good malls if you need some air-conditioning.

Jonker walk night market.

6. St Paul’s Hill

A short uphill climb to the ruins of this cathedral (I think it’s a cathedral). Nice view from the top (featured picture).

The ruins at the top of St Paul’s Hill.

7. Melaka River

From the Food Tourism House (where I stayed) you can follow the river all the way to town. Take a long walk or a nice bicycle ride. The bicycle is provided free of charge by the Food Tourism House.

You could also do a river cruise.

Melaka River. Taken from the bridge in town.

8. Mini Malaysia

On my second full day in Melaka I intended to go to the Botanical Gardens but instead I ended up in Mini Malaysia.

In Mini Malaysia they have constructed all the different types of traditional houses from different areas of Malaysia. Each one is a bit like a mini museum. It is actually called Mini Malaysia and ASEAN but the mini ASEAN part was closed for renovations.

This is the only house in Mini Malaysia where they made such nice stairs. It is the Melaka house.

9. Melaka Botincal Gardens

The next day I went back to the botanical gardens. It was a much better day than Mini Malaysia.

It was free entry and I went for a nice bicycle ride around it. Much less traffic too (probably due to is being a Saturday) so the journey was quicker, although I still had to wait ages for the busses to go there and back.

The typical walking path around the Melaka Botanical Gardens.

10. Malay Sultanate Palace

The last item on this list of incredible things to do in Melaka is to go to the Malay Sultanate Palace, which is one of the many museums.

I know I already put museums on this list but I actually went in this one and wrote a post about it so I thought it deserved it own number. Actually, I thought it was pretty interesting. Only 5myr to get in, had a nice garden, and even had air-conditioning inside.

The front of the Malay Sultanate Palace.

Getting To Melaka

I took a plane from Kota Kinabalu to Kuala Lumpur and landed at Terminal KLIA2.

On the ground floor fo KLIA2 you can buy a ticket for the bus to Melaka from Transnational. It cost 24.10rmb and took two hours. The bus was comfortable. No toilet on board and they don’t stop, but it’s only two hours.

You can also get this bus from KLIA and town, but I read that you can’t buy a ticket directly from KLIA.

In Melaka, the bus drops you off at the bus station north of town. My accommodation was a bit further north (10 minute walk) so it was good for me. To get to Melaka city center, where most of the attraction are, just catch the number 17 bus in for 1.50myr to the tourism office (the main stop in town).

Note: If you catch the #17 back from the same bus stop you get of at, i.e., the tourism office, it will cost 2myr on the way back and takes a lot longer. To prevent this, catch it from the other side of Jonker street, i.e., walk all the way up Jonker street until you get to the other end.

Accommodation in Melaka

Whilst doing all these incredible things to do in Melaka I stayed at the Food Tourism Guesthouse.

Cost: 45myr per night for a fan room with a private bathroom.

Address:

The Food Tourism Hotel was a nice guesthouse. It was just like living in a shared home with full access to kitchen and living room. There was also bikes you could borrow.

The owner was a nice guy. He did not live in the same house but dropped by pretty much every day. Very chatty. His wife was lovely also. They both spoke excellent English.

I got a fan room with private bathroom but there other rooms available, e.g., shared bathroom, aircon, etc.

My room was a good size with desk, cupboard, and a bed that was comfortable enough.

The whole place was clean.

Simple breakfast was provided of toast and jam with coffee and tea. It was available all day. Free drinking water also, although it ran out quite often.

The location was a bus ride from the city but I thought it was very good being in walking distance to the main bus station. It meant it was easy to get to other attractions outside the city also. In central station there was lots of food choices, and there was also a big Giant supermarket within a five minute walk.

One thing was that although I paid for a private bathroom, one of the days I had to share it and the owner refused to give me a refund for the difference in cost, which I thought was very strange and not really in-line with the rest of his personality, which was very friendly.

Book your stay at the Food Tourism Guest House or some other accommodation in Melaka.

Getting to the Food Tourism Guesthouse

It is a short walk from the Sentral bus station, whcih is were you will probably arrive if coming by bus. The owner will send you very good directions once you book.

Got anything to add to this list of incredible things to do in Melaka? Let us know them (or anything else you want to say) in the comments

Malay Sultanate Palace Review, Melaka, Malaysia

This post is a Malay Sultanate Palace review.

The Malay Sultanate Palace is one of the many museums found in the UNESCO Heritage city of Melaka in Malaysia.

Usually I am not a big fan of museums but I just wanted something easy to do for the day and from my walk around town the first day, this one appealed to me the most.

I think they just built a replica of the original palace in Melaka, or maybe it is just a replica of a typical Sultan’s palace in old Malaysia and it was just filled with information about Melaka. I couldn’t really figure it out. One thing for sure though, they original ones were made without any nails, which I thought was pretty impressive, although it is probably the reason they had to build a replica, i.e., the original is no longer standing.

This Malay Sultanate Palace review also contains costs, directions, pictures, and other useful information.

Featured Image: The front of the Malay Sultanate Palace.

Cost(s): 5myr for foreign adults.

Address: Jalan Kota, Bandar Hilir, 75000 Melaka, Malaysia. +60 6-282 7464.

Malay Sultanate Palace Review, Melaka

The first exhibit I saw was the crime and punishment paintings. Here are some fun facts about the laws of old Melaka:

Punishment for adultery if you are not married: Whipping.Punishment for adultery if you are married: Death by stoning.Punishment for stealing: Hand cut off.Punishment for thinking about stealing: Throwing turmeric and some other stuff on your face and then paraded around town on a buffalo.Test of guilt #1: See how long you can stay underwater for. If you do not make the time limit, you are guilty.Test of guilt #2: Put your hand in hot oil for a certain amount of time. If you do not make the time limit, you are guilty – and either way, your hand is going to get hurt.

Paintings depicting the punishments for certain crimes.

The next exhibition was also a good one. It told a story which I will now retell. I think it is supposed to be true.

There was this guy, I can’t remember his name, let’s call him Fred. Fred was the Sultan’s best warrior and also extremely loyal. Anything the Sultan asked he would do.

Some other guys were jealous, so they told the Sultan that Fred was having an affair with one of the maids. Without investigating, and despite the his Prime Minister’s pleas, the Sultan sentenced Fred to death.

The Prime Minister (not really a Prime Minister, but second in charge after the Sultan) secretly hid Fred in a cave or something and pretended he was dead.

Fred’s friend (let’s call him Steve), loyal to Fred and a really good warrior also, decided to run havoc on the kingdom as revenge for the unlawful killing of Fred.

All was nearly lost for the Sultan and he wished that Fred was still around as he would be able to stop Steve. The Prime Minister told the truth and then got Fred out of hiding.

Fred confronted Steve. Steve told him it was all for Fred, but since Fred was so loyal to the Sultan, he killed Steve anyway. However, they still had their friendship, so as Steve was dying, Fred agreed to take care of Steve’s son.

So this picture is of Fred and Steve fighting that duel.

“Fred and Steve” in their battle to the death.

The rest of the museum was kind of just standard museum stuff.

There was some traditional dress, jewellery, and trade displays.

Melaka traditional dress.

And this display of the Melaka administration meetings.

A replica of an administration meeting.

Upstairs was the Sultan’s bedroom.

There was also a third floor but it was blocked off.

The Sultan’s bed. Even his wife was not allowed to enter the room without permission.

Outside was a nice botanical garden, although the sign said that they are unsure if it actually existed as part of the Sultan’s palace.

Looking into the garden from the front of the palace.

I saw a monkey bathing in the water fountain but it ran away before I could take a picture, so I just took this one instead.

Looking back towards the palace from the far rear of the garden.

How to Get to the Malay Sultanate Palace in Melaka

From my accommodation I walked about 5 minutes to the Sentral bus station and caught the number 17 bus into the city center.

Once in the city you can walk to all the attractions.

The Malay Sultanate Palace is item number 6 on this 6 Day Melaka Itinerary itinerary map.

Do you agree with this Malay Sultanate Palace review? Feel free to leave your own Malay Sultanate Palace review (or anything else you want to say) in the comments

Melaka Botanical Garden Review, Malaysia

This post is a Melaka Botanical Garden review. The Malay word for botanical garden is “taman botanic”.

Melaka Botanical Garden is located in the Ayer Keroh district of Melaka, next to the zoo and Mini Malaysia cultural park.

Actually, there are a few other things in that area too. A crocodile farm and a bird sanctuary. I’m a bit adverse to seeing animals in capture so I did none of those things.

This Melaka Botanical Garden review also contains costs, directions, pictures, and other useful information.

Cost(s): Free entry.

Address: Ayer Keroh Melaka Botanical Garden, Lebuh Ayer Keroh, Hang Tuah Jaya, Melaka, 75450 Malacca, Malaysia. +60 6-232 3118.

Melaka Botanical Garden Review

Botanical gardens are one of my favorite things to do. Just walking around, looking at nature. And these places are rarely crowded. The Melaka Botanical Garden was no different.

They had buggies and bikes for rent. Form the map it looked as though the place was quite big so I decided to hire a bike. 5myr / hour. I ended up casually riding around the whole thing in about 40 minutes.

My ride for the day. I preferred a basket to brakes.

I managed to spot some wildlife, such as these monkeys. Unlike many monkeys I encounter, these actually ran and climbed a tree when they saw me as opposed to trying to steal my stuff. A good sign that they don’t get too much human contact.

Look closely to see the monkeys.

There was this patch of plants… I’m not sure what they were, although there was probably a sign somewhere.

A patch of plants. Not sure what they were.

This is what the majority of the place looked like. This road is part of their 10,000 steps trek which is about 7km.

The 10,000 steps trek is walking on this road around the whole place.

It is actually a bit of an adventure park also. There was a campsite and some ropes courses.

Campsite / accommodation. Looks like there were some students staying there.

And this brown lake with a small suspension bridge.

I wouldn’t swim in it.

All around the park were signs promoting the health benefits of walking. They were all in Malay but I got the general gist of most of them.

This one says something along the lines of:

“6km = 9600 steps which burns 380 – 430 kcal which is = to a plate of nasi lemak or a bowl of mee sup.”

Nasi lemak and mee sup are both very common Malaysian foods.

After returning the bike I went for a short walk around the entrance area. I saw this garden and some fish.

Small but well maintained garden. That structure behind it is actually a fish tank.

And walked along this bridge which was much shorter than I thought it would be and finished in a dead end.

Walk five minutes to the end of the bridge, then walk back because it is a dead-end.

How to Get to Melaka Botanical Garden

From the Sentral Bus Station you can catch bus number 1b or the #19. Get off at the Mini Malaysia stop, cross the road and walk back toward town for a few minutes.

1b costs 2.50myr. The #19 costs 2.60myr.

Melaka Botanical Garden is item number 5 on this 6 day Melaka itinerary map.

Do you agree with this Melaka Botanical Garden review? Feel free to leave your own Melaka Botanical Garden review (or anything else you want to say) in the comments

Mini Malaysia Review, Melaka, Malaysia

This post is a Mini Malaysia review.

Mini Malaysia is a cultural park found in the city of Melaka in Malaysia.

It is actually called Mini Malaysia and ASEAN but the mini ASEAN part was closed for reconstruction when I was there. I am guessing it would show traditional houses from different parts of Asia.

This Mini Malaysia review also contains costs, directions, pictures, and other useful information.

Featured Image: One of the houses from the outside. They have some craft lessons out the front.

My initial intent for the day was to go to the botanical gardens but I noticed on the bus stop sign that the bus I was going to take went to a place called Mini Malaysia. It sounded interesting so I went there instead.

Cost(s): 24MYR per foreign adult.

Address: Malaysia, Lebuh Ayer Keroh, 75450 Ayer Keroh, Melaka, Malaysia

+60 6-234 9989.

Mini Malaysia Review

Basically what they have done is reconstructed all the different types of traditional houses from around Malaysia so you can walk through and learn about them.

I liked the inside of this one the most due to it’s large open plan. Definitely enough room to make a parkour gym.

Each of the huts is different inside.

They also put on demonstrations during the day. I guess my timing was off because I didn’t see any.

There is also another “stage” area.

The demonstration house for Melaka was, not surprisingly, the nicest of the lot. Complete with beautiful stairs.

This is the only house where they made such nice stairs.

The one from Sabah was dilapidated and under reconstruction.

The least maintained house is from where my father’s side of the family is from, Sabah.

There was also a mini theme park. Maybe it opens of weekends and/or when it is not bucketing down.

The suspension bridge was not safe to walk on.

This suspension bridge leads over to the mini ASEAN part of the place. Like the mini ASEAN part, it to was under reconstruction. I did not go on it.

Looking away from the suspension bridge you can see some of the stilt houses.

Houses built in the water on stilts.

How to Get to Mini Malaysia

From the Sentral Bus Station you can catch bus number 1b or the other one which goes there. I can’t remember the number of the bus but Mini Malaysia is the last place on the platform that it leaves from and it goes to Ayer Keroh.

1b costs 2.50myr. The other one costs 2.60myr.

It was quite a long journey due to traffic. One hour on the way back and longer on the way there due to roadworks.

Mini Malaysia is item number 4 under the heading on this 6 day Melaka itinerary map.

Do you agree with this Mini Malaysia review? Feel free to leave your own Mini Malaysia review (or anything else you want to say) in the comments

4 Day Georgetown Itinerary, Penang, Malaysia

This post is a summary of my 4 day Georgetown itinerary.

Georgetown is the capital city of the island state Penang in Malaysia.

It is the second biggest city in Malaysia and is also a UNESCO heritage site.

This 4 day Georgetown itinerary also includes a costs summary with the total expenditure and daily average in local currency and USD.

Featured Image: Prewar buildings in the historic part of Georgetown.

I went to Georgetown to take a one day Jin Shin Jyutsu course and figured since i was going there I may as well spend a few days exploring.

4 Day Georgetown Itinerary

Links will direct you to item specific posts or other useful websites.

Day One

Arrive Penang.

Explore Little India.

Sleep Little India Heritage Villa.

Penang is known for being an amazing place for food.

Day Two

Jin Shin Jyustu course.

Sleep Little India Heritage Villa.

Maria demonstrating how the self help flows can be applied to others.

Day Three

Street Art.

Fort Cornwallis.

Sleep Little India Heritage Villa.

Street art of Georgetown.

Day Four

Work/Chill.

Back to Kota Kinabalu.

View of the clock tower from inside Fort Cornwallis.

Here’s a video slideshow of the photos I took during this 4 Day Georgetown itinerary. Most of them are street art.

4 Day Georgetown Itinerary Costs Summary

This summary of costs for my 4 day Georgetown itinerary includes all expenses including return flights.

A few things to note:

I didn’t keep very good track of how much I spent, so this is a rough estimate.This was a very short trip which means the flight costs are not spread out as much as usual.It includes return flights which is abnormal. Usually the next flight would be included in the next itinerary, but I returned to Kota Kinabalu, i.e., not traveling.I made an un-usual purchase of a jacket, which brings the average up more than it would usually be.

Total Expendature: 739MYR = 176USD

Average Expenditure / Day: 185MYR = 44USD

What places would you add to your Georgetown itinerary? Let us know or say anything else you want to say in the comments

10 Amazing Things to do in Georgetown, Penang

Discover 10 amazing things to do in Georgetown.

Georgetown is the capital city of Penang in Malaysia. It is also the second biggest city in Malaysia (the first being Kuala Lumpur) as well as a UNESCO heritage site.

This list of 10 amazing things to do in Georgetown gives a short review of each of the things to do in Georgetown as well as links to more detailed reviews (where applicable). It also has other useful information about Georgetown such as accommodation in Georgetown and how to get to Georgetown.

Featured Picture: Some of the street art in Georgetown.

The reason I went to Georgetown was to take a short course in Jin Shin Jyustu (an ancient Japanese healing art). Since this was the purpose I only stayed for a couple of days, and one of theose days was taken up by the course. Basically what I’m trying to say is that there are lots more amazing things to do in Georgetown than what is on this list.

10 Amazing Things to do in PLACE1. Little India

The food, smells, sights, and sounds are just like you are in India – but with far less people. My accommodation was located in Little India, and actually called the Little India Heritage Villa.

A rainy day in Little India.

2. Masjid Kapitan Keling

One of the many Mosques in Georgetown.

3. Shopping

Penang is a small mecca for shopping with everything from small markets to street stalls to world class boutique shopping centers.

Penang Market. Mostly clothes.

4. Walk Along the Waterfront

Walking along the waterfront at night reminded me of a small version of Miami with its chic restaurants and clubs.

At the end of it you can access the beach, and during the day you get some nice view of the city skyline.

Waterfront of Georgetown.

5. Eat, Eat, Eat

Penang is known for being the food capital of Malaysia, which is quite a feat because Malaysia in general is a melting pot of amazing foods.

A dish from Little India.

6. Street Art

This was by far the best thing I did in Penang (besides the Jin Shin Jyutsu course). Most of it is located in Little India, and some of it was right next to where I was staying.

Just walk around with your eyes open to see some gems of street art.

One of my favourite prices of Georgeotwn street art.

7. Historic Area

Georgetown is a UNESCO heritage site with some areas that have pre-war buildings still in tact.

Some pre-war buildings.

8. Temples

Being such a multicultural place, there are more religious sites in Georgetown than just mosques. Various temples such as Hindu, Chinese, Buddhist, etc. are dotted around the place.

Chinese Temple.

9. Fort Cornwallis

Fort Cornwallis was one of the few things on this list that I actually entered. It’s a British Colonial Fort.

A decent view overlooking the water from Fort Cornwallis.

10. Museums

Whilst walking around looking at street art I came across numerous museums such as chocolate and coffee, batik paintings, food, and more.

One of the many museums in Georgetown.

Getting to Georgetown

I flew into Penang from Kota Kinabalu. If coming from West Malaysia (such as Kuala Lumpur) you can catch a bus.

From the airport you can catch a public bus into town. The bus stop is out the front of the airport and the fare is 2.70MYR. No change will be given. The journey takes about 45 minutes to Komtar bus station, which is the bus station. From here you can catch a bus to just about anywhere in the area and there is even a free CAT bus which goes around the city.

To get back to the airport from Komtar catch a bus from lane five. Nus number 102, 401, 401E and AT go between the airport and Komtar.

Accommodation in Georgetown

Whilst doing all these amazing things to do in Georgetown I stayed at the Little India Heritage Villa.

Cost: 52MYR/Night for double air-conditioned bedroom with shared bathroom.

Address: No. 32, Ah Quee Street, 10200 George Town, Malaysia

For the rate I paid I got a decent sized room with an air-conditioner. It was a shared bathroom but I never had to wait to use the toilet or the shower and it was clean.

The English level of the staff was moderate but he was a good guy.

The location was smack bang in the middle of Little India and withing walking distance to both the waterfront and Komtar.

Lots of good food close buy. Walk a few streets away if you don’t feel like Indian food.

I would stay here again.

Book your stay at the Little India Heritage Villa.

How to Get to the Little India Heritage Villa

From komtar you can walk there in about 10 minutes.

You could also catch the free CAT bus or the 101.

Got anything to add to this list of amazing things to do in Georgetown? Let us know them (or anything else you want to say) in the comments