8th February 2020
Penang, Malaysia
The next day, we decided to explore THE TOP, Penang. There are actually a lot of fun things to do like the Rainbow Skywalk, Jurassic Research Center, 7D Discover Motion Theater, Tech Dome Penang etc. But, in view of we didn't have enormous time, we decided to try the Rainbow Skywalk. Similar to other state's highest point, this one offers the 360 degree view of Penang.
It is located at the top of Komtar tower. Though I've been to Penang multiple times, I can't remember going to Komtar. -_-'
For parking, you can try the parking at Komtar, Not that expensive I think (can't remember the fee).
There are two sections for the top view of Penang - one is the Observatory Deck (at level 65) and the other one is the Rainbow Skywalk (level 68). If you park your car at the Komtar parking area, you can see signboard at each parking levels.
We bought our tickets via KLOOK, just because we want the cashback via Shopback. It was RM48 per person (similar price with the official website). Prepare to show our identity card to get the benefits of Malaysian citizen and pray that the good weather is on our side.
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| Though we bought the ticket online, we still need to queue to claim our wristband (which will be used to enter both Observatory Deck & Rainbow Skywalk). On the wall, you can see lots of pictures of famous people visiting THE TOP. :) |
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| Our wristbands. I love our veins anyway hahaha. |
It was Thaipusam that day but CNY decorations were still all around. Well, didn't mind either as the decorations were beautiful too! Before taking the lift, we passed through the pathway and why not we took pictures here ;))
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| I wish I will have the opportunity to watch sakura with real eyes :) |
At level 65, there will be introduction video before you can step into the Observatory Deck, but it was broken at that time, so they allow us to go inside directly.
The first view you will see is the Gurney Drive.
"Gurney drive is a popular seafront promenade in Pulau Tikus, Penang. The drive is one of Penang's most popular tourist destinations, famous for its hawker food. Previously know as the new coast road, it was completed in 1936, along the north beach and renamed in 1052 after Sir Henry Gurney, the British High Commissioner in Malaya at that time."
"The Kek Lok Si Temple is a famous Buddhist temple situated in Ayer Hitam. As one of the largest and finest Buddhist temples in Malaysia, it serves as an important pilgrimage center for worshippers from South East Asian countries. The entire temple was built from 1891 to 1930, and it is now a center for Chinese culture and Buddha's teachings as well as a unique heritage treasure."
Then, there will be an area with glass floor that we can stand on top of it. It is not that scary anyway, I've been to Macau Tower (with the world highest bungee jump) - that one was scarier. :D
There are photographers who will take your photos and if you are satisfied with the photos, you can proceed with payment. If I'm not mistaken, it was around RM40+ per printed photo. It include a soft copy of it online (I forgot to claim the photo) -_-' it had already expired after 14 days. T_T
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| Selfie for now. |
Walking around the deck, you can see Penang Bridge as well.
"The Penang Bridge is a 13.5km (8.4-mile) dual carriageway toll bridge and controlled-access highway, connecting Butterworth on the mainland side of the state with Gelugor on the island, crossing the Selatan Strait. The bridge was inaugurated on 14 September 1985 and it is the first road connection between the peninsula and the island. It was the longest bridge in Malaysia until the Second Penang Bridge, with a total length of 24km (15miles) was opened on 1 March 2014."
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| The tower binocular - RM2 for few minutes. |
"Seberang Perai, or previously known as 'Pyre' during the British Colonial era, is situated opposite Penang island on the main land, and connects to the island by the Penang Bridge and ferry services. The mainland is where the heart of mega commercial projects and residential townships is, with 54% of the Penang population living here. Many major developments are now focused in Seberang Perai, which has been crowned as Penang's catalyst for growth in the 21st century."
"Initiated in the year 1920, the Penang Ferry Service is the oldest ferry service in Malaysia. It connects Sultan Abdul Halim Ferry Terminal in Butterworth to Raja Tun Uda Ferry Terminal at Weld Quay, Penang. It served as the major link between the mainland and the island untul the Penang Brudge opened in 1985. The ferry service allows pedestrian passengers on the upper deck and small vehicles on the lower deck."
Talking about the ferry, when I traveled to Penang with my parents, we usually travel to the island via ferry and took the bridge later to get back to the mainland :) It is a good experience to try the ferry service here, especially when you bring along kids. They will find this fascinating :)
"Padang Kota Lama, located in one of the oldest districts of George Town, was among the earliest settlement of town. When Francis Light (Founder of Penang) landed at the cape in 1786, he found that this part of the island was uninhabited. The land was flat but overgrown with hardwood trees such as the Penaga Laut (ironwood). The northern shore was sandy while the eastern shore was covered with mangrove swamp. Light was said to have blasted silver coins into the forest to induce he workers to clear the land. These coins could possibly still buried in the area where Padang Kota Lama is located today."
Actually I were the one excited to come here as I would like to check out THE GRAVITYZ. Have any idea about it? It is for those with adrenaline rush to challenge ourselves with things involving the great height. They claim to offer activities under one of the best high-altitude sports platform in ASEAN!
If I'm not mistaken, the price is less than RM150 per person.
However due to time constraint and it was so hot that morning, we decided to plan another trip later to this place again :)
In the next post, we can enjoy the view from the Rainbow Walk :D
Till then.
SM, Perak, Malaysia
200225
