2020 Penang Hill Camping Experience

It was around September, which was around the month of Hungry Ghost festival. Out of kick, 3 of us (Tai Hong, Navin and myself)  took this opportunity to clear our leaves and plan for a 2 days 1 night camping at Penang Hill, Hillside Retreat campsite for camping. Due to the month of hungry ghost, the location were empty and only 3 of us were camping there. Bags were pack and we were ready for the camp.

From the MCO, we have learned that spending quality time with friends are important and we decided to disconnect with our phones. The phone was only use to take picture and only have limited time to access to the people out there, so that we can spend the full 2 days 1 night connecting to each other. Trust me, your bond will be better after each camp without phones.

Park our car at the designated parking lot and we were on our cable car up to Penang Hill. 2 things we learned from this experience. 1st, never park your car at the multistory parking lot, it cost me RM 25 for the 1 night parking fees. The 2nd thing, there is actually a station for the cable car to stop and allow you to walk to the Hillside Retreat directly. We went all the way up to the last cable car station and we have to walk all the way down to Hillside Retreat, it was a long way there especially for us that carrying the bags and food. Anyhow we did enjoy the 'Ice Kacang" at the food court before heading to the Hillside Retreat.

As soon as we arrived the Hillside Retreat, we checkout the campsite and decided where to pitch our tent. Store all the foods into the refrigerator. There refrigerator were provided. The share kitchen were fully equipped with: stove, utensil, fridge, fire starter, sink with water and drinking water. The toilet were equipped with water heater as well. It was tea break. We started fire with firewood. The scouting experience. Tai Hong and I were scouts during our school day. Starting fire is just a tip finger for us. Started the fire to boil the water for making Cappuccino Tarik. This guy is an expert, no joke! The taste of firewood boil water, charcoal boil water and stove boil water are totally different in taste. We have a great taste of Cappuccino on this unforgettable tea break.

It was dinner time and eat again. The purpose of the camping was to back to nature, bonding and eat! I think this was my most luxurious dinner during my camping. It was like a course meal. Appetizer, BBQ crab. Followed Citrus Clam Rice with Sambal, this receipt was easy to prepare, simple and nice. We have BBQ prawns and chicken wing. Last but not list we have BBQ sausage and firewood toast bread with butter. 

Enjoy the view of Penang from the garden and cocktail with 1664 beer. This was the night we chatted and chatted our life, we shared experience, we shared advice.

Woke up early in the morning to enjoy the view of Georgetown. The weather is cool and gave us a great night. Something never miss during the camping is the Maggie Mee Curry. Again, the firewood was the secret to make it tasty. This was the premium Maggie Mee... It was totally taste different from anywhere else. Breakfast was served, a bowl of Maggie Mee with 1 prawn, 2 eggs and 1 sausage together with Cappuccino Tarik by Tai Hong. That was tremendous! Nothing bits it! 

Happy moment always end fast... It was time for us to pack our bags and go home. After eat eat eat and eaten for 2 days, the bodies were reluctant to climb up the mountain to the Tram Station. We were going back to real world facing back all our daily routine. Looking forward for the next camping.... but it was already a year and the pandemic cases is getting ridicules and it hits 20,000 cases a day. The hospitals are full and supplies are running low. Wish everyone stay safe!

 

Butterworth - Pantai Cahaya 70km ride

During the MCO 1.0 I was repairing an old bicycle and it was the time for me to go for a cycling trip. A short warm up lap, I have chose to cycle the along the Bayan Lepas cycling lane from Penang Bridge 2 to Penang Bridge 1, it was only 20 km warm up lap. Then I been having my thought to try on a long journey ride from Penang to Kuala Kurau. However there was no group that I know would like to make a trip to the destination. End, I joined a friend of mine for the 70km ride. This was my personal record breaking.

Special thanks to this guy who bring me into the cycling group

It was my mistake that I forgot to turn on my data and was not able to receive the msg from my friend while I was on the way to the starting point. They have left me to Pantai Bersih... Later I was rushing all my way to Pantai Bersih for meet up. As we went on the journey, we met a heavy rain pour that leaves us no choice to stop by at the nearby bus stop. It was a nice cooling day to chill down. Exchange ideas, get know to each other from the bus stop.

Right after the rain stopped, we continued cycling to Kampung Tsunami, which was a few kilometers away from the bus stop. This village was hit by Tsunami and they name the village as Kampung Tsunami. All the spoiled boat were gather and make this iconic symbol. Never the less, it was time for short break for food. One of the key cyclist was a good foodie and he brought us to a Halal stall to enjoy the local Kampung cuisine. It was delicious, but unfortunately I was on diet to slim down. Therefore only 1 piece of Roti Kosong and a cup of Milk Tea... Learn that should have eat more when next time go for long distance cycling. You will see what happen next.

Made my way to Pantai Merdeka at Kedah state. We met a 6 year old kid that cycle all the way from Bagan to Pantai Merdeka. He is good! Now this is the beginning of the challenge. Going all the way to Pantai Merdeka was not hard but coming back to Butterworth from Pantai Merdeka was harder. It was getting late, we were rushing back to Butterworth. The sun was hot up in the sky and we were on our way cycling back without stop. Second challenge, we were cycling against the wind. You need more energy to go against the wind. Third challenge was energy burned! As I only having a piece of Roti Kosong and a cup of Milk Tea, the energy did not sustain me until the end of the journey. I begun to feel the hungry while on my way back. All the members in the group were ahead of me and I know that I need to grab something. As I was approaching to Butterworth, we have a stop at the Petrol station to buy some drinks. I got myself a sneaker energy bar and a bottle of A&W to impart sugar energy into my body then I starting to feel my blood was circulating in my body.... That boost me up to complete my cycling journey to Butterworth to get my car.

We were totally exhausted with the hot weather. However, it was a great memorable cycling trip. Unfortunately the number of Covid cases shoot up after the cycling trip that leave me no choice but to stay at home and slow down all my activities until year 2021. I am waiting for the day to grab my long hanging bicycle and put it back on the road.