Balik Pulau Township

Balik Pulau is one of the oldest township in Penang. It was founded long time ago and I am not sure with the history there. Last time, Balik Pulau people used to say it was very very far from town and even I live at Bayan Lepas, my grandma also said that Balik Pulau is far! But since now the transportation was improved, I feel that Balik Pulau is not far from my house anymore.

I went to Balik Pulau recently by the bus 401 for FREE! Why FREE because I had subscribed the Rapid Bus prepaid card for RM35/month. It's a worth one and you can travel unlimited in the Penang Island. There are Balik Pulau New Town which near the Balik Pulau Rapid Bus Terminal. 

At Balik Pulau there are two chinese schools, one is Chong Teik Primary School and another is Sacret Heart High School. Both schools are quite near and just need to walk around 5 minutes can reach each other. Chong Teik Primary School is quite large and it's a standard size for primary students, good enough to have various activities there! Whereas for Sacred Heart is a bit small if for secondary school, the space is not really sufficient for those students!

There are Balik Pulau old town, it's only a few distance away from the Bus Terminal. I walked there and search for the famous Laksa, but it was too bad the business had ended. So end up walked around the old town and snapped some photos.

I was walking around the old town of Balik Pulau. The special one at there was the car park is at the middle of the road and it seems to be created a virtual road divider. This type of road arrangement is some sort similar like Ipoh Old Town.

When you first arrived at Balik Pulau Old Town, you will see a pretty small roundabout before you enter to the Balik Pulau new township. Turn left you can go Sungai Pinang, a place which under the district of Balik Pulau. While you straight forward can go to Balik Pulau new township or the way back to Air Itam and also go to Pondok Upeh. Balik Pulau is not a hill side, it is just like a valley which you need to travel before you can reach there! 

Balik Pulau is famous of Laksa, so do you like Laksa? Posted by GenYong 30.05.2012

Penang State Government CNY Celebration 2011

Hey guys, let us back to some post that I haven't post finish for this year Chinese New Year. On the 4th Day of CNY, Penang State Government had organized a CNY Celebration which opened to everyone at Balik Pulau New Market. I was there for about 2 hours to witness the event being started.

The event site was started to have crowds since 6.00pm on that day. Most of the participants was the local people there! Really I could see 1Malaysia inside which contains of Chinese, Malay and Indian! xD.

As you can see on the photos. The crowds were increasing when the sky turn dark. Some of the old citizens were there sitting down and waiting for their sons or daughters to treat them on the free food that provided by government!

Then we walked around the exhibition area and saw a lot of unique items. I saw some exhibition stalls talked about Balik Pulau History, Balik Pulau Local Features, Chinese Traditional Collections and many more. One of them is one brother who was pro in calligraphy were there writing the calligraphy for people! Nice handwriting and beside him is selling those unique items that selling good in China.

Besides that, there were 4 stages all together for that event! At one of the stages, I saw the performance from Phor Tay High School boys playing on the 扯铃 and they were so amazing because every time when they doing skills, many people will give a clap to them! Really good.

After that we saw one uncle was drawing something colour that attracted my eye side. The multi colour and the bright of the light was attracted people go and buy! Nice...

So upnext we waited until those VIPs coming and we had a free dinner at the side which provided by the Penang State Government. Chief Minister YAB Lim Guang Eng was hosting the opening ceremony and this ceremony had certified by TYT Tuan Abdul Rahman follow by 1st Assistant Chief Minister YB Mansor!

Wow everyone was inside.. It seems like a christmas party more than CNY Celebration! Everyone was getting high on that day and tasted a lot of CNY Free Foods. Penang State Government really a good government for Penangites. They provided free shuttle bus service, invite everyone to join the celebration and many more else! Posted by GenYong 15.03.2011

Travel to Balik Pulau

In previous month, I traveled to Balik Pulau alone to find my friend who are living at there. Actually Balik Pulau for my mind is like a hillside and there contains a lot of kampung houses or anything but since that time I changed my mind. Balik Pulau now is the nice place to live. You can really relax your mind and enjoy the peace there! The housing projects are increasing now and many house investors are grabbing the chance to buy the houses there!

Travel in Rapid Penang, you just need to pay RM 2.00 from Bayan Lepas that I live there. It's quite cheap la actually because the route to Balik Pulau is going up hill... worth it! XD

On the way, you will see the construction area was working up there. They are building the new road and shorten the distance from Teluk Kumbar to Balik Pulau. It's a good project for future development but this construction already build quite long time still not yet complete. That's why they are wasting money there!

You can see that the construction is on going! I think they need about 1 year plus to complete the whole project! Haiz... this is Penang, do things so slow.

When you arrived at Rapid Penang Balik Pulau bus station, you will see the Balik Pulau new market is just on your right hand. The modern new building was the new market. Since 3 years ago, the old market was never been used and all the market shopkeepers are requested to move in this new market! From my opinion, I feel that the old market place is more strategic for business!

Besides that, you can see a lot of new modern houses around the new market. I believe in future 5 years, the popularity here will increase! That time maybe Balik Pulau already turn to the new town seems like Bayan Baru. Looking forward but Penang still need the green place, don't over develop ya! After 5 years, let see how Penang changes. Posted by GenYong 13.12.2010