Night Out at Slippery Senoritas Penang

Our nice and friendly colleagues at Shangri-la organized a gathering at Slippery Senoritas Penang. It was Rachel's birthday celebration cum farewell for those leaving Penang soon including me.



There was a total of 5 cars which means 20 people went. Definitely the biggest group I've ever went clubbing with. The best part of it is I knew each and every one of them. Basically it was a great place. It wasn't as crowded as Mardi Grass or Maisons. Slippery Senoritas or rather known as SS is one of the most happening clubs apart from Chillout, in Penang. It is located at the clubbing district of Penang nearby City Bayview Hotel.


The unique bar boasting a large variety of liquors


View from the top floor


What I found rather interesting was it not only had a Dj that night, there was also a live-band performing groovy club hits with sexy dancers. lol




June, Joanne and Me. *such a pity our other house mates couldn't join us*


The delectable Ann and me


Rachel with her oh-so-huge cake


And as usual, we made friends everywhere, anywhere, anytime. This time, it was a group of Swedish backpackers and one of their Swedish friends who studies in USM Penang. *of all places to choose, he chosed Malaysia*


Post-clubbing. Can't zoom in as we look horrible. *notice the club has already closed and offed all its lights* haha

It was definitely a memorable night and the best clubbing 'session' I've ever had. Didn't take many photos as everyone, including me were all wasted. Thank You Ann for bringing us there!

Monkeys at Monkey Beach

Situated in Taman Negara Penang itself, Monkey Beach is a stretch of white sandy beach that is inaccessible by road. There are 2 ways to get there, either by a 5-minute speedboat ride or a 2 hour hike through the coastal trail.
We decided to go to Monkey Beach again considering many people were missing during the previous visit.


Sunrise at Teluk Bahang jetty

Our journey usually begins from our very own abode nestled atop a hill in Batu Feringghi. A 500m hike down will bring us to the bus stop where we hop on a bus leading to Teluk Bahang.


There, we meet out pre-arranged boat-guide on a rickety jetty which sways with the wave and tide. It also has a missing platform.


Getting to Monkey Beach on a speedboat is an experience itself. As the boat passes through a wave it will literally 'fly' and land again like a trampoline unlike other commercial boat-guides that use the wooden fishing boat.


How Monkey Beach got its name


Nana and Joanne

The best time to visit Monkey Beach is during the morning where it is practically deserted and peaceful. The monkeys are also still asleep so you won't have to fight for space.



There are several hammocks in place at the beach but definitely insufficient with the number of tourists arrival so it's advisable to be there early


Reagan


Apart from monkeys, there are also dogs(s)
One of which is a little weird
Somehow, it loves to follow everyone regardless of what you do and where you go


Birds of the same feather flock together


A giant clam


Crab


The poking shell. It is almost everywhere and I even got cut by it.
Imagine stepping on it


Anemone look alike thingy

Unlike Batu Ferringhi, this beach boasts white powdery sand and clean water, free from village-sewage and gutter water.




A fresh water stream



During one of our visits, Joanne spotted the main ingredient to make calamari fritters which is none other than the calamari itself.




crystal clear

Several tour operators also host barbecue lunches on the beach which cost about RM30 per person but we brought our own nasi lemak.


mat salehs


again, birds of the same feather flock together


Me and Suraya

Actually, there isn't any story to tell as most of us lazed around lying on the beach sleeping, reading and sleeping. Unfortunately, as we were about to leave, something happened...
While we were dipping ourselves in the calm waters, apparently Reagan and June got stung by a jelly fish.


Reagan with his leg 'dipped' in Mopiko
(Apparently Mopiko is good for stings)

Still the fun continues...


It's a really great place to sleep but we had to watched our belongings as some uninvited guests came to claim its land. "platoons" of monkeys started approaching us as the barbecue lunch woke them up from their sleep. They jumped and swing from tree to tree above us, eyeing our plastic bags.


nuisance from the jungle

After midday, our boatman brought us back as it was about to rain. Lousy weather. To add to the climax, as soon as we disembarked from our boat, our "diva" realized she lost her Sony Ericsson Cybershot phone. I think all of us were cursed. In spite of the jellyfish sting, lost handphone and lousy weather it is still a nice place to go. =P

Picture Perfect Adventure @ Tropical Spice Garden, Penang

Now that I'm back in KL, it's time to update my blog with pictures I've taken in Penang.
After constantly hearing of the Tropical Spice Garden, I finally found time to visit it together with Joanne. It is a really good place for those interested in photography which explains the number of pictures in this post itself.


It's situated somewhere at the beginning of Teluk Bahang, before the Teluk Bahang town. It's quite a prominent tourist attraction especially among foreginers. Entry free is about 13Rm or 15RM but if you have a student card, it will only cost you 10RM. (the wonders of student card 400km away from college)


The archway made up of creepers.




sunlight amidst lush vegetation


A slow trickling-waterfall

The Tropical Spice Garden is actually a landscaped garden with 3 different types of trail namely Jungle, Spice and Ornamental trail, each with its own distinctive type of vegetation. More unique, it is 'built' on a sloping hill just by the beach.

A large reflective pond


Ornamental tiles provide solid pathways


Stairway to heaven

The garden also consists of several cascading waterfalls, streams and tranquil ponds. All of it, integrated with the exotic floras and foliage creates a great location for photography.


A macro shot of one of the mosaic in the garden






A autumn-looking tree


One of the good things about this place is that it has proper hammocks for sleeping. One can literally sleep here amidst its peacefulness and serenity.


Joanne trying the Tyra Banks pose but failed miserably




Some prehistoric looking caterpillar


conventional ferns looking exotically unique


Joanne on a massively large swing that could generate enough inertia to swing her off




An amazonian landscape


Strange looking hibiscus


Purpleberries.. not




Greens






Spot the not


A disintegrating leaf


Unknown flower with bug

Apart from the garden, there is also a Spice Museum located at the summit of the hill. It also has a restaurant overlooking the Straits of Malacca.


Cumin - one of the many spices on display at the museum


the popular Star Anise


cinnamon

and the pride of Malaysia, black pepper

The visit definitely worth the 10 bucks.