Motorbiking The Other Side of Penang

Google Penang & Travel and you will find all the top 10 things to do in Penang, top 10 things to eat in Penang, top 10 things to see, top 10 Museum, Top 10 etc etc. Write up’s are so predictable nowadays that the top 10 shit still works, heck I still read those top 10 write up when I see a sponsored top 10 advert on Facebook. Its packaged so nicely that its intriguing to open it up for a good read to only be disappointed when you notice the repetitive cycle of expert plagiarism

I'm Ranting .... I know ...

Hence I only have one place to suggest seeing in Penang, the other side, the west side of Penang.

Fishing Boats by the Beach at South of Penang

Balik Pulau is known as the west side of Penang, with only two roads to get over either from the north or the south of Penang Island with both climbing a mountain on either edge crossing over to the other side only to descend to a very very flat plain which main activity is either farming (Rice) or fishing.

Road to Balik Pulau from the south of Penang

The view of Balik Pulau coming down the other side of the mountain

I did the loop from the south to the north and it was a nice ride alone with no traffic. The western side of Penang seamed to be untouched, with the old ‘kampung’ lifestyle intact with a few new development springing up but somehow seamed abandon. 

It looked like Balik Pulau is resisting the need for change and modernization for the new development of houses or shop-lots were left empty with no occupancy. 

Patriotic Kampung House - Balik Pulau Penang 

Fishing village was everywhere, there is no real beach at Balik Pulau although the whole west side of Penang is along the coast, instead it is covered by mangroves and the fisherman navigates the boats inland through the mangrove and park’s them next to their houses. 

Fishing Village sheltered within the Mangroves 

The only beach I managed to find with a fishing village was on the southern side of Penang, with clear waters and anchored colorful fishing boats. 

Restaurants or food stalls was also a rarity on Balik Pulau. Most restaurant gathered along the wet markets where fisherman goes to sell their catch of the day. One restaurant which was at Kuala Pulau Betong a very secluded corner of Penang where only the locals go to buy fresh fish. 

Restaurant at Kuala Pulau Betong - Penang 

The place caught my eye and I parked Bluey for a rest and drink. The restaurant seamed to be busy with lots of people but upon closer look, they were not eating nor drinking but all playing Mahjong at each and every table.

I managed to get a drink, and watch the locals enjoy their game. As tempting as it was I had no way to join in the fun ....

Roads were good in Balik Pulau, very flat plain and superbly stright. It can get boring at times riding too straight so I tend to detour off the main road to explore people’s housing estate. It was really sureel feel seeing people drying out fish and shrimp along the front yard cement floor and cows roaming around everywhere. 

Back Lane Bicycle Road - Balik Pulau Penang

There were surprisingly marked bicycle roads as well, dirt road for the mountain bikes with trails going off everywhere. I did a small circuit with the Bluey on the bicycle trail and could see the fun of running off with a proper ragged bike.

Along the way back through the northern pass, was the nutmeg factory. Natural remedy and very popular with old people as the nutmeg medicine oil was good for arthritis. Buah Pala as the local calls them and a delicious drink as well. 

 Nutmeg Factory cum Temple 

Nutmeg

Heading back to main-town Penang through the northern pass I passed two more places of interest. The viewpoint where it was a good spot to actually see the sunset. They had two big Chinese sort of word art which I have no idea what it means. The other stop was Titi Kerawang waterfall. The waterfall was a good place to picnic and go swimming and relax during a hot day.

View Point for Sunset 

Titi Kerawang Waterfall 

Traveled on: Sep 2018
#blurtravels