Let's Talk PENANG

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Would we be correct in thinking that the way to go is via Georgetown?  Presume the western route is not so good roads?  Any roads to avoid (landslides, flooding etc etc)?

We emailed the hotel but clearly they cannot be a**ed to reply to us 

Hi Papaya,
If you arrive Pg airport during rush hours, the worst times are between 7am-8am and 6pm-8pm where all major roads are congested during these times., best avoid the Western route ie the one where you branch off into Greenlane Rd,then to Western Rd (Jln Utama), Gotlieb Rd/Bagan Jermail Rd... As you could be stuck in the underpass just after you take the left turn off near Tesco;  and the areas where there are schools like Greenlane Rd & Gotlieb Rd because the yellow sch buses just park at the side of the roads to let kids off!

Yes, via the Jelutong Expressway is better as it leads you into Georgetown, though you might still encounter a jam here and there, but at least you get a breather in the first part of your route 

There have been so much rain this week! If there is a suddden heavy down pour for 10 mins some of the roads in Georgetown get flooded. If it's a continuous moderate rain, the drainage systems seem to be able to handle that. Just this past Tuesday many places in Georgetown were flooded and some landslides near hillside construction areas eg Tg Bungah & Batu Ferringhi...watch out for the steep slopes during heavy downpour where mud gets washed down.

Regards,
BB

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I noticed a nice apartment for vacation renting in Bayswater Apartments in Gelugor. Is this a suitable area to start to look around Penang for future accomodation.
It has been many years since I was last in Penang and believe that used to be the area for an Army barracks?
Will I need a car if I stay there?

Thanks for any advice

New MM2H applicant

The 'army barrack in Gelugor' is now the USM (Universiti Sains Malaysia) 

There are some expats (a handful retired & more working younger ones) in the area you mentioned as it's close to QueensBay Mall and the Free Trade Zone where many light industries are located eg Motorola, Intel, Panasonic, Dell etc. and of course as Paul mentioned the airport, Pg Bridge and the mainland.

Most retired expats prefer the north coastal areas further away from the airport and the light industries. Lately a few even in downtown Georgetown.

It's better to have a car as it will save you some time and go where the buses don't  We still use a Garmin GPS at times 

Regards,
BB

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Thanks for the directions BB 

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Thanks for the info

I was attracted to the apartment in Gelugor because the owner lives in Vancouver, where I reside. I don't know him but wondered why he would have an apartment in that area.
I recall that used to be where Minden Barracks was located
I will have to visit in a few months and re-orientate myself. I gather that the preferred location is still Tanjong Bungah and Batu Ferringhi because of the beach.

Any other opinions?

David

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Been going through some old threads on here and one mentioned a Curry Club in Penang.  Is this real?  What is it?  Eat out club or cooking club or just some figment of QJumper's imagination?

I'd have pinged back the original thread but QJ seems to have gone missing recently.

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QJumper is alive and well I had sauerkraut with him last night. Change of the menu

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QJumper is alive and well I had sauerkraut with him last night.

Ingolf's Kneipe???  That looks like a nice little bar/eatery though we were a little daunted by the bag snatch warning outside it.  Is that a notorious area for snatches or do you think they were just trying to warn people generally that it can happen?  (Crumbs - I don't know whether I should've put this posting in the Let's Talk Food, Let's Talk Crime threads  )

But what about the Curry Club?  I think QJ made this one up.

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No, home cooked!
Never saw the bag snatching warning at Ingolf's. It is an area with a lot of hotels/tourists so I think they want to play it safe.
I feel a lot safer here on the streets than in Amsterdam, that even goes for the driving

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Are there any decent CD/DVD shops in Penang - I mean proper CDs not the dodgy ones.  Western music - jazz etc?

We were about to order something online but just occurred we might be able to get it in Penang on the next visit.  Ordering online can be a bit costly here as you've got the post/packaging charge on top (and some won't send to Thailand anyway) and, quite often, the local post office nabs it and wants their cut too 

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If I am correct there is legal cd shop at Midlands. But I have never been inside everyting is available on the internet (both legal and illegal).
For music: why don't you have a look on Itunes? They have a big collection.

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Tower Record at Gurney Plaza should meet all of your CD and DVD needs.

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There are a few stores in Gurney Plaza and QueensBay Mall that carry CDs/DVDs, including the book stores. Have bought from all these places.
Ordered once online from the US and never again, the MY custom's tax was not worth it.

BB

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That's great - thanks guys.  Will have a look at all those places.  I think we saw Tower Records in Gurney last time but forgot it was there.

Stuurman:  iTunes? - wellllll we're just a bit old-fashioned and like to have an actual CD in our hands 

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What you need cd's fore? They just take up space

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There used to be some legal shops but I think they all closed down