May 17, 2007: Penang Hill

Penang Hill also known as Bukit Bendera is 830 meter high (2,750 foot) and it's much cooler than in the city below. It's about 3 degrees cooler than the places near the coast. Visitors can ascend to the top by either hiking up or by the funicular railway which has been operational since 1922. Apart from the cool, refreshing climate and the fantastic view at the summit, visitors can also view the picturesque bungalows, a beautiful flower garden and a bird park.

Maybe on the next visit we can try the walking track up the hill. It takes 4 hours to reach the top (but is recommended only for the more energetic.) The jungle trail begins at the 'moongate' at Jalan Air Terjun, approximately 300m from the Botanical Gardens entrance.

Anyway, during our last day in Penang we took a train up and down Penang Hill. We are unlucky because the Canopy Walk is temporarily closed.

We also discovered quite a number of unique and beautiful flowers. This is me being followed by the paparazzi while trying to capture the picture of 'bunga kantan' flower bud of torch ginger)!

Here's the outcome!

It looked like the paparazzi can't leave me alone!

Walla, the beautiful orange flower .... lily I think

Here is the slideshow of more pictures taking at Penang Hill.