Hiking in Penang Hill
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One of the things that enchanted me most about Penang was its nature. The island in northern Malaysia is full of giant trees, exotic insects, colorful birds, and monkeys... Lots of monkeys!
During the three months I lived in Penang, one of my favorite programs was walking on Penang Hill. The mountain, located about an hour from George Town, has countless trails and waterfalls, and, no doubt, it is a place that should not be left out of those who visit Penang.
It was a local friend who introduced me to Penang Hill and through him, I also met the "Happy Hikers", a super funny group that meets every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday to climb the mountain. I thought it was amazing the way they welcomed me and made me feel part of the group!
About Penang Hill, the "Happy Hikers" and the astonishing nature of Malaysia I tell more in this post!
Breakfast as the locals
Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, the Happy Hikers meet at around 8 am at the entrance of the trail called Moon Gate Number 5. Right in front of the entrance of the trail, there is a kind of shed where, in the morning, several stalls sell fresh fruit and breakfast.
Close to this shed, also, you can find the Bee Gallery, which is a kind of museum for honey and bees. I didn't know it, but Malaysia has a special type of bee that produces very light and delicious honey. It's almost like a juice. Very special
In Malaysia, three cultures coexist in a harmonic way. Malaysian, Hindu, and Chinese have quite different ethnic characteristics and religions, although the country and language are the same. This peculiarity makes Malaysia a very unique country and those who visit have the opportunity to know almost three countries in one.
In the shed in front of Penang Hill, a little lady served a delicious Indian breakfast. Chapati, dall and tchai made the perfect combination, besides offering enough energy to climb the mountain! I'd love to wake up with so many flavors!
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Monkeys don't bite me!
One of the things you see most in Penang Hill is monkeys! They're everywhere. They're two species that are easily found along the trail. The Langurs were my favorites because they're quite peaceful. The second species was more tricky and there's no shortage of reports of tourists having stolen purses and cell phones.
In Penang Hill I never had any monkey incidents. But, just in case, I always walked with a stick and followed the instructions of my friend who told me: never look into the eyes of a monkey! Especially if it's a mother with puppies.
Moon Gate Number 5
Moon Gate Number 5 is a small station located high up in the mountain. There is the end of the first trail, but it is possible to follow and reach the top. The trail that leads to the station is easy and does not require much physical conditioning.
Moon Gate Number 5 was also a meeting point for Mr. Ping's famous tea. Mr. Ping is a very nice Chinese descendant who always made tea for everyone.
At the station there is also a small gym, benches and fresh water.
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Following to the top
The Penang Hill trails are well-demarcated, but they are diverse. So it's not hard to get lost. Ideally, you should go with a location or a good map. The trail that leads to the top has good surprises like waterfalls and views to the sea. A delight!
Along the way there were always good laughs and a lot of companionship. Walking on Penang Hill is a gift and undoubtedly one of the most energizing things to do in Penang!
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