Exploring Balik Pulau

On the 4^th day of the Chinese New Year in 2009, my highly healthy fit in-laws decided that it was a great idea to take the kids cycling in Balik Pulau. Don’t know where they found an interesting map of Balik Pulau with some nice graphics which showed real interesting activities. Found out much later that it was a map made by Anak-Anak Kota program which was run by Arts-ED, a non-profit organization focusing in educating young people in arts and heritage. This was how I sign my daughter up for one of their programs. That is another story. Please visit their website and I am sure you will learn something new. Anyway, the map can also be found at there.

Once we decided to go after 3 minutes of discussion, we went straight into planning the route, timing, food, who to cycle and what sun block lotion to use. We, Tee Kuang, Kim and I decided to cycle to Balik Pulau and meet up with the rest of the family there around 9.00am. Xin Hao, our nephew decided to join us but we were a bit apprehensive as he was a newbie but he joined us. So on the morning of Jan 29^th, we target to leave at 7:00am from my house but were delayed by almost an hour. We took an easy pace ride up Bukit Gambir, reaching the Tai Kar Luck tea house around 8:40am.

Healthy fit riders – Mr and Mrs Choo

Photo shoot at Bkt Gambir. From left, Xin Hao, me, Tee Kuang and Kim.

Temple at the bottom of the hill @ Farlim

After a quick rest, we proceeded down to Farlim and then breakfast “Koay Tiau T’ng” at Air Itam market. We reached the PBA office level at about 10:00am en-route to Air Itam Dam, already 1 hour delay to our original plan. Some stretching exercise to prevent cramps.

It was then off up to Hilton, a small hut before we descend to Balik Pulau. We made a short stop at the temple for Kim to fix her specs which we ended up losing a screw. Here we are looking for her spectacle screw. We were unable to find it and had to temporary fix it with a plaster. Too bad, I didn’t get a pic of the “MacGyver” fix on Kim’s specs.

We then follow the road down to Balik Pulau town to meet with the rest of the family who was ready to explore the quiet town.We have the whole works - food, drinks, sunblock, kakak, and even a marshall, (our very own 4th Uncle) ….

but most important, Medical officers with Yoko- Yoko…

Spectators and Professional Photographers requested to follow us.

Don’t forget the sunblock Mummy..

Let’s GOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Enuffff liau la, let’s rest.

A little info about Balik Pulau. It’s a little quiet township situated on the sort of Southwest of Penang island. One of the country’s best durian comes from here. It is also well known for a local dish called Laksa. People can drive from all round the island to the market just to have the famous Balik Pulau Market Laksa. Goggle the name of the fruit or the dish and you can get an image for it. It has some beautiful Malay Kampung House with elaborated wood carvings designs. You can also experience Homestays in a authentic Kampung environments. It is also a fishing village and has some beautiful beaches.

If you have the time, you should explore Balik Pulau, taste it’s famous “Ang Hae” Durian or delicious laksa dish. Lastly, here’s the trail we took from Gelugor to Balik Pulau. Thanks for visiting.