Monday, December 05, 2011

Tan Family Vacation, Penang, 1 to 4 Dec 2011

The Tan clan consisted of the extended families which included my parents in law and my 2 younger brothers in law and their families. We were a total of 8 adults 3 children and 2 babies. After rounds of families’ discussions, we finally decided on Penang as the holiday destination.

Day 1: Thursday, 1 December

Singapore → Penang (MI 352) Dep: 1545 / Arr 1710

Upon arrival, we were greeted by the local agent with 2 mini coaches for our transfers to the hotel. We had booked the same package via a local agent and our accommodation was booked in the same hotel – G Hotel. We had total of 4 rooms and the hotel had given us rooms on the same floor – 1210, 1214, 1218 and 1221.

After checked in and settled down, we went for our dinner at the Gurney Plaza and we had it at Nandos. Same as previous experienced, the dinner was good and everyone enjoyed the BBQ Chickens.

As children were all tired at the end of the day, we decided to call it a night and went back to rest for the evening.

Day 2: Friday, 2 December

Our day tour started at 10am and our 1st destination was Penang Hill. The coach took us to the foot of the hill and we made purchased of the admission tickets and the ride began. Yes, the management had closed the Penang Hill Tram for about a year to change the tram to new ones with better and faster mechanism to bring the passengers from the foot to the hill top. The ride was pretty fun and thrilling and the children enjoyed it.

The view at the hill top was breathtaking and we spent a good hour and a half at the hill top. Children also had fun at the hilltop playground.

After 1 ½ hours, we decided to go for our lunch and we had it at Hei Yeong Seng Chinese Restaurant. I found this restaurant on the food blog review and thankfully, they served nice and good food. The families enjoyed the lunch.

We adjourned for a quick shopping tour after lunch and bought the usual Coffee Tree coffees and some other snack. Then we went back to the hotel for the kiddo’s nap.

Dinner was at Gurney Plaza at one of the Chinese restaurant. We had a light dinner as we planned to do early supper at my In-laws room. Yes, we packed fried kway teow, rojak, wanton noodles and appam (pancakes for the kiddos). Everyone enjoyed the supper and the children had a fun time playing in yeye and nainai room till we called it a day around 10pm.

Day 3: Saturday, 3 December

We had our buffet breakfast before setting off for our day trip to Butterfly Park. Penang Butterfly Park is reputable and had some good reviews. We bought admission tickets and when we walked through the entrance, we had a pleasant surprised. A park guide approached us and offered to give us a guided tour of the park. It was an eye opening experienced and we learnt a lot about butterflies and some other insects.

After the tour, we had lunch at Hard Rock Café Penang. Hard Rock hotel is located at the same place and the children had some beach fun after lunch. We even took a ride on a fishing boat and went cruising along the Batu Ferringhi beach. The weather was very nice and the view was great.

Upon returned to the hotel, the children went for their swim and we took a relax dip in the pool too. Dinner was at Kim Gary restaurant located in the shopping mall. Then after that, we adjourned to my in-laws room for our Last Night supper of Penang local delights. Children had their pyjamas party and it was really rare opportunity that they get to sleep in the same bed…for photos shooting.

Day 4: Penang → Singapore (MI 349) 1505/1655

It was a rest and relax day for all of us. We had late breakfast and then went back to the room and packed for home-going.

Overall, it had been another wonderful Penang experienced and it never long enough when we had fun.

Looking forward to our next families tour and till then….we shall remember these wonderful moments.