Paya Terubong South Hill

There are many nature treasures in Malaysia. In Paya Terubong, Penang, there are hills and one of them is called South Hill 南山 by local. I have not hike for many years for some reasons. It felt great to get in touch with Penang nature again..

The leaf is used for rice dumpling.

The sun shine on every body.

The flower used for herbs, e.g. in cooking laksa. So it also known as 'laksa flower' in laid man and I don't really know the actual name LOL.

I hope the green can be reserved while the city is being developed. Penang state government, please please please.

If you wish to go, look for Kedai Kopi Nan Shan. Opposite of the kopitiam there is a road, take the first left junction and it will lead you all the way up. Some part is pretty steep. My friend's cousin send us up to certain point so not very tiring for us to get to the rose farm. After that we walked down by ourselves. Walking down is not as tiring as hike up. So I am not sure how long it will take to go up there but I can say it is steeper than Penang Hill tar road hiking trail. A friend been there to the top and says there are many flower farm there. I should go again LOL.

Take a look at this http://www.nelson2go.blogspot.sg/2010/09/cameron-highland-of-penang.html, stunning view at the top of the hill.

Pulau Payar Daytrip Story 8 - Good bye

SH's father use this pack below to put in his camera for underwater photo shooting. Some underwater photo in SH's blog :)




From picture above, can you see the far far away land? Those are Thailand island :) It took around half an hour to reach. For sure, need to follow some marine/immigration procedure :) There is Malaysia coast guide to follow.

At 3.15pm, we took Zon 2 to go back to Penang. On our way back, the wave is not as strong as the morning trip, thus I see no people vomit :)

For a non-swimmer like me, I would visit Pulau Payar for once, at least, for the live and sea life.







Jubilee tower, I see you again. That's all for my Pulau Payar day trip :)
A summary link to other post below:
Pulau Payar Daytrip Story 1 - Departure
Pulau Payar Daytrip Story 2 - On the searoad
Pulau Payar Daytrip Story 3 - Reef platform
Pulau Payar Daytrip Story 4 - Snorkeling at Pulau Payar
Pulau Payar Daytrip Story 5 - Lunch time
Pulau Payar Daytrip Story 6 - Beach
Pulau Payar Daytrip Story 7 - Diving?

Pulau Payar Daytrip Story 7 - Diving?

Remember Kung Fu panda? :p There were few boat taking scuba divers to nearby area for scuba diving.



Some scuba diving equipment are available here.






The life jacket, included in the tour package.


After snorkeling or diving, we can take a shower at the changing/shower room. Strictly no shower gel nor shampoo is allowed, to lower the pollution.

Pulau Payar Daytrip Story 6 - Beach, still

Jaf has a lot of story to tell, and I enjoyed his story. I am able to know more about Pulau Payar in that way. Different individual has different travel preference. When I visit a new place, I love to know how people there live, what is their culture, and try to live their lifestyle :)

If you love hiking, there is a short hiking trail of around 168 step. Since it was a rainy day, we are not advise to hike to avoid snake.


At the beach, there are lot of reef, with different shape and color.


Look at picture below, what do you see?


Does it looks like a human face covering his mouth using hand? :)

There are few resort building on this island. However, the resort never started its operation after government (or state government? ) want to preserve its nature and disallow overnight activities here. Jaf said these building were build based on resort in Jurassic Park movie. The yellow color is for royal family. However, sometimes government servant can come for short trip.



I just love the clear water, clean beach here :) If I have a day here, I can lie down at the beach and do nothing, beside enjoy the nature.


Look, mosses by the beach! I hope I can stay here and enjoy the fresh air!



Look at picture above, seashell. What else do you see? There is a fake seashell in there, can you spot it? ;) Hope no other pollutant beside this :p


Do you know what is this?


Can you see the crab? Thanks to JC pointed these sea creature to us on our way back to the jetty. Or else I would have missed it at high possibility :p







From this beach, we can see Alor Star tower at far away. Far far away tower. I have not include the picture here, it looks nothing in this small picture :p Show you full resolution photo one day and you can see it better ;)

At the day we visit, there are two other travel group, one local and one from China. Well, you can easily differentiate them using just your ears to detect the sound level :p This place is commonly for local tourist, it is not so famous for foreigner yet. Sometimes there will be cleaning underwater activities where foreigner will join and help :)

Pulau Payar Daytrip Story 6 - Beach

Merry Christmas! Ho Ho Ho :D

Let's continue with Pulau Payar story :p

After lunch, we took a small boat to the beach. No worries, no taxi fee is needed :p



There are three type of boat, some with shade and some doesn't. Choose either one, the journey to the beach is short, just a few minutes.



Look at the clear water.


Oh it is baby shark.


The information center is closed.


The tour guide Jaf show us how he catch the fish, for us to take closer shot.


We have to be quick to take the photo, Jaf will return the fish to where it belong to while the fish is still alive.




He later when to get some sea cucumber. This is not edible. The edible species came out only at night time. However, Pulau Payar is a protected island, no fish catching activities is allowed. Tourist is now allowed to overnight there as well, to protect the island.


The sea cucumber is soft. Can you see the water? :) Jaf keep the sea cucumber wet to keep them alive, before returning to the sea.


Did you notice Jaf left hand ring finger looks a little bit different? He was bitten by the shark once. He has a lot of stories to tell. According to him, if you wish to play with the shark, don't keep it more than 2 min, after that the shark will start attack you. Of course there are technique on how to 'play' with the shark :p If you get bitten by shark or moray, don't move, don't give any response. Usually their first bite is to test if the 'bitee' (is there such a word? :p) is alive. If they receive no response, they will let go and go away. Otherwise, here the attack.

More on the beach and other living species here tomorrow :) Have a good day.

Pulau Payar Daytrip Story 5 - Lunch time

The snorkeling started around 11am. After 1 hour 15 min, we get back to the platform for lunch.

The food here is halal. I saw the halal sign here. Buffet was provided.



Hungry? Let's take a look at the food.



There were wedges, stewed lamb, fried chicken, prawn, stir fried vegetables, soup.



Spaghetti, fried vermicelli, fried rice, spring roll, 'lor bak' and salad.


Besides, there are also salad bar, fruits and some dessert.


No worries if you are vegetarian, you can request for vegetarian up front.


Get some hot drink.