Renae_S

I’m coming! Jan 2007, whooo

I’m 50-50 on whether its worth a visit. It served its purpose for me — a place to go to the beach and avoid Pi Mai Lao and Thai Songkran. But the beaches are nothing compared to Australia or ones I saw in Sumatra, or even the beach I went to in Cambodia. But its nice enough… Be sure to at least tour the island and I loved the island hopping tour (bargain even to my standards – $10 for a half day tour). I recommend staying at Zackry’s guesthouse if you are doing it on the cheap. And use the facilities of Holiday Inn opposite and no-one notices.

Penang was a little boring. I really liked all the old buildings and the ease of getting around Penang (the bus was so easy). Our guest house was okay, Crystal Guesthouse on Chulia Street (about 45 RM for a twin or double room, that about US$13), the staff were nice.

We went to Penang Hill, nice not spectacular, and the Spice Gardens, quite impressive. Everyone says the food is so good in Penang, but we didn’t love it. But we found one Indian place, Hawas on Chulia St, which was brilliant and we ate there almost every meal in the end.

Langkawi was okay. Take a drivers licence so you can hire a car!! Our mistake… We stayed in Zackry’s Guesthouse, the three of us in a room with three single beds, and it cost us $2.50 a night. Very good. We were opposite Holiday Inn, so just used their pool, jaccuzy and beach. We went island hopping on afternoon, that was great, and spent a day touring the island, which was nice. Its kind of all old couples or honey mooners, so I don’t recommend Langkawi for a holiday for friends and backpackers. Its no nicer than the Thai islands, although it has no annoying touts which is good.

So… nice but not amazing.