2010 Penang CNY Backpacking - Part 3 of 3

2010槟城农历新年背包行 - 三部之三

之

Last Day of Penang Hill Railway Operation

升旗山缆车最后一天运作

              Penang Hill is a hill resort located at 6km away from George Town. It can be accessed via jeep from Botanical Garden or via railway (more renowned as cable car, because it is towed by a cable) from Air Itam. The 2km railway took approximately half an hour to complete the journey of the very steep slope. Penang Hill has elevation of 833m from sea level, making it the highest place to have sightseeing in Penang Island. At temperature range from 20 to 25 degree Celcius, Penang Hill environment also become an attractive spot for flora and fauna enthusiasts.

               The initial plan was to visit the praying ceremony of Hokkien people (拜天公) at late evening, but out of no reason I decided to make a last minute change of plan and went to the Penang Hill. It was the 21st of February, 2010 (Friday). Unexpectedly, upon my arrival to the ticket counter, only I realized that today was the last day of railway operation. After today, the railway will be closed for upgrade and access to Penang Hill will be limited to jeep only. What a lucky decision.

               I took a bus from Komtar to the gate of Air Itam Penang Hill railway entrance.

1) Entrance at foot of Penang Hill 

2) Queuing area.

            Each cable car has very limited space for standing. Yes, standing, seat is very limited! Furthermore today was the last day, hence many visitors than usual.

3) Cable car will come down from the slope and park at here.

4) "Mum, there is a weird guy here."

5) Get into the cable car. Journey begun.

             For the sake of best sightseeing, I squeezed into the first compartment where I can see through the front wind shield. The cable car was indeed very steep, narrow and the air ventilation was not very satisfying neither. But lucky all is going to be upgraded in near future.

6) Long rail ahead. Still going up.

7) Some residents living at here along the rail.

8) Crash point!! Train ahead!

              There is only one railroad. Hence there is some railroad switch at certain location.

9) Cable car going down.

10) Lamp along the railroad.

11) Approaching transit station.

               One cable car alone is not going to bring you all the way up to the top of Penang Hill. You will need to change to another cable car to continue to going up journey, which is steeper this time.

12) Workers doing upgrade construction.

13) Long way to go.

14) Approaching the tunnel.

15) Gate to heaven.

16) Approaching final destination.

17) Penang viewed from 833m elevation.

18) Komtar is visible from here.

19) Should be the highest street in Penang Island.

20) Penang Hill "Bukit Bendera"

21) Some rich people living here.

22) Handcraft souvenir on sale. It is a grasshopper.

23) Fancy way of growing.

24) View of the street at Penang Hill.

             The air at the top of Penang Hill was very refreshing. The temperature was cold and all the sweating in the cable car proves worthy.

25) Playing with the python.

26) Kissing the King Cobra.

                    I wish there is a scene of killing by the King Cobra.

27) The ancient cable car used during the 19th.

28) Must be the coolest Police Station. The only thieve to catch should be monkeys.

29) The highest Postal Office.

30) Blue sky at Penang Hill.

                 There is a mini zoo at here, displaying mostly birds and some snakes.

31) Snake....claimed to be the same kind from Snake Temple.

32) Spider....you can find a lot at here.

33) It can be a nice pet.

34) Parrot..... a lazy one.

35) Red parrot

36) Full body view.

37) "Halo"

             This parrot can say "hello". Very friendly and like to approach human.

38) Unknown bird kind.

39) Unknown bird kind 2

40) Another parrot.

41) I believe this is not chicken.

42) Shy Shy Shy

43) Open....for 1 second only, stingy bird.

44) White parrot

45) Hornbill

46) Almost penetrate my camera lens.

47) The face of a warrior.

48) Staircase.

49) Carving on the canon.

50) Still the same fine.

51) Hindu Temple

52) Ceremony conducting.

53) Spider in the sky.

54) Walkers from Botanical Garden.

             Because of the beautiful sightseeing and natural environment along the track from Botanical Garden to Penang Hill, a lot of folks like to walk from Botanical Garden up to Penang Hill as exercise. Walking up takes about 5 hours, walking down takes about 1.5 hours.

55) Artificial fountain.

56) Flowers near the public washroom.

               The public washroom is located at a rather hidden area. It poses security issue because if a robbery was to happen at there, no body else can see it. So mind your safety there.

57) Foreigner.

58) Tourist.

59) Time of queue to go down from Penang Hill using cable car.

60) Last one today!

           I was not showing 1 Malaysia symbol but to signify that today is the last day to use cable car. In the middle two are the officers in charge of operating the cable car.

61) View from queuing area.

62) Cable car coming. The tank in front of it is used to put items for residents living here.

63) You can see how steep is the cable car interior.

64) The control room in the cable car....doesn't seem complicate.

65) Passengers

66) "Mayday, Mayday, cable broken"

             Operator was informing control tower can start letting the cable car went down.

67) Exiting the tunnel

68) Turning

69) Another railroad switch. Cable car ahead!

70) If let go, this will be a roller coaster.

71) Last railroad switch.

72) Resident at the left waiting for.......a ride i guess.

73) Good Bye Penang Hill

74) Time to go home.

                   There is however a location at Penang Hill which I didn't visit. That is the famous Canopy Walk. Unfortunately it was told that the Canopy Walk was closed temporary when I was at Penang Hill. I believe it is opened again now and it is one of the must go location at Penang Hill.
                   My next visit to Penang Hill will be walking from the Botanical Garden. I think everyone should try this track as it passes all the flora available in Penang Hill.

75) Ticket worth to keep.

             Shown above is the ticket of the railway. Cost RM4 per two ways trip. Going to keep it because it is the ticket of the last day. When I am 80 years old perhaps it will worth something XD
              Penang Hill railway is reopening soon. What is the new cable car going to look like?

(Courtesy The Star)

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