Its been 6 years since we were there and nowadays I would do things differently. We did a day tour of Georgetown but I would explore it on my own now with a good guide book. Little India and Chinatown would be interesting to explore. We visited a couple of temples - can't remember their names but one was a Burmese one and was stunning.There is Fort Cornwallis. Also try the food from the hawker stalls. I think it was Gurney Drive we ate at.The clan houses are fascinating.
The botanical gardens are worth a visit- they are beautiful.
The Snake Temple is also worth a visit. There is a sign there asking that no-one goes into a trance and disrupts other visitors. Visiting some of the Malay villages is interesting and you can do this on the way to the Snake Temple. The batik factory was surprisingly good and only minutes away from Batu Ferringhi by coach.
We never did the Penang Hill tour but I'm sure that it is also worth considering.

Hi

If you like snorkelling I can recommend taking a trip to Pulau Payar - it was amazing!!! The boat takes you to a platform anchored a few hundred feet off shore & you snorkel from there. I sat on the steps putting my gear on & "nemo" fish (I think the correct term is moon fish?) were quite literally bumping into my legs - quite a strange sensation. There were just shoals & shoals of them. We also saw barracudas & small coral sharks. The reef was quite pretty too but I cannot wax lyrical enough about the various brightly coloured fish.
I have snorkelled in some great places (inc. Hawaii) & this was by far the best.

Have a great trip
Vickie

Oh, meant to add, a few other things we enjoyed, but got carried away with the fish!

We hired a car & drove around the island, there are some pretty places off the tourist map in the south of the island & you get so see the real villages (& expereince the public toilets - definitely not recommended). We stopped to watch some wild monkeys playing & a couple were fascinated with the beads on my flip flops & tried so delicately to remove them!

Khoo Kongsi & the Yap Temple are interesting. Also the Thai temple with the reclining buddha. I just liked to watch the locals from a distance & watch their customs.

The Penang Hill fernicular was fun & the views from the top great. Watch out for the pit vipers above your head in the restaurant at the top!

We also drove over to the mainland & went into the Cameroon Highlands & to a tea plantation. The Highlands are lovely & you get to see all the different sorts of flora & fauna on route. The local stalls beside the road were interesting too. There are a couple of waterfalls, although not too big.

The botanical gardens were great although obviously it was much more structured than seeing the forests beside the road. We saw wild monkeys again & some very large lizards here.

The night markets are worth a visit. I got some nightshirts & t-shirts for about 40p, expecting them to fall apart but they have washed & washed & not lost their shape at all. Some of the wooden curios were not only a bargain but lovely souvenirs/gifts, not "tat". (this was in the tourist area so probably even cheaper further afield).

Oh, yes & I enjoyed the butterfly place, as huge, beautiful butterflies just landed on me. Not a big place but a nice side diversion.

Anyway, enjoy!
Vickie

Vickie
a comprehensive answer We did organised excursions at the time- which I am less likely to do again. Trouble is that the organised ones always end up at some sort of factory for ages, which are just a waste of time.

I've been to Penang every year for the last 6 years (may go somewhere else this year)- agree with all the above places to visit, love the fenicular railway. I also enjoy using the local bus, going to the fishing village of Teluk Bahang, and wandering through the streets looking at the houses and the buildings around- I love it when the children go by saying hello whats your name. I walk up to the batik factory have a look round here and then hop on the bus up back to Batu Ferringhi, its only a short trip but I enjoy the freedom and not many tourists around.

I suggest you go to the Eastern and Oriental Hotel in Georgetown on a Friday night. Its a colonial hotel and they do a buffet (with drinks included in the price) on a Friday night. I went for the first time this year and had a great evening. Other places to eat, if you are staying in Batu Ferringhi ,include... the Kampong ( a family run chinese ... food is great), Marios if you want Italian, The Jewel of the North (if you want Indian). But a must in Penang is to eat in the Hawker's market, the selection of food is great and the cost is neat to nothing.

Oh, Yes, I agree, The E & O is lovely. Although we went for the full slap up evening meal with all the trimmings. Such a lovely experience, very old fashioned & the service was excellent, the food too!

Vickie

Enjoy- will add some photos later

thanks mopitt

Thanks everyone for your help. It has certainly given me plenty of ideas. Will keep in touch.
Gill

beach at Batu Ferringhi


E and O hotel- Door Man


Beach at night


Night shot from E and O


Restaurant at E and O


Friends I made


Mosque at Batu Ferringhi


View from Golden Sands


Fishing village- Teluk Bahang
I have already uploaded some in the photo album