#13 Northeast District, Penang



District: Northeast, Penang
Towns in the district: George Town, Ayer Hitam, Paya Terubong, Penang Hill, Gelugor, Batu Ferringhi, Tanjong Bungah, Tanjong Tokong and others
Last time I was there: December 2021

The story:
Allow me to go back in time. Penang Hill in 1976 felt like a world apart -- cooler air, gentler pace, and sweeping views over George Town and the sea. The old funicular with its creaking wooden carriages was our gateway up the steep track. I was only five, clutching my seat a little too hard, thrilled and slightly scared by the slow climb into the clouds.



We were there as an extended family, gathered from Johor and Singapore and packed into my grand uncle’s house on Argus Lane. It was a noisy, happy base filled with shared meals, jokes, and the excitement of discovering new places together. At the summit, colonial bungalows, quiet gardens, and viewpoints made it feel like stepping into another time.

That holiday became a trip of many firsts -- the funicular ride, the crisp hilltop air, the aquarium’s colourful underwater worlds, and the playful day at Tanjong Bungah Beach. More than a getaway, it was about discovery and togetherness. Even now, I can still hear the train’s hum, smell the sea breeze, and feel our shared laughter lingering in the air.

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