The Habitat, Penang

The Habitat is a fairly new but welcomed attraction in Penang. Soft-launched in 2016, the Habitat is located on top of Penang Hill and is designed to give nature lovers an appreciation of the rainforest and the biodiversity that lives there. It also has phenomenal views of the island!

Besides upgrading the existing nature trail in the rainforest, the Habitat has also created new attractions that complement nature. One of the primary attractions is the Canopy Walkway, which they call the Langur Way, so named after the Dusky Leafed Langurs, that reside amongst the treetops. Besides walking at the same level as the treetops, you also get spectacular views of the forested valleys and the sea beyond.

The other main attraction is the Curtis Crest. Located on top of the plateau, this metal structure is the highest viewing point on the island. Named after the botanist Charles Curtis, this oval shaped walkway offers unparalleled 360 degree views of the whole island, including George Town.

Then there is of course the nature trail that connects all of the above to each other. As you walk along the trail, you can see the various endemic plants and if you are lucky some of the fauna that live here. Various gardens punctuate the nature trail, to give points of interest and there are places to stop like the Giant Swings.

Besides this, it is also possible to do adventure activities such as the Flight of the Colugo, which is basically a zip-lining experience through the jungle. However this requires prior booking. Similarly it is also possible to do a Sunset Walk.

To get to the Habitat, once you get off the Funicular Railway at the Upper Station, walk towards the Penang Hill Square. At the square, there should be a manned desk for the Habitat. Talk to the guy and he will arrange for the buggy to send you to the Habitat. Alternatively, you can also chose to walk along Summit Road until you get to the entrance of the Habitat. Should only take you about 10 minutes walk.

Once at the entrance gate to the Habitat, walk along the pathway.

You will eventually reach the Habitat Shop and Cafe. Buy your tickets here and enter.

Walk along the nature trail and enjoy the rainforest.

You will come across a few of these giant swings. Sit and enjoy the views.

View of the island.

The Langur Way Canopy Walk brings you up amongst the treetops.

Some of the trees must be pretty old.

The walkway is high off the ground.

Some of the endemic flora.

Walking towards the climax.

The Curtis Crest.

Map of the Habitat shows you where you are.

 Climb up the Curtis Crest.

Panoramic views, Jerejak island in the distance.

You can complete a 360 degree view of the island up here.

The steel structure of the Crest is an attraction in itself.

Looking at the staircase down.

View of Bel Retiro, The Governer's House built in 1789.

Orchids.

Some of the fauna you might see in the Habitat, if you are lucky.

View of George Town and Butterworth.

The Habitat is a welcome new addition to the attractions on Penang Hill, and will give you an appreciation of the rainforest.


The Habitat Penang Hill

Address: The Habitat Penang Hill, Bukit Bendera, 11300 Penang, Malaysia.
Telephone: +604 826 7677
Opening Hours: 9am to 5:30pm (standard) 5:30pm to 8pm (sunset walk)

Old Protestant Cemetery, Penang

The Old Protestant Cemetery is located in an obscure location along Northam Road, at the top of Penang Road. Established in 1789, the cemetery is no longer in use and has been classified as a heritage site and currently maintained by the Penang Heritage Trust. The last known burial at this cemetery was in 1892.

The cemetery is of significant historic interest, as it was the first christian burial ground consecrated in Penang after its founding by Francis Light in 1786. It is notable for  being the final resting places of many of Penang's earliest and influential residents, including three Governors of Penang and the founder of the island himself, Francis Light.

Today, the cemetery is rarely visited by anyone including tourists, giving it an eerie almost forlorn appearance. However despite its state of dilapidation and disrepair, it is still worth a visit to see the old graves amidst a grove of gnarled old frangipani trees.

Strolling through the grounds, you seem a world away from the busy streets of Penang, as you walk amongst the headstones. Looking at the names from generations ago, it seems sad that most of those lying here were very young, mostly below 50 years of age, a testament of the difficult times these Europeans from far far away had in the Orient.

Entrance to the cemetery, off Northam Road.

Founded in 1789.

A green wooded cemetery.

The graves are sadly in a state of disrepair.

Frangipani trees.

An almost eerie experience under the gnarled trees.

One of the graves.

Many graves are now unmarked.

Dilapidated graves in green surroundings.

Surgeon, dead at 30.

Police inspector, dead at 33 years.

Chief Engineer.

Accountant.

Francis Light, the founder of Penang is also buried here.

The grounds are also a known haunt of drug addicts, exercise caution when visiting.

William Petrie, fifth Governor of Penang.

The sixth British Governor of Penang.

The Old Protestant Cemetery is worth a stop to visit, experience and appreciate Penang's colourful history, especially its colonial past as an outpost of Britain in the Far East.

Purrfect Cat Cafe, Penang

The trend of mixing cats and cafes probably started back in Taiwan way back in the 90's; and it also became an extremely popular trend in Japan. So you could say cat cafes are nothing new; but somehow it has only recently set foot in Malaysia.

In the Klang Valley you have places such as the Coffee Cottage in Subang Jaya and the Country Cat Cafe somewhere in Setapak. And of course in Penang you now have the Purrfect Cat Cafe in Muntri Street.

Muntri Street is right in the midst of George Town's UNESCO heritage area and with its narrow streets and straits eclectic style of shophouse architecture, makes for an interesting place to walkabout and see the minor sights and street art.

One of these minor sights is this cat cafe. Located in a converted 2-storey shop house, it is on the same row as the Camera Museum; and is in fact run by the same owner.

Camera Museum on the left and the Purrfect Cat Cafe on the right.

Entering on the ground floor of the Cat Cafe, you will see what is essentially a souvenir shop selling all sorts of cat related merchandise.

Entrance.

Cake counter.

Basically a souvenir shop of the feline kind.

The actual cats and the cat cafe is actually on the top floor of the shophouse. However in order to go upstairs you must order drink or food; or buy some merchandise worth at least RM18 per person before being allowed upstairs.

No entry unless you spend!

Order your coffee on the ground floor before you can go up.

There are house rules to follow when dealing with cats.

Some of the dubious characters you are supposedly going to meet upstairs.

When you've done paying, take off your shoes and go up.

Upstairs the floor is divided into two sections. The front of the shophouse is the enclosure where the cats are kept. The back is where the cafe is, separated from the front by glass for hygienic reasons.

Pass your receipt to the staff on duty upstairs, and he will prepare the food or drinks you ordered. You are not supposed to bring the food or drinks into the front enclosure where the cats are.

The counter at the cafe upstairs.

View of the cat enclosure up front from the cafe.

Seating is on the floor in the cafe area.

After having your drinks you can adjourn into the front enclosure to see the cats. Unfortunately when we were there, the five cats were all sleeping.

Cat sleeping.

Yawn.

Cat sleeping.

Cat sleeping.

Sort of defeats the purpose of a cat cafe, if when you visit the cats are all sleeping and you cannot play with them, right? Perhaps our timing was wrong and anyway, you can't really control animal behaviour.

Perhaps next time, then.

Purrfect Cat Cafe

Address:    53, Lebuh Muntri, George Town, Penang.

Telephone: +604-261 1197