Firefly, the subsidiary of Malaysia Airlines’ has launched its charter service directly from Penang to Nanning, China with the Boeing 737-400 aircraft. The chartered flights to and from Nanning are scheduled to fly on 19th April and 26th April 2012 via the Penang – Nanning route and back.

In conjunction with the new charter service, Forever Travel Service is having a promotion with an eight-day promotion tour package to Nanning at only RM2,488.00. The package is inclusive of air tickets, visa fees, accommodation and meals.

This chartered flights aims to bring more tourist from China to Penang and also introducing Penangites to the delights and fascinations of Nanning. The itinerary includes the county of Yangshuo, Guilin and Longsheng aside from Nanning.

Opening Hours: 10am to 5pm Mon to Friday
Ticket price: RM5 adult and RM3 for children

The KOMTAR Scenic View observation deck is now open to visitors!

Perched on the 60th floor of the KOMTAR Tower, visitors will be able to enjoy a spectacular panoramic view of the island’s northeastern region. Aside from the beautiful view, there is also an ongoing photography exhibition on local attractions and events festivals and sights and a souvenir shop where visitors can purchase accessories and local snacks.

The KOMTAR Scenic View is open from 10am to 5pm from Mondays to Fridays, with admission priced at a nominal fee of RM5 for adults and RM3 for children. Locals with MyKad enjoy a discounted rate of RM3 (adults) and RM1 (children) respectively.

Penang has long been known to have the best hawker food in Malaysia among its fellow countrymen. It is not uncommon for outstation travellers to go on a hunt around the island for the best Char Koay Teow, Nasi Kandar and Laksa the very moment they arrive, even after a four-hour long drive.

Over the years, with the increase of tourists, word has spread and Penang is now known to be Asia’s best place for street food. An Australian premier food and travel magazine, the Australian Gourmet Travelers recently did an eight-page review on Penang, what they call “a paradise for hungry diners”.

The editor, Pat Nourse covers everything Penang is famous for, from Peranakan food and Nasi Kandar to durians and to each hawker dish, giving credit especially to Balik Pulau’s Laksa, calling it “one of the best things” one will eat anywhere and at any time. Penang is indeed Asia’s food paradise, setting the benchmark and “showing the world just how good hawker food can be”.

Penang once again receives international recognition as National Geographic Music features the vibrant island and its upcoming world music festival. On 6 March, National Geographic promoted the Plenitude Penang World Music Festival in its website together with a brief history of Penang and an introduction to George Town, a UNESCO World Heritage City.

Originally formed by Sergey Erdenko in 1990, Loyko started its musical journey performing Russian Gypsy music. Fifteen years later and after an inclusion of another band member, Loyko’s music has expanded to include Celtic, traditional Romanian and Hungarian tunes, as a result of the band’s non-stop tour all around the world.

The members, Sergey Erdenko, Artur Gorbenko and Mikhail Savichev are virtuoso players, capable of taking music in unpredictable directions, an ongoing evolution the group joyfully embraces and audiences around the world have reveled in. Despite the evolution in Loyko’s music, its original musical influence based on the style of Russian Gypsy remains intact.

Penang, March 8, 2012 – Ever a supporter of the arts with its artist residency program, Hotel Penaga now turns to music by hosting the showcase of Penang-born songstress Bihzhu, and her debut album ‘Nightingale Tales’.

After wowing her hometown audiences with her sultry vocals at last year’s Penang Island Jazz Festival, Bihzhu returns home for the first leg of her album tour that will span Penang, Kuala Lumpur and Minneapolis in the United States.

“There’s nothing like being home and I’m really excited about this upcoming show at Hotel Penaga. Angela and Hijjas (Hotel Penaga’s owners) have always been a champion of the arts and I couldn’t ask for a more beautiful location to sing my heart out,” said the 28-year-old, whose rapturous performances have also enchanted crowds at Melbourne’s Miss Libertine, Roots Night at Palate Palette and No Black Tie.

Hailed by the premier jazz website allaboutjazz.com as ‘a potential leading light in Penang’s emerging jazz scene’, Bihzhu will set the stage alight with simple, unaffected songwriting and purity of vocalizations that span the appealing blend of confessional pop, jazzy folk and lo-fi torch songs that takes the listener through a journey of emotions which feels so intimate because they are authentic.

BIHZHU LIVE AT HOTEL PENAGA
Date : Saturday, March 10, 2012
Time : 8.00pm
Venue : Hotel Penaga, Corner of Jalan Hutton & Lebuh Clarke, Georgetown
Tickets : RM25 (one drink of beer/wine/juices, hot and cold canapés)
Tel/Info : +6 04 261 1891
Map : www.hotelpenaga.com

Call +604 261 1891 to make your table reservations.

ABOUT HOTEL PENAGA
Hotel Penaga, in the heart of GeorgeTown, Penang, Malaysia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The hotel was converted from a cluster of 15 pre-war terraces and shophouses, facing Hutton Lane, Transfer Road and Clarke Street, into a heritage boutique hotel that maintains the character of the heritage zone while meeting the highest modern expectations.

The hotel owners (who run the feted artist residency program at Rimbun Dahan in Selangor) were looking for an artist residency space when they found the Penaga site and although it morphed into a hotel, contemporary artists are encouraged to apply for the Garret.

Date: March 2012

The Tabebuia Rosea, Pink Tecoma, Rosy Trumpet Tree or what Penangites fondly know as the Penang Sakura will be in full bloom again throughout the month of March.

Planted along the stretch of Bayan Baru as well as in Bukit Mertajam, each tree bears a majestic canopy of white, pink or pastel purple flowers every year, attracting all sorts of visitors to revel in its beauty. During this month, many will travel to this part of the island to capture beautiful photographs or maybe enjoy romantic moments with a loved one under its pretty pink shade.

Although many may call these the Cherry Blossoms of Penang, they are not to be confused with the actual Japanese Cherry Blossom or Sakura as the locals only call them that because of its colour and resemblance. Now, every Penangite will be able to experience the glory of such beautiful blossoms without having to travel all the way to Japan.

On the 9th of February, the New York Times came up with a practical itinerary (through careful research), capturing Penang’s charm and personality in a well plotted two-night stay. The island was featured in the popular weekly column “36 Hours” covering all three aspects of Penang’s best features: culture, food and nature.

The quick suggestions include Penang Hill, Esplanade, Fort Cornwallis, Penang State Museum, Armenian Street, Taman Negara Pulau Pinang and many more.

With UNESCO’s 2008 listing of George Town as a World Heritage site, and Yahoo! Travel’s mention of this island-city in “10 Islands To Explore Before You Die”, Penang is certainly receiving its fair share of international exposure as an exotic and must-see island. Although small, Penang is filled with all sorts of attractions, from the region’s best street food, religious festivals and pre-World War II mansions to secluded beaches and nature parks.

To kick off the lovely month of February 2012, Gurney Plaza invites everyone to witness, a Real PERANAKAN wedding ceremony on 11 February 2012, 3pm at the New Wing Atrium in conjunction with the Simply
Wedding Showcase 2012.

Come and witness alovely pair saying “I DO” in this memorable occasion. For the first time in Penang, you will beprivileged to be part of a real peranakan wedding to be held at a shopping mall. Let us all join in to wish the best for this couple! Everyone is welcomed!

Date: 11th February 2012
Venue: Gurney Plaza, Ground Floor (New Wing)
Time: 3.00pm

Every year on the 14th night (5th Feb 2012) of the Lunar New Year, hundreds of devotees from all over Penang will visit the the Tanjung Tokong Tua Pek Kong Temple for its annual flame watching ritual or “ Chneah Hoay”.

The 14th night is also believed to be Tua Pek Kong’s birthday.During this ceremony, embers in a ceremonial urn are fanned until the flames leaped up. The coming year’s fortune will be foretold from the size and shape of the fire.

On the 15th day (6th Feb 2012), which is the actual day of Tua Pek Kong, families will offer prayers to the deity.

In the mid 18th century, 40 years before the establishment of George Town , Tua Pek Kong or his human form Chang Lee left China with his two brothers . They were heading to Sumatra but their boat was blown to Penang instead.

They lived and settled in Penang and they are believed to be buried near the temple. Therefore, the Tanjung Bungah Tua Pek Kong temple is believed to be original Tua Pek Kong temple.

Fire Watching at Tua Pek Kong, Tanjung Tokong

Venue: Tua Pek Kong Temple, Tanjung Tokong
Date: 5th & 6th of February 2012
Time: 9pm-12.00 midnight

Maulidur Rasul falls on the 5th of February this year. The celebration commemorates the birth of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), one of the most influential figures in human history and his teachings.

Maulidur Rasul is one of several auspicious celebrations for Muslims and it is officially celebrated at State level in Penang every year.

In conjunction with this special celebration, the State Government will be organising various activities with the objective of celebrating the history of Prophet Muhammad S.A.W.’s teachings and in effort to further unite the Muslim Community for mankind to once again embrace moments of glory in the civilisation of man.

The program will start with a Maulidur Rasul procession from Padang Esplanade to Dewan Sri Pinang at 7.00 a.m. At 9.30 a.m, the Governor of Penang, TYT Tun Dato Seri Utama (Dr) Haji Abdul Rahman bin Haji Abbas will arrive at Dewan Sri Pinang for Quranic Recital and short talk on the Prophet. The programme will be conducted in Bahasa Malaysia.

Date: 5th February 2012
Venue: Dewan Sri Pinang, Light Street
Time: 7.00 am -12.00pm

For more information please call : 04-263 7200