Bukit Bendera

It must be about 25-30 years since I went up Bukit Bendera, Penang. And why not, the last train that was used in my previous journey up the hill is now in the museum (see photo). Nice place, windy but not necessarily hot.

There were performances as it was a holiday break and many tourist were expected up the hill and yes we had to wait for 2 hours before we board the train mind you. Udin had his hand in trying to be a magician's assistant. He was quite pissed when he found out some of the tricks were not not magic at all.... hehehe....."dia tipu la abah, Udin nampak" was what he said.

Then there was a performance by the son of the late Malaysian Ali Khan Samsuddin who was known as the "King of the Snakes" until one ferocious cobra decided it was time for a coup. His son performed some dangerous tricks including kissing the king cobra.

Some facts about Penang Hill:
Also known as Bukit Bendera, Penang Hill is the highest peak on Pulau Pinang. At 830m above sea level, it is one of the best places to catch a bird's eye view of the island's expanse, including the panorama of George Town, the Penang Bridge and the Straits of Melaka.

One of the peaks on Penang Hill called Flagstaff Hill, is accessible via a healthy hike up via several hiking trails, including one from the Penang Botanical Gardens. Alternatively, visitors may also opt for a more leisurely trip up via the Penang Hill Railway which stretches just over 2km long and departs from the station at Air Itam, a mere 10 minutes' walk from the Kek Lok Si Temple. The 30-minute ride on the funicular railway takes place every 30 minutes and makes its way up a thrilling, at times near-45 degrees angle, with spectacular vistas along the way before reaching the top hill station at 701m above sea level.