Penang is an island-state in Malaysia. A 50-minute plane ride or 5 to 6-hour bus ride from Kuala Lumpur. Our total travel time (I'm with my mom) was 4 hours from Manila to Kuala Lumpur and another 50 minutes from Kuala Lumpur to Penang. No problems encountered in Malaysia's immigration procedures. Only in the Philippines...
The immigration officer was asking for a travel clearance ('coz I'm a government employee, tsss) but I didn't secure any 'coz I will only be away for 5 days. He asked so many things (but not my mom) and I answered it as honest as I can be. I knew what he was thinking about, that I might look for some teaching job in Malaysia and never come back in the Philippines. So after so many question-and-answer portion, he thought that everything was legit so he asked me to change my occupation in the departure card. Our trip pushed thru with no hassle or whatsoever. My mom poked me 'coz she already told me to not declare it but I did out of excitement I guess. Sometimes honesty is not always the best policy.
Touchdown Penang. If there's ONLY one thing that you should do when you're in Penang airport is to get one of their free traveller's map. I got 4 copies and it became very useful. Even if you've researched a hundred sites about Penang, still you've got to have one of this (check here for discounted tours, transportation and activities in Penang).
The immigration officer was asking for a travel clearance ('coz I'm a government employee, tsss) but I didn't secure any 'coz I will only be away for 5 days. He asked so many things (but not my mom) and I answered it as honest as I can be. I knew what he was thinking about, that I might look for some teaching job in Malaysia and never come back in the Philippines. So after so many question-and-answer portion, he thought that everything was legit so he asked me to change my occupation in the departure card. Our trip pushed thru with no hassle or whatsoever. My mom poked me 'coz she already told me to not declare it but I did out of excitement I guess. Sometimes honesty is not always the best policy.
Touchdown Penang. If there's ONLY one thing that you should do when you're in Penang airport is to get one of their free traveller's map. I got 4 copies and it became very useful. Even if you've researched a hundred sites about Penang, still you've got to have one of this (check here for discounted tours, transportation and activities in Penang).
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| traveller's map - front |
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| traveller's map - back |
One good thing about this map is the Free Shuttle Bus Service by the Penang State Government. If you see the word "CAT" on the bus, you can hop on for free. The bus goes around Georgetown and to the key tourist areas around.
The important details on the map are;
Believe me, this map is so helpful you will forget about what you've researched prior to the trip.
The important details on the map are;
- Georgetown map
- Penang Island map
- Brief history of Georgetown as a UNESCO World Heritage City
- Major spots and places in the city
- Bus Information and contact numbers
- Taxi Services
- Airline companies and contact numbers
- Emergency numbers
- Tourism Development and Culture offices
- Libraries
- Foreign Consulates
- Hospitals
- Hotels and Beach resorts
- and other snippets about Penang
Believe me, this map is so helpful you will forget about what you've researched prior to the trip.
malaysia, truly asuia!
ReplyDeletenice teaser. Grabe kelan ba mawawala ang immigration issues? Parang hindi pwedeng hindi. hahah! Can't wait for more. Ikaw na ang pumepenang. hihih!
ReplyDeleteWow! Nag Malaysia ka pla, dapat nagpabili ako ng Beryl's Chocolate! Hehehe! Abangan ko mga post mo! :)
ReplyDeleteI got copies as well of those maps,both the city map and the food trail, big help talaga :)
ReplyDeletehi christian! truly asia talaga, andaming lahi dun...
ReplyDeletehi maricar! di naman major pero hassle lang sa part ko...happy birthday!
hi marx! dapat sinabi mo...pero ano yun? hehe
hi claire! ok din yung food trail...pero super helpful talaga yung city map!
nice, start na ng penang series ni maam carla! and i must say, penang tourism board should give commend you for doing this post. great start, you made me more excited for the rest of the series!
ReplyDeleteon a serious note, had i known you earlier as a public school teacher, i could've warned you too about immigration laws on public employees in pinas. fyi, my bestfriend-colleague here in penang is a senior DOH-HR in one of its provincial offices, and it's from her that I learned these issues. She's like battery -"every ready" for these instances. oh well, when will the immigration and terminal issues in our country be resolved?
*still hopeful*
next post, please! hehehe
hi doc! nakaka-pressure naman yung excitement mo..haha..:)
ReplyDelete