On Jun 25, 9:22*am, Bruce wrote:

Where are you in Penang? Are you permanent there? I've spent so little
time in Penang that I can't find my way around except in Georgetown.
The last time we stopped there for a couple of days on the way from
Singapore to Phuket. Stayed at the new marina next to the ferry
terminal (which a friend says is already beginning to silt up) and
wandered around in town for a bit and took a taxi down to Tesco for
provisions. Perhaps it is just being a tourist but I've always felt
like I was being ripped off every time I took a taxi in Penang :-)

We spend about 6 months each year in Penang. Prefer to avoid George
Town, Batu Ferringhi, the Northern Beaches etc in favour of the
southern part of the island.

The only thing in favour of the Tanjong City marina is its closeness
to George Town and its attractions (Mr Ong's Liangtraco for chemicals,
Chulia Street for most everything, etc).

We spent years using Marina Batu Uban (just S of the bridge, it's the
small marina owned and operated by the Marine Department) as our base.
Compared to the Tanjong City marina, it has a tiny bit more protection
from N-sector squalls. And is subject to less wash from passing
vessels (although I was there when fenders burst on one vessel and two
sailboats entangled masts). But Marina Batu Uban has even fewer
facilities and is a little remote. We also spent a while moored off
the boat yard in the SE corner, the Pen-Marine aka Limbongan Batu
Maung boatyard.

RapidPenang buses, a hired motorcycle or car, make taxis unnecessary.
Taxi drivers are just trying to fill their rice bowls ;-). We use
taxis when we visit Trang, Krung Thep, Hat Yai etc, but if we were
more familiar with those places, we would likely use other options.

Cheers

Bil

,
Cheers,

Bruce

On Fri, 24 Jun 2011 19:22:31 -0700 (PDT), Bil
wrote:

On Jun 25, 9:22*am, Bruce wrote:

Where are you in Penang? Are you permanent there? I've spent so little
time in Penang that I can't find my way around except in Georgetown.
The last time we stopped there for a couple of days on the way from
Singapore to Phuket. Stayed at the new marina next to the ferry
terminal (which a friend says is already beginning to silt up) and
wandered around in town for a bit and took a taxi down to Tesco for
provisions. Perhaps it is just being a tourist but I've always felt
like I was being ripped off every time I took a taxi in Penang :-)

We spend about 6 months each year in Penang. Prefer to avoid George
Town, Batu Ferringhi, the Northern Beaches etc in favour of the
southern part of the island.

The only thing in favour of the Tanjong City marina is its closeness
to George Town and its attractions (Mr Ong's Liangtraco for chemicals,
Chulia Street for most everything, etc).

Goodness, another guy that knows about that :-)

We were on the way from Singapore and my wife reckoned that shopping
would be better in Penang then in Langkawi. Coming up the channel we
passed the small anchorage sort of place south of the bridge that had
been recommended to me years ago and of course it was packed so we
proceeded under the bridge and Lo and Behold a nice marina appeared as
we passed the ferry terminal and SHWBO decided it would be a good
place to stop, and after I had elected to go to the"Yacht Club" in
Port Klang (A filthy place, that) rather then anchor in the small
craft anchorage I had to agree :-)

We spent years using Marina Batu Uban (just S of the bridge, it's the
small marina owned and operated by the Marine Department) as our base.
Compared to the Tanjong City marina, it has a tiny bit more protection
from N-sector squalls. And is subject to less wash from passing
vessels (although I was there when fenders burst on one vessel and two
sailboats entangled masts). But Marina Batu Uban has even fewer
facilities and is a little remote. We also spent a while moored off
the boat yard in the SE corner, the Pen-Marine aka Limbongan Batu
Maung boatyard.

RapidPenang buses, a hired motorcycle or car, make taxis unnecessary.
Taxi drivers are just trying to fill their rice bowls ;-). We use
taxis when we visit Trang, Krung Thep, Hat Yai etc, but if we were
more familiar with those places, we would likely use other options.

Cheers

Bil

Bangkok is easy these days. Take the underground or the sky train and
get close and then taxi.

Cheers,

Bruce