PENANG Runaround 3 (Kopi Tiam Tawfid Pawanchi, Kek Lok Si, Pekan Air Itam, KOMTAR)

It's our wedding anniversary!

We were married on this day twenty-four years ago at the Kuala Terengganu Catholic Mission, and to be perfectly honest with you it was the best day of my life.

So to mark the occasion today we planned a trip to the venerable Kek Lok Si Temple in Air Itam. We got up reasonably early and were at the Penang Road bus stop by a quarter to eight. We caught a Rapid Penang free CAT bus and within minutes arrived at KOMTAR.

We then made our way to our new favourite budget breakfast stall, Tawfid Pawanchi. A packet of nasi lemak, a packet of fried noodles and a couple of doughnuts together with a round of beverages came to a mind boggling RM7.70 (approximately USD/EUR2).

All done we waited for and eventually settled on the Rapid Penang #201 bus that would take us to Pekan Air Itam for a fare of RM2.00 each (approximately USD/EUR0.50). Half an hour later we arrived at the bustling village and navigated past its crowd of morning shoppers before arriving at the foot of the hill that led to Kek Lok Si.

We spent the better part of an hour at the revered temple before making our way back down and into Pekan Air Itam where we stopped at an unnamed Chinese food court for a second round of breakfast. A bowl of Kueh Teow Thng, a plate of Char Kueh Teow and a diminutive Western breakfast (with toast, eggs, bacon, and sausages mind you!) together with a round of beverages cost RM24.50 (approximately USD/EUR6).

We then stopped by a fruit stall next door to get a bunch of bananas for only RM5 (approximately USD/EUR1) before catching the Rapid Penang #201 bus for the same fare of RM2.00 each (approximately USD/EUR0.50) back to KOMTAR.

At KOMTAR we stopped by a camera shop to see if our little Lumix GX85 could be repaired. Alas it was beyond the shop's expertise and so we walked back to the hotel. However instead of going in we walked past the hotel and headed to Maliia Bakery to get a bagful of their excellent and fluffy buns for RM10.80 (approximately USD/EUR2.50). 

Next door was 126 Hui Ong Cafe, and we took away an assortment of Siamese fried goodness that came to RM24 (approximately USD/EUR5). We will be on another epic walkabout this evening, so be sure to stay tuned!

Lastly, we feel that it is our civic duty to remind everyone that while masks are now optional outdoors, it is still mandatory indoors!

(Do visit our YouTube Channel Have Perut Will Travel)

📍 Location:
Hutton Suites Hotel - https://goo.gl/maps/Sa3pp5NKAQgx5pij6
Penang Road Bus Stop - https://goo.gl/maps/PSCNjkk6yRNjxLro6
Komtar Bus Terminal - https://goo.gl/maps/mSpZ6C418JQJK6uf8
Kopi Tiam Tawfid Pawanchi - https://goo.gl/maps/LvwzSZ59ETmUYuM8A
Pekan Ayer Itam - https://goo.gl/maps/M1tLVwVLwKeDCYAk8
Kek Lok Si Temple - https://goo.gl/maps/Vn3Lz59icVJU31zL9
Maliia Bakery - https://goo.gl/maps/PHyenAXyFKTyM8bB9
126 Hui Ong Cafe - https://goo.gl/maps/trjuBiqywWxhGJtm9

We do what we can to support local businesses, and it's always good to know that everyone here observes all related SOPs, it helps make us feel safer and reassured.