Road trip KL to Penang

[wanita001]

Has anyone driven from KL to Penang recently? How was the road like? Is it an easy drive to ShangriLa Rasa Sayang? Trying to avoid getting lost on the way there, so feedbacks are so appreciated, thank you so much. [/code]

[the lynx]

Not quite sure where is Shangri La Rasa Sayang in KL but I know one in Penang.

Highway-wise, the North South Highway is an easy drive and quite a scenery too, especially across Perak after Ipoh when you will drive through valleys in wide winding roads (still safe as long as you're not asleep behind the wheels).

Do time your travel in such a way that you will cross Penang bridge out of peak hours. Preferably, avoid 4-9pm from Sg Juru onwards. Look at the map and you will know what I mean.

Do holler if you need pointers as I'm very familiar with Penang.

[wanita001]

Not quite sure where is Shangri La Rasa Sayang in KL but I know one in Penang.

Highway-wise, the North South Highway is an easy drive and quite a scenery too, especially across Perak after Ipoh when you will drive through valleys in wide winding roads (still safe as long as you're not asleep behind the wheels).

Do time your travel in such a way that you will cross Penang bridge out of peak hours. Preferably, avoid 4-9pm from Sg Juru onwards. Look at the map and you will know what I mean.

Do holler if you need pointers as I'm very familiar with Penang.

Thank you again the lynx, this is very helpful. I meant ShangriLa Rasa Sayang Resort in Penang. Will it be easy to find once we reach Penang?

[the lynx]

Not quite sure where is Shangri La Rasa Sayang in KL but I know one in Penang.

Highway-wise, the North South Highway is an easy drive and quite a scenery too, especially across Perak after Ipoh when you will drive through valleys in wide winding roads (still safe as long as you're not asleep behind the wheels).

Do time your travel in such a way that you will cross Penang bridge out of peak hours. Preferably, avoid 4-9pm from Sg Juru onwards. Look at the map and you will know what I mean.

Do holler if you need pointers as I'm very familiar with Penang.

Thank you again the lynx, this is very helpful. I meant ShangriLa Rasa Sayang Resort in Penang. Will it be easy to find once we reach Penang?

Oh that one! Sorry misread your post. OK Shangri La Rasa Sayang is located at Batu Ferringhi, a beach destination up north of the island. It is on the right side of the road (very easy to find) and it will be among the first few hotels/beach resorts you will see right the moment you enter Batu Ferringhi after exiting the coastal road.

Driving from the bridge across the island is pretty straightforward. Just take Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah road all the way up and keep following the sign that leads to Batu Ferringhi.

Now you need to know that the drive along the coastal road after Tg Bungah towards Batu Ferringhi is a little bit tricky. One way road, winding, coastal (meaning one big wrong move, your car will either tumble off the road down the cliff to the sea or ram into oncoming vehicle. Pretty busy road, as it is one (the most commonly used) of the only three routes to Batu Ferringhi (aside from Balik Pulau and Mount Erskine direction).

[JR8]

Now you need to know that the drive along the coastal road after Tg Bungah towards Batu Ferringhi is a little bit tricky. One way road, winding, coastal (meaning one big wrong move, your car will either tumble off the road down the cliff to the sea or ram into oncoming vehicle. Pretty busy road, as it is one (the most commonly used) of the only three routes to Batu Ferringhi (aside from Balik Pulau and Mount Erskine direction).

Blimey Lynx you're posting like a SGn here, paranoid about anything that isn't a perfect 6 lane expressway hehe. I've driven this Penang coast-road several times. Yes it is a bit windy in parts, but otherwise nothing to report.

Donno what the OP is expecting, a donkey-trail or something...

[the lynx]

Now you need to know that the drive along the coastal road after Tg Bungah towards Batu Ferringhi is a little bit tricky. One way road, winding, coastal (meaning one big wrong move, your car will either tumble off the road down the cliff to the sea or ram into oncoming vehicle. Pretty busy road, as it is one (the most commonly used) of the only three routes to Batu Ferringhi (aside from Balik Pulau and Mount Erskine direction).

Blimey Lynx you're posting like a SGn here, paranoid about anything that isn't a perfect 6 lane expressway hehe. I've driven this Penang coast-road several times. Yes it is a bit windy in parts, but otherwise nothing to report.

Donno what the OP is expecting, a donkey-trail or something...

Haha actually I could even speed along that road and there have been many times that I drove myself through that area after indulging in yeast-fermented beverages over there

But still, I feel that I should do my role in community service by giving a standard advice in forums like this

Ah oh, in case my advice is misconstrued, I have highlighted the keyword up there.

[JR8]

Hooligan! ... Hehehe, only kidding.

That road is nothing compared to driving up to the Cameron Highlands though is it? (At least I don't recall it as such)

[the lynx]

Hooligan! ... Hehehe, only kidding.

That road is nothing compared to driving up to the Cameron Highlands though is it? (At least I don't recall it as such)

Yeah I agree. Especially the slope!

[JR8]

Hooligan! ... Hehehe, only kidding.

That road is nothing compared to driving up to the Cameron Highlands though is it? (At least I don't recall it as such)

Yeah I agree. Especially the slope!

Yes quite.

Hey if you know Batu F well, do you recall the old guy Papa Din from the kampong there?

[the lynx]

Hooligan! ... Hehehe, only kidding.

That road is nothing compared to driving up to the Cameron Highlands though is it? (At least I don't recall it as such)

Yeah I agree. Especially the slope!

Yes quite.

Hey if you know Batu F well, do you recall the old guy Papa Din from the kampong there?

Ah, the restaurant. Only been there once aeons ago. I wonder if the restaurant is still there. There has been crazy development all over Batu Ferringhi so I'm afraid the kampong didn't stand a chance.

[JR8]

Ah, the restaurant. Only been there once aeons ago. I wonder if the restaurant is still there. There has been crazy development all over Batu Ferringhi so I'm afraid the kampong didn't stand a chance.

I wonder too*.... shame if that kampong has gone.



* I have in front of me (currently unviewed) a DVD of my ancient Dad challenging Papa Din to do exercises... back from about 1994....which they then both do in the entrance way of the restaurant... lol, I think you had to meet the guy to get the whole 'thing' going on there...

[the lynx]

Ah, the restaurant. Only been there once aeons ago. I wonder if the restaurant is still there. There has been crazy development all over Batu Ferringhi so I'm afraid the kampong didn't stand a chance.

I wonder too*.... shame if that kampong has gone.



* I have in front of me (currently unviewed) a DVD of my ancient Dad challenging Papa Din to do exercises... back from about 1994....which they then both do in the entrance way of the restaurant... lol, I think you had to meet the guy to get the whole 'thing' going on there...

Nope, never had the chance to see Papa Din in person. Only his wife (or staff) who was manning the restaurant that time. But I hear many things about him and the mystical stuff as well. Have anyone tried the spa he set up as well?

[wanita001]

Not quite sure where is Shangri La Rasa Sayang in KL but I know one in Penang.

Highway-wise, the North South Highway is an easy drive and quite a scenery too, especially across Perak after Ipoh when you will drive through valleys in wide winding roads (still safe as long as you're not asleep behind the wheels).

Do time your travel in such a way that you will cross Penang bridge out of peak hours. Preferably, avoid 4-9pm from Sg Juru onwards. Look at the map and you will know what I mean.

Do holler if you need pointers as I'm very familiar with Penang.

Thank you again the lynx, this is very helpful. I meant ShangriLa Rasa Sayang Resort in Penang. Will it be easy to find once we reach Penang?

Oh that one! Sorry misread your post. OK Shangri La Rasa Sayang is located at Batu Ferringhi, a beach destination up north of the island. It is on the right side of the road (very easy to find) and it will be among the first few hotels/beach resorts you will see right the moment you enter Batu Ferringhi after exiting the coastal road.

Driving from the bridge across the island is pretty straightforward. Just take Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah road all the way up and keep following the sign that leads to Batu Ferringhi.

Now you need to know that the drive along the coastal road after Tg Bungah towards Batu Ferringhi is a little bit tricky. One way road, winding, coastal (meaning one big wrong move, your car will either tumble off the road down the cliff to the sea or ram into oncoming vehicle. Pretty busy road, as it is one (the most commonly used) of the only three routes to Batu Ferringhi (aside from Balik Pulau and Mount Erskine direction).

You are a sweetie the lynx... thank you heaps! I am confident of a great drive to Shangri La Penang now. We are all matured and experienced long distance drivers coming from Australia, so, it will be good!

[wanita001]

Now you need to know that the drive along the coastal road after Tg Bungah towards Batu Ferringhi is a little bit tricky. One way road, winding, coastal (meaning one big wrong move, your car will either tumble off the road down the cliff to the sea or ram into oncoming vehicle. Pretty busy road, as it is one (the most commonly used) of the only three routes to Batu Ferringhi (aside from Balik Pulau and Mount Erskine direction).

Blimey Lynx you're posting like a SGn here, paranoid about anything that isn't a perfect 6 lane expressway hehe. I've driven this Penang coast-road several times. Yes it is a bit windy in parts, but otherwise nothing to report.

Donno what the OP is expecting, a donkey-trail or something...

Honestly, have no clue what to expect JR8 - too much paranoia been bombarded at me the minute I said we are driving to Malaysia, no kidding.

[JR8]

Honestly, have no clue what to expect JR8 - too much paranoia been bombarded at me the minute I said we are driving to Malaysia, no kidding.

The roads are all very good. (Even the behind-the-beach road at Batu F is ok as I recall). There are some loony (speeding) drivers on the highway up* but just keep over to the left and let them get on with killing themselves and you'll be fine.

As has been said SG drivers exist in a kind of toytown and it is de rigeur on having crossed the border to drive like lunatics. No surprise they get stopped and fined. For some reason this isn't ever their fault but due to the 'corrupt police who want bribing'.

Drive responsibly and you'll be fine.



* the highway up the west coast of the peninsular.