Balik Pulau Town
Literally meaning “behind the Island” it boasts of clove and nutmeg with well known and well sought varieties, and rubber estates. These are the heritage of the Hakka community's sweat and blood plus a drinking fountain donated by Koh Seang Tat in 1882 sited in the centre of the town. The antique but graceful Catholic church reminds one of the British presence where the District Land Office building, built at around 1880, housed the post and telegraph, and the customs and excise offices, agriculture departments, and the opium clerk. Upstairs was a district court house.
Take a nice slow spin around Penang Island while pumper yourself to a delicious buffet spread and an ambience made conducive by well-elaborated dim coffer lighting. In the one hour that it takes to make a complete revolution, help yourself to a mixed spread of local and Western cuisine with a little Japanese Corner. It comes with seven different menus for each day but roasted lamb daily. A la carte is available only after 9:30p with ice-cream specialities like love boat/banana split . A live band entertains right after your fill, from 8:45p onwards.
The Penang Butterfly Farm, reputedly the world's first tropical live butterfly sanctuary is just 15 minutes away from the Batu Ferringhi tourist belt. Established in 1986, the farm features some 4,000 live butterflies of 150 different species, a nature park with small reptiles in their natural habitats as well as the Museum of Asian Artefacts. Expansion plans are underway to include a night zoo, which will feature nocturnal creatures and tropical insects. The farm is a not-to-be-missed for many and it attracts some 250 to 300 visitors daily.
