Jackamy - Tanjong Inner City Harbour, Penang

Tanjong Inner City Harbour, Penang

Jackamy

Paul & Derry Harper

Wed 1 Dec 2010 03:43

05:24.808N 100:20.763E

Wednesday 1st December

The journey from Pangkor was relatively uneventful until we reached the south of Penang and began to track our way through the channel along the east coast. There were fishing boats, fishing stakes and fishing nets everywhere. It was a guessing game trying to find our way through and we even clipped at least one net as Paul heard it. There were flags and around half a mile in any direction was a tiny float marking the other end of the net. There were plastic cans marking ends but what marked the other end we don't know. There were barrels with flags on which we think were in pairs but like I say it was a guessing game, trying to pair off flags and floats was ridiculous. One boat even flew across our bow unloading his net as he went, great! When we whistled and asked where to go they just waved us on through, telling us to go through their net, and got back to work. We decided to go around the side as this was the only one we knew of the exact location. The panic was because the light was fading, we needed to make it under the bridge connecting Penang to the mainland and we needed to get into the marina.

Trawling nets...........Hauling nets in

Flags, flags, flags

Once clear of the fishing nets we made our way through a building site, the building of a south bridge to connect Penang to the mainland, a major task, it was interesting to see the first stages. Soon after that we reached the bridge that has been in place for many many years, all that was left for us to do was to go under it. It was a bit of an optical illusion as it seemed as if we wouldn't fit through, a few screams escaped from mine and Amy's mouths, but we made it through with what appeared to be inches to spare from our perspective on the boat but after looking at pictures since, it was actually a few metres.

Building the south bridge

Approaching the north bridge

Jackamy passing underneath

One final hurdle, dodging the car ferries that cross the channel every few minutes, before entering the marina. A lovely spot, right in the heart of Georgetown with very friendly staff and good facilities. There's even an air conditioned room with wifi for 'yachties'! Lovely!

The ferries....Tanjong Marina

As soon as we were checked in we were off the boat and out to explore Little India as it is a stones throw from the marina. The colourful and vibrant streets were enough to liven us up after a long day motoring, it was fantastic. It dates back to the early 19th century, when Indian migrants to Penang began to settle in and around Lebuh Pasar, then called Kadai Teru or shop street. Since most of the early migrants were Tamils, the area was commonly known as Little Madras, but over the years other communities also moved in. Soon the area acquired a distinctive south Asian feel and gained it's current name.

The narrow streets are lined with shops selling all kinds of south Asian produce, from saris and gold jewellery to flower garlands and images of Hindu deities. The wide range of shops and services includes astrologers, millers, grocers, fruit sellers, herb dealers and money changers. The aroma of spice, incense and curry and the constant bustle of crowds made the ambience quintessentially Indian.

After strolling through the streets, and perusing the shops we found ourselves back where we began on the corner of Lebuh China and Lebuh Penang at Sri Ananda Bahwan, an Indian restaurant. The boss recommended food for us to eat and we left it in his hands, he did not disappoint. The atmosphere was fantastic and the food even better. As we ate on banana leaves, the curry's, naans, tandoori chicken and veggie dishes were to die for, they melted in our mouths and left us feeling incredibly satisfied but not too full, just what any good curry should do. We have a good feeling about Penang!