GEORGE TOWN: Tourists have been pouring into Penang lately, especially when there is a long weekend and it is no different over the past weekend with most roads filled with out-of-state vehicles.
A check by The Star showed packed roads, especially in the town area along Weld Quay, while many cars lined the Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway as visitors head to the island for their fix of all things pretty and tasty.
At Penang Hill, families and friends from all over could be seen having a great time enjoying the scenic view and scrumptious food.
IT manager Tan Wei Liang, 39, was happy to be back in Penang for the first time since the pandemic.
The Singaporean said he was in Penang for leisure and food.
“I am here with some friends. Pre-pandemic, I would visit Penang three times a year, so I am happy to be back here now.
“I want to visit Gurney Drive for hawker food and would like to go to Batu Ferringhi as well.
“I am in Penang for three days and wish there was less traffic as it would be easier to get around,” he said.
Tan said he wished there was a train service to get around Penang as it would be easier.
The lower station saw a neverending line of people waiting to go up the hill on the funicular train.
Engineer S. Jaya, 32, who lives in Kuala Lumpur, was back in Penang for the weekend to see her family.
“I have hardly been home in the past two years. It is nice to be back and eat some local food.
“I do miss visiting popular spots here and will be heading over to have some nasi kandar and hawker food,” she said.
Further checks at other popular locations, like Chew Jetty in Weld Quay, showed crowds thronging the stretch to check out the local businesses and picturesque walkway.
Some were seen crowding souvenir shops while others took a short boat ride along the jetty to have a private view.
The popular cendol stall off Penang Road was packed with visitors.The long weekend was attributed to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s official birthday falling on June 6.
Meanwhile, many Malaysians also made the most of the long weekend to explore other destinations such as Cameron Highlands, Pulau Batik in Perak and Melaka.