Line Clear Nasi Kandar, Penang , MALAYSIA

If you visit Penang, you must not miss the opportunity of eating Nasi Kandar (Rice with curry). There are lots of restaurants here that offer this cuisine however, the one at Line Clear seems to attract lots of patrons. Every day at lunch hour or dinner, there are many people come to this restaurant.

This restaurant is actually located at  the annex of a restaurant at the junction of Penang road and Lebuh Chulia. This annex restaurant can easily accommodate 100 diners at a time. I found its roof can be close or open by a pulley. There is a car parking area at the back where you can access it via Lebuh Chulia.

There are many types of dishes being served here. They include deep fried chicken, curry fish head, curry fish, boiled eggs, fried squid, fried prawn, cucumber, pickled cucumber (acar), vegetables and other sea food. The service is fast and  a plate of rice with big prawn and a fried chicken may cost RM30.00.

To get the food, you must queue and ask the "waiter" what dish you want. Do not simply order as it has financial implication that you have to pay. Ask the price of each item so that you can make some adjustment to your purse.

If you visit this restaurant, I recommend you order the big prawn. Its taste is really good.

Overall environment of the restaurant

Fish head curry

Choice of food

Special food for special people?

Prawns and squids

Some of the patrons

Fried chicken

A Glimpse of Penang Hill, MALAYSIA

Penang Hill or locally known as Bukit Bendera is located in Air Itam, 10 km south-west of Georgetown, Malaysia. With its 832 metres above sea level, Penang Hill commands good view of the city of George Town, Penang's capital and the mainland of Peninsular Malaysia (Seberang Perai).

To go up the hill, the State government has provided the public with the furnicular railway transport with a small fee. The railway recently  being refurbished and modernised its coach with a faster speed. I found its speed is much faster than the Peak Tram in Hong Kong! Others who do not like taking the train, they can walk up using the paths already there. There are also a few roads leading to the hill but it is only suitable for 4 wheel drive vehicles such as jeep or land rover.

Penang Hill is a heritage hill for Malaysia. It consists a lot of histories and of course has rich bio-diversity. Development around the hills is encroaching and if they are not properly controlled, it may adversely affect the environment of the hill with serious slope erosions and landslides.

Going to the hill, you must go to a small town of Air Itam. There is a public bus Rapid Penang (number 204) from the city ferrying passengers to and fro. The bus  will certainly stop at the front gate of the Penang Hill station.

The tickets  going up the hill for adult (return) is around RM30.00 and children RM15.00. But those with mykad get 50% discount. This train operates 5.30 am in the morning and end up at night.

The old coach is no more. The new coach introduced in 2012 is new design and faster too. At the hill top, there are entertainment spaces and a few buildings such as  hotel, restaurants, a police station, playground for kids, performance area, deck viewing and photograph taking.

Lower Station

The coach

Bellevue Hotel at the  top of the hill.

Meseum, Restaurants and Viewing Deck

Activity Area

Cliff Cafe

Visitors taking photograph

Outdoor activity for the children

The writer

Covered walkway to the train station.

Lock and cupid at the viewing deck similar to Seoul hill top.

Viewing deck

Another view of walkway

Old coach being displayed.

Seating place (covered)  for the public to relax, rest or watch performaces

Railway track

Railway track and small tunnel

Performance  monitoring

The driver

A happy family posing for the camera.

Those who had experienced riding Peak Tram in Hong Kong certainly will like this train too.