Penang Hill

We really enjoyed this day out of a city environment to the top of Penang Hill by funicular. During the ascent the temperature drops from an average of 31C to 27 C degrees and the flora adapts over four levels. This is the oldest colonial era hill top station in Asia established in 1786 by Penang's founder Captain Francis Light. Formerly called Flagstaff Hill, as a look out point, it stands at height of 833m. A significant community with more than 50 buildings developed during the colonial period and were used as retreats with walking paths, a place of recuperation away from the heat and disease of Penang and eventually a school. HABITAT is a walking path and bridge skirting along a UNESCO biosphere protected rainforest. It was special to walk along the rainforest tree tops with views of Penang below. We spent almost seven hours there; spending a bit of time waiting for a downpour to ease enough to use our umbrella (see "The Thinking Doug" holding the umbrella!).Read more