Beaches in Penang 

In the modern world is a promotional item depicting scenes of paradise. Especially effective for people living in crowded cities, those harsh climatic zone and land lock settlements.

We, Penang folks are blessed. We share a small island and a relatively low density community. That makes us having beaches at the door steps, like at the Esplanade and Gurney Drive. A living environment just looks like a page from the fairy take books. Just see!

#1 - Gurney Drive in good times

Recalling the good old times. Serenity and closeness

I experienced that in the early days when pace of life was very slow and personal demand for luxury was non existence, going to the beach to while away our idyllic lifestyle is real entertaining. Sadly we had to progress too. Penang started selling the existence of our beaches lure people and building new hotels next to our deserted quite beaches. That once seemingly serene resting places. With crowd and commercialization that once rustic ambience gone!

As I a kid I was quite happy to be in Gurney Drive - it was the "Sea side". As we grew older, we were shown the real paradise Soft fine sands and big shady trees on the "real"  at the Springtide Hotel.

#2 - Good memories of Springtide Hotel - Nice to see it again

The fine soft sands and no crowd

 More changes, by the time my children were going up Gurney Drive was s place for hawkers and Springtime went out of business. Most in the crowd don't care about that rustic setting,. modern needs like by pubs and disco in Rasa Sayang are more appropriate. So when my turn came, I had to look for but further away from Gurney Drive for that quiet and serene setting among nature. I drive that winding road to take them to Miami Beach.

#3 - Miami beach in Modern times

No takers - except for few new comers

 More fast forward - the grandchildren came. Miami changed from serene to melancholy.

 Beaches no longer for relaxing quiet get away. They are for fun! It was more like going to beaches to taste how good life would be. Gone are the mood for slow and relaxing time.  Yeah modern beaches are dangerous with water scooters, the water not clean contaminated with pollutants and last of all - lurked by unholy characters.

Why go to the beach in the first place? Modern interpretation - it is for fun Quite a twist ah?
So now for the nostalgic old farts searching to relive a taste of those old simple life. We had to work! Drive further to place like Getah Sanggul or to hike overland over forested hill to seek the long lost paradise.

Pantai Kerachut

#4 - Re-visit the Penang State Park

We did go back to the State Park again. Quite a few times to maintain a  "Geocahe" hidden on the beach. Latest as I write, the trip on the 11th, April 2022. During the Covid 19 era, this time just to update but not to hike. Those rough and tough outing days is well past our time

4th, April 2000

#5 - Hiking over Muka Head to Pantai kerachut

The Penang government helped to initiated that old feeling. There is the Pantai Kerachut, a really secluded beach on the other side of the island and is within a protected State Park. No hotel, no big crowd
Yes! paradise found at last. But it is not the same. Those days, paradise is effortless, that was part of the joy. We just walk next door whenever we pleased.

Now to see the forgotten "heaven" we must  make a schedule and embark on an arduous expedition to do an overland crossing over a hill. After that, another journey  to struggle home. Anyway how was the condition of the walk?

#1 - How did the track looked like?

No bad! with tree roots across the track. Helped in not skidding when the ground is wet

#6 - Condition of Trail

This was the section where rain water shared the track with human traffic

 

#7 - Condition of Trail

There were sections with man made steps

#8 - Condition of Trail

#9 - Condition of Trail

Look at the condition of the paved path, it is a 10 minutes walk about 200 meters gentle downhill.

10 - Track signs

Oh! This is getting a  bit confusing. Yes! Meromictic Lake a very rare occurrence. Meaning the lake has freshwater on top then a lower layer of salt water when the tide arises. This is one of the three lakes found in Asia. Wow!!!

#11 - Ahoy! Lake Ahead - Another 30 minutes

Oh! pre-empt that we would be reaching a lake, once we cleared out way through the forest.

#12 - The lowland next to the sea.

Now What? Hang around here to do some scouting or head straight and mark attendance with the beach first?

#13- The surroundings after the forest

Quiet, peaceful with water and pristine forest - Where the birds?

#14 - It is a freshwater lake

It was in a wetland area - must be all season type

#16 - Couple at work

My brand new digital camera - 0.5 megapixel big! yes the number is right. half meg!

#17 - Lye Fong

While i wadded into the water. Checking for the meaning of " Meromictic"

#18 - Jackie amidst the wetland

#19 - Signage to confirm having reached the beach

Cannot get lost or going to the wrong beach or is there a more beautiful hidden beach somewhere else?

 place

#20 - Pantai Kerachut

The beach! The beach! at last -This is Pantai Kerachut. The whole beach and the whole area all for ourselves. This is Paradise

#21 - Vast expenses of space and serenity

Is this what we or most people are looking for - these days?

As I have said, this is a place to bring some food, spend a few hours, all by yourself. No fantastic view, no big swimming pool but plenty of peace and beauty!

 

 

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