Lifez Like Tat: hill resort

Showing posts with label hill resort. Show all posts

Monday, July 20, 2015

Malihom Private Estate

I had a unique experience at Malihom Private Estate last weekend. My parents and I had a opportunity to visit Malihom Private Estate, which is a hilltop retreat in Balik Pulau, Penang Island, Malaysia. A driving expert is needed to reach there as the journey is rather a steep and windy uphill road not for the faint-hearted. On either sides of the road are durian orchards. Malihom means 'the village of fragrant rice' in Thai.

Once at the hilltop, the estate commands the views of both sides of the island from the comfort of the bedroom suites (styled as barns). The entire atmosphere is picturesque, secluded and private given that this place is relatively unknown even to many local Penangites. The bedroom suites sit among the durian orchard designed in a form of Thai rice barns on stilts, a finest example of tropical architecture in the region. There are a total of 8 named barns: Baanmai, Aloun, Khanun, Dhamma, Sankara, Sripatum, Sanook and Jhana.

Within the estate there is a swimming pool, a koi fish pond, hammock, outdoor bathroom, deck chairs, cafes, common lounge and gazebos equipped for the guests to relax and hang out. The indoor and outdoor spaces are adorned with wood carvings, Buddha statues, earthenware and pottery to reflect the tropical setting of the retreat. There is also a peacock farm greeting visitors at the entrance of the retreat.

Room rates of the retreat ranges between RM800-RM1,000 per night. The estate can be reached via Balik Pulau hill road from Bayan Lepas right after Bukit Genting Leisure Restaurant. The hill road which leads to the resort is on the right side before reaching the hill road viaduct to Balik Pulau town.

Bedroom suite at Malihom

Aerial view of Bukit Genting and Pulau Betong on the west coast of Penang Island.

Aerial view of Bayan Lepas and Pulau Jerejak on the east coast of Penang Island.

Hammock and seating at the bedroom suite

Bedroom suites at Malihom

Aerial view of Balik Pulau on the west coast of Penang Island.

Bedroom suites at Malihom

Lower deck of the bedroom suites at Malihom

Koi fish pond at Malihom

Swimmming pool and pool deck at Malihom Private Estate.

SquareSpace vs Webfusion

Wednesday, January 21, 2015

Suling Hill

Suling Hill is a private hilltop retreat near Mengkuang Dam, Bukit Mertajam. Although this place is a privately owned property, it is open to the public to enjoy the facilities and benefits the hill has to offer. The hill includes a observatory platform, reading room, conference room, bathroom, chalets and a durian orchard. The hill offers a breathtaking view of Mengkuang Dam, Butterworth-Kulim Expressway, Kampung Mengkuang, Sungai Lembu and Bukit Mertajam Hill. The hill commands a picturesque and enthralling view of the natural landscape as far as the paddy fields in Permatang Pauh and the sunset. Among the activities that you can do here include camping, mountain biking, picnicking, hiking and savouring local fruits. This rural retreat is still largely unknown to many urban dwellers. Suling Hill offers a wide variety of local fruits such as durian, rambutan, nutmeg, mango and mangosteeen which are cultivated on this hill.

If you are travelling from Bukit Mertajam, the hill can be reached through Jalan Berapit towards Mengkung Dam. The moment you reach the traffic lights at the end of Jalan Berapit, turn right and shortly after that, turn left into a small, narrow road which bears the Suling Hill signboard, follow the signboard up the steep slope until you reach the summit.

If you are travelling from Butterworth and Penang Island, take the Butterworth-Kulim Expressway until you exit at the EXIT1505 Tasik Mengkuang interchange which bears the signboard that leads to Penanti and Berapit. When you reach the traffic lights, turn right. After 1.3km you will reach a small, narrow road on the left just before the Kampung Mengkuang traffic light junction. You will see a signboard that leads to Suling Hill. If you have a smartphone, you can use Waze, a navigation app which can lead you to the place.

Tuesday, January 13, 2015

Penang Hill

Recently I went up to Penang Hill with my parents on New Year's Day. It only took 5 minutes to get to the hilltop with the newly upgraded funicular railway service as compared to the previous rolling stock which was much slower. Aside from that, visitors no longer need to switch trains at the Middle Station to get to the Top Station from the Bottom Station. Penang Hill has since improved with many additional attractions and facilities upgraded, including a food court, Astaka Bukit Bendera and an Owl Museum. Currently more viewing platforms are being constructed next to the funicular railway station. What is most exhilarating is the breathtaking view of George Town and the rest of Penang Island from the top of the hill.