Butterworth to Penang!

After 21 hours on the train we finally arrived in Butterworth, Malaysia.  Yes, I think it's a funny name too.  I looked over my notes in regards to catching the ferry to Georgetown, Penang from the Butterworth train station: 

From Sultan Abdul Halim Terminal, access ferry to the left when exiting Butterworth station via a covered walkway with stairs going up -- keep walking until you reach ferry.

Sounds easy enough, right?  But in all my research months before taking this trip, not a single person had mentioned just how long the walk was.  It was easy access, sure, meaning there's no way you can get lost but the path was so utterly convoluted -- you go up some stairs, then down the stairs, you turn left, you turn right, you go up some more stairs only to come down the stairs -- before you walk some hundred feet to reach the ferry terminal.  And of course, with luggage in hand, this was no easy feat.  So, for any of you travelers out there thinking of taking the ferry from Butterworth, know in advance that the walk to reach the ferry is by no means straightforward.  Pack light.

So good-bye Baht, hello Ringgit.  We did quite well with our Thai money, having only had 40 Baht left, which is $1.33 USD.  I pulled out RM 5 for the four of us as we stood in line to get on the ferry.  Just so you know, the ferry cost per person is RM 1.20 (USD 39 cents).  You only pay this to get to Georgetown; it is free to get back to Butterworth.  The ticket man handed me tokens, which we deposited in the turnstile and we boarded the 15-minute ferry, which was nothing special.  Nice views of Penang though.

The Penang ferry

Crossing the Straits of Malacca

Our first sights of Georgetown

Star Cruises, the 3rd largest cruise line in the world

So next on my notes: Disembark Raja Tun Uda Terminal at Weld Quay, Georgetown and hop on FREE Georgetown Shuttle Service, says "Central Area Transit," (CAT) on it.  Located on the right of the ferry terminal as you walk out, Rapid Bus Terminal also here.

Fortunately, we met a friendly woman from Bandung, Indonesia, who now lives and works in Georgetown, on the ferry who directed us to the location of the shuttle.  It was directly across from where the ferry drops you off.  CAT sign on the shuttle?  Yup.  We hopped the air-conditioned bus, which was a delight in this 90-degree weather, and waited for a few more passengers before we took off.  I consulted my notes again:

Get off at #8 at the corner of Jalan Penang & Jalan Campbell where 7-Eleven is.  At the traffic light 4 junction, you'll see Hutton Lodge next to Eden Restaurant.

This was perfect.  We rode the shuttle no more than 10 minutes before sign #8 appeared right outside 7-Eleven just as the directions indicated.   I entered 7-Eleven to ask the store clerk what street we were on (Jalan Penang), and we proceeded to walk along Jalan Campbell/Jalan Hutton (at the traffic light) towards our hotel, Hutton Lodge, a 5-minute walk away.  I saw the sign, Eden Restaurant, and knew we had made it!  The hotel looked just as it did in all the photos online!

Welcome to Hutton Lodge!

The hotel lobby

 The hotel, which was named after the first English doctor to service Penang, was quite nice.  The lobby was spacious, cozy, and inviting.  There was a small computer area with two desktops (though the internet was very, very slow); a corner library with books and magazines available; laundry service; and an outdoor terrace where daily breakfast is served from 7-10 AM.  Our room, a family room with four beds, was also quite spacious and clean.  It came with a private bath, breakfast, and the much needed air conditioner.  Total nightly cost?  RM 160.00, or about $51 USD -- not too shabby.  And the location was awesome.  Close to the shuttle stop, which takes you all over Georgetown for free, and within walking distance to the Chowrasta Market, the 7-Eleven, and lots of hawker stalls.  Hello street food!  The staff was also friendly and helpful.  Now, how about some lunch?