Last weekend, we decided to explore the beach located a couple of Km away from our home. With the main objective to walk more than 4000 steps, we started towards the sunset on the beach. It was low tide when we arrived, and we were the only ones on the beach. Not surprisingly, as this is not a beach where one could swim. The southern beaches of Penang are very murky and not inviting at all. With the sun on our face, we walked the stretch from one end to the other. The low tide expose a layer of soft sands and multiple types of tiny habitat. The burning sun brings out an occasional complaint from my sister in-law, but was quickly defused by the breeze from the Straits of Malacca.

As we move towards the other end of the beach, there were a group of wellbeing’s sitting on the exposed muddy part of the beach. They were gathering something, and as we got closer, we realized they were actually gathering a shell fish called la-la. It’s a local shellfish loved by my wife and seafood enthusiast. The mud was very soft, and if one would put ones leg into it, one would get stuck. So, the la-la hunters usually just sit and crawl on the mud.

Close to the la-la hunters, were a couple of WWII battery, built to protect the Island from southern landing. They are now half buried in the sands. This beach is located at the south part of the island. There are two way to come to this beach. One is thorough the coastal highway, heading south, go past the Factories (Free Trade Zone) and you will come to the Batu Maung Cross Junction Traffic Light. Turning right will take you to the World Fish Center and Aquarium, but you will have to go straight. You will go through a couple of villages and come to the back part of the Airport landing strip. You have arrived. From the landing strip, you can see the beach. The beach is just 150m from the road, you can park along the road and walk towards the beach. The second rout is to head towards the Airport, through Sunshine or Bukit Jambul. Coming to the Airport, head towards Bayan Lepas old town. Right after the old town, there is a ‘T’ Junction traffic light. Turn left there and go straight. This will bring you to the back of the Airport landing strip, and you are there.

Little known to many people in Penang, you can actually watch planes land and take off from this part of the island. You can bring your children to watch plans fly over your head. The main road actually cuts across the landing or take off path, and you can see the plane from up-close. Best of time to visit this place is during the morning, from 7-9am and in the evening from 6-8pm. These times are the peak time for Penang Airport and you can witness all kinds of plane landing. From the Jumbo 747 to the more slim 777. Unfortunately, the latest Airbus does not come to Penang Airport, and so you only get to see the Boeings and an occasional old Airbus.

On this day..

• Early Merdeka Celebration - 2006
• Messy Girls - 2004
• - 2004
• - 2004
• Green Door - 2002