L-R: Jessie Lee, Ching Jin Yuan, Catherine Oon, Ching Neng Bin, Ching Jin Wei, Shevin Teoh and little Crystabelle Ching.
A Family Holiday in Penang Island – July 2026
Once again, a wonderful family holiday was organised by my children. This time, we spent five enjoyable days together, including three nights on Penang Island and two nights in Butterworth.
From 10th to 12th July 2026, we stayed in a pre-booked Airbnb at Tropicana 218 Macalister, Penang. On 13th July, the family moved to Butterworth, where we stayed at the apartment of Ching Jin Wei and Shevin Teoh at Quayside @ Clear Water Bay.
As always, a family get-together is all about bonding, spending quality time together, and creating happy memories, especially with our beloved granddaughter, Crystabelle Ching. Our main objective was simple: to relax in comfortable accommodation, enjoy good food together, and experience some of the famous Penang street food.
Day 1 – 10th July 2026
There were seven of us on this family holiday:
· Ching Neng Bin and Catherine Oon from Sitiawan· Ching Jin Yuan and Jessie Lee, with daughter Crystabelle Ching, from Subang Jaya
· Ching Jin Wei and Shevin Teoh from Butterworth
We all met up for lunch at Swatow Coffee along Kimberley Street, where we enjoyed some very good Char Kway Teow and coffee. After lunch, it was time to check in to our pre-booked Airbnb at Tropicana 218 Macalister, where we would stay from 10th to 12th July.
After having a good rest at the Airbnb, and before going for dinner, we drove to the Penang Youth Park for a family photo shoot. Being back at the Youth Park took me down memory lane to my good old days in the 1970s. It brought back many emotional memories of my involvement in the Honour Recreation Leadership (HRL) activities.
The Honour Recreation Leadership courses, held at Taman Belia (Penang Youth Park) in 1974 and 1975, brought together young people who shared an interest in recreation, leadership, outdoor activities and community service. It was also here that the idea of forming the Penang Adventurers' Club began.
On 24th April 1976, the Penang Adventurers' Club was founded by three young men:
· M. Pasupathy (RIP) – Chairman· Ching Neng Bin – Honorary Secretary
· Hoon Joong High – Honorary Treasurer
Standing once again at this meaningful place more than fifty years later was a very emotional experience for me. What had once been the gathering place for a group of young people with dreams of adventure and leadership had now become a place where I could return with my children and granddaughter. It was a beautiful reminder of how quickly time passes and how life moves from one generation to the next.
For dinner, we went to The Lighthouse Café along Penang Road. The restaurant served a diverse menu blending Eastern and Western cuisine in a cosy and pleasant atmosphere. It also operates as a social enterprise, with part of its earnings channelled towards charitable causes.
The evening was spent relaxing in our Airbnb with some beer and snacks. Before ending the day, we bought bread, snacks and mineral water for the next morning's breakfast. It was a relaxing and enjoyable beginning to our family holiday — a day filled not only with good food and family bonding, but also with precious memories of my younger days in Penang.
We all met up for lunch at Swatow Coffee along Kimberley Street.
Lunch at Swatow Coffee along Kimberley Street.
Lunch at Swatow Coffee along Kimberley Street.
Lunch at Swatow Coffee along Kimberley Street.
Lunch at Swatow Coffee along Kimberley Street.
Lunch at Swatow Coffee along Kimberley Street.
Lunch at Swatow Coffee along Kimberley Street.
After lunch, it was time to check in to our pre-booked Airbnb at Tropicana 218 Macalister, where we would stay from 10th to 12th July. 
After lunch, it was time to check in to our pre-booked Airbnb at Tropicana 218 Macalister.
Airbnb at Tropicana 218 Macalister Road.
Airbnb at Tropicana 218 Macalister Road.
Airbnb at Tropicana 218 Macalister Road.
Airbnb at Tropicana 218 Macalister Road.
After having a good rest at the Airbnb, and before going for dinner, we drove to the Penang Youth Park for a family photo shoot. Being back at the Youth Park took me down memory lane to my good old days in the 1970s. It brought back many emotional memories of my involvement in the Honour Recreation Leadership (HRL) activities.
The Honour Recreation Leadership courses, held at Taman Belia (Penang Youth Park) in 1974 and 1975, brought together young people who shared an interest in recreation, leadership, outdoor activities and community service. It was also here that the idea of forming the Penang Adventurers' Club began.
On 24th April 1976, the Penang Adventurers' Club was founded by three young men:
· M. Pasupathy (RIP) – Chairman
· Ching Neng Bin – Honorary Secretary
· Hoon Joong High – Honorary Treasurer 
Standing once again at this meaningful place more than 50 years later was a very emotional experience for me. What had once been the gathering place for a group of young people with dreams of adventure and leadership had now become a place where I could return with my children and granddaughter. It was a beautiful reminder of how quickly time passes and how life moves from one generation to the next. 
We drove to the Penang Youth Park for a family photo shoot.
We drove to the Penang Youth Park for a family photo shoot.
For dinner, we went to The Lighthouse Café along Penang Road. The restaurant served a diverse menu blending Eastern and Western cuisine in a cosy and pleasant atmosphere. It also operates as a social enterprise, with part of its earnings channelled towards charitable causes. 
For dinner, we went to The Lighthouse Café along Penang Road.
For dinner, we went to The Lighthouse Café along Penang Road.
Day 2 – 11th July 2026
After breakfast, it was swimming time for Crystabelle Ching at the apartment's swimming pool. She really enjoyed herself and was already looking forward to swimming the following day again.
For lunch, we went to Pandan House along Beach Street, where we enjoyed another good meal together.
Dinner was especially memorable. It was hosted by my brother, Ching Neng Shyan, and his spouse, Judith Khoo, at Ying's Nyonya Restaurant along Church Street. Formerly known as the Hainan Restaurant, the establishment had operated for many years before focusing exclusively on authentic Peranakan Nyonya cuisine. We enjoyed a wonderful dinner while catching up and spending quality time together as a family.
In the evening, we went for a walk along the new Gurney Bridge on Andaman Island, George Town. The atmosphere was lively and enjoyable, especially for little Crystabelle. Crystabelle was extremely happy playing with her bubble gun and soon made some new friends there. Seeing the children playing happily made the evening even more memorable.
After breakfast, it was swimming time for Crystabelle Ching at the apartment's swimming pool. She really enjoyed herself and was already looking forward to swimming the following day again.
Swimming time for Crystabelle Ching.
Swimming time for Crystabelle Ching.
Swimming time for Crystabelle Ching.
Swimming time for Crystabelle Ching.
Swimming time for Crystabelle Ching.
Swimming time for Crystabelle Ching.
Swimming time for Crystabelle Ching.
For lunch, we went to Pandan House along Beach Street, where we enjoyed another good meal together.
Lunch at Pandan House along Beach Street.
Lunch at Pandan House along Beach Street.
Lunch at Pandan House along Beach Street.
Lunch at Pandan House along Beach Street.
Lunch at Pandan House along Beach Street.
Lunch at Pandan House along Beach Street.
Lunch at Pandan House along Beach Street.
Lunch at Pandan House along Beach Street.
Lunch at Pandan House along Beach Street.
Dinner at Ying's Nyonya Restaurant along Church Street.
Dinner was especially memorable. It was hosted by my brother, Ching Neng Shyan, and his spouse, Judith Khoo, at Ying's Nyonya Restaurant along Church Street. Formerly known as the Hainan Restaurant, the establishment had operated for many years before focusing exclusively on authentic Peranakan Nyonya cuisine. We enjoyed a wonderful dinner while catching up and spending quality time together as a family.
Dinner at Ying's Nyonya Restaurant along Church Street.
Dinner at Ying's Nyonya Restaurant along Church Street.
Dinner at Ying's Nyonya Restaurant along Church Street.
In the evening, we went for a walk along the new Gurney Bridge on Andaman Island, George Town. The atmosphere was lively and enjoyable, especially for little Crystabelle. Crystabelle was extremely happy playing with her bubble gun and soon made some new friends there. Seeing the children playing happily made the evening even more memorable.
The illuminated skyline of Gurney Drive at night, with its modern high-rise buildings.
The illuminated skyline of Gurney Drive at night, with its modern high-rise buildings.
Crystabelle was extremely happy playing with her soon made some new friends there.
Crystabelle was extremely happy playing with her soon made some new friends there.
Day 3 – 12th July 2026
Our breakfast today was at OO White Coffee Restaurant along Carnarvon Street. We enjoyed a delicious selection of local favourites, including: Oyster Omelette, Wanton Noodles and Nasi Lemak. After breakfast, we continued enjoying our relaxing holiday in George Town.
For lunch, we went to The Suhu Café along Lebuh Melayu, where we once again enjoyed good food and a pleasant atmosphere.
For dinner, it was time to experience one of the highlights of any visit to Penang — famous Penang street food. We went to the Kimberley Street Food Night Market, where the street comes alive in the evening with established restaurants on both sides and numerous mobile hawker stalls serving a wonderful variety of Malaysian and Southeast Asian food.
Kimberley Street remains one of the best places in George Town to discover authentic local flavours. Walking along the busy street, surrounded by the sights, sounds and wonderful smells of freshly prepared food, was a true Penang experience.
It was another enjoyable evening of eating, walking and spending time together as a family.
Our breakfast today was at OO White Coffee Restaurant along Carnarvon Street. We enjoyed a delicious selection of local favourites, including: Oyster Omelette, Wanton Noodles and Nasi Lemak. After breakfast, we continued enjoying our relaxing holiday in George Town.
Our breakfast today was at OO White Coffee Restaurant along Carnarvon Street.
For lunch, we went to The Suhu Café along Lebuh Melayu, where we once again enjoyed good food and a pleasant atmosphere.
For lunch, we went to The Suhu Café along Lebuh Melayu, where we once again enjoyed good food.
Lunch at The Suhu Café along Lebuh Melayu, where we once again enjoyed good food.
Lunch at The Suhu Café along Lebuh Melayu, where we once again enjoyed good food.
Lunch at The Suhu Café along Lebuh Melayu, where we once again enjoyed good food.
For dinner, it was time to experience one of the highlights of any visit to Penang street food.
We went to the Kimberley Street Food Night Market, where the street comes alive in the evening with established restaurants on both sides and numerous mobile hawker stalls serving a wonderful variety of Malaysian and Southeast Asian food.
Shevin Teoh and Ching Jin Wei are queuing up to order their food.
Shevin Teoh, Ching Jin Wei and Ching Jin Yuan are queuing up to order their food.
Kimberley Street Food Night Market.
Kimberley Street Food Night Market. Walking along the busy street, surrounded by the sights, sounds and wonderful smells of freshly prepared food, was a true Penang experience.
Kimberley Street Food.
Kimberley Street Food.
Kimberley Street remains one of the best places in George Town to discover authentic local flavours. It was another enjoyable evening of eating, walking and spending time together as a family. Day 4 – 13th July 2026
Today was our last day on Penang Island. After breakfast at Genting cafe Kopitiam, Island Glades, we checked out from Tropicana 218 Macalister and headed towards Butterworth to meet Shevin Teoh's parents for lunch.
We had lunch at the famous 7 Village Noodle House (七廊粿條湯) in Butterworth. The famous noodle business was founded in 1956 by the late Mr Lim Bak Chuan (林木泉), who originally started selling koay teow soup from a tricycle in Butterworth. Over lunch, we had plenty of things to talk about and catch up on with Shevin's parents, as well as her aunty, Janet Lau. It was another wonderful opportunity for both families to get together and strengthen our family relationship.
In the afternoon, before going for a swim, I went to the gym for a short workout. Then, it was once again swimming time for Crystabelle at the apartment swimming pool! She certainly made full use of the swimming facilities throughout our holiday and thoroughly enjoyed every opportunity to get into the water.
For dinner, we enjoyed some famous Butterworth takeaway food. We had Ham Chim Peng and the special burgers from the well-known Burger Malas, both located along Jalan Raja Uda.
After dinner, we spent the evening relaxing together with some beer before calling it a night. The following day, Ching Jin Yuan, Jessie Lee and Crystabelle would begin their long journey back to Subang Jaya.
Breakfast at Genting cafe Kopitiam, Island Glades.
Breakfast at Genting cafe Kopitiam, Island Glades.
Breakfast at Genting cafe Kopitiam, Island Glades.
We had lunch at the famous 7 Village Noodle House (七廊粿條湯) in Butterworth. The famous noodle business was founded in 1956 by the late Mr Lim Bak Chuan (林木泉), who originally started selling koay teow soup from a tricycle in Butterworth. Over lunch, we had plenty of things to talk about and catch up on with Shevin's parents, as well as her aunty, Janet Lau. It was another wonderful opportunity for both families to get together and strengthen our family relationship.
We had lunch at the famous 7 Village Noodle House (七廊粿條湯) in Butterworth.
We had lunch at the famous 7 Village Noodle House (七廊粿條湯) in Butterworth.
We had lunch at the famous 7 Village Noodle House (七廊粿條湯) in Butterworth.
In the afternoon, before going for a swim, I went to the gym for a short workout.
In the afternoon, before going for a swim, I went to the gym for a short workout.
It was once again swimming time for Crystabelle at the apartment swimming pool! She certainly made full use of the swimming facilities throughout our holiday and thoroughly enjoyed every opportunity to get into the water.
Swimming time for Crystabelle at the apartment swimming pool!
Swimming time for Crystabelle at the apartment swimming pool!
Swimming time for Crystabelle at the apartment swimming pool!
Crystabelle playing her games at the apartment!
Crystabelle playing her games at the apartment!
We had Ham Chim Peng and the special burgers from the well-known Burger Malas.
We had Ham Chim Peng and the special burgers from the well-known Burger Malas.
We spent the evening relaxing together with some beer before calling it a night.
A bottle of Roku Gin alongside a plate of seasoned banana chips. The Japanese craft gin is known for its smooth flavor and is often enjoyed in cocktails or as a standalone spirit.
A bottle of Essie Bush House Forty Spotted Gin, in a glass of water garnished with lemon slices.
4 glasses of gin and tonic with lemon slices, a can of Sanpellegrino, a bottle of Forty Spotted Gin.
A plate of caramel-coated popcorn with nuts, served on a dish.
The Austrian Edelweiss Wheat Beer of 4.5% ABV, is brewed with barley and wheat.
A bottle of Umeshu, a Japanese plum wine.
Cheers to all!
A collection of assorted alcoholic beverages by Ching Jin Wei and Shevin Teoh for a home bar, including bottles of gin, vodka, liqueurs, and Japanese shochu, neatly arranged on a shelf.
2 miniature bottles of Martell cognac flanked by decorative mugs, a golden dragon-shaped bottle.
Teeling Irish Whiskey, Ballantine's Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Glendentachts, and Hennessy Cognac.
3 bottles of Unicum, a Hungarian herbal liqueur produced by the Zwack brand.
Ching Jin Wei's aquarium with a variety of colorful fish swimming among lush green aquatic plants.
Ching Jin Wei's aquarium with a variety of colorful fish swimming among lush green aquatic plants.
Day 5 – 14th July 2026
After breakfast, we went for a morning walk around the apartment to see the beautiful Quayside Apartment swimming pool area. We then continued our walk around the Pantai Robina seaside area, enjoying the pleasant morning atmosphere and the beautiful view by the sea.
During our walk, we had an interesting encounter with a German couple travelling in a camper van. They told us about their adventures travelling around the world. It was fascinating to meet fellow travellers with such an adventurous lifestyle, and it reminded us once again that travelling can bring people from different parts of the world together.
For an early lunch, we ate at Cafe 27 BY THE SEA, located near the Pantai Robina seaside area. It was a pleasant place to enjoy our final meal together before everyone began their separate journeys home.
After lunch, it was finally time to say goodbye to Yuan, Jessie and Crystabelle, who had a long journey ahead of them back to Subang Jaya. We departed feeling a little sad that our wonderful family holiday had finally come to an end.
As for Catherine and me, we decided to stay back in the northern region for a few more days before eventually beginning our own journey home.
Although our family holiday had come to an end, we left with many happy memories of the wonderful time we had spent together — enjoying good food, relaxing in comfortable apartments, swimming, walking, laughing and, most importantly, strengthening the bonds between our family members.
It was another memorable family holiday, filled with precious moments shared between parents, children and granddaughter. And although it was time to say goodbye, we were already looking forward to the next opportunity when the whole family could get together again.
For family holidays like this, the journey may eventually come to an end, but the beautiful memories we create together will remain forever.
A scenic outlook over the area from Ching Jin Wei's ninth-floor unit.
The 9th-floor view from Ching Jin Wei's apartment.
View from Ching Jin Wei's 9th-Storey Apartment.
The swimming pool located at Quayside Apartment in Clear Water Bay.
The swimming pool located at Quayside Apartment in Clear Water Bay. We then continued our walk around the Pantai Robina seaside area, enjoying the pleasant morning atmosphere and the beautiful view by the sea.
During our walk, we had an interesting encounter with a German couple travelling in a camper van. They told us about their adventures travelling around the world. It was fascinating to meet fellow travellers with such an adventurous lifestyle, and it reminded us once again that travelling can bring people from different parts of the world together.
German couple travelling around the world in a camper van.
German couple travelling around the world in a camper van.
Mercedes-Benz Unimog U1300L is a versatile off-road vehicle widely used for recreational purposes.
Lunch at Cafe 27 BY THE SEA, located near the Pantai Robina seaside area.
Lunch at Cafe 27 BY THE SEA, located near the Pantai Robina seaside area.
Lunch at Cafe 27 BY THE SEA, located near the Pantai Robina seaside area.
Lunch at Cafe 27 BY THE SEA, located near the Pantai Robina seaside area.
Lunch at Cafe 27 BY THE SEA, located near the Pantai Robina seaside area.
Lunch at Cafe 27 BY THE SEA, located near the Pantai Robina seaside area.
After lunch, it was finally time to say goodbye to Yuan, Jessie and Crystabelle, who had a long journey ahead of them back to Subang Jaya. We departed feeling a little sad that our wonderful family holiday had finally come to an end.
As for Catherine and me, we decided to stay back in the northern region for a few more days before eventually beginning our own journey home.
Yuan, Jessie and Crystabelle on the long journey back to Subang Jaya.
Crystabelle slept part of the way to Subang Jaya.
Crystabelle slept part of the way to Subang Jaya.
Crystabelle slept part of the way to Subang Jaya.
Yuan, Jessie, and Crystabelle: home safe in Subang Jaya, cookies included.
A Wonderful Family Get-Together
This five-day family holiday in Penang Island and Butterworth was not about visiting famous tourist attractions or following a busy travel schedule.
Instead, it was about something much more important — family bonding.
We enjoyed staying together in comfortable apartments, eating delicious Penang and Butterworth food, swimming, walking, drinking a little beer, talking, laughing, and simply enjoying each other's company.
For us, the happiest moments were not necessarily the places we visited, but the time we spent together.
Watching little Crystabelle Ching happily swimming in the pool, playing with her bubble gun and making new friends reminded us how precious these family moments are.
Once again, our children successfully organised another memorable family holiday.
Good food, good accommodation, happy children, a happy granddaughter and, most importantly, a happy family — that was what our Penang family holiday was all about. These are the moments that money cannot buy and the memories that will remain with us forever.
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