Day 03: From Hat Yai to Penang

"Wherever you go becomes a part of you somehow..." - Anita Desai

(Malaysian Football legends)

Day 03: 11 Aug 2026 (Tuesday)
Route: Hat Yai to Penang
Hotel: BNM Resort Batu Ferringhi

Breakfast was at Khaled Restaurant, right next. This popular, budget-friendly halal eatery is known for its authentic and comforting Malaysian East Coast breakfast as well as local Southern Thai dishes. We had our usual favourites - nasi dagang and roti canai - a satisfying start to the day.

We checked out early and headed towards the Thailand–Malaysia border at Sadao. Border clearance was quick and hassle-free, and soon we were on our way to Penang for a three-day, two-night holiday.

We arrived in Penang early and stopped for lunch at the Tanjung Bungah Food Court, located directly across from Masjid Terapung Tanjung Bungah. The undisputed star of the food court is Lidiana Nasi Campur, which is incredibly popular for its delicious Malay dishes and wide selection of fresh ulam. With so many tempting choices, it was not difficult to understand its popularity!

As it was still too early to check in, we drove to Masjid Jamek Teluk Bahang for our prayers. The mosque is a well-maintained and peaceful community mosque in the coastal town of Teluk Bahang. It is also a convenient place for locals and visitors to stop for prayers while exploring nearby attractions such as Penang National Park, ESCAPE Penang and Entopia.

By 4.00 pm, we finally checked in at the BNM Resort Complex in Batu Ferringhi. As a perk to BNM staff and Alumni members, we are privileged to stay at the Bank's resorts at a discounted rate. We were last here for a family holiday in November 2023, so it was lovely to be back.

The resort has direct access to Batu Ferringhi Beach and is situated in a vibrant part of the area, close to attractions such as Hard Rock Cafe Penang. The lively surroundings do mean that we can expect a little ambient music and noise at night, but the convenient location and beachfront setting make it a pleasant place to stay.

For dinner, we headed to Hussain Pasembur King, a legendary, generations-old street food stall at the Medan Renong Food Complex, or Padang Kota Lama, in George Town. Operating since 1951, this Penang institution started as a humble handcart and has grown into a well-known name for authentic Penang-style pasembur, also known as Mamak rojak.

After a filling dinner, we drove back to the resort through the pouring rain. It had been another full and enjoyable day, from crossing the border and returning to Penang to good food and a relaxing evening by Batu Ferringhi.