On 29 Oct 2021, I decided to drive from our E and O hotel, Penang to explore the last remaining rustic part of the Pearl of the Orient.
Balik Pulau is a short form for Sebalik Pulau. It means Back of The Island in the Malay language. The reason is that it’s a village to the west of the central hills that separate it from Georgetown.
If you drive via the east from Equatorial Hotel, you will be using Relau Road (now called Tun Sardon Road). When you reach the end, it is a T- junction. You will see the Main Road of Balik Pulau. There are just 2 rows of double-story shops. One can walk from one end to the other in 10 min.
From the t junction, you can see an open-air carpark to your left. On your right, you will see the famous assam laksa stall still manned by the son of Mr. and Mrs. Ewe. It’s called Kim Laksa at no 67 Main Road.
A drink unique to Balik Pulau is a white nutmeg drink. A famous fruit is the durian.