We miss travel as a couple! Baby doesn't stop us from traveling, we want to bring him along to explore the world together. Of course there's fear of having to endure a troublesome trip, baby might get fussy or not used to the new environment. But if not now, when? We bought ticket last year when Kyle was only few months old, was thinking to go Bangkok but wasn't sure if Bangkok is baby friendly. Japan absolutely baby friendly but wasn't financial ready. So end up choose Penang because I've missed West Malaysia too much. haha.
Sharing 5 Tips to Ensure a Kids Friendly Vacation
1. Be prepared and know your way
Sharing with you our tentative itinerary. We planned ahead as usual so roughly know where to go, what to eat. We also listed down Pros & Cons to decide to bring strollers or carrier for Kyle.
At the end we use strollers because it will be warm for him to stay inside carrier and we know he would love to explore the city together. I will check the distance for everywhere we go so that we can expect the ride time and also easy to do budget.
2. Stay in a Comfortable Hotel
To choose to stay at Shangri-La's Rasa Sayang Resort or Hotel Jen was a challenging decision for me. Obviously kids would love to play and get to swim at a resort but after considering the travel distance, we choose to stay in a city hotel, Hotel Jen, Shangri-La.
The newly renovated hotel look great! Spacious and clean. Very convenient location as it is in the center, all the places that we go took us less than 15 minutes by GRAB/ UBER. Close to malls and markets.
Received special arrangement by the hotel for my birthday. Rainbow cake, a bottle of wine and a room upgrade <3
3. Kids Friendly Activities - Entopia by Penang Butterfly Farm
I have been doing research for Kids friendly activities in Penang, I thought there's a zoo haha. Came across and get to know about Entopia farm from Penang Roadshow last month, so we included this place into our itinerary.
Entopia is great for adults as well as children. We never seen so many beautiful butterflies in one place, it was so magical!
It wasn't crowded when we reached was around 10:00a.m. Just in time for their first session"Vita Nova" at 10:15a.m. The staff shared with us the life cycle of a butterfly and let us touch different kinds of Pupa. Then releasing newly-emerged butterflies out into the garden. There're so many butterflies I'm sure more than 300!
There's interactive sections for us to learn as well as hold real live grubs and beetles. Other creatures are on display too, various insects, snails, lizards, snakes, spiders, fish.
Stroller friendly and they have nursing room!
We were truly amazed by this beautiful place. I don't mind to go back again when Kyle gets older, it will be a great educational tools for the children.
Tips: Go early to avoid the sun. Purchase ticket online in advanced entitled for special discount. Get a map or brochures so you know your way.
4. Feed well
We choose not to go hunt for food that need to queue. Penang food are great everywhere (except Gurney drive? 10 out of 10 GRAB driver said that).
Sharing where we had or meals without long queue and easy for kids.
Breakfast: We feed Kyle at Club Lounge so he can have some healthy food to start the day.
Lunch:
- George Town Penang Teochew Cendol Road. The fried nian gao with sweet potato & yam is a must have food!
- Cecil Wet Market. The food are super good and cheap compare with Kimberly street!
- Kapitan Nasi Briyani. So so only. Our Anak Mami is better, hehe.
Dinner:
- Kimberly Street
- Yu Noodle at Gurney Plaza
All these places provides Baby high chair except Cecil wet market.
5. Street Art Gazing
Not recommend if your kids cannot stand the heat under the hot weather.
We were lucky that day was windy and not a sunny day. We enjoyed the wall mural art hunt and photo taking. We started at 10:30a.m. and ended around 12:00p.m.
More photos on my Instagram!
Kyle fall asleep in the stroller around 11:00a.m. his usual nap time. Yes he can sleep everywhere :p
All in all, I would say Penang is a great holiday place for family. We feel like it's another Sabah, not a big city, friendly people, good food and full of culture, a blend of old and new. Excellent holiday!
That's all from me for now. Next post on "How to win FREE giveaways" ;)