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When the first time I approach Balik Pulau, the first thing that struck
my mind is the sense of enclosure. The sense that makes you will always
remember the place no matter where you go. Balik Pulau is just a small town
with so many still-standing traditional shop houses that gives a unique
character to the surrounding. Maybe for some people, the architecture that
now can be consider as traditional and old are a masterpiece while for some it
may be just a building that waits to collapse anytime soon. Balik Pulau as
mentioned in the history of Balik Pulau by the Heritage art ED of Penang
means ³the other side of the island´. The Chinese call it ³the island behind the
hills´ as it bordered along the coastline on the western side and been
protected by the high hills on three side. There are only three main roads that lead to Balik Pulau which is
from Relau, Teluk Bahang and also Teluk Kumbar. Among the three roads, Relau is the newest and the
shortest route from Balik Pulau to Georgetown which only took 30 minutes to reach the other side and it
also been considered as the safest route among the three.

Every town must have their own story. Balik Pulau can be considered
as the main economical hub during the 1800s because of Sg.Pinang that leads
from Balik Pulau towards the Indian sea. Now? Maybe can still consider as the
economical hub but more into agriculture which is the durians and buah
pala.Durians are the main attraction in Balik Pulau that will make any visit
without tasting the delicious and unique durian of Balik Pulau is meaningless.
Ok. Is that means our visit to Balik Pulau is meaningless? Nope I don¶t think so
because despite the durians there are other several attractions that will
definitely makes a person¶s experience unforgettable such as Laksa janggus,
Pantai Pasir Panjang, fisherman¶s village near Teluk Bahang and many more
that couldn¶t been describe by words. Laksa Janggus, the name itself maybe
for some is not interesting at all but the taste WOW! It is unforgettable. The
deliciousness of the Laksa will make u remember Balik Pulau for a quite some
times. The durians as mentioned by the villagers are far more delicious and
awesome in a way that when a person taste them, will definitely collapse just from one bite. It is not a tale
to be told but definitely a true story and to proof that, you have to come to Balik Pulau and taste them
yourself. The beach are far more beautiful and serene differ from elsewhere. The sands are so fine and
soft so when you steps on it, you will definitely sink bit by bit. The views of the Indian sea from Pantai
Pasir Panjang are breathtaking. Although the tragedy of Tsunami which happens there in 2004, won¶t
stop from people to go and have fun while enjoying the awesome views especially during sunsets.

The attraction of Balik Pulau is not only focusing on the foods and places but as well as the
people and the villagers around. They are the friendliest and polite people that I have ever encountered
differ from Johor. They are helpful in many ways. Some of them gives us rides and shows what Balik
Pulau is all about. Some volunteered in providing us with information that we need as well as cooperation
during the interviewing process. They didn¶t mind if we took pictures of them in fact some of them are
volunteering in making us taking pictures of them. They do make me feel like I¶m home. The feeling of
cozy and comfortless makes me feel like this is not going to be my last trip to Balik Pulau. I¶ll definitely
come back sooner or later especially during the Durian¶s season which is in June. Despite all the
attraction that as mentioned above, doing a study of Balik Pulau took me deeper and deeper into how the
town comes about. The history of the town makes me feel like I¶m part of it. The old buildings especially
along the stretch of shop houses with old people as the occupants¶ does gives sense of going back in
time. As a person who is born in Malaysia which also once known as Tanah Melayu, makes me feel that
Balik Pulau itself does have a very interesting and anticipating history that the world must know as they
also encounter the same fate during world war 2 as same as the other part of Tanah Melayu does. So as
for the conclusion, visiting Balik Pulau is a must in order to have the experience as breathtaking as I am.
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