10 September 2010, Friday–We left our place at around lunch time with almost empty stomachs and off we went to the Island with only one goal in mind : to kill time. 
As I walked to the bus stop with three of my housemates (one has left for a short break in Manila), we spotted 3 kids at a Chicken Chop-Restoran happily counting their monetary gifts from their Hari Raya celebration.
I remember how I and my siblings and cousins used to go from house to house every Christmas at my lola’s place in Marikina, to get our gifts, monetary or otherwise from our relatives. It was nothing but fun to count our collection back then and think of new toys and other things to buy. I’m sure those kids were thinking of the same things too. Then suddenly, upon looking at their smiles I miss my own son.
After few minute-bus-ride to Jetty in Butterworth and 15-minute-ferry ride to Jetty in Penang Island, we hopped on the free bus ride in George Town and reached Komtar (apparently the tallest building in the island) where Prangin Mall is located. We finally booked from one of the travel agencies there our SUPERSTAR PISCES-overnight cruise for Wednesday next week. *excited*
Then we rode another Rapid-Penang bus from Komtar to GURNEY DRIVE.
the simple yet inviting roundabout with flying doves at Gurney Drive
It was only my second time to visit this tourist spot in Penang Island. Gurney Drive boasts of beautiful bay with glorious sunset, huge 7-storey-shopping complex and hawkers where one can indulge in street foods, Penang style.
We thought of eating Western food and gave our digestives a short break too from Malaysian dishes. It was almost four in the afternoon when we had our supposed to be lunch at the food court of Plaza Gurney. I gave in to my craving for Italian; I had Spaghetti Aragosta, a prawn and lobster meat pasta; also had a waffle with blueberry spread (not in photo); YUM!
Our afternoon went unnoticed particularly when we sat inside Plaza Gurney Cinema and watched RESIDENT EVIL : AFTERLIFE; have you seen this heart-pumping zombie-action film? What’s your take on it? Other than it was my very first movie experience in Penang, nothing much, if you’d ask me.
Movies in 3D cost RM 16 (PhP 224) but we only saw the regular screening at RM 10 (PhP 140). I’d say the movie houses in Manila are way better than that of in Gurney Drive. I’m so partial to Eastwood City Cinemas; those in Greenbelt & Glorietta in Makati and Gateway in Cubao, Quezon City are a personal favorites too. Imagine the cinema’s keluar (exit) at Gurney’s looked like a fire exit; definitely gave me claustrophobic feel.
We strolled from shop to shop, checked out and drooled over some electric appliances; my eyes were dreamy on a home-theater set, some mini laptops and DSLR. My colleagues bought some long sleeved shirts for work; while I just found a silk tie in plum for my loot.
When it was already past 9PM and we’re about to go home, there was one food place inside the mall with a name that really caught our attention; we instantly decided to have our dinner…
When waitress, Nicole ushered us to our table, I immediately asked her if the owner of Manila Place is a Filipino, she said Malaysian.
Manila Place is quaint but far from being intimidating. I find its interiors and menu both enticing.
I sat on that chair with striped throw pillow.
The view on my left…
You might think that menu consists of adobo, sinigang or menudo like we did but it’s not. Nonetheless, our plates were all pleasing, both to the eyes and palates…
Dr. Ronnie’s plate : SEAFOOD+CHICKEN PINEAPPLE FRIED RICE
Dr. Alvin’s plate : LASAGNA
Dr. Dante’s plate : CHICKEN CORDON BLEU
And guess who had RIB EYE STEAK in PEPPER SAUCE…
Picture muna before boodle-fight! LOL! 
I guess our Friday was a good start of our long days off. We still have some more days and hours and minutes to kill…
See you again, Gurney Drive!
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How to get to Gurney Drive : From either Jetty or Komtar in George Town, take Rapid bus # 103 or 304 or 10. There are also lots of teksi (taxi) cabs that can bring you to Gurney Drive.
Manila Place, 170-G-43 Persiaran Gurney, 10250, Penang; …visit www.manilaplace.com
From its first season to its last, we usually spend weekends, or days-off to engage in DVD marathon. The story has tons of twists and turns. From getting into jail to jail break to being in jail again, a lot of scenarios happened in between the seemingly viscious cycle. It was never boring. There may be loopholes but excitement always builds up when a plan is busted or when they succeeded.
OPINION COUNTS…