Penang National Park

The relatively small Penang NP is quite popular within the island visitors. We had originally planned to take an easy coastal 3km walk to the Monkey Beach. But as this was closed we have decided to take a more challenging Kerachut beach trek. 4 km one way with most of it in the tropical rainforest going over a saddle.

We have started relatively early. At 9.30, after signing into a visitors book at the park headquarters and having a simple breakfast while observing two big (1,5m?) monitor lizards swimming in the sea.

The first part was an easy coastal paved walk where kids can easily walk independently. But where climbing towards the saddle started it was necessary to carry Oliv. And to entertain and motivate Tadeas. So we were moving slowly. Lukas carrying Oliv most of the difficult (steep up and down, over the roots) sections and going ahead. Kaczulka walking with Tad and talking about the ninjas (!). Than roles switched and Kate walking slowly with Oliv (she was realy brave and tried hard) while Luk trying to explore nature along the path with Tadeas. And this, kids exchanging, repeating for several times. The only worth mentioning observation along the way was a 20cm millipede. After some 2,5 hours we have reached the beach.

To be exact, we have reached it by a different paths so Luk+Oliv vs. Kaci&Tad, we were lost for at least half an hour to each other. Little bit stressful but happy to reunite after.

Sea is forbidden for swimming there as both strong under currents and venomous jellyfish are present. But at least we had a dip in a small stream coming from the island inland and nearby lake.

Later on we have visited the sea turtle rescue center located at the other end of the beach (there is also a good official campground) where kids went positively extatic from observing both hatchlings and adults of a green and hawksbill turtles.

As the time was slowly turning towards the later afternoon and we fell that it might be too complicated and taking too long trying to get back by the same path we have decided to use a boat taxi transport. Though the boatman tried to ask 80RM we have offered and agreed on 40 RM. Apparently still reasonable for both. 20 minute ride back to where we started.