Welcome to my historic geocaching tour of the Georgetown UNESCO Heritage waterfront from the Esplanade to the Clan Jetties (or vice versa). I hope you enjoy a nice walk, learn some history and enjoy another Geocaching adventure!
You are looking at the historic Penang Ferry Terminal. The last ferry left this terminal in January 2021. The new ferries are docking just down the road. The Butterworth to Penang Ferry was the traditional way to travel to Penang Island from the mainland. The ferry opened back in 1894 and was then the only way for railway passengers from Singapore or Kuala Lumpur to reach George Town. It is still the most convenient way for rail travelers to reach Penang Island. Most vehicle traffic these days uses the two road bridges to Penang but the ferry, which carried cars and motorbikes, was a pleasant alternative for those not in a hurry. Fares were cheap. People only had to pay for the ferry from Butterworth to Penang. The return journey was not charged. It will be interesting to see if they add back in any boat transport for cars and motorbikes.
Just to your left is a fun sculpture. It is located within the Tanjung City Marina on the waterfront of Penang island, facing the mainland. It is in the seaport area, near several jetties and docking sites. There is a plaque on the base of the sculpture. The English translation is a little vague, but the sculpture seems to have been created from I-beans of the old Church Street Pier in 1897, and is designed to resemble the waves of the ocean. Clearly, the sculpture commemorates the early years of Penang port. Not well seen from the main road, one must walk along the waterfront.
Geocache: This geocache is located at the water's edge near the old ferry building.