Optional Activities

George Calombaris Cooking Demonstration
2 hours $30 per person
Come and see how the professionals do it. Join George Calombaris – internationally acclaimed chef and restaurant owner as he demonstrates some of the skills that have helped him become one of Australia's most recognisable and accomplished chefs. This interactive cooking demonstration will cover everything from the basics of food preparation through to some of the more complex skills required to help you on your way to possibly becoming Australia's next Master Chef. While only a lucky few will be called on to assist George as he prepares some of his signature dishes, all participants will leave better equipped to become more competent and confident cooks in their own homes. Places at this Cooking Demonstration are limited and will be allocated on a first in basis.

George Calombaris Master Cooking Class
2 hours $100 per person
Perfect for those that consider themselves the king and queen of the kitchen – this small group cooking class will put you right in the thick of things. You'll learn that cooking isn't always about knowing the best recipes or techniques, but rather about learning how to carefully balance ingredients, thereby discovering how to get the most flavour out of the foods you use. A much more intimate experience than the Cooking Demonstration, this small group Master Class (with no more than 30 people) will provide you with a much more intimate cooking and learning experience. With George Calombaris leading the way, you're guaranteed to learn a few things to dazzle the friends and family at home . . . plus you get to eat everything you cook. What else could you want?

Penang Craft, Spices & Tropical Fruit Explosion
4 hours $80 per person
This tour begins with a visit to the Tropical Fruit Farm, located on the hilly terrain of Teluk Bahang. The orchard – which dates back to 1993 covers 25 acres and helps conserve a number of rare and exotic fruit trees. Equally important however, the farm helps to educate and promote positive methods of eco farming to both locals and visitors. In its current form, the orchard boasts a collection of over 250 different species of fruit. From the Fruit Farm, the tour stops next at the Penang Craft Bakit Centre for a display of the fascinating insight into the traditional techniques used for printing on cloth with wax and dyes. Motifs of flowers, twisting plants, leaf buds, birds, butterflies, fish, insects and geometric shapes are all rich in symbolism and are dyed into the cloth using a range of techniques including hand painting and dipping into wax vats. Final stop on the tour is at the Tropical Spice Garden – a veritable secret garden filled with a wonderful mixture of smells, sights and sounds. With more than 500 varieties of flora from Malaysia and neighbouring regions, the gardens offer visitors the opportunity to explore the landscaped pathways and trails that lead to the "garden rooms". These outdoor areas are designed for visitors and feature special plant collections emphasising specific themes.

Georgetown Heritage Tour with Trishaw Ride
4 hours $40 per person
Penang is Asia in a nutshell and this tour is one of the best ways to see and learn as much about the island's rich heritage and current way of life. The tour starts with a short drive to the small town of Pulau Tkius for a visit to the Thai Buddhist temple of Wat Chaya Mangkalaram. From here the tour proceeds to the heritage part Georgetown and Fort Cornwallis where the founder of Penang first came ashore in 1786. After wandering through the old fort, participants will board trishaws (commonly referred to as the "King of the Road") and take a joyride through some of the historical parts of town including Little India (Market Street) and the colourful "Street of Harmony". The trishaw ride ends at the restored Pinang Peranakan Mansion – an impressive Victorian-style property built in the 1890s by Kapitan Chung Keng Kwee.

Penang Hill & Temple Tour
4 hours $25 per person
Penang Hill is the state's foremost hill resort. Although it was originally called Flagstaff Hill, the locals have always affectionately referred to it as Penang hill or Bukit Bendera. At about 830 metres above sea level, the temperature on the hill top is considerably cooler than in the Botanical Gardens located at the base of the hill. The garden has a collection of both tropical and local flora and fauna and boasts some of the most rare orchids, ferns and flowering trees in Malaysia. Also known as "Monkey Garden", visitors are also guaranteed to see the troops of long tailed macaque monkeys as they play on the grass and swing from tree to tree. Following the visit to Penang Hill, participants will be taken to Kek Lok Si. This unique pagoda has a distinctively Chinese influence across its base, while the middle tiers reflect a Thai style and the crown draws on a Burmese style. The pagoda houses a fine collection of Alabaster and Bronze Buddas while many of the devout Buddhists that visit can be seen purchasing a captive turtle only to let it free in a sacred pond – an act of spiritual liberation.

Penang Shopping Safari
4 hours $20 per person
No trip to Penang is complete without a shopping excursion – and while not as well known as Singapore or Hong Kong – the island offers visitors some of the best value shopping in Asia. Whether it be in large malls or from street stalls, you will find a range of ladies and gents apparel, shoes, jewellery, antiques and curio shops to suit all budgets. Queensbay Mall opened for business at the end of 2006 and is currently the largest, longest and most modern shopping mall in Penang. It is also the main shopping destination for locals and visitors with 5 levels of retailing. It is a one stop shop for those looking to shop, play, relax or be entertained. Perfect for those requiring a little retail therapy!

Golf at Bukit Jambu Country Club
$75 per person weekdays & $110 per person weekends
The golf course is located about 45 minutes drive from the Shangri-la and is of an 18 hole International Championship standard. A test for golfers of all levels, the stunningly beautiful and daunting course is 5,763 metres long, with Robert Trent Jones Jr designing the par 71 layout. Regarded by many as one of the top 10 courses in Malaysia, it has a reputation as one of the tightest courses and possibly one of the toughest. Many of the holes offer panoramic views of the seas as well as the 13.5km Penang Bridge. Costs include green fees, compulsory insurance, caddy and return transfers. Cost to hire equipment not included.