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Lovers' Isle

Coordinates: 5°27′58.935″N 100°14′8.6562″E / 5.46637083°N 100.235737833°E / 5.46637083; 100.235737833
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Lovers' Isle
Native name:
Ujong Batu
Map
Geography
LocationStrait of Malacca
Coordinates5°27′58.935″N 100°14′8.6562″E / 5.46637083°N 100.235737833°E / 5.46637083; 100.235737833
Administration
State Penang
City George Town
DistrictSouthwest
MukimTeluk Bahang

Lovers' Isle is an islet in Southwest Penang Island District, Penang, Malaysia, located off the northern coast of Penang Island. Located off Batu Ferringhi, a suburb of the city of George Town, this uninhabited rocky outcrop was where the first European sailors to reach what is now Penang arrived in the 16th century.[1]

Etymology

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The isle was once named Batu Ferringhi ( English: Portuguese Rock) and has lent its name to the now popular tourist destination of Batu Ferringhi, a suburb of George Town. In the 16th century, Portuguese sailors landed at the rock to obtain fresh water from the nearby streams.[1] At the time, the Malay word Ferringhi, which was in turn derived from the Arabic ferringi, was originally used to denote a person of Portuguese descent.

Urban legend has it that Lovers' Isle was named as such after a couple, each of a different ethnicity, committed suicide at this outcrop.[2] To this day, Lovers' Isle is still visited by couples during low tides.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Batu Ferringhi - A Favorite Place For Beach Lovers". www.penang-vacations.com. Archived from the original on 2018-02-01. Retrieved 2017-08-09.
  2. ^ "Penang: great food, golden beaches and urban style". The Independent. 2015-08-24. Retrieved 2017-08-09.