Walking in Queensbay

The minute I stepped into Queensbay Mall, I was amazed, almost star-struck with childish joy. I'm reminded not so much of Penang's famous Gurney Plaza, but KL's Subang Parade which I had visited many years ago as a child; probably it was the erratic shape of the new mall, or the interconnecting walkways through the middle of floors.

Entering from the North Wing (colour-coded green) car park, the first shop that caught my eye was Hinode, a Japanese-owned novelty shop. Took the opportunity to get a gift for a good friend's much belated birthday. It's basically a rectangular, photo-frame like structure filled with sand and viscous coloured liquid, and works like an hourglass. Tip it, and the minute sands form various patterns in delayed gravity. In fact, I love the gift so much that I would love to get it in return. Ah, I hope he likes it :)

Went to check out Borders, but it's "coming soon". The things inside are already arranged pretty nicely though, so I guess it'll open soon enough. Went to Popular instead at the other side of the mall; surprised to find a variety of good books there within its relatively small perimeter, with some politically controversial books... I like!

This is only the third day for Queensbay, and a lot of walls leading from its carparks, are evidently in need of another coat of paint and some finishing touches. Many outlets are not open yet, and without any signage, shoppers are left to guess what they would become soon. Those that are, are undoubtedly filled with congratulating flowers, giving a very fresh, cheery feeling.

There were a lot of people there; couples mostly -- which made me feel like the last single person alive, I'm exaggerating nah, there were a lot of families too -- anyway, there were a lot of people, particularly at the lowest floor. Knowing Penangites' insatiable appetite for food, the whole said floor is devoted largely to these yummy outlets:

Nando's!
Chicken Rice Shop!
Dave's Deli!
TGI Friday's!
Manhattan Fish Market!!!

Has your heart skipped a beat yet, fellow Penangites? ;)

Ah, not forgetting Jusco! Mum says, "Now we don't have to go to Ipoh for Jusco!" I must mention here that the staff of Jusco, particularly the electrical department where we visited, were very friendly and helpful; a pleasant surprise.

As Jason says, there's not much handphone reception inside the mall as yet; though with the very low signal, I tried and was able to make a call. (And I found out the fourth floor of Queensbay is actually a carpark *winks at 5xmom*)

Woot! I figure, once Borders opens, and with Starbucks just beside it, one could just spend the whole day alternating between these two! Ah, that would be pure heaven on earth! *swoon*

Clearly, Queensbay Mall is set to become the next Gurney for Penangites! However, walking around Queensbay, I had the nagging feeling something was missing; something I was searching for, and yet had no clue if it exists, or is going to very soon. Without this very important feature, Queensbay won't have a chance against Gurney... The perpetual question was:

Where is the cinema??