Ride a ‘ship of the desert’ on the beach in Penang

Fun on the sand: Kylie Goh, 12, and Dylan Goh, eight, astride a camel at Batu Ferringhi beach in Penang.

GEORGE TOWN: You don’t have to go to a desert in northern Africa or the Middle East to experience a camel ride anymore.

Just drop by at the popular tourist belt in Batu Ferringhi and there’s a camel to take you for a ride along the beach.

Freelance copywriter Catherine Chong, 44, was surprised to see a camel there on Sunday.

“This is something new. When I went there two months ago, there was no camel.

“I was there with my family to celebrate my daughter’s birthday and it was a quite a unique experience.

“A beach boy asked for RM20 for a 10-minute ride per person.

“I bargained with him and he agreed to take RM30 for two persons,” she said.

When contacted, state Veterinary Services Department director Dr Siti Salmiyah Tahir said camels were domestic animals.

“As long as the caretaker is responsible for the camel, it is allowed,” she said.