MEMORIES OF PENANG, MALAYSIA
The scorching and unbearable heat of Penang, Malaysia was
unforgiving. But with the company of
great travel buddies and the random moment’s vis-à-vis city tours and nightly drinking
sprees, the predicaments and endless inconvenience vanished into thin air.
I never planned nor thought of coming to Penang soon, more
particularly on a summer season. I do
perspire a lot and with the combo of having to walk from one destination to
another and the intense heat, you could just imagine me in sweating buckets. But being with my friends in this long
weekend is just too irresistible especially that they have been part of my
summer trips annually or the other way around, I invite myself for their summer
trip. And apart from that, convincing
myself that Penang was worth the visit came easy.
The intense heat notwithstanding, Penang has a lot of surprises
to offer in a gastronomical and touristy way.
CUISINE
The various street foods and delicacies of Penang is a mixture
of Chinese, Peranakan, Malay, Indian and Thai influences. With this, we know Penang is an instant food
haven for Malaysians and tourists alike.
Among the must-try and favorite dishes marked as having
originated or at least branded as truly from Penang are: asam laksa, char kway teow and chendol.
The hawker stalls and centers presents different versions but
definitely equally palatable and delectable.
I am no food blogger so I cannot get into the details but the taste is
definitely new and tasty. The laksa though is just normal when compared to that of Singapore.
The best kaya
toast in Penang is situated just in an alley.
Despite the intense heat, we sat to dine and witness how it was prepared, charcoal-grilled right in front of us.
The unassuming eatery is named the Toh Soon Café.
BALIK
PULAU
On the
southwestern part of the island of Penang, we went without any itinerary on
hand. It was a day supposedly for island
hopping (if there is any) but we instead hailed a vehicle taken through a
mobile application and off we went on an instant day tour courtesy of our driver.
A Nature Fruit
Farm Resort came as the first agenda. The
vast property is home to Chinese and Traditional Malay houses that serve for a transient stay. We were greeted by the
hospitable owners and caretakers of the resort.
The coffee shop/restaurant predominantly decorated of antique and wooden
interiors caught our attention. It could
have been nice had we extended more hours to lounge and breathe the fresh air
in this cozy ambiance of a shop.
The laid-back pace
of life of Balik Pulau is reflected on its simple downtown area façade. And surprisingly, a number of shop houses
come with fascinating murals.
Balik Pulau as an
agricultural tourism hub is known for nutmegs, durian and cloves. Before we leave the place, I was able to try
the nutmeg shake. And it’s not that
remarkable but still worth the try.
PULAU
BETONG
The beach came as
a surprise. There were no other visitors
except our group as we step on the powdery white sand amidst the scenic
landscape of Pulau Betong. But with the
intense heat, I have to succumb and choose to stay inside the vehicle at the
comforts of an air-conditioner.
Another agenda are
the fishing villages. Docked fishing
boats and a wet market served as part of this so-called day tour.
GEORGETOWN
I would never
forget the feeling of drinking in the sidewalks with a number of tourists
passing-by and aligned bars as backdrop, made more memorable with the altercations
and commotions between locals and tourists.
That was the exact scene I dream of when having a drinking spree abroad.
And thanks to my travel buddies that they made it easier for me to
achieve.
This is the nightlife at Georgetown, Penang.
This is the nightlife at Georgetown, Penang.
At day time,
Georgetown is visibly the colorful and multicultural capital of the island of
Penang. As we wander, noticeable in the
town are the fusion of British colonial buildings, Chinese shophouses and
mosques.
The Clan Jetties are likewise part of the Penang Heritage Trail, where great souvenir finds are in store. This is known to be the latest bastion of Chinese settlement in the island.
As an inscribed UNESCO World Heritage site, there are a lot of interesting finds and things to do in Georgetown. It is home to the worlds’ oldest Protestant cemetery; the Kek Lok Si Temple with Malaysia’s largest Buddhist temple, comprising a series of monasteries, prayer halls, temples and beautifully-landscaped gardens; and the famed Penang street art.
As an inscribed UNESCO World Heritage site, there are a lot of interesting finds and things to do in Georgetown. It is home to the worlds’ oldest Protestant cemetery; the Kek Lok Si Temple with Malaysia’s largest Buddhist temple, comprising a series of monasteries, prayer halls, temples and beautifully-landscaped gardens; and the famed Penang street art.
It would take
hours to locate all the murals that define the streetscape of Georgetown,
contrary to my thoughts that they are all lined up in just one narrow street.
SUNSET
AT BATU FERRINGHI
Batu Ferringhi is
the prime beach destination in Penang. Due
to the influx of tourists, hotels are constructed along the stretch with bars
and restaurants aligned, not to mention the water sports activities offered.
The night market is an added attraction at Batu Ferringhi. And of course, witnessing the grand golden sunset albeit late served as the culmination of the memories I had of Penang, Malaysia – chill, fun and relaxed.
The night market is an added attraction at Batu Ferringhi. And of course, witnessing the grand golden sunset albeit late served as the culmination of the memories I had of Penang, Malaysia – chill, fun and relaxed.
2 comments
One of my favorite cities in Asia :)
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