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. 


MEMORIES OF PENANG, MALAYSIA

MEMORIES OF PENANG, MALAYSIA

MEMORIES OF PENANG, MALAYSIA

MEMORIES OF PENANG, MALAYSIA

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.


MEMORIES OF PENANG, MALAYSIA

MEMORIES OF PENANG, MALAYSIA

MEMORIES OF PENANG, MALAYSIA

MEMORIES OF PENANG, MALAYSIA

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.


MEMORIES OF PENANG, MALAYSIAMEMORIES OF PENANG, MALAYSIA

MEMORIES OF PENANG, MALAYSIA

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. 


MEMORIES OF PENANG, MALAYSIA

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.


MEMORIES OF PENANG, MALAYSIA

MEMORIES OF PENANG, MALAYSIA

MEMORIES OF PENANG, MALAYSIA

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. 

MEMORIES OF PENANG, MALAYSIA

MEMORIES OF PENANG, MALAYSIA

MEMORIES OF PENANG, MALAYSIA

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.

MEMORIES OF PENANG, MALAYSIA

MEMORIES OF PENANG, MALAYSIA

MEMORIES OF PENANG, MALAYSIA

MEMORIES OF PENANG, MALAYSIA

Another agenda are the fishing villages.  Docked fishing boats and a wet market served as part of this so-called day tour.

MEMORIES OF PENANG, MALAYSIA

MEMORIES OF PENANG, MALAYSIA

MEMORIES OF PENANG, MALAYSIA

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. 

MEMORIES OF PENANG, MALAYSIA

MEMORIES OF PENANG, MALAYSIA

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. 

MEMORIES OF PENANG, MALAYSIA

MEMORIES OF PENANG, MALAYSIA

MEMORIES OF PENANG, MALAYSIA

MEMORIES OF PENANG, MALAYSIAMEMORIES OF PENANG, MALAYSIA
 
MEMORIES OF PENANG, MALAYSIA

MEMORIES OF PENANG, MALAYSIA

MEMORIES OF PENANG, MALAYSIAMEMORIES OF PENANG, MALAYSIA
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.

MEMORIES OF PENANG, MALAYSIA

MEMORIES OF PENANG, MALAYSIA

MEMORIES OF PENANG, MALAYSIA

MEMORIES OF PENANG, MALAYSIA

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. 

MEMORIES OF PENANG, MALAYSIA

MEMORIES OF PENANG, MALAYSIA

MEMORIES OF PENANG, MALAYSIAMEMORIES OF PENANG, MALAYSIA

MEMORIES OF PENANG, MALAYSIA

MEMORIES OF PENANG, MALAYSIAMEMORIES OF PENANG, MALAYSIA

MEMORIES OF PENANG, MALAYSIA

MEMORIES OF PENANG, MALAYSIA

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.

MEMORIES OF PENANG, MALAYSIA

MEMORIES OF PENANG, MALAYSIAMEMORIES OF PENANG, MALAYSIA
 
MEMORIES OF PENANG, MALAYSIA

MEMORIES OF PENANG, MALAYSIAMEMORIES OF PENANG, MALAYSIA
 
MEMORIES OF PENANG, MALAYSIA

MEMORIES OF PENANG, MALAYSIA

MEMORIES OF PENANG, MALAYSIA

MEMORIES OF PENANG, MALAYSIAMEMORIES OF PENANG, MALAYSIA
 
MEMORIES OF PENANG, MALAYSIA

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.

MEMORIES OF PENANG, MALAYSIA

MEMORIES OF PENANG, MALAYSIA

MEMORIES OF PENANG, MALAYSIA

MEMORIES OF PENANG, MALAYSIA

MEMORIES OF PENANG, MALAYSIAMEMORIES OF PENANG, MALAYSIA

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.

MEMORIES OF PENANG, MALAYSIA


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