Penang - week 4 in Malaysia -
Penang was also on my bucket list, so we thoroughly enjoyed our time there, falling in love with the town's many sights like street art, colonial architecture, and diverse cuisine. The townscape fascinated me because of the Christmas decorations adorning the streets despite the tropical weather - a stark contrast to the winter celebrations I was used to in Japan. In Australia, for instance, Christmas is a family occasion spent by the pool with food, cakes, and drinks, so I'm gradually getting accustomed to their differences.
George Town
The street reminded me greatly of IPOH, with its artistic murals and charming houses. We passed by the cathedral where loud house music was playing! I was puzzled by the mix of Catholic and techno music, but it was because they were preparing for a big celebration on the upcoming weekend.
There were numerous fashionable cafes and restaurants that attracted especially young people, and we enjoyed pastries with coffee at a bakery. The croissant was incredible!
The heritage museum showcases an opulent 19th-century mansion, famous for its stunning interior and many antique collections. Fortunately, we joined an English-guided tour that gave us a deep dive into its history.
The Street art.
Many murals featured 3D elements, such as using metals, old bicycles, and weathered brick walls, making them especially unique and artistic.
One of my favourites was Mr Been's piece, which was 2D though; I even took a seat in the rear to snap some photos.
Street Scenes.
Snapshots of China Town, the marketplace, fire station and a statue outside the court capture everyday life - scenes that look ordinary but reflect true local life.
Wooden houses began to be built along the walkways of the water village in the 19th century. Shops lined the main path, while residential homes sat just behind them. We wandered into the built-up area to see what the neighbourhood looked like. The houses appeared similar to those on the mainland, but what truly amazed me was the massive pillars rising from the ocean that served as their foundations — especially considering that this construction style dates back to the 19th century.
Heavy rain was almost daily, and just before a storm hit, the sky looked eerily like a scene from a thriller movie, with lightning and thunder. We finished our tea quickly and hurried to a pub close to our hotel.
Tanjung Bungah Beach.
After our brief visit to George Town, we headed to the beach to relax. The photos taken from our high-rise condo show clear views of the beach. This area was less touristy and more local, making it very relaxing. Frequent local buses made it easy to explore further.
The place was called a café, but it was actually more like a food court with lots of small stalls lined up — and we absolutely loved it for its variety and delicious options. One of my favourites was a satay stall run by a friendly, Bob-Marley-looking guy who was grilling skewers over the fire. The chicken satay I had there was incredibly tasty, and I’m convinced the key was the rich, flavourful peanut sauce.
Our mutual favourite, though, was a stall that served a wide range of vegetable dishes at very affordable prices. The kelp salad we ordered was delicious, quite chewy, and each piece was unbelievably long — as you can see in the photo below 👇 I think it must have been over 60 cm!
Batu FeringghiBeach.
We took a walk along the beach to watch the sunset before tea. The white sand was soft and the sea breeze was so soothing as we sat on a rock, watching the sun go down. It's a perfect way to end our trip in Penang.
Comments
Post a Comment