After spending time on the beaches in the Perhentian Islands, it was quite a dramatic change getting to Penang. We were headed to Georgetown, one of Malaysia’s most famous cities. It is actually the capital of Penang and also one of the most heavily traveled areas in all of Malaysia. And crossing over the Penang bridge from Malaysia’s mainland to Georgetown on the island of Penang was quite impressive too. At 8.4 miles across (13.5km) the Penang Bridge crosses over the Malacca straight and is the 5th longest bridge in Southeast Asia.
Declared a UNESCO heritage site, Georgetown is the historic capital on the island state of Penang and is truly a melting pot of cultures. 
It’s true that Malaysia itself is a mix of cultures… much more so than you’d find in Thailand, Laos or Vietnam. However, in Georgetown, this is all the more so as the cultures mixed within the city are a sight to see and experience. Never have I traveled to a city and actually had the feeling that I was temporarily in different country than the one I was currently in. The major ethnic groups that make up the city are Indian, Chinese, and Malaysian. And to a lesser degree, there are Indonesians, Thai and Vietnamese. And as for a mix of religions, you have Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity, Muslim, Taoist and there are a few others though not as prevalent…. So with this, all of a sudden I felt like I was back in New York City! And its a sight to see as well. You can be walking the busy streets of Georgetown and see this mix of cultures and religions all within a 5 to 10 block radius. To me, this is one of those things that make travel so fascinating and in Penang, there seems to never be a dull moment.
Anyone for a ride in the Pedi Cab?
And of course, with such a mix of cultures, you have a fantastic place to try many authentic cuisines! After all, this area has been named “The Food Capital of Malaysia” for a reason. And this fact alone is one of the main reasons people travel here. While we were here, we made it a point to try a different cuisine at every meal. We would eat Malaysian for breakfast, head to Little India for lunch and go to Chinatown for dinner.
The ‘Pick a Stick and Fry’ – Reminds me of China…
There is a never-ending mix of amazing dishes to try and we took advantage of that fact. There are many street vendors too, especially on certain streets at night. But if you come, try to search out the restaurants in which very few tourists could be found. Typically the most authentic experiences and food can be found in these small local eateries. Like those little dingy hole in the walls where you feel out-of-place. These are the places to be. Places where English isn’t even written on the menu! It’s the best way to have a true travel experience in my opinion…
One of many authentic hole in the wall restaurants…
They even have Authentic Pork Floss Biscuits! My favorite! OK… I did try one, how could I have not?
Penang has a very extensive history as well. Due to its proximity on the water as an island, it had played a very large role in both World War I as well as World War II. In fact, the entire island was under Japanese rule for three and a half brutal years during the World War II until the British later took back control in 1945.
Commemorating the First World War
One of the fascinating opportunities I had while traveling here was to sit next to one of locals here in Georgetown while I was on a bus. He told me he was in his 90’s and was giving me a full recap of his experience after having lived his entire life on this island. His stories were just amazing and he held nearly half the bus captivated as he described life before, during, and after the great war while living on the island. I think I learned more about Penang’s history in a 25 minute bus conversation than I’d ever learn doing my own research. At least I knew the information was genuine. Unfortunately, I didn’t get a chance to grab a picture with him before we split ways, but it was a conversation I’ll never forget. And if I had to sum it up in a one liner… Penang has had a lot of changes over the years and natives here have been through a lot over the decades.
So again, if you make it here, try all the food you can and learn as much about the history of this great city as possible. There is so much to see and do, you’ll want to stay at least a few days at minimum. And for places to stay, you have so many options available. It seems though that most travelers, myself included, want to stay in the heart of Georgetown.
Malaysian and Delicious!
There are guesthouses everywhere just as you would find in Thailand and other SE Asian countries however you can find hostels and hotels if those are more what you’re looking for. Prices were good as well. We ended up staying at a little guesthouse called D’Mo Inn (yes DeeMo) and it was great. Very affordable, very clean with nice private bathrooms, strong Wifi and right in the mix of Georgetown where you wanted to be on Lebuh street. But keep in mind, I hadn’t pre-booked this place nor did I research places online. We just went guesthouse to guesthouse checking out rooms and pricing. As is often the case, this is a great way to find a nice place and often the easiest as long as it’s not in the middle of the busiest tourist season.
Alright, I think that’s enough on Georgetown for now… more to come on this historic city on the water…
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