Calypso's Journal: Out and About in Penang

Penang is an island absolutely teeming with history. The capital, George Town, has been declared a World Heritage city due to its history, its architecture and its culture. One just has to wander the streets for a day or two to appreciate its diversity telling its tales of yesteryear. Between its occupation by the British, the Japanese and the influences of the Chinese in the last century and then the Arabs of years gone by, Penang is quite unique. It has been dubbed the Pearl of the Orient, a nomenclature it well deserves when one visits this intriguing island of incredibly multifarious cultures.

This culture has created some of the most amazing cuisines, something for which the island is famous: Penang laksa, Penang fried noodles, Penang biryani, rojak, curries, the list goes on and on. Most of these dishes are sold at road-side stalls which are known as "hawker food". Penang offers a diverse and exotic mix of Malay, Indian, Chinese and western cuisine, which reflects the multicultural mix of the city and the Penangites crowd these ubiquitous hawker stalls at any time of the day. The ease, the variety and the cheap price make them extremely popular. We have tried several and haven't had a bad meal yet. I can't cook aboard for the cost of a meal on the streets.

In Colonial Penang, the development of the spice economy drove the movement of Chinese settlers to the island. Today, the Chinese make up just under 50% of the population and their influence is felt everywhere in the form of businesses, restaurants, temples, schools and culture.

We experienced some of this yesterday. We needed to visit the Thai Embassy to apply for a visa which, once done, we decided to take the funicular up Penang Hill to see the view of the island from the highest point. We were so impressed with the gardens and upkeep of this site, absolutely beautifully laid out and maintained. We thoroughly enjoyed the trip with its magnificent panoramic views.

While up there, we could see a most impressive looking temple not too far away so we decided to visit this as well. It was the Kek Lok Si Temple, a Chinese Buddhist temple of humongous proportions built on the side of the hill.

To get there, we walked a few kilometres in the midday sun (I was NOT a happy camper), then climbed a steep alley through shops selling the usual Chinese 'stuff' to reach the entrance but, once there, we were exposed to an amazing experience, sight after sight of magnificent structures dedicated to Buddha.

We had just missed the Chinese New Year festival held there where the entire temple is bathed in lights but we were suitably fascinated regardless.

I have to admit that the heat of the midday sun got the better of me so, by late afternoon, we returned to Calypso to indulge in a thoroughly enjoyable gin and tonic, a gift from a fellow cruiser in Pangkor. Thank you so much Pete, we had a great day but this absolutely made it!

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