Penang, Penang

This is a little late but about three months ago a friend and I went to Penang during our semester break. It was the most last minute travel plans I’ve ever made because it clashed with work and had to negotiate with my now ex-boss to skip the day off.

I was actually there to accompany my friend on school assignment but within a few hours of arrival that went down the drain so it became a quick 36 hour getaway.

We took the midnight train from KL Sentral to Butterworth; the journey took a little more than 7 hours – longer than expected. Food on the train was both terrible and expensive, and I regretted not buying any before the ride.

The Arrival

As soon as we arrived, we took the ferry headed to the main city, Georgetown. It’s about RM1.20 one way. However, the ride back to the mainland is free. It’s roughly 10 minutes from dock to dock.

Despite having a map, we were then lost in a junkyard street trying to find our hostel. It took us half an hour to actually reach our first destination.

Lovely, Love Lane

The place we stayed in is called Love Lane Inn located in Love Lane. I personally like the place for it’s quaint and quiet atmosphere – not to say that I dislike upbeat and happening backpackers.

Love Lane (street) is packed with tourists. You can barely notice any locals in the area. Ironically, I was the only Malaysian at the inn (my friend’s Maldivian). The Taiwanese owner, Jimmy, was an ex-traveler (or so he claims) and his staffs and ‘wives’ came from all over Asia (Indonesia, Philippines and I think I notice a Cambodian..or was it Vietnamese?). All the other occupants were either European or American. During my stay we had two English, one Danish, and a Frenchman as roommates.

This hippie was singing all day long along Love Lane

Where all the Asian tourists went? In fact, where were all the local tourist? The lack of Asians there proves that we prefer expensive hotels – even when we don’t have the cash.

One distinct thing that happened when we were checking in was that the owner ‘dissected’ information from my Malaysian ID card. Apparently he doesn’t see Malaysian tourist that often (I’m probably the first in a long time) and was curious as to why Malaysian IDs don’t have issuing date printed on them. He said it was ‘weird’. Welcome To Malaysia.

The Attack of The Bedbugs

Prior to sleeping at Love Lane Inn I was well informed of the bedbug issue thanks to the reviews at Hostelworld. Despite that we still went there anyways because other backpacking lodges were either fully booked or priced above our budget.

We paid RM12 per person/night which I can’t say was worth it solely based on the reason that I barely slept because I kept getting attacked by the bed bugs ever since I found one hiding in the creases of my shirt.

Those little Draculas can be more dangerous than mosquitoes as they are harder to exterminate, live longer without blood supply and tend to follow you home where they start duplicating. The scars they give you also take months to disappear. Mine are still visible. Bedbugs are near nonexistent in this region and I’ve never seen one until it bit me so probably the tourists brought them there.

Food, Food, Food.

One thing to do in Penang besides all the regular sightseeing is eat. The food in Penang is out of this world! Couldn’t stop eating the whole time I was there; plus  they’re pretty cheap compared to overpriced KL.

The owner of the restaurant near our lodge where I had breakfast thought I was from Indonesia because I looked Chinese but couldn’t speak it. Took the time explaining I’m neither Indonesian nor Chinese. I’m used to getting these kinds of reaction from time to time.

Gurney Drive

Gurney drive is the entertainment hub in Georgetown. That’s where all the great restaurants are though I preferred the more affordable hawker stalls which was still beyond fulfilling.

Gurney Drive hawker stalls

One thing I regret though was not getting the chance to eat the Wan Tan Mee from one of the popular stalls. The line was just too long for me to wait so I had to settle for second-best.

Sightseeing

We went to a lot of places around town in a day mostly on foot and the free bus. In terms of sightseeing, the city center has some great things to offer like the temples and pagodas, the accidental junkyard (if you’re into that kind of thing) and the museums.

The next morning, I woke a little early on the account of the bedbugs and went on a stroll alone.
On my two hour journey, I found the Peranakan Mansion at Church Street which houses tonnes of antiquities in a huge house with a fusion of Victorian & Chinese interior. There’s even a temple inside! The art geek in me was so excited I didn’t think twice to pay the entrance fee (It’s only RM10) even though I WAS ON A BUDGET!

The best way around Peranakan Mansion is to go around at least twice. Follow the tour guide on the first round; they will tell you the history of the place and how it came to be. Then go around again to explore more and…touch – just don’t get caught.

Places We Didn’t Get To Go

Before I left, I took the time to write my Georgetown experience and the general view of Malaysian tourism in one of the traveller's journal they had at the lodge. It was nice to read stories of other people’s journey from these books and how they ended up at Love Lane Inn – there were even mentions about the bedbugs!

Travellers Journals

Letter and Emails from Past Visitors

We took the bus back to KL and it was faster than the train @ 5 hours. I was beat up as soon as I reached home but didn’t get enough rest until the weekend because of work.

There’s obviously more to see in Penang and we didn’t get to enjoy places like Batu Ferringhi, Bukit Bendera, The Botanic Garden, etc… because of the time constraints.

I’m hoping to go there again and hopefully this time a little longer than 36 hours.