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Penang, Malaysia is a small island off the northwest coast of peninsular Malaysia, and the perfect place for us to chill for several days as we waited for our Vietnam visas to be processed back in Kuala Lumpur. Unmistakably a town of Chinese character, Penang also has many Malays as well as a vibrant, wonderfully walkable, Little India. It is also the oldest British settlement in Malaysia, and retains much of that colonial architecture, history and character.
Below, new dragons, to be used in the coming celebrations for this year's Chinese New Year (which starts February 5) are blessed in a ceremony at Kuan Yin Teng Temple, which was built in the 1800's by Panang's first Chinese settlers. The ceremony was both colorful and loud, with rhythmic drums and the constant clashing of dozens of cymbals.
Some of the colonial architecture, as reflected in these row houses.
Penang is a vibrant city, that often is most active after 9:00pm. On one of the central streets, Lebuh Chulia, food vendors (often serving fried, Chinese noodles) set up their carts on the side of the street, perilously close to the maddening traffic, and do an amazingly brisk business.
One of the true joys of Penang was its amazing and diverse food. Our favorite restaurant was the Yasmeen, a small, plain Indian restaurant, without air-conditioning, that had absolutely fabulous food. Kelly's favorite, which she enjoys here, was roti canai (essentially a pancake of sorts with a consistency similar to chewy phyllo dough) covered with vegetable curry. Rich's favorite was murtabak, which was roti canai stuffed with eggs, vegetable and meat, covered, of course, with the obligatory curry. It may not look great, but it was all delicious. And best of all was the amazing lassis made by the Yasmeen. A blended drink made of fruit, yogurt, sugar and ice, they are the perfect refresher for the spice of curry.
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