Penang, Malaysia. Part 2 ; Getting to know locals

01.02.23-08.02.23

This is a continuation from part 1 with a twist that in this new post, I will be sharing about me getting to know the locals in Penang. 

On the second day of my stay in Penang, I met a local in the afternoon, his name is Stevie. Stevie, born and proudly raised in Penang, and is someone who is always enthusiastic to show people around his hometown with curious travelers like me.

He brought me to this famous food hawker center called New World Park where I had the opportunity to savor the Penang-style Hokkien Mee, which is served in a rich prawn broth. It was rather different from the ones I was accustomed to in Singapore. Till this day, I am still not quite sure which one I like more, perhaps they each possess its own unique charm, making it impossible to pick a favorite.

After savoring the hokkien mee, Stevie insisted that I try their Ice Kachang. I was skeptical initially because I didn’t really have a craving for dessert but as he claimed, it was one of the better Ice Kachang in Penang. I guess… that left me with no choice but to try it then. It didn’t look as appetizing as the ones in Singapore but hey! Don’t judge the look by its cover right? The moment I tasted it, I knew for the fact that it was better than the Singapore version 😛 

On the third day of my Penang adventure, I had the pleasure of getting acquainted with yet another local gem, Wei Shen. He is a local tour guide who has also lived quite a traveler’s life. He has traveled quite extensively and I find myself seeking his travel wisdom and tips even to this day. Although our time together on that day was rather brief, we managed to engage in some decent conversation topics over a short span of a dinner meal, together with Florent as well (whom you may recall from Part 1).

On my fourth day of Penang’s adventure, it also marked the farewell to Florent, as he embarked on his hitchhiking journey from Penang to Ipoh. We spent some time together over lunch and even explored an abandoned school, all before he left Penang. The bond we had forged over those short three days was so strong that bidding farewell was undeniably bittersweet. At the same time, we both knew that it was not the last time we would see each other. After our parting, I embarked on a two-hour walk to meet up with a friend who had kindly invited me to a yacht party. The occasion? Celebrating Chinese New Year within their close-knit circle of friends. Again, all under the crazy heat in Malaysia but why not? 😀 I am not particularly fond of parties and I get quite socially awkward when I am in a big crowd. But the celebration turnt out to be way better than I anticipated. Everyone was all welcoming and my friend made sure to check on me quite frequently, ensuring I felt comfortable.

As for day 5, it was mainly about giving myself a well-deserved break while I chilled in my accommodation during the day. Resting is essential, remember that readers! Reset, recharge & restart! At nighttime, Wei Shen and I hung out again. This time, by the Esplanade, where a vibrant night market was in full swing in celebration of Chinese New Year (CNY). Oh! I even got to toss mandarin oranges to the sea as part of their ways to celebrate CNY in Penang. It was undeniably an intriguing and memorable experience.

Day 6 brought a new and delightful addition to my journey—Alex, a fellow traveler from Canada and currently in New Zealand for work and travel. My introduction to Alex was thanks to Wei Shen. To enhance our Penang experience, Wei Shen brought us around for a little Penang adventure. We visited a few places and the visit to Kek Lok Si temple was one of the highlights for me as I was mesmerized by how beautifully lit up the temple was. According to Wei Shen, it is an annual thing in Penang but only for one month throughout the entire year, for Chinese New Year. It was really wonderful there and I had taken so many pictures, simply amazed by its beauty. 

Following our temple tour, Wei Shen brought us to an authentic Lok Lok experience, which was definitely something that I had been eagerly wanting to try. The meal was simple yet brimming with flavor, and it brought smiles to our faces while filling our stomachs. What a delightful day filled with newfound friendships and cultural experiences!

On day 7 of my Penang adventure, Stevie took me around to discover some hidden gems in Penang and I was so mesmerized by how underrated Penang is as a travel destination. There are definitely more things to do in Penang than just a food hunt! By night, the groups of us (Stevie, Wei Shen, Alex and I) reunited for a delightful dinner, deepening our connections and getting to know one another even better. We also had a new addition to us on that day, she goes by the name, Tip. Tip is from Laos and was a super down-to-earth kind of person.  It was one of those special moments where diverse backgrounds converged, and the magic of friendship unfolded over shared stories and delicious food.

The following day marked my departure from this charming island.  While I waited at the airport for my flight, I couldn’t help but reflect on the gratitude I felt for life and the incredible people I had encountered during my travels. I also made a promise to myself that someday I would return to this island again. 

As fate would have it, I did return in April but that shall be another story for another time. Thank you for reading and joining me on this journey 😀