we awoke early and I had arranged an early breakfast. We wanted to catch the 9:30 ferry back to Lamut to give us time to arrange a bus ticket to Georgetown. I must admit my research was scant and I wasn’t sure how the buses would run or indeed how busy they would be. Chinese New Year is fast approaching and everybody said that Penang , being mostly Chinese, would be very busy.
Judging by the fact that the bus from KL to lumut was nearly empty I assumed the same from Lamut to Penang would be the same. We arrived at Lamut ferry at 10:15 and by 11:00 we were on the bus and en-route to Penang.. there were only about 20 people on the bus so my initial thoughts were correct. Thankfully.
The journey took around 3 hours and we pulled into Butterworth central at just after 2pm. Butterworth is the harbour district of New Penang and I didn’t realise that Georgetown is on Penang island. We went to the bus ticket office and enquires about bus tickets to George Town and were swiftly informed that no buses run to Georgetown and we would have to take a ferry. Our hearts sank. Visions of buses to the ferry port or worse taxis filled our minds. I enquired as to how we get to the ferry port and the ticket office guy said “first door on the left”. Result. 20 pence and a two minute walk saw us safely on the ferry and a further 20 minutes boat ride saw us in Georgetown. It is hot here. KL and Pangkor gave us temperatures of between 30 and 35 degrees. Here it is more 38 to 40 despite us being further north.
A short walk saw us at our digs and we settled in.
We met a nice young guy on the ferry crossing called Peter who’s English was very good and we milked him for as much information re. Hawkers markets, cheap places for beer etc As we could.
Communication is a lot easier in Malaysia as most people have a basic command of English Compared to Vietnam it is a lot easier to travel here.
We checked in got showered as we were hot and sweaty from the travel. The heat here is similar to Singapore. High temperature and very humid. You only have to think about exercise of any nature and you sweat. Really sweat. Breathing is sometimes an effort. We showered, changed and set off for a quick scouting mission around our immediate locality. We are staying in the middle of Georgetown. A UNESCO world heritage site as it, along with Cochin, are the only existing examples of a Colonial township. Georgetown was originally known as Prince of Wales Island and was initiated by the BEIC ( British East India Company) in the late 18th century. We strolled through Chinatown and found a great little bar. Cheap as chips. The beer is cans from the fridge and the tables are uncomfortable plastic stools placed on a bend in the road next to the temple of the goddess of mercy. One of the oldest Chinese temples in Georgetown. A few travellers and locals were here and we exchanged stories of our travels over a few cans. After these few drinks we set out for food as we were now a wee bit peckish. The “Red Garden” hawkers court is only a 5 minute walk from our digs so we decided to eat there. We use Hawkers markets whenever we can. They are really, really cheap and provide the best local food available. The best Hawkers markets we have used previously are in Singapore but this one was amazing. The food was incredible. A hawkers market is usually a large covered space filled with plastic tables and chairs. Around the perimeter are stalls selling a particular type of food. Noodle, rice, seafood, fried chicken feet, pigs willies, anything you can imagine. You choose your selection, pay, and the food appears at your table a few minutes later. We have never been disappointed. Tonight was no different. We both ordered the green curry with chicken. I ordered “spicy” and Crispy knowing better ordered “not so spicy”. I have said it before but I will reitterate here. Never, I mean never order anything “spicy” in Asia. I guarantee it would power the space shuttle and the following morning make your arse feel like the said shuttle has just opened its afterburner on your delicate parts. Crispy was OK but I felt the pain.
After dinner we had an early night as it had been a long day travelling. On return to the digs I emailed the Grand Lodge of SE Asia to see if any brothers in Penang fancied showing us around their Masonic hall and lodge room. I like to get in touch with fellow brothers when I can as it is always interesting and may lead to a free dinner.
Bare and Crispy signing off Georgetown, Penang, Malaysia 🇲🇾
Judging by the fact that the bus from KL to lumut was nearly empty I assumed the same from Lamut to Penang would be the same. We arrived at Lamut ferry at 10:15 and by 11:00 we were on the bus and en-route to Penang.. there were only about 20 people on the bus so my initial thoughts were correct. Thankfully.
The journey took around 3 hours and we pulled into Butterworth central at just after 2pm. Butterworth is the harbour district of New Penang and I didn’t realise that Georgetown is on Penang island. We went to the bus ticket office and enquires about bus tickets to George Town and were swiftly informed that no buses run to Georgetown and we would have to take a ferry. Our hearts sank. Visions of buses to the ferry port or worse taxis filled our minds. I enquired as to how we get to the ferry port and the ticket office guy said “first door on the left”. Result. 20 pence and a two minute walk saw us safely on the ferry and a further 20 minutes boat ride saw us in Georgetown. It is hot here. KL and Pangkor gave us temperatures of between 30 and 35 degrees. Here it is more 38 to 40 despite us being further north.
A short walk saw us at our digs and we settled in.
We met a nice young guy on the ferry crossing called Peter who’s English was very good and we milked him for as much information re. Hawkers markets, cheap places for beer etc As we could.
Communication is a lot easier in Malaysia as most people have a basic command of English Compared to Vietnam it is a lot easier to travel here.
We checked in got showered as we were hot and sweaty from the travel. The heat here is similar to Singapore. High temperature and very humid. You only have to think about exercise of any nature and you sweat. Really sweat. Breathing is sometimes an effort. We showered, changed and set off for a quick scouting mission around our immediate locality. We are staying in the middle of Georgetown. A UNESCO world heritage site as it, along with Cochin, are the only existing examples of a Colonial township. Georgetown was originally known as Prince of Wales Island and was initiated by the BEIC ( British East India Company) in the late 18th century. We strolled through Chinatown and found a great little bar. Cheap as chips. The beer is cans from the fridge and the tables are uncomfortable plastic stools placed on a bend in the road next to the temple of the goddess of mercy. One of the oldest Chinese temples in Georgetown. A few travellers and locals were here and we exchanged stories of our travels over a few cans. After these few drinks we set out for food as we were now a wee bit peckish. The “Red Garden” hawkers court is only a 5 minute walk from our digs so we decided to eat there. We use Hawkers markets whenever we can. They are really, really cheap and provide the best local food available. The best Hawkers markets we have used previously are in Singapore but this one was amazing. The food was incredible. A hawkers market is usually a large covered space filled with plastic tables and chairs. Around the perimeter are stalls selling a particular type of food. Noodle, rice, seafood, fried chicken feet, pigs willies, anything you can imagine. You choose your selection, pay, and the food appears at your table a few minutes later. We have never been disappointed. Tonight was no different. We both ordered the green curry with chicken. I ordered “spicy” and Crispy knowing better ordered “not so spicy”. I have said it before but I will reitterate here. Never, I mean never order anything “spicy” in Asia. I guarantee it would power the space shuttle and the following morning make your arse feel like the said shuttle has just opened its afterburner on your delicate parts. Crispy was OK but I felt the pain.
After dinner we had an early night as it had been a long day travelling. On return to the digs I emailed the Grand Lodge of SE Asia to see if any brothers in Penang fancied showing us around their Masonic hall and lodge room. I like to get in touch with fellow brothers when I can as it is always interesting and may lead to a free dinner.
Bare and Crispy signing off Georgetown, Penang, Malaysia 🇲🇾
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