Before the slew of awards as one of the top culinary spots in the world, one of the most compelling destinations as voted in the NY Times, and being the home of foods worth travelling the world to gorge on, the little island of betel nut palms was the Malay peninsula’s ‘convenient magazine for trade’.
Standing proud as one-half of the nation’s only historical cities (alongside Malacca) recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Georgetown was named after King George III, and is the country’s oldest colonial settlement and the Federation of Malaya’s second city only after Singapore. Embodying all things Penang-nite, the state’s capital is treasured by her people for her heritage and old-world charm. Follow the Heritage Trail walks which take you past the iconic landmarks like Fort Cornwallis, which comes with her own 17th-century Dutch cannon and the cultural-crossroads of the Street of Harmony where the many major religions strive side-by-side, before ending your tour at the Penang Ferry Terminal, where a return ride to mainland Butterworth gives you a view of a metropolis floating on water.
The island’s most famous beach destination, Batu Feringghi is known for her Hard Rock Hotel luxury resort, clusters of para-gliders and windsurfers, and the plentiful stalls of the night market. A coastal heaven which shines with her string of international resorts and sun-worshippers by day, Georgetown’s north-western neighbour transforms into a carnival of lively haggling and colourful exhibits as the sun sets. Surviving the 2004 tsunami waves in form and name, Feringghi’s shores return with her clutches of sun-frolickers on beach buggies and jet-skiers, as well as the odd tanning bodies or two. Then, find a souvenir worthy of a Malaysian night market at the Jalan Batu Ferringhi pasar malam as you polish off your skills in running down prices off imitation handbags, t-shirts, and local artwork.
Then, chart your discovery of Penang cuisine as you drive down ‘The New Esplanade’ of Gurney Drive, the island’s celebrated seafront promenade. Spoken in the same breath as ‘hawker food’ and ‘dining by the sea’, the local’s Persiaran Gurney may intimidate with her handful of fancy skyscrapers and luxury homes, but as you stroll past the high-rise developments and five-star hotels, a rewarding alfresco fare of char kway teow, assam laksa and lok lok awaits. Welcoming the groups of families on a quiet evening out, or the young partiers off for a night in the city, the mobile stall providers open till late and cleverly combine the experience of an authentic Malaysian eat-out with the soothing sensation of a beach getaway.