Penang17

April 21, 2018

Some folks like long haul trips. A friend once went on a Silk Road trip and he remarked that not many could do such a trip. Those that has money may not have the time and those who has time may not have the money or worse, the health and fitness.

Then there are those who has no money and no time, how? Stranded? Still you need a break, no matter how short. Where can one go within an hour or two which for others is like a bus ride frequently. We headed for the Pearl of the Orient - Penang. It is called so because of its landscape of Colonial, Oriental and local influences. It is a flight where the moment you are up in the air, before they serve you drinks on a normal flight or before you could settle down, you are soon going to land. The morning at Changi showed us promise. There was something silky in the air.

Even the light pointed us the way.

We were even given what felt like one of the newest planes.

It reminded us that we are humans after all. That at the end of the rat race, we are still rats.

Penangite friends delivered us to Mum's Nonya Cuisine for authentic Nonya food.

Real Penang Cuisine.

Penang's most famous son is Jimmy Choo. He is not famous for Char Kway Teow or Laksa. Not even Chendol. A failure aint' he? But the world loves him, especially those rich tai tais.

When I tasted these fried assam prawns, it reminded of my own wonderful mum's prowess for the same dish and many others.

This is another nice one. Just like popiah without the popiah skin with belacan as your dip. You can use lettuce as a wrap if you want. They actually called it the ''Jiu Hu Char'' literally translated fried with cuttle-fish with turnip.

Kerabu Kacang Botol is a must as it is very unique in Penang.

Sa Rumi, has a slight bitter taste to it. Stir-fried with sambal and dried prawns is a dish only found here and nowhere else in the world.

Ikan Assam Pedas - assam fish. This is of course Penang styled.

In Penang, ngoh hiang is called ''Lor Bak".

This is the power dish that everyone likes but not many dare to eat. Here it is called ''Tay Yew Bak'' meaning soya sauce meat. It is somewhat sweeter than our version here but very tender.

Just arrived, makan makan and the day is almost over and now at the hotel.

Nice view at the top you think.

Trademark to confirm hanging your legs out is very important.

A reminder that the year is almost out.

My first time out so near to Christmas.

Gurney drive has changed.

The beer has not. Still plenty of Carlsberg here.

We were at the G Kelawai. Quieter and preferred to the G. Seems like a hotel for gurus.

Peace at sunset by the pool.

Unfortunately, like SG, Penang is undergoing lots of development. Part of the beautiful coast has been eaten up. Part of the beautiful sea view may be a thing of the past.