I hadn’t planned to stop in Penang at all let alone for such a long trip, but the idea of it captured my imagination. The person that recommended it knows me very well and i love the place. It’s choc full of art, history, architecture and food. There are places you can be in the thick of it and places you can opt out. Georgetown is small enough to walk around or jump on a bicycle, and the rest of the island is easily navigated by bus so makes exploring at a slow pace really achievable.
I could have happily stayed there for a lot longer, but this cake lady is getting tetchy having not used my brain for much good in the last few months and i really want to get back to work. The plan was always to start work in Dec/Jan and i have spent a bit more than i anticipated so i need to go and replenish the coffers. I’m also keen to settle somewhere for a bit, i’m tired of packing and moving all the time and i want to really get to know a place for a bit. Which includes living and working there.
China House Bento box special, Penang
I fell in love with Penang and then it took my heart and stomped on it a little bit. There was a moment when i just wanted to turn around and go home again. But it had given me so much i didn’t want to let it be spoilt by that one incident. I am so glad that i stayed as my last 24 hours in the city were magical. Sadly, my flight times meant that i wasn’t able to enjoy the full on agenda of the Jazz festival that weekend. But as this is a city that is growing up and settling into its skin, and has a burgeoning arts and music scene so there was live music right around the corner at the gorgeous China House on Friday night. Perfect for me to get my sea legs back, it was also the location that i was walking back from last Saturday night so it was a real challenge to get over my fear of that road.
I ended up popping in during the day too for a delicious Bento box
Cakey treats at China House, Penang
lunch and a cheeky Aperol spritz. It was the last day of my time in Penang and i wanted to celebrate it. It’s a great place to chill out if you have time to spare as they have wifi if you need to catch up with things online and a raft of books, magazines and newspapers you can get your head stuck into. The food is expensive by Penang standards, but seriously good. The Bento box was filled with, Lentil and sweet potato salad, Hot smoked salmon and sweet corn soup. Obviously followed by an obligatory piece of chocolate cake from their raft of options. It tasted better than it looked though sadly, as is a theme in Penang bakeries.
Jimmy Choo Street art, Penang
After lunch I took one last day time stroll around the city, past the place where Jimmy Choo was an apprentice (yes really!) and stumbling across some brilliant random artwork, temples and even a temple celebration/show down Stewart Street. It was a perfect day to remind me exactly why i like to travel. These random happenings that you could never plan, but are always more beautiful than you could have ever dared dream of just occur and take your breath away. And are the most precious things that any journey can deliver. They beat the bucket list ticking other people’s must see lists hands down. They are the things that you never would have seen if you turned left in stead of right. The things that you never knew existed but your internal compass and fate gently direct you to in order to leave an indelible mark on your heart forever. These are the moments that i cherish.
The temple event was one of these, i was very aware of the look of glee that was on my face as i stopped for a good half
Temple art Georgetown, Penang
hour to watch the show. It’s much like a pantomime with very brightly dressed characters laden with trowels of make up. Some men dressed as women and women dressed as men, celebrating the birthday of the temple. Another spectator very kindly started translating when i asked what it was all about. They were acting out morality stories, educating people not to be greedy etc, all in a really engaging and light hearted way. Reason 1004 to love Buddhism!
On my way back out to China House in the evening I told the guys on reception where i was going, and promised that i would catch a cab home. In the event there was no need to as i met a lovely German lady who was coming back the same way and we walked to Love Lane together. The music at China House wasn’t all that great that evening. Even the lead singer’s girlfriend wasn’t that impressed, playing games on her phone while she was supposed to be watching him sing! But it was a perfect night that reaffirmed to me what travel is all about and why i started my journey. The bar was relatively quiet so my new German friend and i were able to chat about our various travel adventures and inspire each other to visit and experience pastures new
She’s a maths teacher who has lived in Penang for 3 years as a stop on the way to a bigger trip but never left. She had been to all sorts of places travelling solo so it was great for me to chat to her about her experiences. She’s a bit more of a back to nature girl than me but it was great to hear her stories about the people that she’s met along the way. Especially regarding instinctive
decision making and trusting the journey. She has a passion for the romance of train travel too and had been all over India and Sri Lanka in the last few years. Somewhere i wasn’t sure i was ready for yet (especially after my experience there in March!) but after that chat maybe it will come back on the list!
We had a great chat over bar snacks and cocktails, comparing uplifting stories, tips and ideas. She even offered me her spare room if i decided to stay for the weekend for the festival. That is what solo travel is all about, meeting kindred spirits and being kind. It will always be repaid at some point, karma keeps a balance card. I was seriously excited for my last morning and took myself off for an early night i preparation. I had a taxi coming at 06:15 and i wanted to be able to savour every second of my sunrise jazz session.
A calm and restored cake lady, marvelling at the cycle of experiences Penang has delivered.
Baci a tutti x x x
