Other Activities when in Penang, Malaysia

The whole area of Georgetown is a UNESCO heritage area.  It is where most of the artsy, fancy and touristic stuff happens.  However, there are more exciting things to do more than being with the happy shutters all the time.

1.  Take a walk.  Yes, I know.  Georgetown is by itself a walking city. What I mean here is to take the hard walk.  Go to Penang Hill.  It is a cardio walk.  (If you don't want to pay 30RM for the funicular ride, you may start tackling the hill from the Botanical Garden nearby.  It is for around 3-4 hours walk uphill)

It was simply the fun of being together that kept us going

Slowing down but persistent

Something caught their curiosity...

2.  While at Take time to enjoy the diversity of its flora and fauna...

The monkey cup

spot the monkey

3.  Take the funicular.  Actually, not just once.  Kek Lok Seh Temple also got another one.

4.  Go to more temples.  (I'll blog more about Kek Lok Seh)

5.  Enjoy the food.

6.  Enjoy the company of friends or yourself.

Those colorful foods with beautiful people

I was surprised that most of my friends had a long list of food to eat when in Penang.  Mine was on a different agenda.  It was simply to maintain a vegetarian diet while I was there.  That literally meant  15 meals…

How did I survive?  The photos would show.  

brekky vegetarian meal

rothi canai at old town

non vegetarian meal

laksa -non vege

eat-all- you can veggie lunch

Indian lunch

 Where are the wonderful people?

after a long walk, it was a feast of spirits and junk foods

breakfast meal

drinks for the wi-fi

Disclaimer:  I took photos of non-veg meals for the sake of art.  I didn't order it.  Those were included in the long list of craved-for foods by these wonderful people...

A vegetarian in Penang

First vegetarian Lunch in Penang

Apparently, we spent our first lunch at the wrong place.  One of my friends entered into a place that spelt a total vegetarian atmosphere.  I the enthusiast who followed him inside was in all awe and wonders.  The local was a bit disappointed.  He wanted us to get into the best banana leaf place.

accidental but lovely mistake

last lunch with a deacon

we finished out meals

We ordered an authentic vegetarian lunch to share.  

 It was a food with the word ‘ulam’ on it… Over-all, I liked the ambiance of the restaurant.  The staff were very gentle and accommodating.  We enjoyed taking photos there.

More tips:

1.  Vegetarian food is cheaper than meat.

2.  If you are unsure, ask.

3.  Honestly declare that you are vegetarian.  There is no harm in letting the kitchen know that you mean business.

Surviving the food capital on veggie food

It was a major test.  Will I finally succumb to meat in Penang?  The food list is endless.  Will I get to enjoy the place when this time, my food list will be limited to a plant-based diet?  Here are some tips and signs.

1.  Travel with broad-minded friends who respect your individuality.  Some of them don't mind sharing veggie meals with you.

tolerant non-veg friends on our first lunch together

2.Go heavy on fruit juices.  It is mostly fresh and very cheap.  The other 'unspirited' drinks are also very cheap.

honeyed lime juice

iced coffee

cooling sugar cane juice (I had mine without sugar)

power juice for lunch

         

3.  The world conspires with you.  It will send a guide...  Mine is Rory.  She just popped into our place on the second day.  It turned out she knows well about vegetarianism and knows a lot of cool places to eat.

Rory and her non-veg brekky

Walk-about Georgetown with Rory as the cheerful guide

More tips to follow.