Malaysia Uncovered: Day 5 - Penang, o Penang, the pearl of my Orient!

penang was the final stop in our trip around the country and it was right here that we separated from the cousin and her squeeze. i spent the next 3 days exploring the island with my mom, which might not sound very exciting but strangely and surprisingly enough, it was great fun (yes i said it mom, so you can call me now to gloat about how i put the words great fun and mom in the same sentence!)!

to highlight how much we loved penang (cheap food, friendly people, laidback island atmosphere), we actually extended our stay by one more day - simply by uttering these little words, "eh, let's stay another night" and "ok". my poor dad would just have to endure one more night without his wife and kid around.

ANYWAY, less talk and more photos. on the first day we traipsed around penang town, visited the cheong fatt tze mansion (which is a MUST because it is so pretty!), went on an architectural heritage walking tour (really good too!) and finally ended up in gurney drive at night (which was rather dismal, actually). ya, our itinerary might seem a bit boring to you BUT IT WAS GREAT FUN OK? ok i said it, i'm a history and cultural junkie so whatever.

pikchurs!


the entrance arch to the mansion. how did people get so rich last time?! why am i not the great granddaughter of some impossibly rich chinese man?!



oHAI! finally a decent photo of myself.





my paling dikegemari, favouritest photo of this bunch!


oHAI! this is my mom blending in with the surroundings and eating a bowl of cendol.


one of the many old houses we saw on our architectural heritage walk. it amazes me how simple shop lots like these had such intricate designs - and apparently the door used to be covered in gold leaf until it got scraped off/stolen! why are penangites so rich ar?! maybe i should look into marrying a penangite.