When you hear Asia, you think Bali. Or Thailand. China maybe? The largest continent on earth has quite a bit of splendor to offer, but it is also flat Malaysia. 'Us' Renée went that way. Came, saw, conquered and shared. Don't mention it. Part 1: Favorite in Malaysia: Penang and Georgetown.

On the west coast of Malaysia is one of the nicest places I visited during my trip through Malaysia. Namely, the Penang Peninsula with its largest city Georgetown. As in other parts of the country, Penang's population has varied due to its colonial past. And you see that mix in almost everything. You will find various prayer buildings - from Chinese and Hindu temples to mosques - and the food offering is extensive and diverse with a major focus on seafood (my personal favorite).

Georgetown is the place where everything happens. Here you will find all the food courts, shops, bars and restaurants. The city center, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is characterized by Victorian-style buildings and many street art.. Here too you can see the colonial past in different ways in the street scene. I therefore recommend that you explore the city by walking around the different streets and mini-neighborhoods of Georgetown. Almost every (3D) work of art you encounter on the street gives you a little more information about the history of Penang. So you're actually walking through a kind of open-air museum!

If you're looking for a low-budget stay, there are plenty of options in Georgetown. I stayed in Ryokan Boutique hostel around the corner from Love Lane, the street that comes alive in the evening. Here you will find plenty of nice bars with live music and cocktails. My favorite? Mike's Place

The food offering in Penang is as varied as its inhabitants. Chinese, Thai, Indian, Vietnamese and Indonesian; Nowhere will you find so many different Asian cuisines next to each other as in Malaysia. The widest range can be found at the food courts, of which Red Garden Food Court my favorite. Go during the day Chew Jetty and also visit the covered food market near the water.

For a nice view, go to the Kek Lok Si temple. This temple is located on a mountain outside Georgetown and in my opinion it is much more beautiful, quieter and cheaper than the famous Penang Hill. The temple is located about 8 km from Georgetown and the easiest way to get here is by bus (you have to walk up the last part).

For a good coffee go to Mugshot (aka The Mugshot Café) and if you fancy a traditional (vegetarian) Chinese meal in the evening steampod I advise you Sangeetha Restaurant On. During the day you can walk past this 'garage', but in the evening it is suddenly full of locals and tourists. The tent itself doesn't look special at all, but the food... oh my!

If you need a Western shopping experience, go to Sixth Sense. The jewelry, clothing and interior items from this store go directly on your wishlist.

Would you like to meet backpackers? Then you go to Antarabangsa Enterprise. This place is in a somewhat strange, hidden location in Georgetown and can best be described as a liquor store plus. And that plus mainly stands for the company you meet there and the dirt-cheap beers you can buy there. Everyone can easily sit here on the plastic chairs in front of the door and this place is also popular among locals.

Final note: I was initially going to stay in Georgetown for two nights, but ended up adding another night because I was enjoying it so much. I can very well imagine that you would like to stay here for four or five nights. In that case you can also go to the National Park and the Botanical gardens. The beaches of Penang are not really worth it, but if you rent a scooter or bicycle, you can visit some beaches.

Love, Renée

top image right @iserotu