WorldTravelReynolds

Another day in Malaysia, our last until we move on to Sri Lanka and India. Today we are in Penang. Have I told you how hot it is here? Wow, today it was a heat index of 108 degrees F. Its unreal how hot it can be here. With so many buses arriving from our and another cruise ship in port, we decided to get to the most popular destination first.

The funicular train ascended Penang Hill on the 100 year old tracks. It is the world’s steepest funicular railway that provided breathtaking views as we climbed. It took 4.5 minutes going at such an incline it appeared straight up! Ear popping fun! Inside the train, it felt like we were in India, everyone crammed in. Maybe it’s more than just a tourist attraction? They say the only people at the top are tourists, workers on scooters and residents. Maybe residents go back and forth to work and/or shopping? Couldnt get that answer but the train was packed and no standing room at all. Reaching the top, we hopped on a buggy (their terms for a large golf cart) for an even more thrilling ride. We kept our eyes peeled for the elusive giant black squirrels and dusky leaf monkeys that call these hills home. As our great luck would have it, we did see some but briefly. A quick photo as they scrambled up the trees when they saw us.

The buggies dropped us off in the heart of Georgetown, offices of the Chief Minister and other government buildings are around this area. We jumped on another ride, this time a trishaw adventure. In the past, trishaws were a major way to get around Penang, especially before taxis and buses became widespread. Today, they are mostly tourist attractions. The trishaws are like a cart driven by a rider on a bicycle. Today they are wearing umbrellas due to the extreme heat.

Our ride took us through Georgetown and to the Leong San Tong Khoo Kongsi, a majestic clan house that stands as a monument to the perseverance and prosperity of the Khoo clan. (yes, its hard not to say KKK, but thats not it!)

Built in 1906, this elaborate structure replaced an earlier building that tragically burned down. The Khoo Kongsi served not only as a temple to honor the clan’s ancestors, but also as a social hub and administrative center.

As we marveled at the ornate carvings and architectural details, we learned about the clan’s long history in Penang, dating back to the 18th century when the first Khoo immigrants arrived from China. Their success as traders helped establish them as a prominent force in Penang’s early development. The Leong San Tong Khoo Kongsi stands today as a powerful symbol of the Khoo clan’s heritage and their enduring contribution to Penang’s rich cultural tapestry.

No trip to Penang would be complete without encountering Durian, the infamous “King of Fruits.” With gloves firmly in place, some of us braved the pungent aroma and creamy texture of this local delicacy.

Let’s just say, it was an experience we won’t soon forget! The fruit was huge and cost $35 USD for 1 large fruit but it had 10 or more pods inside to eat. I personally think we were ripped off because nothing is that expensive in Malaysia, but we all chipped in $3.50 and had our chance at this nasty smelling fruit. The funny part? It tasted pretty good. It was kind of mushy and had a large seed in the middle of each pod. After you trick your senses into believing just because it smells bad, it doesn’t taste bad, we were able to eat more than one bite. A very strange fruit indeed! We gave the leftovers to our guide, who loves them. I think it was a plan.

To help our taste buds recover, we wanted something a little more appetizing so we treated ourselves to lunch at the highest restaurant in Penang called Oriental Seafood. They had seafood however we took the traditional lazy susan style chinese lunch. It was delicous and had us fueled for more adventure! The panoramic views from our table were simply unforgettable, making every bite even more enjoyable. And more importantly, it was so nice and air conditioned!

Back in our van we drove over to the Penang Perankan Mansion, a meticulously restored gem of the Straits Chinese Peranakan community. This grand residence, built in the late 19th century, belonged to a wealthy Chinese businessman named Kapitan China Chung Keng Quee. The architecture itself is a fascinating blend of Malay and Chinese influences, reflecting the Peranakan community’s unique heritage. Intricate porcelain ornaments adorned the walls, while furniture crafted from mother-of-pearl and dark wood spoke of a life steeped in tradition and prosperity.

Wandering through the mansion, we saw lots of gold, (and fake gold) along with jade and jewels. The chinese really like their gold! Our guide told us an interesting story that I cannot find in my research so it could be an old wives tale. It appear the Kapitan had several wives. There is an ‘Opium Room’ in the house and there is a locked stairwell that he kept young girls, used for prostitution, confined upstairs. He had one favorite wife, his third wife, Foo Teng Nyong, and we were told a grand tomb was built for her, possibly suggesting he held her in high regard. The tomb for his 3rd wife part is true.

Our final stop before we head back to the ship is Chew Jetty, a fascinating enclave of wooden houses built on stilts over the water. They call them the stilt houses, of course. The belief is that these houses came from the knowledge of the Chinese immigrants. Penang is an island of its own and due to the excessive rain, 94 inches per year, these houses were built on stilts to keep their homes dry. And you cant beat the view if you like living on the water! Here, we explored the neighborhood’s maze-like alleyways, browsed through colorful souvenir shops, and marveled at the vibrant street art that adorned the walls. We were introduced to some homemade nutmeg water. I keep saying we are not going to drink the water, but somehow we keep getting stuff to “try”. We are still chugging along so guess it didn’t hurt us.

Our adventure for the day is over and our clothes and hair are drenched. We dont need raincoats for the upcoming rain, we are are already wet! During this day, our guide gave us some interesting information I’d like to share.

• 35 years ago, Jody Foster appeared in a movie made here, called Anna and the King. There is a similar musical you might have heard of, The King and I.
• 55% of the popoulation is Malay (I thought it would have been pronounced malaysian but not so). 100% of those are Muslim. 7% Hindu, 21% Buddism and the remainder are Christian. It was nice to hear that our guide was Christian.
• The interesting part about being Muslim is that by law muslims here in Malaysia cannot change religion. If they do, they can be jailed and or hanged. If a man/woman who is not muslim marries a muslim, they are bound forever including their children and grandchildren. Thats a strong commitment, hope they love each other. Our guide said he stays away from muslim girls!
• 222,200 people in Penang whereas there are 33.9 million people in Malaysia alone. Just out of curiosity since we are headed to India, the population there is 1.4 billion. WOW.

It was a nice day if you put aside the heat. We learned much about the history and had some fun along the way. Not sure this is a place I would be excited to come back and visit but I can say I’ve at least tried it.

We will be in Sri Lanka in a couple of days. We have a small safari planned with an overnight stay! Think elephants and leopards! Looking forward to this and then Taj Majal is up next! It just keeps getting better! Send us some cool air over here. We sure need it!

May God bless you always.

Chuck & Lea Ann