March 7, 2023 – Penang, Malaysia

We were suppose to dock in Langkawi, Malaysia but our port was cancelled due to political unrest.  Princess was able to find a new port in Malaysia for us instead.

We arrived in Penang this morning and Bob and I joined a tour of the local area.  Penang is located in northwest peninsula in the Strait of Malacca.  It was an important trade route for Europe, the Middle East, India and China.  Officially settled by British in 1786 as part of the East India Trading Company.

We took a bus a short distance and visited Chew Jetty, another UNESCO World Heritage Site.  Wooden stilt houses built on a boardwalk dating from the 19th century.  We walked through this floating village and saw many shops, temples and residential homes.

Next we drove into Colonial Georgetown.  Georgetown is also recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its unique architectural and cultural townscape.  It was very obvious this was a British trading area.  So much colonial architecture.  Georgetown also includes the narrow and colorful streets of Chinatown and Little India.  Our guide led us through the streets and pointed out important landmarks.  It was a very hot day so I was happy when we moved from the street and into the Botanical Gardens on the other side of town.  Important to know, there are many monkey’s, so I immediately took off my earrings.  They love to steal shiny objects, little devils.  

This area has a lot of history from WWII also. Our guide told us that his grand parents hid in the mountains from the Japanese for 2 years.

We saw an area that has a lot of development going on.  Our guide told us that this area will be similar to Dubai in 10 years.  High rise hotels and apartments right on the ocean front.  Looks like it will be very nice.

One place I was thankful that we did not visit was, Georgetown’s famed Snake Temple.  It may be the world’s only temple inhabited by pit vipers.  Built in honor of a Buddhist priest, legend has it that the monk gave shelter to the snakes and when the temple was completed after his death, they moved in on their own.  And for the past 165 years, the snakes have roamed this sacred site.  Glad we missed it!

Current currency exchange for Malaysia is $1 US = 4.47 Malaysian Ringgit’s

Farewell Malaysia!  On to our next adventure.