Our days in Penang

We had very high hopes for Penang; both in our research and while speaking to people in KL, people said they like Penang more than Kuala Lumpur. On reflection, KL was more of our type of city. Penang was great, though. One of our favorite things was discovering chendul and eating it as often as possible – both because it’s delicious but also because it’s very refreshing in the heat. Penang was the hottest of the three places we stayed in Malaysia. The afternoon sun and humidity was no joke. This made it difficult to be outside for lengthier periods of time during the afternoon; often walking through malls to stay cool. There were plenty of malls to walk through, though we didn’t enjoy them as much as the malls in KL.

One of my favorite subjects to photograph around Penang was the unique home/building fronts, alleyways, colorful buildings, and strong shadows found throughout the city. Truly remarkable textures, color, and just plain interesting.

Our favorite day in Penang was spent at Kek Lok Si Temple and Penang Hill.

Around Penang

Look through sidewalk overhang, Penang, Malaysia Look through sidewalk overhang, Penang, Malaysia Look through alleyway, Penang, Malaysia Look through alleyway and motorcycle, strong light, Penang, Malaysia Business front with parked motorcycles, strong light, Penang, Malaysia Look through allyway, hand gestures, strong light and shadows, Penang, Malaysia Flowered pedicab, Penang, Malaysia Kashmir sign, Penang, Malaysia Flowered pedicab and driver, Penang, Malaysia White building, stairwell and light, Penang, Malaysia Zoomed in white building, stairwell and light, Penang, Malaysia Street corner store, Penang, Malaysia Street corner store different angle, Penang, Malaysia Street corner store and selfie reflection, Penang, Malaysia Street corner store and selfie reflection, Penang, Malaysia Wire street art about Jimmy Choo, Penang, Malaysia Bicycles in front of the blue mansion, Penang, Malaysia Blue mansion details, Penang, Malaysia Blue mansion exterior details, Penang, Malaysia Blue mansion exterior details, Penang, Malaysia Blue mansion exterior details, Penang, Malaysia Mirror selfie in the blue mansion, Penang, Malaysia Blue mansion interior details, Penang, Malaysia Blue mansion exterior details, Penang, Malaysia Blue mansion exterior details, Penang, Malaysia Blue mansion exterior details, Penang, Malaysia Temple, Penang, Malaysia Temple, Penang, Malaysia Temple details, lanterns, Penang, Malaysia Temple details, lanterns, Penang, Malaysia Temple details, lanterns, Penang, Malaysia Temple details, lanterns, Penang, Malaysia Temple details, lanterns, Penang, Malaysia Temple details, Penang, Malaysia Temple details, Penang, Malaysia Street views and selfie reflection, Penang, Malaysia Great Shanghai Dry Cleaning, street art and sidewalk awning look through, Penang, Malaysia Hippie didn't mean happy, Penang, Malaysia Hang Chow hotel, Penang, Malaysia Maple Leaf Enterprise, Penang, Malaysia Temple exterior, Penang, Malaysia Child and turtle street art, Penang, Malaysia Fancy light fixtures, Penang, Malaysia Colorful buildings and intense clouds, Penang, Malaysia I've been trying to describe you to everyone I meet, Penang, Malaysia Harsh light, entrance and motorcycle, Penang, Malaysia Textured building, Penang, Malaysia Green door 91, Penang, Malaysia Fancy storefront, Penang, Malaysia Mosque, Penang, Malaysia Colorful storefront with lanterns, Penang, Malaysia Colorful storefront with lanterns, Penang, Malaysia Colorful temple, Penang, Malaysia Colorful temple, Penang, Malaysia Kids on a bike street art, Penang, Malaysia Kids on a bike street art details, Penang, Malaysia Street views, Penang, Malaysia Kids in prison street art, Penang, Malaysia Colorful umbrella street, Penang, Malaysia Colorful umbrella street, Penang, Malaysia Street art and mirror selfie, Penang, Malaysia Street art and alley, Penang, Malaysia Street art cat bubbles, Penang, Malaysia I love Penang, Penang, Malaysia Weathered shutters, Penang, Malaysia Penang Road Famous Teochow Chendul, Penang, Malaysia Penang Road Famous Teochow Chendul, Penang, Malaysia Street art, Penang, Malaysia Couple on a bike street art, Penang, Malaysia Give me your liver, I'll give you my heart street art, Penang, Malaysia Give me your liver, I'll give you my heart street art, Penang, Malaysia Street corner hawker, Penang, Malaysia Windows and reflections, Penang, Malaysia Windows and reflections, Penang, Malaysia This Pancake hawker is right outside the Campbell House Hotel. Their pancakes are so chewy, fluffy, and delicious! Penang, Malaysia Super Star Koay Teow Soup hawker, Penang, Malaysia Super Star Koay Teow Soup hawker, Penang, Malaysia Super Star Koay Teow Soup hawker, Penang, Malaysia Boon Wah, striking blue-green building, Penang, Malaysia Lanterns strung over the road, striking blue-green building, Penang, Malaysia Lanterns strung over the road, striking blue-green building, Penang, Malaysia If I put my hands together and close my eyes, will I see your face every night?, Penang, Malaysia Night time mosque and restaurants, Penang, Malaysia Hema Hema ice cream, fairly delicous ice cream and flavor options, Penang, Malaysia Bikes lined up at a hotel, Penang, Malaysia Colorful buildings and leading light, Penang, Malaysia Colorful buildings, leading light, shadows, Penang, Malaysia Colorful and ornate Wat Chayamangkalaram Thai Buddhist Temple, Penang, Malaysia Colorful and ornate Wat Chayamangkalaram Thai Buddhist Temple, Penang, Malaysia Buddah statue, Wat Chayamangkalaram Thai Buddhist Temple, Penang, Malaysia Buddah statue, exterior view, Wat Chayamangkalaram Thai Buddhist Temple, Penang, Malaysia Dragon mosaic details, Wat Chayamangkalaram Thai Buddhist Temple, Penang, Malaysia Dragon mosaic details, Wat Chayamangkalaram Thai Buddhist Temple, Penang, Malaysia Reclining buddah, one of the longest in the world, Wat Chayamangkalaram Thai Buddhist Temple, Penang, Malaysia Exterior temple details, Wat Chayamangkalaram Thai Buddhist Temple, Penang, Malaysia Exterior temple details, Wat Chayamangkalaram Thai Buddhist Temple, Penang, Malaysia Another view of the ornate entrance archway, Wat Chayamangkalaram Thai Buddhist Temple, Penang, Malaysia Across the street from the Wat Chayamangkalaram Thai Buddhist Temple, is a more understated Burmese Buddhist Temple, Penang, Malaysia Globe statue with dragons, around the template grounds, Burmese Buddhist Temple, Penang, Malaysia Baby buddah statue, Burmese Buddhist Temple, Penang, Malaysia Temple details, Burmese Buddhist Temple, Penang, Malaysia Buddah statue, Burmese Buddhist Temple, Penang, Malaysia Buddah statues and ornate wood details, Burmese Buddhist Temple, Penang, Malaysia Buddah statues and ornate wood details, Burmese Buddhist Temple, Penang, Malaysia Another shot of the temple entrance, Burmese Buddhist Temple, Penang, Malaysia Buddah wall inlays, Burmese Buddhist Temple, Penang, Malaysia Ceiling and buddah wall inlays, Burmese Buddhist Temple, Penang, Malaysia Buddah statue, Burmese Buddhist Temple, Penang, Malaysia Entrance hallway, Burmese Buddhist Temple, Penang, Malaysia Gurney bay beach, Penang, Malaysia Hin Bus Depot Market and rainbow boy mural, Penang, Malaysia Hin Bus Depot Market hawker, Penang, Malaysia Flowered pedicab on Cannon street, Penang, Malaysia Owl street art on Cannon street, Penang, Malaysia Leong San Tong Khoo Kongsi Clan house, Penang, Malaysia Leong San Tong Khoo Kongsi Clan house, Penang, Malaysia Interior of Leong San Tong Khoo Kongsi Clan house, Penang, Malaysia Interior of Leong San Tong Khoo Kongsi Clan house, Penang, Malaysia Interior of Leong San Tong Khoo Kongsi Clan house, Penang, Malaysia Interior of Leong San Tong Khoo Kongsi Clan house, Penang, Malaysia Interior of Leong San Tong Khoo Kongsi Clan house, Penang, Malaysia Leong San Tong Khoo Kongsi Clan house, Penang, Malaysia Details - Leong San Tong Khoo Kongsi Clan house, Penang, Malaysia Details - Leong San Tong Khoo Kongsi Clan house, Penang, Malaysia Durian baby signage, Penang, Malaysia Cat with butterfly wings, Penang, Malaysia Hard light and long shadows, Penang, Malaysia Hard light and long shadows, Penang, Malaysia Boy on a chair street art, Penang, Malaysia Boy on a chair street art - tighter composition, Penang, Malaysia Mosque, Penang, Malaysia Cat in the window street art, Penang, Malaysia Cat on a swing street art, Penang, Malaysia Cat on a swing street art, alternate view, Penang, Malaysia Four cats in a window street art, Penang, Malaysia Boy and girl in a dog head slide street art, Penang, Malaysia Now Yee Hong building front, Penang, Malaysia Street view, Penang, Malaysia Lai Saik Kum building front, Penang, Malaysia Street view, Penang, Malaysia Street view, Penang, Malaysia Street view, Penang, Malaysia Street view, Penang, Malaysia Street view, Penang, Malaysia Loong Fong Cafe, Penang, Malaysia Street view, Penang, Malaysia Little India arch signage, Penang, Malaysia India House building, Penang, Malaysia Betel Nut building, Penang, Malaysia Temple reflected in building windows - neat Lean Giap logo, Penang, Malaysia Selfie reflection in the interior of the Green Mansion, Penang, Malaysia Interior of the Green Mansion, Penang, Malaysia Chandellior inside the Green Mansion, Penang, Malaysia Interior of the Green Mansion, Penang, Malaysia Exterior of the Green Mansion, Penang, Malaysia Building angles exterior of the Green Mansion, Penang, Malaysia Chicken, Penang, Malaysia Fruit truck, Penang, Malaysia Panasonic corner and fruit truck, Penang, Malaysia Green diamonds house front, Penang, Malaysia Penang Famous Samosa, Penang, Malaysia Ramadan Food Festival signage, Penang, Malaysia Plenty of room for a motorcycle, Penang, Malaysia Another sidewalk awning lookthrough, Penang, Malaysia Another interesting front door, Penang, Malaysia Flower arrangements at Hock Huat Heong SDN. BHD., Penang, Malaysia Strong contrast, Penang, Malaysia Colorful house front, Penang, Malaysia Another colorful house front, Penang, Malaysia Another colorful house front, Penang, Malaysia Weathered and textured building, Penang, Malaysia Another weathered and textured building, Penang, Malaysia Another weathered and textured building, Penang, Malaysia Weathered and textured shutters, Penang, Malaysia One of my favorite long shadow captures of the trip, Penang, Malaysia Another view of one of my favorite long shadow captures of the trip, Penang, Malaysia Third view of one of my favorite long shadow captures of the trip, Penang, Malaysia Colorful street awning with wonderful light, texture and shadows, Penang, Malaysia White and red house front, Penang, Malaysia

Kek Lok Si Temple

One of our favorite days in Penang was spent at Kek Lok Si Temple followed by Penang Hill. We probably could have spent a full day at Kek Lok Si. There is something so special, so relaxing, about visiting temples.

View of the city from the first stop at Kek Lok Si Temple, Penang, Malaysia Heng or Ha, Dharma protector of Kuan Yin and Kuan Yin, Kek Lok Si Temple, Penang, Malaysia Making our wishes for the year, Kek Lok Si Temple, Penang, Malaysia Heng or Ha, Dharma protector of Kuan Yin, Kek Lok Si Temple, Penang, Malaysia Heng or Ha, Dharma protector of Kuan Yin and Kuan Yin, Kek Lok Si Temple, Penang, Malaysia Heng or Ha, Dharma protector of Kuan Yin, Kek Lok Si Temple, Penang, Malaysia View of the city from the first stop at Kek Lok Si Temple, Penang, Malaysia Zoomed in view of the city from the first stop at Kek Lok Si Temple, Penang, Malaysia Temples and pagodas, Kek Lok Si Temple, Penang, Malaysia Temples and pagodas, Kek Lok Si Temple, Penang, Malaysia Temple details, Kek Lok Si Temple, Penang, Malaysia Temple details, so many buddahs, Kek Lok Si Temple, Penang, Malaysia Temple details, so many buddahs and lanterns, Kek Lok Si Temple, Penang, Malaysia Temple details, Kek Lok Si Temple, Penang, Malaysia Pagoda, Kek Lok Si Temple, Penang, Malaysia Taking the funicular to the next level, Kek Lok Si Temple, Penang, Malaysia Temples and pagodas, Kek Lok Si Temple, Penang, Malaysia Temples and pagodas, Kek Lok Si Temple, Penang, Malaysia Temples and pagodas, Kek Lok Si Temple, Penang, Malaysia Lanterns hanging above the walkway, Kek Lok Si Temple, Penang, Malaysia Buddah statue and surroundings, Kek Lok Si Temple, Penang, Malaysia Lanterns and temple details, Kek Lok Si Temple, Penang, Malaysia Lanterns and temple details, Kek Lok Si Temple, Penang, Malaysia Cityscape through temple architecture, Kek Lok Si Temple, Penang, Malaysia Cityscape through temple architecture, Kek Lok Si Temple, Penang, Malaysia Temple details and architecture, Kek Lok Si Temple, Penang, Malaysia Temple details, buddahs, Kek Lok Si Temple, Penang, Malaysia Buddah and sculptures, Kek Lok Si Temple, Penang, Malaysia Chestnut-headed bee-eater perched on temple grounds, Kek Lok Si Temple, Penang, Malaysia Chestnut-headed bee-eater perched on temple grounds, Kek Lok Si Temple, Penang, Malaysia Chestnut-headed bee-eater perched on temple grounds, Kek Lok Si Temple, Penang, Malaysia Chestnut-headed bee-eater perched on temple grounds, Kek Lok Si Temple, Penang, Malaysia Buddah and sculptures, Kek Lok Si Temple, Penang, Malaysia Temple details, architecture and cityscape, Kek Lok Si Temple, Penang, Malaysia Temple details, architecture and cityscape, Kek Lok Si Temple, Penang, Malaysia Temple details, architecture and cityscape, Kek Lok Si Temple, Penang, Malaysia Temple details, architecture and cityscape, Kek Lok Si Temple, Penang, Malaysia Temple details, interior architecture, Kek Lok Si Temple, Penang, Malaysia Temple details, buddahs interior architecture, Kek Lok Si Temple, Penang, Malaysia Cityscape through pagoda arch, Kek Lok Si Temple, Penang, Malaysia Cityscape through pagoda arch, Kek Lok Si Temple, Penang, Malaysia Cityscape through pagoda arch, Kek Lok Si Temple, Penang, Malaysia Cityscape through pagoda arch, Kek Lok Si Temple, Penang, Malaysia Temple details through pagoda arch, Kek Lok Si Temple, Penang, Malaysia Buddahs lining the pagoda walls, Kek Lok Si Temple, Penang, Malaysia Buddah in the pagoda, Kek Lok Si Temple, Penang, Malaysia Baby buddah statue surrounded by animal statues, Kek Lok Si Temple, Penang, Malaysia Temple details, Kek Lok Si Temple, Penang, Malaysia Temple details, Kek Lok Si Temple, Penang, Malaysia Temple details, Kek Lok Si Temple, Penang, Malaysia Baby buddah close-up, Kek Lok Si Temple, Penang, Malaysia Temple details, car park, Kek Lok Si Temple, Penang, Malaysia Temple details, interior, Kek Lok Si Temple, Penang, Malaysia Cityscape through temple architecture, Kek Lok Si Temple, Penang, Malaysia Large lotus, Kek Lok Si Temple, Penang, Malaysia Buddahs lining walls of a temple, Kek Lok Si Temple, Penang, Malaysia Buddahs lining walls of a temple, Kek Lok Si Temple, Penang, Malaysia Pagoda and temple grounds architecture, Kek Lok Si Temple, Penang, Malaysia

Penang Hill

Penang Hill offers some wonderful wildlife and nature, in contrast to the city. We feel it would have been more impressive to us had we not spent so much time in Sabah right before going to Penang and Penang Hill. It was still a wonderful and worthwhile experience.

Cityscape from the top of the funicular, Penang Hill, Penang, Malaysia Another cityscape from the top of the funicular, Penang Hill, Penang, Malaysia Another cityscape from the top of the funicular, Penang Hill, Penang, Malaysia Another cityscape from the top of the funicular, Penang Hill, Penang, Malaysia Another cityscape from the top of the funicular, Penang Hill, Penang, Malaysia The Habitat, Penang Hill, Penang, Malaysia Authorized Colugos only sign, The Habitat, Penang Hill, Penang, Malaysia City view from the top of a 360 elevated walking track, The Habitat, Penang Hill, Penang, Malaysia City view from the top of a 360 elevated walking track, The Habitat, Penang Hill, Penang, Malaysia City view from the top of a 360 elevated walking track, The Habitat, Penang Hill, Penang, Malaysia City view from the top of a 360 elevated walking track, The Habitat, Penang Hill, Penang, Malaysia Boy with firecracker artwork, The Habitat, Penang Hill, Penang, Malaysia Indian girl artwork, The Habitat, Penang Hill, Penang, Malaysia Anthurium andraeanum, The Habitat, Penang Hill, Penang, Malaysia Spathiphyllum Cannifolium, The Habitat, Penang Hill, Penang, Malaysia Spathiphyllum Cannifolium, The Habitat, Penang Hill, Penang, Malaysia

Conclusion

We would go back to Penang, but spend less days in favor of also visiting Malacca; which looks to be Malaysia’s Burano. That is, if we were re-doing this trip itinerary. Penang has a lot to offer, from scenic views, to excellent food, coffees, teas, chams, to the friendly people.