Swan BradshawPenang 2017
What can I say? It was an absolute blast in Penang! We stayed at the beautiful Rasa Sayang Hotel in Batu Ferringhi and thoroughly enjoyed every moment.
The wonderful spa experience at the hotel was pure relaxation and great memories!
Dinner Buffet
The dinner buffet at Rasa Sayang Hotel was an absolute feast for the senses! We indulged in an incredible spread featuring fresh seafood on ice — plump crabs, mussels, and oysters — alongside fragrant Indian curries, a whole baked fish crusted and garnished with vibrant peppers, succulent stir-fried prawns with colorful bell peppers and onions, and tender mushrooms with vegetables in a rich sauce.
The Ayam Panggang Percik chicken was a spicy standout, while the dessert counter dazzled with rows of exquisite cakes, pastries, and sweets. Fresh fruit displays and the beautifully presented stations made every meal a highlight of our stay in Batu Ferringhi
Kek Lok Si 極樂寺
Our family adventure continued with a memorable visit to two iconic Penang landmarks nestled close together in the Air Itam area. We explored Kek Lok Si Temple (the “Penang Pagoda”), Malaysia’s largest Buddhist temple complex and a major pilgrimage center for devotees from Hong Kong, Singapore, the Philippines, and China.
Founded in 1890 by Beow Lean on Crane Hill, we were fascinated by its unique multi-tiered architecture: a Burmese top, Thai middle, and octagonal Chinese base.
The stunning Pagoda of Ten Thousand Buddhas blends these styles beautifully amid serene prayer halls and ornate statues, while the impressive 160 ft. tall bronze Goddess of Mercy stands as one of the main attractions, offering breathtaking views as we climbed through the vibrant grounds.
Penang Hill
Just a short ride away, we took the tram up Penang Hill (Bukit Bendera) via the historic funicular railway, which has been whisking visitors up since 1923 for cooler breezes and panoramic vistas of George Town, the coastline, and lush jungle below.
It was the perfect blend of spiritual reflection and natural beauty, creating lasting memories with Tina, Linnie, Annissa, Sannie, and Ethan!
Scenery from Penang Hill
Penang Street Arts
Another highlight of our time in George Town was discovering Penang’s vibrant street art scene, with its famous wall murals that bring the city’s heritage and everyday life to colorful, interactive life.
Created primarily by Lithuanian artist Ernest Zacharevic for the 2012 George Town Festival, these whimsical murals — such as the iconic Kids on a Bicycle, Boy on a Motorbike, and Boy on a Chair — blend painted scenes with 3D installations, inviting visitors to climb aboard bikes, pose playfully, and become part of the artwork. Wandering the charming back lanes of the UNESCO World Heritage site, we were captivated by how these pieces capture the spirit of local life.
Penang Peranakan Mansion (Baba/Nyonya Museum)
One of the highlights of our trip was visiting the striking green Pinang Peranakan Mansion (also known as the Baba Nyonya Museum) on Church Street in George Town. This beautifully restored 19th-century heritage house gave me a vivid glimpse into the opulent world of Penang’s Straits Chinese (Peranakan) community.
Built in the 1890s by Chinese tycoon Chung Keng Quee, who named it Hai Kee Chan, the mansion showcases a wonderful blend of Chinese, Malay, and British influences in its lavish Straits Eclectic style. Inside, I wandered through rooms filled with over 1,000 antiques — from grand tok panjang dining tables to exquisite jewelry, clothing, and everyday artifacts that really bring the unique Babas and Nyonyas culture to life.
After falling into disrepair, it was lovingly restored in the 1990s–2000s and is now a photogenic must-visit for anyone interested in history and culture. It’s a perfect stop beyond Penang’s famous street food and street art. I’d recommend setting aside 1–2 hours to fully enjoy it!
Hard Rock Cafe
Located in Batu Ferringgi, Penang.
Interesting Things/Buildings We Come Across
February 2026
Kevan and I returned to Penang after a decade, this time it’s just the 2 of us.
Day 1
We left our Airbnb in Ipoh this morning at 8 a.m., grabbed breakfast at the local Woolley food center, and Kevan drove us from Ipoh to Penang.
We dropped off the Mullens at around 11 a.m. at Bayan Lepas Penang Airport and drove for another 45 minutes to get to our hotel at the Penang Marriott.
Then we just chilled at the hotel this afternoon. Kevan went to the gym while I dozed off watching a show on my iPad. Dinner at the lounge was fantastic. I wasn’t going to eat, but Kevan went there solo and sent me pictures of the food offerings, and I failed to resist the temptation of good food served, so I succumbed.
Gurney Drive Hawkers’ Stall
Later, actually not very long after dinner, Kevan drove me to Gurney’s Hawker Stalls, and I picked up some satay, rojak, freshly pressed carrot juice, and sugar cane juice. Hopefully, we don’t get sick eating hawker street food. I saw how they prepared the food. I don’t think they’ll pass the health tests in the US!
Day 2
Tan Clan Association
After breakfast, Kevan drove us to Penang Town Center to check out some street art. Our first stop was at the Tan Clan Association at Little India. We went to this place and got some phone numbers that may be helpful. We just missed the person in charge, but someone there said the family genealogy can be available for research.
We walked into the building and looked around. The 2 younger people were busy preparing display boards for Chinese New Year exhibitions. A very tiny and frail old lady was lying on a hammock, with the fan on, listening to Chinese music. No one bothered us until I asked if this place was open to visitors, and the young man said no. We were basically walking around in someone’s living room! But the young man said I could take a picture of the contact number list, so he was helpful.
Durian! Durian!
After that, we headed out towards the street art direction. But lo and behold, right in the corner was an air-conditioned durian shop. I’ve been wanting to eat some durian and was very happy that we found one – especially air-conditioned!
I asked for a Musang durian and they picked a small one for me, weighed it, and opened it right there for me.
The durian is bittersweet, very fresh, and tasty. As durian is known as the type of fruit that causes “heat” in the body, I was told that coconut water is best to counter the heat nature of the fruit. I also bought a bottle of nutmeg juice, a little sour but was supposed to also help with cooling the body. And the total price for the durian and drink was $112 ringgit, around US$30. Kevan also had a gelato from the shop next door for $3.
After eating durian, Kevan went back to the car as the temperature was getting a little too hot while I tried to snap a few photos of the street art in the area.
I took the rickshaw where the driver took me to all the street art, including a stop at 35 Jetty for 40 ringgit. It was a great idea as I was able to hit all the popular street art within 30 mins in the scorching heat.
35 Jetty
Jetty 35, located at 35 Pengkalan Weld in George Town, Penang, Malaysia, is a vibrant cultural and lifestyle art space transformed from century-old godown buildings—originally constructed more than 100 years ago during George Town’s era as a bustling trading port—into a hipster hotspot reminiscent of Singapore’s Haji Lane. This hidden gem hosts a variety of events, markets, exhibitions, and pop-ups, blending heritage with contemporary creativity in five separate halls used for cultural activities, cafes, and storage.
Penang Street Art
Penang’s street art, particularly in George Town (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), features vibrant murals and wrought-iron sculptures that celebrate the city’s history, culture, and daily life. Initiated in 2012 with projects like “Mirrors George Town,” it includes interactive pieces by artists such as Ernest Zacharevic and Julia Volchkova. This artwork turns walls into storytelling
canvases, blending 2D paintings with real objects like bicycles or chairs.
Key locations and examples:
Armenian Street: Home to “Children on a Bicycle” (two kids on a real bike)
and “Boy on a Chair.”
Lebuh Ah Quee: Features “Boy on a Motorbike” and “Little Boy with Pet Dinosaur.”
Step by Step Lane (near Cannon Street): “Children on the Swing,” a playful mural with real chains.
After that, we visited P. Ramlee House and the adjacent museum with some of his collections.
P. Ramlee House
P. Ramlee was born Teuku Zakaria bin Teuku Nyak Puteh on March 22, 1929, in Penang. He became a famous Malaysian star as an actor, director, singer, songwriter, composer, and filmmaker. He gained popularity in the 1950s and 1960s during the heyday of Malay movies. He acted in 66 films, directed 35, and wrote over 250 songs that mixed traditional Malay styles with modern ideas. His work entertained people in Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia. Without formal music lessons, he learned many instruments and touched on social topics. He died of a heart attack at 44 in 1973, but his influence lives on.
I used to watch his movies when I was younger and loved them. It was very interesting to visit his home and the attached museum. Another great day in Malaysia!
Day 3
We attended church at the Penang Branch. It was great. They were very welcoming, and two sister missionaries gave talks about how we can become a Zion people. Great talks from wonderful young women. I also seem to faintly recall the face of the first counselor in the branch presidency, so afterwards I went up and introduced myself, and it turns out I recalled correctly! He is the son of one of the old Ipoh Branch members that we were very close with, so that was a wonderful reacquaintance to chat with him.
Packed up after church, Kevan drove us to Queensbay Mall for lunch. The food court was huge with all kinds of food, from Chinese food to Malaysian food to Middle Eastern food to Western food. I got Penang Assam laksa and some Popiah, and Kevan got Middle Eastern chicken Shawarma.