Costa Fortuna - Day 5 – Exploring Penang (George Town), Malaysia

We woke up today and observed that Costa Fortuna was already docked up at Swettenham Pier in Penang. 

Just like any other day, we freshened up, had breakfast and started walking along with rest of the people outside the Pier. 

Our group was waiting for us and once all had gathered we started walking towards our tour bus. We were introduced to our pretty tour guide who was very enthusiastic in showing us around Penang. We were told that today’s tour also will be for approximately around 5 hours since we need to head back to ship by 3 PM.

Penang is a beautiful state in Malaysia. Penang is mainly famous for George Town which is a UNESCO World Heritage site famous for the graffiti’s/street arts on the walls. Our guide told us that she will try her best to cover prominent places in this speculated time and we started walking towards to bus. We passed by very famous Penang's clock tower.

Wat Chayamangkalaram

This is one of the famous Thai Buddhist temple in George Town, Penang. 

As you set your foot towards the temple, two mythical dragon headed serpents on their feet welcome you. 

This temple has every impressive art works and statues. This temple hosts the 3^rd largest reclining Buddha statue in the world. It is about 33 meters in length and is gold plated.  With a peaceful and smiling face, this Buddha lies on his right side with his head resting in the palm of his right hand.

Once you come out, you will see many other temples around the same premises with brightly colored statues of gods.

Harriston Signature - Malaysian Chocolate Factory

This place is called Penang’s chocolate wonderland. 

At the entrance of the store, a sales executive greeted us and explained us the history of Harriston along with the chocolate making process. 

Then he showed us the different varieties of chocolates they have right from dark chocolate to white chocolate to Tiramisu chocolate etc. You get to mix and match them and take home as well. Most people in our tour group, packed lots of chocolates for their loved ones from this place.

Batek Lah Collection

Our next stop was an amazing cloth boutique where in the designs on the cloth are made through Batik process.

We were welcomed by a sales executive but our guide explained us the Batik process in detail. Batik is a process of using melted wax as a resist on fabric. The wax may be painted on a white or colored fabric using a canting or brush or it may be stamped onto the fabric using a copper stamp dipped in melted wax. The fabric is then dyed, and the areas that have been waxed will not be penetrable by the dye.

Later we were taken inside the store to buy some stuffs in case we want to take back home. They had good collection of tops, dresses, purses, handbags in Batik. The designs are really unique and eye catching.

Exploring George Town By Walk

Our bus next dropped us at the heart of George town. From here our guide told us that she would take us to Little India and China town all by walk. It was too crowded and really hard to make way and walk. As we started walking, we spotted a Chinese Temple first.

We started walking and noticed people passing by in uniquely designed auto-rickshaws. I am not sure when they will reach their destination wading through such a busy street. It was fun to watch.

We then passed by few streets where we saw some interesting graffiti's.

We further went walking into the Indian street. There are some temples at the end of the street. But we did not have much time hence we did not visit them. You will find lot Indian shops of sarees, dresses and some Indian restaurants too. 

Lunch at Palace D ‘India Restaurant

We were tired walking by now and it was lunch- time. Lunch was arranged in Indian restaurant which was just at the end of the Indian street we were walking. Palace D 'India Restaurant had a very diverse menu and food was delicious. Location of this restaurant is good as you can go shopping in Little India after your meal.

 Penang Peranakan Mansion

This is a museum dedicated to Penang's Peranakan heritage in George Town. The Peranakans are group of people who descended from the first waves of Chinese settlers in the Malayan region. Peranakans also known as the Babas(Men) and Nyonyas(Women) were the prominent names of acculturated Chinese unique to this part of the world especially settled in this part of Malayan region.

The elegantly restored museum is a testament to the Baba-Nyonya cultural revival and displays over 1,000+ pieces of antiques and collectibles displaying a glimpse of their lifestyle.  

The chair shown below is a very famous "Massage Chair". You sit on this chair and at the foot you get a roller which you can lift up and down giving a good massage to your legs. 

You can easily spend around 2-3 hours here only because this mansion is quite big and you get to know about Chinese-Malayan culture. We still wanted to explore the antique weaponry collection of the king, but by this time our guide started calling us since it was time to head back to ship.