GEORGE Town is definitely doable on a budget with its reasonably cheap food and lodging options. The attractions in this Unesco World Heritage-listed city are also within walking distance of one another.
A group of 20 Malaysian and regional writers and bloggers found that out for themselves when they took part in a specially organised three-day and two-night tour under the theme ‘Budget Traveller Guide to George Town’.
Historic house: The writers and bloggers listening to a guide speak on the history of the Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion
During the visit, the group visited various places of worship along Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling, as well as the Chowrasta Market, Penang State Museum, Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion, Pinang Peranakan Mansion, Fort Cornwallis, City Hall and the Clan Jetties, among others.
They also feasted on tasty local hawker fare like koay teow soup, laksa, cendol and char koay teow and got a peek at how popiah skin and Nyonya kuih are made.
Local snack: Participants of the tour trying their hand at making karipap
Sabahan blogger Caroline Ng said the Penang laksa was one dish she would always remember.
In Kuala Lumpur, she had a bowl of laksa which she didn’t like and she was adamant she wouldn’t try the dish again.
She was persuaded to give the dish a try in Penang and enjoyed it.
“The one I had here was lovely. I never expected to wallop a whole bowl of it,” she said.
“This trip was an eye-opening experience, travelling around on a budget.
Unique sight: The budget travellers visiting the Clan Jetties
“At first I thought RM100 a day wouldn’t be enough for meals. But I ended up spending around RM25 only, and I ate about 10 times!” she quipped.
An Indonesian travel writer, who wanted to be identified by her pen name Trinity, said that although she had been to Penang before, this trip got her acquainted with many new sights and sounds.
“We were able to experience the culture of locals, to see and eat local things, not the touristy stuff.
“It is definitely value for money, you spend less but get more. Penang is well known among Indone-sians, but more for its medical tourism.
“We do not really go out and explore the island,” she said, adding that this was something she hoped to change through her writings upon her return.
The event was organised by Project Penang, a joint effort by the Tourism Ministry’s Penang Office (MOTOUR) and PenBlogger Online, with support from AirAsia and Rapid Penang.
Vintage clothing: Travel writer Derek Wong taking photos of traditional Nyonya attire during the group's visit to the Pinang Peranakan Mansion
According to MOTOUR Penang director Jaime Yeoh, the whole aim was to let the group experience the city in a practical way, in the hope that their subsequent writings would help provide prospective visitors with helpful travel tips and information.
The office has also come up with an informative map, detailing the attractions within the city, how to get there, and how best to organise an itinerary.
“With George Town selling itself as a heritage city, it’s important that there are also elements that are engaging, interactive and affordable, for visitors to experience.
“The younger crowds have the impression that the inner city is just old buildings.
“But behind the façade, there are many things to see and do. And we hope their writings will give tourists an informative guide on how to experience George Town,” Yeoh explained during a farewell dinner for the writers.
Hong Kong travel writer Celia Cheng reveals that her countrymen have a penchant for travelling, and she hopes her newfound insight would help bring those tourist dollars to Penang instead of elsewhere.
Echoing a sentiment expressed by tourists countless times over the years, most of the group members also feel that the island needs better public lavatories. - The Star
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