Penang

We had only two nights in Penang, just long enough to determine that there was more to see.

We stayed in the Eastern and Oriental Hotel, a British Colonial classic in George Town, the first British settlement in southeast Asia. This UNESCO World Heritage site has one of the largest collections of pre-war buildings in Southeast Asia.

Penang is also known as one of the best places in Malaysia for street food. Just a few blocks from our hotel was the Red Garden, a food court with everything from hamburgers to satay to sushi. We chose a Vietnamese entree and ice kacang, a Malaysian shaved-ice dessert topped with red beans, corn and grass jelly.

We toured a tropical spice garden and enjoyed a cooking class there. Chef Jamie took us step by step through creating pesamah dating (beef curry in a clay pot), kobis masak kunyit (wok-fried cabbage with mustard seed and curry leaves), and roti jala (slightly sweet semolina pudding inside a web-like pancake).

Other highlights were a wonderful butterfly garden, a cold beer on the beach at twilight, China House (the longest cafe in Penang), and cocktails with friends.