The Penang Heritage trip

*This post is 19 days late* So sorry!

I am back from Penang! I make it a point (or at least try) to travel to Penang at least 3 times a year, for its food, culture and also people. Vynn, or also more famously known as my “san jie”, allowed me to tag along and stayed with her family during my two days trip. Thus, bringing back many fond memories, back when we travelled together in Uni and also my own nostalgic moments during my childhood spent at Grandpa’s place.

So, after dim sum with Grace (Ta Jie) and Vynn (San Jie) on Friday morning, Vynn and I started our journey north ... Grace did not tag along due to scheduling. We missed her presence dearly during our entire trip...The place we had dim sum was (which I reviewed previously a few weeks back) and decided to give it another round of commentaries – Kindly click here to view the updated post on Hong Kee dim sum.

Back to Penang

This trip is a bit different from the previous ones, mainly because I met a new friend who had this deep interest and passion for heritage. He introduced me to so many new places, cultural ventures, historical monuments and even took the time to explain the hidden stories, architectural concepts and symbology of each place that we visited. For the first time, my Penang trip has been fused with food ... and also learnings of new culture and heritage.

My Food trails :

Maggi Tom Yum Fish Fillet noodle

Red Bean blended with coconut


Pat Poh Gu Ling Ping

Henry, an educator at Penang Inti College and also an active community activist in heritage and culture of Penang took the effort showing me around some of the places I never even knew existed in Penang. Our first destination after breakfast was the Peranakan Mansion, or what I like to call the “Little Nyonya House” where you get to witness the Baba and Nyonya arts and symbology in a nutshell, all under one roof. The beautiful house was restored and showcased a series of story in architecture with its symbology stories, crafts, culinary collections, fashion, feng shui and many more. You gotta be there to know more! Here are the pictures of my heritage footsteps:

One of the back alley in a 1940's back street

Snake temple

Hand made clay wall decorations

Peranakan Mansion

Peranakan Mansion's original non-refurbished window art work

More to come :

Hand pasted floor tiles, piece by piece

Gold decoration in Khoo Kongsi

Hand painted wall murals

Hand made clay wall deco with confusious storyline

3D-roof deco made from clay and plates

I also met some golden citizens of Penang, one of a kind craftsman with skills that no one can inherit or replace. They are the real art guru, specialising in their own turf and field – hand making past essentials for decades without the intrusion of technology and mechanic. It is the truth that the products they create are more refine and holds a higher value for its craftsmanship. According to Henry, it was my lucky day that I manage to visit 3 of them all in one day. He hardly scores that kind of luck w;

It has been a short yet knowledgeable experience for me this time around. A short trip, too short actually, but well lived. I left Penang with a huge dream and hope that I can do something for the terminology and continuity of heritage for Penang. If any of you are interested to have Henry bring you around ... do give me abuzz!