"Penang - Pearl of the Orient" a Penang Travel Page by longsanborn

When first occupied by Captain Francis Light in 1786, the island was filled with lush tropical vegetation. The betel nut (pinang in Malay) palm was a common sight all over the island -- a fact which gave rise to the name Pulau Pinang, Island of the Betel Nut. Penang has come a long way from its early beginnings as the first British trading post in the Far East. Its capital, Georgetown, is a bustling metropolitan city that has produced a unique blend of Eastern and Western cultures.

Penang (Pulau Pinang in Malay) is one of the 13 states of Malaysia, located on the north-west coast of peninsular Malaysia. It is nicknamed Pulau Mutiara or Pearl of the Orient. Penang is the second smallest state in Malaysia after Perlis, and the eighth most populous. A resident of Penang is colloquially known as a Penangite.

Penang island is a paradise for food lovers who come from all over Malaysia and even Singapore to sample the island's unique cuisine, earning Penang the nickname of the food capital of Malaysia.

Penang was recognised as having the Best Street Food in Asia by TIME magazine in 2004, citing that nowhere else can such great tasting food be so cheap.

Penang's cuisine reflects the Chinese, Nyonya, Malay and Indian ethnic mix of Malaysia, but is also strongly influenced by the cuisine of Thailand to the north. Its famous "hawker food" is sold and eaten by the street feature strongly in noodles and fresh seafood.

Great places to savour Penang's food are Gurney Drive, Pulau Tikus, New Lane, Swatow Lane, Penang Road and Chulia Street. Local Chinese restaurants serve excellent fares too.

American fast food outlets and coffee joints are readily found throughout the state. Japanese, Korean, Italian and Western food are also popular.

I went to Penang with my mother in Summer 2003 and we enjoyed our visit very much. We even hired a taxi for a day and the driver took us around the island in a few hours. We visited all the main tourist sites and ate the best Malaysian food.

Here is the website for Penang tourism:
http://www.tourismpenang.gov.my/2007esite.htm