A Luxurious Journey: Singapore and Penang

I am delighted to invite you on a virtual journey through Singapore and Malaysia. Let me guide you through these fascinating destinations where modernity and tradition meet to offer unique experiences.

 

Singapore: The Brilliance of Modernity

Singapore, as most know, is a very modern and wealthy city. Given its outstanding airport, excellent airport hotel, good transport and plethora of high-end stores, it has a well-deserved reputation for being a fly-in shoppers paradise. Staying in a hotel on Orchard Rd and watching the merchant bags entering and exiting the hotel, reenforces that Singapore and shopping can be used in the same positive sentence. However, there is more. The botanical gardens are a very pleasant outing and Marina Bay with the much-photographed Sands hotel and the entire civic area are also enjoyable visits. The Singapore Lion is an iconic figure and is a good photo to share with others. Singapore cuisine is justifiably famous.

 

 

Dine in mall or hotel restaurants and the only thing that will disappoint might be the check. Chile crab, chicken rice, Char Kway Teow, Laksa and many other dishes are truly good. For an alternative food experience, find a good hawker center.

 

 

These are basically food courts serving most if not all of the local favorites. It is not always easy to find a table, but prices are good and, if you like crowds, noise and informality, so is the atmosphere. Along with some street malls, the hawker centers show a slightly different Singapore.

 

Penang: An Enchanting Cultural Crossroad

 

Just an hour’s flight from Singapore, discover Penang, a rare gem where Malay, Indian, and Chinese cultures harmoniously coexist. Unlike the hustle and bustle of Singapore, Penang will charm you with its relaxed atmosphere and authentic charm.

 

 

Penang is not Singapore. It has over 5 million fewer people and you won’t find Louis Vuitton or Hermes or other designer brand stores. You will find a friendly city with its own things to do and a very relaxed atmosphere. For the tourist, there are two Penangs. There is the city of Georgetown and 30 or so kilometers away is Batu Ferringhi with its beach and night market. With no traffic, it is about a 30-minute trip between the two. Most people stay in one of those places.

 

Penang has its list of things to do. Street art, Penang Hill, Kek Lok Si Buddhist temple, the clan jetties, Fort Cornwallis, colorful Georgetown streets are just some of them. You can also take a boat or hike to Monkey Island and climb to the Penang lighthouse. If you are lucky, the local dog will accompany you.

 

 

Did I mention the food? I will.

Given the three cultures, Penang is a food paradise. There are many hawker centers, and these are the places to dine. There is not a white tablecloth or silverware, but the food is delicious and inexpensive and chose from Malay, Chinese or Indian. The Laksa is special on Penang.

 

 

Singapore and Penang: two very different cities with different itineraries but great food from different cultures.

 

Two Destinations, Unequaled Culinary Richness

 

Singapore and Penang are destinations with distinct identities but share a common passion for great food. Prepare yourself for a gastronomic adventure where each dish tells a story, and every bite is a discovery.

Feel free to contact me to plan your next trip. Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, Indonesia, Nepal, Bhutan, and now Malaysia and Singapore are eagerly waiting for you.