The beauty of getting lost in Georgetown, Penang

My trips were well organized before coming to Indonesia. The expression “get lost” wasn’t in my vocabulary or I even couldn’t think that it can happen to me :). But Indonesia changed me and my traveling habit a bit (I believe that many people who stay longer in Indonesia or other South East Asia countries changed at least a little bit).

If you have been to Georgetown, Penang island (Malaysia), or will go there, you will see that get lost there something unbelievable. But it happened to me. I got lost even with a map in my hands. And it was probably the most exciting experience there.

My honest advice, if you are planning to go to Georgetown, Penang – forget anything that you read, mark what you want to see. Just go with the flow and follow the intuition. Because Georgetown so cozy and not a big area that each corner, street, the place will offer you something inspiring. As well (I believe) even if you let yourself get lost, you will pass all “must to see” places, just open your eyes, wonder around and enjoy the walk or ride.

Why you should get lost in Georgetown, Penang?

It will get you off the beaten track.

Just let yourself be curious and enter each street, corner, shop that looks interesting for you.

Beauty of getting lost in Georgetown, Penang

Funny, but I was trying to find few street art murals with the map on the first day but didn’t manage (like it was a bit hidden from the main road). But when I get lost I found it!

Georgetown, Penang - shoes tree

Getting lost most probably will give you the best memories and stories.

Because you will be more open to speaking with strangers, hear their stories, maybe they will show you something unique, hidden.

Gerogetown, Penang - barber shop

Somewhere (as I get lost, so I don’t know the exact street :D) I saw a very nice barber shop and I ask the worker if I can make a picture. We started to chat and I got a lot of interesting information about Penang.

Getting lost may help you learn how to relax, be flexible, and go with the travel flow.

 

A photo posted by I’m Ria – (@lifeinbigtent) on

When I realize that I get lost I saw one coffee place and decided to take time and think about what I will do next. And it was just an amazing place.

You can learn more about the area where you are.

Just open your eyes widely and you will see things that may be in another case you would pass.

Georgetown, Penang, island - offering place

Getting lost in Malaysia - bar decoration

I was looking around and trying to remember all the details that I saw, places that I pass in a case if I will make a circle around. And I found a little Chinese offering place, some cute decoration in the street and etc.

You can enjoy finding some unique eating places that are far from the main street.

Georgetown, Penang, Malaysia-coffee tarik

In this place was the most delicious coffee Tarik I have tried during my trip to Penang. As well cheaper, like not a lot of travelers go through that place.

Getting lost can give you the opportunity to be more “brave” to try something new.

Getting lost in Georgetown, Penang - ice-cream

Coconut ice-cream with corn, beans, and something else (I didn’t identify the taste). Would you try it? Usually, I like food combinations that suit together. But this time I just tried my luck and was nicely surprised.

You can see a different views of already visited places.

Travel photos from Asia - Penang

The day before getting lost, I was visiting Jetty clan (during daytime). But only because I get lost I saw this beautiful Chinese temple on the water in the evening.

 

After getting lost in Georgetown, Penang I started to believe that “getting lost is the best part of travel.” Do you agree or disagree? Have you been lost somewhere on purpose or not? How did you find yourself in that situation – enjoyed or felt a bit stressed?

Getting lost Georgetown, Penang pinterest
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P.S. We stayed in 75 Travellers Lodge, Central Georgetown. It’s a good location, nothing fancy, rooms are quite small but cheap place (dormitory and private rooms). Or you can find any other place to stay:

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Disappearing and resurgent street art in Penang

Which destination comes first to your mind when you think about Malaysia? Probably Kuala Lumpur and Penang island? No? Something else? Then, great! :). Of course, there are more places to visit but my 2 mentioned are advertised most and more information you can find about it.  This time my outlook goes to street art in Penang island (how to get there).

One of the reasons why Penang became famous, is because George Town was included as a protected UNESCO heritage site in 2008. As well, lately, George Town streets were “decorated” by the interesting, unique murals. Some people think that street art in Penang ruins the heritage, others – that it’s the thing which attracts more people to come and also should be developed in the future. Like in the rest of the world – you can adore street art or hate it: D. So how is it? But maybe before answer, you should know how street art came to Penang streets.

In the very beginning

As written in timeout.com – Kuala Lumpur based art company, “Sculpture at Work” won the rights to the state government’s commissioned art challenge “Marking George Town: An Idea Competition for UNESCO World Heritage Site” in 2009. Sculpture’s creative director Tang Mun Kian knew this was the start of the largest art assignment in the state. “Marking George Town’s” brief was a matter of “we have this city, what can you do with it?.
“The streets of George Town were named after the trades, people, and events, which means every street has its own unique story. With the rising rental, many of the original inhabitants moved out and with them, the stories as well” Tang discovers. “So, the idea is to put the stories back into the city” he adds. Within the confines of their workshop, every single steel diorama was bent and shaped to bring stories and inspiration to life.

Even if some murals were made during 3 years period. The first step which made street art in Penang famous was the project “Mirrors George Town” for George Town Festival 2012. In this festival  Lithuanian young artist Ernest “ZACH” Zacharevic was invited to lead this project (and it seems it was the beginning of his international carrier). There are 6 murals made by him for this project (at least those who are named – hope he left more marks there that people still need to discover and be surprised:)). Truly, his 1st mural in “Love Lane” street was made in 2011, before he attended the project. It was a portrait of an Indian woman but people’s response wasn’t so positive back then. The rest of the 6 Zach murals were made already under the project. After it, even the BBC called him “Malaysia’s answer to Banksy”.

I’m happy that Ernest is making the Lithuanian name famous in the world (like I’m originally as well from Lithuania :)). Honestly, the first time I heard about Ernest when I saw the news in Lithuania, in 2012. It was a presentation of his works for street art in Penang. At that time I thought “Malaysia it’s so far”, so I just forgot it. Only coming to Penang and see some of his murals (first I didn’t know that it’s his works) I was really amazed by the concept, playful, colorful, and joyful murals. It made me smile and later become more interested in the authors,  it was time to remember Zach name again. And then I thought – “Wow – we (Lithuania) have really talented people”. Just somehow Lithuanians doesn’t know or forget talented people easily :( (in George Town festival 2014 participated and another Lithuanian artist – Antanas Dubra).

How street art in Penang looks now?

It’s growing! You can find murals, other works in the busy street markets, shops, and undiscovered corners of famous attractions to surprise you.
Without first works now in Penang you can see as well groups of projects (it just part of pictures):

  • “101 lost kittens” – exhibits of 12 cats, the work of a group of artists which calls themselves ASA (Artists for Stray Animals). It was created under George Town festival in 2013.
  • “Marking George Town” – it’s 52 iron structures abundance throughout George Town, and were actually commissioned by the Penang tourism board to provide a fun pictorial anecdote about the history of the street it is located on and is a rather fun way to learn a little bit about Penang’s heritage. As well was a “product” of the 2013 year festival.
  • 16 new murals “Urban exchange” made for the 2014 year festival out of Georg Town.
  • Others: There are many different street artworks besides those listed above, some by random artists and others commissioned by the local tenants. As well some of the works made under project aims, others just originate by not known people (I could describe like “illegal” once) :).

What are my discoveries of street art in Penang?

First, my idea was to go by the mapped route of murals (you can find printed maps in the Tourism information center, almost in all staying places) but then I changed my mind. I started the walk and discovered that I can see more just looking around. Here are some murals I saw and I couldn’t find information about them. I believe that when you will go to Penang, you already will find new pieces as well. I really liked how souvenir shops, cafes were trying to adapt to the street art concept and made something unique in front of their places.

Of course, I saw and the famous murals but not all :). Unfortunately, some of them already vanishing so you can pass by without seeing them. But if you see groups stopping somewhere – it can be a hint – that there is something to see :). So you need to hurry up if you want to see all murals from 2012. As well some the places even if the market in the map – not so easy to find – you need to go inside the yards, go to people living places.

 

TIPS:
  • You can make a street art tour by walking, renting a bicycle (rentals are easy to find, price ~15RM), or using local transport trishaw.
  • Tour better to start in the early morning, it’s not so hot and doesn’t forget to take with you water.
  • If you want to go by street art route according to the map – you can see all places within half of the day (if you like to walk fast or want to rent a bicycle). If you want to see more places, have just a relaxed walk – then 1-1,5 day for this can be enough.
  • Be curious and go inside small streets, turn to yards and everywhere where your eyes will see – then you can discover more.
  • If for you won’t be enough just street art – visit as well “Hin Bus Depot Art Centre”.
  • There are many places you can stay in Penang, we stayed in 75 Travellers Lodge, Central George Town. It’s a good location, cheap place (dormitory and private rooms).

So what do you think – should street art in Penang be allowed in such old parts of town or should be protected?

Honestly, I’m for street art that has a concept and coalesce with a surrounding. It gives more value, shows the history and modern art collaboration. But if it’s made just for fun, without an idea, made in a bad way and destroy heritage – then for sure no. Even in some parts of street art in Penang, I saw some “works” (probably made by youngsters) that didn’t have any charm at all.


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Funny Malaysian signs

Most probably in many countries possible to see funny and different signs, but somehow I have impression that in Asia possible to see more funny signs than in other continents ;).

Here are few funny Malaysian signs which I catch by accident during the trip in Malaysia.

Map of Penang
Is it reality or a joke? :) Penang island, Georgetown

 

Street art sign
Is it mean everybody can do what they want on the wall and they won’t get punishment? As well destroy other artists work? Penang island, Georgetown

 

Toilet sign
How possible to keep toilet dry and clean when the Asian toilet “flushing system” by itself all the time is wet ? :) Kuala Lumpur, public transport toilet

 

"No durian" sign
In durian “kingdom” (Malaysia) you can find signs forbidden to take durian not only inside public transport, but hotels and other places as well. Penang island, in public transport
Durian sticker
You can buy such sticker in many shops. Penang island

 

Don't touch the wall
Is masterpiece so sensitive for touches? :D Penang island, Georgetown

 

Restaurant sign
Is it a trend to write in incorrect English language or bad English language knowledge? Penand island

 

Laundry sign
Honestly I didn’t understand what kind of “great performance” laundry service they provide :D. And what doesn’t mean “ent”? Kuala Lumpur

 

National park sign
First I’m curious how the women should be dressed for swimming? Second – the sign about taking own trash back very good, like almost nowhere you will see trash bins :) Penang island National park

 

Shop sign
Everything is clear? :) Kuala Lumpur, butterfly park

 

Shop sign
For those who don’t understand “no helmets&no shoes” special warning “Strictly”. Bad that I didn’t try to go inside with shoes – will they shoot me? :D Penang island, Georgetown

 

Shop sign
Please somebody help to understand :D Looks like clothes shop, but who comes inside to try clothes will be sold? Or they are searching person who could sell girls? As well “Makeeyo” interesting way to use English language in creative way :D Penang island

 Maybe not funny but a bit different signs :)

Road sign
Many road signs looks like this. Somebody needs maid? :) Kuala Lumpur

 

Train vagon
Train carriage only for women and women with kids. Kuala Lumpur

 

Warning
Even if national language is Bahasa Malay, most of the warning written in several languages: Bahasa Malay, Chinese and Hindi language. In English written text I saw only on this table. Kuala Lumpur

 

No wi-fi sign
Advice for Facebook “addicted” or not enough money to pay for Wi-Fi service? Penang island, Georgtown

 

Some more funny Malaysian signs (company signs) seen by other people.

Do you have other interesting signs from Malaysia? Share your pictures or links :)


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