Penang 5 Days: Relaxing Feringghi and Disappointing Georgetown

Before going to Kuala Lumpur, it was my plan to go to Penang. Not necessarily because I had special feelings for it, but because Shanghai had a direct flight and I had never been there. And who minds a tropical island anyway ;). So after I got my passport back, I thought the time was right. I decided to take the bus (6 hours) to Penang from Kuala Lumpur. At the cost of only 40 Ringgit (10 USD), I was set and we took off at 3:40 PM from KL Sentral.

The bus ride was smooth until the end. But this time, after getting out and waving the bus off, I realized I left my suitcase in the compartment. After a period of despair, I went to the train station help desk. There, a not-too-friendly person was first scolding me for how I could forget the suitcase. “Were you sleeping?” he said. I said, “Yes, I was.” Then he had that look on his face like, “There we have one again.” Reluctantly, he did help me contact the Aerocity Bus 24 hours hotline, but to no avail. I decided to go to my hotel and try the next day.

Back to the 1990s in the Park Royal Penang

Waking up the next day in the ParkRoyal hotel, I was greeted by a group of rather large monkeys having a picnic on my balcony. I got hold of the Aerocity help desk and was able to pick up my luggage at 12 pm from the station. After getting my suitcase back and tipping the bus driver, a Russian woman walked up to me out of nowhere, telling me that Malaysians can be trusted to return belongings. She said it was a beautiful story. I agreed. My Penang holiday was set to start.

The ParkRoyal is a hotel brand I know from Singapore, where they have a fine and unique hotel on Pickering Street. The one in Penang is a bit different. It is the kind of place that was probably built 30 years ago, and since then they have maintained things but never really upgraded or replaced anything. Walking through the hotel felt like stepping into the 1990s. The mostly elderly British guests did not seem to mind, so I decided to blend in and have a nice afternoon at the pool.

The 1990s were not so bad.

Feringghi

Ferringhi, where the ParkRoyal is located, is a small beach resort. It has some nice cafés (including a very nice Starbucks with great ocean views). I also went to Bora Bora beach club, which had good vibes and a great sunset.

The town and beach area start to feel alive around 6:30 pm, as Penang is very hot and humid until early evening. That heat also determined my next day’s sightseeing. I decided to visit Penang Hill, a place set up by British colonialists in the 1800s as a refuge from the intense heat.

Cooling off on Penang Hill

The next day, after buying a ticket, we entered the train that takes you up the hill. It was entertaining, with nice views, and within no time I found myself at 800-meters, with cooler temperatures (about 4 degrees less).

As for the touristic sights, I did think Penang Hill was a bit disappointing. Overly commercial, and we could not enter a single old colonial building, only look at them from a distance. The best the tour guide could do was let me touch a postal box from Queen Victoria’s time. So that was at least something.

Luckily, the environment was nice, and so were the views. If I visit Penang Hill again, I would probably hike up and down, as it looked beautiful with well-kept walkways. It’s only a few hours, you just have to start early I guess.

Georgetown

After Penang Hill, I decided to check out Georgetown, where I would stay for two days. After a slightly stressful taxi ride, where the driver warned me not to spill a single drop of water from the paper Starbucks cup I was carrying, we arrived.

Georgetown center is the main city on Penang island, and the old center consists of British-built houses and buildings from the 1800s. After enjoying Malacca so much, I had high expectations, which maybe did not help.

On paper Georgetown has a lot of elements, but I felt no vibe; it was maybe too spread out. And despite having some cool cafés and restaurants, the buildings and streets felt neglected, run-down, and chaotic. On top of that, the place was not very walkable. Just like on Penang Hill, I think they could do a much better job preserving the historic sights for tourists.

The Pinang Peranakan Mansion is worth a visit (although I liked the one in the more polished Malacca much more), as well as the Penang History Gallery, which recreates complete scenes from Georgetown in the 1900s, making it feel immersive and real.

Online, many people seem to rave about Georgetown, but it was not for me.

Reunited with my suitcase and passport, it was time to return to Shanghai.

Kuala Lumpur: A week without my passport

There is a first time for everything. Losing my passport is one of those. I never thought it would happen to me and when I travel I always compulsively check if it is still there. But that Monday afternoon, March 2nd, when I arrived at the Mandarin Oriental near KLCC, I could not find it. Did I leave it at the airport? Or did it fall out while rushing out of the taxi in heavy rain because the traffic was not moving? I still don’t know.

What I do know is that it gave me something unexpected: a full week in Kuala Lumpur.

The next morning, March 3, morning I was at the Dang Wangi police station for a mandatory missing passport report. After being sent to several floors I ended up waiting a long time in a room full of other people. And the occasional inmate, shackled, looking confused and passing by.

A German couple who had exactly the same ordeal were sitting next to me. After almost two hours of waiting I suddenly learned the report required a cash payment of two Malaysian ringgit, about fifty euro cents. Unfortunately I had no cash. Paying meant going to an ATM and repeating everything again. The waiting, the floors, the paperwork. After hearing from the German couple that I was “the nicest Dutchman they had met”, I took the gamble and asked if they could lend me two ringgit, adding that I had never begged anyone for money in my life. They laughed and happily gave it to me. I was saved.

Dutch Embassy Kuala Lumpur

The Dutch Embassy was another surprise. In many cities Dutch embassies are large villas or impressive buildings like in Tokyo, Bangkok or Beijing. In Kuala Lumpur it turned out to be basically a small studio apartment with one non-Dutch person working there. The Dutch taxpayer can be happy, I thought. For my new passport I had to wait (only) five working days, so it was time to explore the city.

KLCC Park

The embassy happened to be located right next to KLCC Park, the same park where my hotel was. The park sits between the Petronas Towers, several skyscrapers and the Suria KLCC mall, yet somehow feels green and relaxed. It had that nice feeling of being connected and dynamic, yet also peaceful. Over the week I kept coming back here.

At the park I started to notice the crowds in Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia is interesting in that it is not always clear who is local and who is not. The population is made up of Malays, Malaysian Chinese and Indians, and you see that mix everywhere, giving the city a less uniform character. At times a bit confusing, but also diverse and interesting. A taxi driver told me they all get along well, and from what I saw that seemed to be true. Most people were friendly.

Chinatown

Now it was time for the hop-on hop-off bus. I had to go early, as the traffic in KL felt more intense than 12 years ago when I was last here. Ramadan didn’t help. I guess being hungry makes everyone leave earlier, as the jams already started around 4 pm.

Chinatown is usually not my favorite. Many of them feel loud and touristy. But the one in Kuala Lumpur surprised me. Discovering it was actually a coincidence. The main Petaling Street area felt slightly disappointing at first and when I reached the bus stop I missed the bus by about five seconds. So I had some time to explore more. That turned out to be a good thing because I discovered smaller streets with cafés, interesting lighting and a much nicer atmosphere. Sometimes missing something leads you to something better. From Chinatown it is also easy to walk toward Merdeka Square where Malaysia declared independence, surrounded by old British colonial buildings.

Over the following days I wandered through many other parts of the city as well, from the busy Bukit Bintang and Jalan Alor area to the botanical gardens and bird park, where birds fly freely around you in a mix of beauty and slight stress. I also stopped at the rather over-commercial Thean Hou temple, which was not worth it, and spent time in several of Kuala Lumpur’s large shopping malls, with the new TRX Exchange standing out the most.

Visiting Malacca

Then a nice moment came when an Italian tourist I met at a vegan café tipped me to go to Malacca, a historically famous trading city with strong Dutch roots. So I went.

Standing on the hill in Malacca where Dutch officers were buried in the old church, I was reading stone texts written in old Dutch. I could recognize words but still needed the English translation to fully understand them. Having a beer with a Dutch person from the 1600s would probably not have gone very well, I thought.

The red colonial buildings, painted later by the British, were interesting, but the real highlight for me was the Chinatown across the street. Much of that area had originally been built by the Dutch after reclaiming land from the sea. Chinese traders later settled there and the neighborhood slowly became Chinatown, which means it is basically a Dutch-built Chinatown.

It felt charming and delicate. The Baba Nyonya Heritage Museum, showcasing the history of the local Peranakan Chinese-Malay community, was a highlight.

On my last day I returned to the small studio apartment that is the Dutch Embassy. This time when I walked out I was a man with a passport again. And after seven days it felt like a good time for a new place, Penang Island. More on that in the next blog post.

Reflection

For me Kuala Lumpur is a nice city. Not as chaotic as Bangkok or Jakarta, but not as organized as Singapore or Shanghai either. It sits somewhere in between. The people are friendly, English is easy, it is relatively cheap (not unimportant), and the traffic is manageable if you avoid Ramadan afternoons. It might miss a bit of character at times, but it makes up for it in convenience. Not a bad place to lose your passport.

Some extra tips

-For really nice and fine vegan food. Visit Kuki Vegan in KL. Vegan restaurants are often not that tasty but this one delivers.

-If you want to escape Kuala Lumpur central visit Sentul Depot area and Bistro Richard. It is a 20 minute ride but nice, spacious and peaceful.

Luang Prabang: A Charming 2 Days

“I would like to sit here, can we switch?” This came from a scary-looking foreign tourist on the China–Laos train bound for Luang Prabang. It was a bit of a shock, why would someone even ask that, I thought. Luckily, I held firm and told him, “I prefer to stay in my seat, sorry.” The guy walked away, and I kept my 37F window spot overlooking the beautiful mountains.

Luang Prabang is the most talked-about spot for tourists coming to Laos. And I needed to see why. I am a city person, but after exploring Vientiane, it made sense to see something else. The train ride from Vientiane was smooth and took only 2½ hours.

A Golden Temple I Actually Liked

After arriving and checking into the Souphattra hotel (same brand as the one in Vientiane) the first point on my program was, yes, a golden temple. But this one (Wat Xieng Thong) was actually charming. The gold did not feel cheap. Elegant patterns and a nice layout. I later learned the temple had been restored with help from the French and US government not long ago. Who knows, maybe that was the reason.

Colonial Streets & Riverfront Walks

After that I went to other temples that were more in the strong gold line, but I also decided to check out the city center. On an e-scooter, which is fun. The city is charming. A mix between French colonial buildings and Laotian-designed buildings, restaurants, coffee shops, massage places and more.

The highlight is the riverfront. Especially near the Riverview Park and walking alongside the Nam Khan River. It’s charming and peaceful.

At the end of the day, I decided (as per the blog I read) to do a Mekong river cruise. Except for two enthusiastic talking Italians and a drunk boatman who kept cheering with me, the boat ride was peaceful.

Early at the Kuang Si Waterfall

The next day I got up early to see the Kuang Si waterfall. This is the number one attraction in Luang Prabang. Rightfully so, I learned. The waterfall is beautiful, with several plateaus to visit, surrounded by lush trees and clear blue water.

Happy to have listened to the driver who picked me up from the airport two days earlier: “Come at 8:30. You will be almost alone, and only an hour later hordes of people come.” Luckily, I am an early riser.

Phousi Mountain Surprise

After that I went back to the city and tried to get into the City Palace. Everyone was waiting for it to open (Google said 1 PM), but nothing seemed to be happening.

To kill time, I noticed a park entrance on the other side of the road, with stairs leading all the way up. On my way up I discovered this was the famed Phousi Mountain I had read about. Nice to discover it by surprise. It is a Buddhist mountain overlooking the whole city. There is something about places surrounded by mountains..

The Royal Palace

When I got back, the Palace had opened. This is where, up until not too long ago, the Royal Family used to live. It was built in 1904 during the French colonial era. After renting long pants (shorts were not allowed!), I went in. I always like palaces where the rooms, furniture and details are still intact. You can connect and feel what had taken place. And this delivered.

Morning Charm Spot

The last morning I looked for charm spots on my scooter. And found one right behind a point where I was standing alone riverside with the rising sun. Right before the old French birdge (which is fun to cross also). I did have to pass an angry barking dog for it but it was worth it!

Later I went back to Vientiane airport, and about 10 minutes after my airplane took off to Shanghai I saw a lake with many, many islands in it. It looked truly beautiful. Upon searching later, I learned this is likely Nam Ngum Lake . Something to come back for!

The Taj Mahal & Pink City

Bill Clinton, after visiting the Taj Mahal, supposedly wrote in the guestbook: “There are two kinds of people in the world. Those who have seen the Taj Mahal and those who haven’t seen it.”

My tour guide told me this quote after I tried to explain the impact the monument had on me. I am usually not one for busy tourist sights packed with crowds. I prefer to get a clear, quiet view before I let myself get “wowed.” But the first time I got a glimpse of the Taj Mahal, despite peeking through a gate with hundreds of loud people in front of me, I felt something shift. It looked like a painting waiting to be unveiled. And I realized then: the hype is true.

The Taj Mahal: Why It Works

Learning the history adds to the impact. Built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan to remember his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal, it stands as the ultimate symbol of love. My guide told me this story is why so many couples from all over India flock here, it’s seen as a sort of blessing for their relationship.

Maybe it is the white marble (is that why it creates such an expressive effect?), or maybe it is the four beautiful minarets surrounding it that add to the mystique. Walking there, I caught myself dreaming about being Bill Clinton or a VIP, having the place all to myself. But this very “unimportant person” had to share it with the crowds. And it was still magical! I am now one of the proud “have seen the Taj Mahal” people.

The Baby Taj & Fatehpur Sikri

In Agra, there is also the Tomb of I’timād-ud-Daulah, often called the “Baby Taj.” An acquaintance living in Shanghai had told me I must see it. We didn’t have much time, we had spent four hours coming from Delhi and still had a long drive to Jaipur ahead, but I insisted.

After battling crazy traffic, we finally reached it. The Baby Taj is beautiful, delicate, and peaceful. I learned it was built before the Taj Mahal and the Taj Mahal was actually inspired by it. It was well worth the visit.

We also stopped at Fatehpur Sikri on the way out. Fatehpur Sikri is a fortified city built by Emperor Akbar as the Mughal Capital. I always like visiting places late afternoon. Serene and peaceful. I saw the Buland Darwaza (the highest gate in the world, or so the self-appointed guide told me) and the mix of Mughal and almost Chinese-style architecture. It was a peaceful end to the Agra visit.

The Road to Jaipur: Conversations

The drive to Jaipur, in the province of Rajasthan, took about four hours. My driver and I got off to a rough start, but ten hours in a car together changes things. He started to open up, telling me about his life in a small village outside Delhi and how he was saving for his daughter to go to Europe. He also shared stories of the biggest tips he had ever received. As with many conversations in India, money was a motivation, but I understood it. And I was already contemplating the tip i would give him at the end. So it worked..

Amer: The Hidden Gem

We arrived in Amer, a charming village adjacent to Jaipur. For me, Amer was special, surrounded by mountains, relatively quiet, and home to my favorite sight: the Amer Fort. Another Unesco World Hertiage site. This fort is famous for its mirror hall which has 800.000 mirrors.

Then, following a tip I got from ChatGPT (my trusted friend), I asked to see the stepwell in Amer (Panna Meena Ka Kund). It is small, tucked right inside the village, but incredibly charming and symmetrical. Definitely a spot you want to see.

Jaipur: The Pink City

Finally, Jaipur itself. The story goes that in 1876, the Maharaja painted the entire city pink to welcome Prince Albert, the husband of Queen Victoria. The color symbolises hospitality, and it stuck.

The highlight here is the Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds). The Emperor had it built for his harem so the royal women could watch life on the street and connect with the outside world, perhaps while sipping their tea, without being seen themselves. I also visited the City Palace, which was interesting, but for me, the Amer Fort remained the clear winner.

The Goodbye 

I ended the trip with a visit to a zoo park near my hotel, followed by a traditional Indian dance performance and a final, quiet cup of tea.

On the last day, the driver took me back to Delhi Airport. I said goodbye and pressed a good tip (I hope!) into his hand. India had been quite an experience; intense, chaotic, and fascinating. I definitely plan to come back!

Delhi: Four Days of Contrasts

Before I went to Delhi, someone told me the city could be an “assault on the senses.” That was certainly true. It started with the heavy pollution, the crazy traffic, and the visible poverty that hits you the moment you step outside.

That first morning, I took my usual walk out of my hotel in South Delhi. Delhi is not great for walking, but I tried. After five minutes, I entered a dirt-poor street where people who looked like they had nothing were sitting on the pavement, staring into the distance. Then, on that very same street, I stood before the entrance to the Chanakya Mall. An ultra-luxury enclave for the rich to escape reality. Or so it felt. I admit I was happy to go in myself and have my hot chocolate in my own little world.

Ancient Tombs & Lodhi Garden

After that experience, I got my first taste of what I would love about Delhi the most. I entered Lodhi Garden.

At first, two locals approached me saying, “Country, country?” I quickly figured out they just wanted to know where I was from. When I said “The Netherlands,” they nodded in a friendly way and walked on. This would not be the last time people asked me this.

Lodhi Garden is a public park, but what makes it special are the ancient 15th-century tombs dating from the Delhi Sultanate. I was oblivious to this history before coming. I expected colonial buildings to be the main sight, but this ancient architecture became what I loved most during my five days here. In Lodhi Garden, these structures aren’t fenced off museum pieces. They are part of society. People interact with them naturally. It felt like we were just discovering them together. It reminded me of Siem Reap in Cambodia. Ancient, accessible, and alive.

Humayun’s Tomb, Ignoring Google

On the second day, I ignored Google’s opening times (a good decision) and arrived at Humayun’s Tomb around 7:30 AM. Built in 1558 for the Mughal Emperor Humayun, it served as inspiration for the Taj Mahal. The most striking thing was that I was completely alone. Being alone with the tomb in its original state, I felt like an archaeologist discovering it for the first time.

Qutub Minar and Cows

Delhi (and much of India) has an unusual traffic participant: the cow. Seeing them calmly occupying the street and often stopping traffic altogether can be surprising at first. On one occasion, it even delayed my arrival at my next destination. Yet there is also something quietly beautiful about it: a deep respect for animals.

A bit later than planned but Qutub Minar became my favourite sight in Delhi. A UNESCO World Heritage site with a 72.5-meter victory tower, it feels almost like a painting when you see it. Perhaps the haze of pollution adds to that unreal effect. It was part of a heritage park that could rival Rome’s ancient forums. Who knew Delhi had these kinds of places?

Rajon Ki Baoli

After that I reached Rajon Ki Baoli, a closeby stepwell built in 1506, standing in its original state. It felt unreal to roam around freely without strict rules. It was a perfect ending to the day.

Delhi Neighbourhoods & The Colonial Reality 

On my last day, I wanted to glimpse the neighbourhoods where people actually live. I walked through affluent areas like Vasant Vihar which had lush trees, yet even there, the atmosphere remained chaotic and dusty, weighed down by the heavy pollution. Old Delhi (many people warned me to go here) I only visited one time in the morning. I went to the Red Fort and Jama Masjid. Interesting but for me they did not stand out like the others.

I looked for the colonial side of the city, but it was hard to enjoy. Connaught Place felt like a neglected open-air mall, and the grand Lutyens villas and parliament buildings were mostly gated and invisible. The roads were often broken or blocked. If not for those things Delhi could be prettier I thought. I ended the day escaping the reality outside with afternoon tea at The Imperial, a posh relic of the British era.

People & The Poverty Dilemma 

The people were friendly, and with 50% of the population being vegetarian, I connected easily with the food culture. I never felt unsafe, though being the only foreigner in a mass of people takes getting used to.

However, what stayed with me most was the intense poverty. It forces a constant dilemma upon you: whom do you give to, and how much? In the end, I decided to give to anyone who asked and anyone I passed who looked like they needed it. It felt like a drop in the ocean, but it was the only choice I could make. It was a confronting experience.

Overall, I had a good and eye-opening time in Delhi. It is chaotic, fascinating, and very human. It gave me headaches, literally and figuratively, but a visit is absolutely worth it.

My next stop is Agra & Jaipur.

My Delhi Pocket Guide & Tips

For those who want the quick “knows” before they go.

• The Vibe: A massive contrast of ancient peace and chaotic reality. It is an assault on the senses, both good and bad.
• The Charm Spots (My Favorites):
  • Lodhi Garden: Best for a gentle introduction to the city’s history.
  • Qutub Minar: My absolute favorite. Feels like walking into a painting.
  • Rajon Ki Baoli: A stunning stepwell in Mehrauli Archaeological Park. Quiet and atmospheric.
  • Humayun’s Tomb: Go at 7:30 AM to have it to yourself.
• The Reality Check:
  • Walking: Not recommended for long distances. The pollution can cause headaches and nausea, and infrastructure (pavements) is often broken or non-existent.
  • Giving Money: You will be asked often. Locals may advise against it, but follow your own intuition.
• Food Note: It is a vegetarian paradise. Roughly half the population is vegetarian, so you never have to hunt hard for food.