My last trip to Penang was about 5 years ago. This time I was passing by for a factory visit. We took an 8hour drive to reach Penang. The GPS took the guess work out of our minds and worked great.
Its funny, when we reached, I had no memory of the roads, having been to Penang a number of times it was an unusual feeling. I came to a conclusion later on that it was because there had been many changes to the roads and Architecture. There are now Big Jusco malls and many high rise condominiums everywhere. Penang is rapidly modernising.
The old town feel was somewhat lost, it was only when I reached the inner recesses of the island that everything I was so familiar with came reeling back.
I dropped by my distant auntie's place for a visit, even her place has changed. The roads outside were packed with cars and was jammed. Apparently, the Kek Lok Si temple was having its unveiling of the new Guan Yin rooftop. We took a short climb to view the temple which always look majestic to me no matter how many times I've seen it. We left quickly as it was getting hot and crowded. I said good bye to my aunt and we left to find the Chendol!!
We had Cha kway tiao, Chendol, lor bak, nutmeg, tau sa pia....etc on our list. We reached Penang Rd and found the infamous roadside chendol, the place was really crowded. The chendol too seems to have lost its usual flavour from my memory. Well, thats what happens when you get well known, you lose quality. Still it was better than most Chendol in Singapore.
Next was Cha kway tiao, unfortunately it was sold out and it was only 1pm!!! Luckily the Lor Bak was available, the retro looking coffee shop helped made the food taste better!!
Then we grab some pickled Nutmeg and Tau Sa Pia and left Penang. We had to reach KL by evening if we are hoping to grab some more great food.
KL was the same as usual, we went to Petaling St and booked the Malayan hotel which was quite old, later on while walking around I found better hotels at lower prices, next time maybe.
After checking in I went straight to the food!! Glutton!!
First stop, corner of Chinatown black Hokkien Mee, what can I say, it tastes amazing. I was on a mission.
Next Zainal's satay just round the corner, I've had Jakarta's famous satay and Singapore's best satay, but KL Zainal's satay is the best 3pieces of meat I have ever put into my mouth.
By now, 2 large drinks, 1 Medium Hokkien Mee and 12sticks of satay later, my stomach was going to explode. I headed back to the hotel after walking it off a bit at the Pasar malam.
We checked out the next day morning and Mike used the GPS to locate a friends recommendation of Roast Duck and Pork. It was at a street selling power tools, I guess roast pork and hard labour go hand in hand. It did'nt fail to disappoint, the roast pork was really crunchy and crispy and the aroma was to die for!!
We filled our stomachs and left for Kluang.
It was a very rushed trip but we managed to squeezed in lots of eating in between. Not a good thing these days due to my way overweight mass. Still, whats a trip up North without great food.
