Georgetown

The jewel of Penang is a contrast of worlds. High rises and malls on the one side, temples, mosques and shopfront stalls on the other. Colonialism nostalgia and modern Malaysia success.

The city is hot but slightly less humid than Kuala Lumpur. We started around 10 by taking a bus (cash only) but by 1 pm the heat was brutal and taking its toll.

Victoria's clock and the old town hall were firm representatives of colonial architecture extending to the esplanade in front of the sea not far from the ferry docks.

The Anglican Church of St George sits in nice expansive grounds but the lady sitting at the porch giving some basic information proceeded to give to Ann a horrible lecture about how awful Manchester and London full of Muslims. That leaving in a Muslim city and clearly being an immigrant herself. You imagine how 'well' that went down. Who was that said 'my grandfather was a refugee, my dad an immigrant and I am a racist'.

In between beautiful Chinese centres and temples there was a little cafe at the Penang museum that gave a respite from the heat. Also an encounter with Chinese students who were on a sort vacation from Singapore university. The coffee shop (very good coffee by the way) used old floppy discs as coasters. It was quite bemusing explaining to them what they were and how they were used. Generation gap eh?

The simple Mosque that followed was an interlude to the Chinese jetties still inhabited by poor Chinese origin families intertwined with some tatty souvenir shops.

The whole area was full of interesting murals continuation of the graphic artist Zacharieva attempts (who was commissioned initially by the city) . Now a whole movement of creative people leave their mark at the city's walls.

Duck time: not in the water above but for out stomachs, expertly cooked, soft with nice skin and some fritters on the side

The current owners of the, converted to hotel, Blue Mansion are equally frustrated with their predecessors with the neighbouring Chinese 'associations' or gangs not so secret any more.

And after we failed to get on the building's sold out tour, we were also frustrated with their bar's very average drinks. Definitely not recommended.

A quick bus brought us to the Hin Bus Depot which has nothing to do with bus but it is a creative space with temporary and permanent graphic artists exhibitions.

After the duck at lunch time some more steaks to cook for the evening from a nearby Mall that has also its Sephora to contrast with the hungry cat we met earlier