The good, bad and ugly sides to a holiday in Penang, Malaysia
Low cost of living makes the Malaysian island a top spot for retirees but the burgeoning onslaught of cruise ship visitors is destroying authenticity
THE GOOD
Three and a half hours from Hong Kong, Penang makes for an ideal long weekend getaway. Travellers with more time can make their way to the Malaysian holiday hot spot by island hopping through the Andaman archipelago all the way from Phuket. And for those in no hurry whatsoever, Penang is regarded as one of the best places in the world in which to retire, thanks to its tropical climate, low cost of living, high standard of health care and welcoming immigration laws. The food isn’t bad, either.
Roadside hawkers serve up a medley of Chinese, Malay and Indian favourites while Nyonya creations, such as assam laksa (hot and sour noodles in fish soup), that combine Chinese cooking with Malay spices have experienced the culinary equivalent of going viral. Meals should be rounded off with an ais kacang; once just a sugary Malaysian shaved-ice dessert, now an Instagram superstar.
I would like to remind people that we are not monkeys, and this is not a zoo
An increasingly popular way to get a taste for Penang is by luxury liner. Cruise companies are incorporating the island into a growing number of itineraries, which helps boost the local economy. Disembarkation rates are high – Princess Cruises claims that more than 80 per cent of its guests join Penang excursions or explore on their own and there are plans to expand Swettenham Pier to accommodate more vessels.