PENANG SPICE GARDEN AND COOKING CLASS: A REVIEW When I stepped under the verdant threshold into Penang Spice Garden, I was quickly greeted by their cheerful, welcoming staff, who were smiling and inviting guests to the check-in counter. Along with the friendly greeting a warm, relaxing feeling washed over me from the lush tropical foliage …
Elegance. Opulence. Class. These sensations wash over me as I entered 1881 Chong Tian Cultural Hotel in Penang, Malaysia. Chong Tian’s lush lobby is furnished with dark wood antique Chinese chairs inlaid with ivory and adorned with vibrant silk pillows, a large decorative vase displaying an elaborate flower arrangement, an intricately carved and gilded antique Chinese screen, …
A VISIT TO CHINA HOUSE- PENANG – MALAYSIA Just before I left Penang to Langkawi Island, I discovered the most fantastic cafe: China House. Actually it’s more than a mere cafe: it’s a large, rambling complex of restored heritage buildings with a gourmet bakery, several restaurants and eating spaces, an art gallery, a reading room, …
HUTTON LODGE- A PENANG HOTEL REVIEW I eagerly walked over to Hutton Lodge, promoted as a budget hotel and set in a renovated colonial building in the heart of Georgetown’s cultural center on Jalan Hutton. I’d already walked past the place once, so I knew it was a large pale yellow mansion, set off the …
MANGO TREE PLACE BOUTIQUE HOTEL- A PENANG HOTEL REVIEW On my way to Mango Tree Place, I couldn’t help but recall their charming website with its relaxing music and unique, interesting design. This unusual boutique hotel aims to ‘provide interesting spaces and unique experiences’. It describes Mango Tree as an ‘away home’ (ie. ‘home away …
BEYOND GUIDEBOOKS: PENANG CULTURE- LOCAL HOMEMADE SWEETS Because of its multi-cultural heritage, Penang offers an amazing variety of delicious, homemade local sweets: Indian, Malay, Chinese, and others. Most are made in little bakeries and pastry shops on Georgetown’s side roads. Yet I rarely see any western tourists eating these delicious sweets! I suspect it’s simply …
REVIEW OF CHEONG FATT TZE MANSION I’d been wanting to visit Penang’s famous Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion for ages. I’d walked past it several times over the years on my visits to Penang, peering over the wall at it’s striking cobalt blue exterior and shady front garden. Somehow I’d always run out of time to …
TRAVEL TIPS: GUIDE TO DAY TRIP AROUND CHARMING PENANG ISLAND Penang Island, Malaysia, is most famous for its amazingly rich cultural mix of Chinese, Indian, Malay, and European cultures. That blend is a result of Penang’s historical beginnings as a major port on the Asian trading route. Georgetown, Penang is now a UNESCO World Heritage …
REVIEW OF PINANG PERANAKAN MANSION A few days ago, I excitedly walked over to Penang’s famous and unique museum, the Pinang Peranakan Mansion. I was warmly greeted by their kind, friendly staff, who handed me an informative brochure. The staff had no idea I was a guest travel blogger coming to review the Mansion. During …
TRAVEL ACCIDENT: $23 CUP OF COFFEE! Holy S**t! I just paid $23 US for an espresso-size cup of coffee! While touring a Penang museum yesterday, I came upon their cafe. Jane, the friendly, outgoing cafe proprietor promptly told me about their Kopi Luwak and explained their process of preparing the coffee for customers at the …
Hi! I'm an American nomadic world traveler who's been traveling solo since 1998. I’m passionate about traveling the world nomadically and then sharing it all with you. I hope to inspire you to travel the world, to entertain you with tales from the road, and to help you reach your travel dreams. Welcome! 
