Malaysia - The Rough Guide to Southeast Asia on a Budget - page 434

foundation of Singapore in 1819. Its
capital, GEORGETOWN , was declared a
UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008,
lined with beautiful pastel-coloured
buildings that were once townhouses and
shophouses. he city is known as the
“Food Capital of Malaysia”, offering a
tantalizing range of cuisines that
incorporate the very best of Malay,
Chinese and Indian elements. In recent
years, Georgetown has also witnessed a
growing arts scene, with quirky works of
art and wrought-iron caricatures hidden
along the street's quaint alleyways. he
city is a perfect base to explore nearby
sights, including the island's commercial-
ized north-coast beach of Batu Ferringhi
where it's possible to stay overnight.

TREAT YOURSELF
Tiger Rock T 04 264 3580, W tigerrock.info.
This tropical paradise has inviting rooms
decorated with local furniture and beautiful
art dotted around lush, verdant grounds.
You can while away your afternoons by the
inviting swimming pool as you refuel with
exquisite Malay food served at the laidback
dining area. Full board from RM550 per
person per day.

★

6

while the smaller budget rooms are at the back. All are
clean, neat and tidy, and there's a spacious rooftop terrace
to unwind. Gre at single rates, and good discounts in low
season. Double RM100
★

Nipah Guesthouse T 017 506 9259, W pangkor
beachchalet.com. This wonderful guesthouse has four
neat A-framed huts surrounding a pleasant pool area with
loungers. Breakfast consists of a continental buffet in the
breezy dining area, where guests are en couraged to rustle
up their own eggs and pancakes. Double RM180
Sunset View Chalet T 05 685 5448, W sunsetview
chalet.com. Clean rooms with little balconies opening out
onto an avenue charmingly shaded by bougainvillea.
There are hammocks to chi ll out in by the outdoor TV and
seating area. Double RM60

WHAT TO SEE AND DO
Georgetown retains more of its cultural
history than virtually anywhere else in the
country, with a host of beautiful colonial
buildings to admire and explore.

Fort Cornwallis and around
he site of Fort Cornwallis (Mon-Sat
9am-7pm; RM2), on the northeastern tip
of Pulau Penang, marks the spot where the
British fleet under Captain Francis Light
disembarked on July 16, 1786. For all its
significance, however, it holds little of
interest save a history gallery, the outer
walls of the fort and historic cannons
facing the sea. Southwest from the fort is
Lebuh Pantai , which holds some fine
colonial buildings. West of Lebuh Pantai,
on Jalan Masjid Kapitan Kling (or Lebuh
Pitt), stands the Anglican St George's
Church (Mon-Fri 10am-noon & 2-4pm,
Sat 10am-noon, Sun open for services only
at 8.30 & 10.30am; free); construction
here started in 1817, making it one of the
oldest buildings in Penang. Next to the
church on Lebuh Farquhar, Penang State
Museum (daily except Fri 9am-5pm;
RM1) has an excellent collection of
rickshaws, as well as period objects, press
cuttings and black-and-white photographs
charting the city's history.

EATING
Most guesthouses have an attached restaurant serving a
mix of seafood and international dishes.
Daddy's Café On the southern end of Coral Beach. This
beachside restaurant serves fresh Pangkor seafood and
local specialities including fish head curry (RM19) and
Malaysian crab curry (RM25). Daily 11am-11pm.
Food stalls The northern end of Teluk Nipah beach comes
alive in the evening with informal stalls all doing a roaring
trade in inexpensive fresh seafood and noodles. It's one of
the best places to eat on the island. Seafood mains RM14;
noodles RM5.
Yee Lin 195 Jln Pasir Bogak. Locals from all over the island
head to this popular place for the excellent fish and
seafood dishes. Daily 7pm-midnight.

PENANG AND GEORGETOWN
On Malaysia's northwestern coast is
PENANG , a large island of 285 square
kilometres, connected to the mainland by
a bridge and frequent ferry services from
Butterworth. It became the first British
settlement in the Malay Peninsula in
1791, and a major colonial administrative
centre, only declining after the

Little India
he area enclosed by parallel Lebuh King
and Lebuh Queen forms Georgetown's