Another day of activity awaits after a leisurely breakfast in the hotel. Pick up your bike for the day and cycle into town for an open-air, almost impromptu, art exhibition and a heritage trail of George Town’s historic core. Every now and then, you’ll happen upon evocative and eye-catching – and
often three-dimensional – murals painted on walls and street furniture such as phone booths. It’s not graffiti but rather a ground-breaking and thought-provoking project, known as Mirrors of George Town, which was part of the 2012 George Town Festival.
The murals, which depict humorous paintings of subjects such as children at play, toys, animals and other surreal images, are the handiwork of young Lithuanian artist Ernest Zacharevic. Many feel his work has added a new dimension to the inner city and now you can judge for yourself if he is deserving of such plaudits. More Zacharevic creations can also be seen at the next destination, Chew Jetty, though here the attraction is actually the homes themselves, which are built on stilts and hover over the sea. These clusters of wooden houses were built by the poor Chinese immigrants who worked near the port during the 19th century. Drop the bikes back to the shop and proceed for local Indian lunch (on own accounts), try the tandoori chicken, roti canai (Indian flat bread) or mee goreng (fried noodles).
Later, you will get the chance to savour popular local desserts (on own accounts): chendol, a cold dessert made from shaved ice with coconut milk, red beans and green starch jelly noodles, or ais kacang, which is made from shaved ice with sweet corn, jelly, peanuts and red beans, all drenched in syrup and milk.
Return to hotel after eating and enjoy a free afternoon and evening.
*****Overnight on a bed-and-breakfast basis in Penang*****
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Flamingo - 4 Nights