After the Cameron Highlands we headed north to Penang, the second largest city in Malaysia. Penang, also known as Georgetown, was the first British settlement in Malaysia and is now a melting pot of various cultures and religions. When we first arrived in Penang we did not think there was going to be that much to do but as we started walking around the city we became fascinated by the multiple temples and places of worship. Penang is also known for having good food so we managed to fill two days no problem!
We spent most of our time looking at Hindu and Chinese temples as they are both elaborate, ornate and colourful! The Hindu temple we decided to visit was Sri Mariamman Temple. The temple was open for worship while we were there so the areas we got to see were limited, but it was still cool to see. After leaving the Hindu temple we planned on getting something to eat – until we were sidetracked by a stunning Chinese temple very close Sri Mariamman. The temple was called Han Jiang Ancestral Temple and it was amazing. One of the best parts was how welcoming the people were inside, as well as the information boards around to tell you what the various elements of the structure meant which made you really appreciated and better understand the temple. Next we went to an extravagant Chinese clan house by the name of Khoo Kongsi . The detail in this temple was outrageous, the wooden engravings, statues, lanterns, and painting had the utmost detail put into them. You could spend hours examine each element of the temple and still find something new, it was absolutely incredible.
Staring at the details of the Khoo Kongsi interior
For the grand finale of our temple trotting in Penang we hit up the temple Jarrett had been waiting for, the Snake Temple, another Chinese temple in the city. This temple was much smaller then the other temples we went to see, but it had live and extremely poisionous pit viper snakes inside wrapped around the trees. At first I was taken aback – I HATE snakes - but the snakes do not move. The incense burned inside, also known as joss sticks, apparently tranquilize the snakes. You can literally get within centimetres of them and they don’t move, something I was not interested in doing, haha. This was really cool to see. While you are at the snake temple you also have the chance to go to a snake farm or get your picture taken with a HUGE python, something I was also not to keen on!
The pit vipers hanging out in the snake temple
We also attempted to see Kek Lok Si, the largest Buddhist temple in Malaysia. We planned to see it at night because it is suppose to be spectacular with lights covering every inch of the building. So we headed out around 7:00 pm on bus 203 which dropped us off in the middle of nowhere on a street with no lights and it was pouring rain. We could see the spire in the distance so we blindly waked towards it with no idea of what kind of neighbourhood we were in. After getting to the base of the temple we noticed it was completely blacked out, no spectacular display of lights akin to Vegas because for reasons unknown to us, it was closed.
Jackie trying to enjoy a local favourite - Ice Kacang - Ice Cream, Shaved Ice, Cream Corn, Black Gelatin and Kidney beans...
Penang is also famous for having delicious food so made sure to eat lots and try something new all the time. Close to where we were staying, on Love Lane, was Red Garden, the night food market, which is basically a massive outdoor food court with lots of different hawker stalls. We ended up eating dinner there pretty much every night. At the market you can anything from vegetable soup to frog clay pots, and pig gut soup. To add to the panache of the market there is always a live keyboard player with a singer for entertainment. The food was great, and the people were even better. An old Chinese couple offered for us to come eat with them one night and we sat and enjoyed dinner without speaking a word to each other, it was great – they shared all of their delicious food and kept us from eating in the rain 
Some entertainment at the night food market
We really enjoyed Penang and would recommend it as a pit stop for those who are heading to Malaysia, especially if you are planning on going to Langkawi, as the ferry departs from the jetty in the city. The food is great and the crossing of cultures and religions is a very nifty thing to see.
So, no pics with the python then?? Shame! The ice cream/kidney bean concoction looks interesting, but sounds like the rest of the food was fab!