Riders on the storm...

In contrast to our fancy hotel suite in Kuala Lumper our accommodation in George Town, Penang  was a ‘back to basics’ hostel.  It was a “boutique” hostel though,  which translates to having  cool artwork & polished concrete floors but it was still a v basic room with a bed,  a shower hose over the loo and not much else. It was fine.
 George Town is another Unesco heritage town & the architecture is fabulously colonial but has not been spoilt by gentrification. Lots of little tiny streets, lined with townhouses with white or faded coloured walls and wooden verandas. We loved it. Small enough to explore in a few days, big enough to keep being surprised by hidden gems you find when wandering around.  
We headed straight out to get a feel for the place & after a while we stopped for a refreshing drink in the Hong Kong bar – still owned/run by the same family since 1920’s & favoured in its hay day by the navy when they were in  town. We got chatting to some people & stayed far longer than intended but it was one of those days when you go for a quick drink and you meet interesting people and end up staying for hours. When we left we headed to the Indian quarter for some delicious (cheap) food then, walking back to our hostel along Love Lane where we happened upon a bar with live music. The band were playing covers of bands such as Credence Clearwater Revival, The Doors & Radiohead. They were  made up of locals - one playing a drum box, one base guitar, the singer and a Sitar as lead guitar. Random.  It made an interesting sound and although it didn't always quite work, it was worth staying around to hear more, so we pulled up a chair and ordered a beer. A Great introduction and great first day in George Town.
Day two I decided we needed to see less Bar and more Town so with tourist map in hand we walked around all the key sights taking in the museum, cathedral, Court house (where We tried to get in to view a case but nothing was on) the fort and the quayside. 
A few years ago George Town commissioned some street art around the town and so in the afternoon we visited many of the pieces which are dotted around. They are really well done and definitely enhance rather than vandalise the town. 
After plenty of walking we headed back to the boutique hostel to freshen up before heading out for food. However as we were about to leave the rain arrived and as we stood watching from the doorway chatting with fellow travellers a huge thunderclap and lightening struck  right over our heads. very quickly our road started to flood. Within ten minutes the water was over a foot high and lapping the courtyard at the front of our hostel & things were floating down the road. Eventually it stopped but we had to wade through the water which was up to our knees  to get out for food.  By the time we returned from the street food market, all the water had disappeared and it was like it never happened. The next day we took the bus to Penang Hill that overlooks the town and the sea and did some trail walks in the stifling heat the way only crazy Brits do and in the evening we visited a great Chinese restaurant recommended to us and definitely worth the visit. Then back to the hostel to pack. Destination Singapore.

George Town was another unplanned stop when we started our travels but we were pleased we made it here. The history of the town is very interesting and it's a great example of how different cultures can live harmoniously together. Definitely a town that's worth a return trip.