First impression after the 'long' 10 months apart from Penang is: crowded. Penang is just flocked by people coming from nowhere; streets are filled with heavy traffic (especially down town); restaurants are always full; and even toilet queues are always long!!!
I must admit I felt the Penangites are rather 'dressed down' in airport upon arrival but the heat very soon reminds me of how I used to 'dress down' and the reason behind. Hence, the very next day (I arrived in late evening), I've 'localized' with newly bought short pants, t-shirt & sandle and walking the 'down-dressing' culture ;)
Visited quite a lot of temple, the Kek Lok si, the sleeping buddha, the burmese temple, the Goddess of Mercy temple and I think the temples must be really rich to be decorated so nicely during the festive season. Love the lanterns...
It's becoming a routine to go for massage & spa session in Danai Spa everytime I go back. Feel brand new everytime after the massage and skin scrubbing. Despite its luxurious outlet in G-Hotel (and the fact that I'm staying there), I still prefer its first outlet in Tanjong Bungah for the outdoor experience. The only disadvantage is a 'collection' of mosquito bites on the 'new born' skin, sob sob...
My first visit to the Penang Peranakan Mansion, really really nice, especially if you know the culture. We're being toured by a Malay guy and I think I could have been a better guide ;) 
Visit Penang Hill (view from top shown below), first time after my first visit when I was 5 years old and I can certainly explain why I never re-visit...it's hot along the way up hill in the funicular, packed with people (I feel like canned sardine fish) and it's very very slow. Sadly, the condition didn't change after all these years, still hot & packed & slow.
Saw the street sign board with 3 language street name (indian & malay street name at the back). It was a big debate back then whether to use traditional chinese or simplified chinese, I guess I know the verdict now ;)
Brought Mr.T home to present to my parents (he received a lot of 'ang pao' during the period, ishh) and of course he has to try a little bit of everything from Penang's wide range of food to 'taste' Penang. Refer picture below, (clockwise from top left): poori in mamak stall; hasma (frog's fallopian tube) from Dragon-I; char koay teow (fried flat noodle) from Golden Bay hawker food center; egg toast with sugar from a down town local coffee shop (he caught a lot of attention) & a mix of nyonya kuih (peranakan sweet cakes).
On top of that, also watched a RM10 movie (Percy Jackson, won't recommend it though); catch up with some friends and was surprised to find out a few of them (including some relatives) are getitng married in 2010/2011, some are even expecting babies...oh no...I feel old!!!
While I was away, some new restaurants pop up and out of curiousity, I sampled a few of them and was absolutely amazed with the fantastic super delicious food quality. Some highlighst:-
Mixed roast meats (roast chicken, roast duck & roast pork belly) from Canton-I, Queensbay Mall. The roast pork belly is unbelievable delicious, their roast BBQ pork with honey glazed is also great (not in picture)
Iced yun yong (coffee & milk tea mixed), used to be a Hong Kong specialty, now very common in Penang as well. The one from Canton-I is by far the best I've ever tasted. RM5.50 per glass though & Mr.T typically drinks 2 glasses!
Another nice surprise from Canton-I - deep fried durian. I didn't expect it to be as nice as this...fantastic. Hence explains my frequent visits to Canton-I (4 times in 2 weeks)
Belacan fried chicken in Mama's nyonya food, so delicious...it's 10 on scale of 10. It comes with a dipping sauce, a dip, brings the chicken's perfect score taste to heavenly.
For roast duck, don't ever miss out Xuan Xin's (in Gurney Hotel) roast duck. Crispy skin on the outside, full flavoured juicy meat on the inside, top with dipping sauce, mmmm...now I miss the roast duck!
Stayed in 3 hotels during this trip: G-Hotel, Equatorial Hotel & Eastin Hotel. Out of the three, I'd recommend G-Hotel for its central location, quality of service & its lovely pool; Eastin for the price & its proximity to the Free Trade Zone where most Multi-national companies are (in other words, close to work); but not Equatorial Hotel (EQ). EQ is one of the first 5 stars hotels with gold course but it seems to be going down hill. A friend who works in EQ said the hotel is under-going some renovation and the quality is expected to be improved after the new 'face lift' but I think I'll skip the chance & stay in G :)
Small down sides for this trip would be: bad food, 'small' scratch on car, paid unreasonable price for food (RM5 for a small bowl of prawn noodle in a local coffee shop in Gurney, it's not the amount of money but matter of feeling ripped off!!) & burnt by accidentally poured hot porridge on my back in restaurant.
Some of the bad food experience (just for your reference, from top left, clockwise):- steak in The Ship (so called 'best steak in town); green tandoori fish in Palace d'India in Queensbay Mall; soft shell crab in Sakae sushi Gurney branch; crab in 'weird sauce' in Bali Hai. I've had good experiences with these restaurants before, something must have went wrong when I'm away.
Nevertheless, a free trip home to visit friends & family plus an escape from the -11C cold Copenhagen is really really nice. For behaving good during the trip, Mr.T earn a family portrait with my family :)
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