074 Cycle Touring Malaysia (2)

(^8) Alor Setar – Penang – 100 km
The ride to Butterworth was relaxed and offered views of scenic rice
paddies and beautiful temples and mosques. Once in Butterworth, I
boarded a ferry that transported pedestrians, cars, and motorbikes to
the island of Penang. A few minutes later, we docked at famous
Georgetown.
I discovered a crappy but inexpensive abode with an air-con and
window (considered a bargain). The guidebook mentioned that
Penang was known as the ‘Pearl of the Orient, and it lived up to its
reputation as I saw rickshaws peddling past Chinese shophouses.
Georgetown was further renowned for its street food, and countless
vendors were selling Malay, Indian, and Chinese cuisine at the
numerous stands that lined the town's narrow lanes. Feeling
famished, I rushed to the nearest food cart to grab my daily plate of
Nasi Goreng.