Since I'm on a travel theme, I've decided to post photos from my last trip to Penang, Malaysia. Penang is a gastronomic paradise for food lovers. Some people think Gurney Drive is a tourist trap but there are many locals who eat there too. There are dozens of hawker stalls offering all types of cuisine - Malay, Chinese, Indian and Western. The stalls open early evening to late at night. If you arrive before the stalls open, you can stroll around at Gurney Plaza, the nearby shopping mall or enjoy the seabreeze along the esplanade.

For those who have never experienced a wet-market, the 112-year-old Chowrasta market will be an eye-opener. There is the typical multi-storey building which houses all kinds of hawkers, including fishmongers, butchers, and vegetable sellers. Along Jalan Chowrasta, street vendors line both sides of the street selling anything from snacks to goldfish. To experience a shock to your senses, I suggest visiting during peak hour, that is, early morning when the locals do their grocery shopping and have breakfast.