Just passing by. This was such a lovely read. Penang sounds like a literary gem and the workshop and the silent reading club especially seems quite interesting.
Getting a taste of the literary scene in Penang sounds like a special experience, Ashleigh. I've seen events like "Shut up and Write" but hadn't heard of silent reading clubs. Very cool!
Holy crap--I make a point of trying to visit and buy local books from independent bookstores wherever I travel, but I never thought of trying to join writing groups or workshops!!!! This is SUCH A GREAT IDEA!! Do you just find them via Facebook/friend networks, or can google help?!?
Rebecca, it really is a game changer! For Penang, I have a friend who lives there so she gave me all the local info. But, you can check out the events boards at libraries or bookshops or google to see if there are literary events or arts festivals coming up. Or, you can even research writing retreats and plan your trip around them.
Penang Island is quite different from other parts of Malaysia. During my school holidays, we used to hitchhike from Cameron Highlands to Penang & stayed in a Sikh Temple. It was our fun days! 🙂Thank you for sharing this lovely piece of article. 🙏
ER, that sounds like a fun experience to share with your friends. I wonder what it was like to stay in the Sikh Temple! Thanks for sharing your memories. :)
Ashleigh, the venue for the Penang book club? Amazing! It is so perfectly cool! And how fun--also the snacks looked pretty darn tasty. I'd love to get to Malaysia. I really enjoyed Singapore, but that was the last stop on a round the world whirlwind trip just before Covid. So just kept going. When I worked in travel, our magazine covered the Asia Pacific and the writer who went there to write it up for the cover story said it was so fantastic. And another friend lived there for many years (now in Portugal) and he said the food is fantastic, better than Singapore -- you would know! Well??
Jeanine, yes, the snacks were so good! One of the ladies shared the different techniques she uses to make sticky rice dumplings and wrap them in banana leaves. The food in Malaysia is fantastic. There's some overlap with Singaporean food; I enjoyed them both, but preferred Malaysia because I was able to try a greater variety there.
I went to Penang many times years ago, particularly when we travelled by ship to India and loved being there…. It’s my dream to return in the not too distant future.
Thanks ….it was actually a ship from Singapore that called in at Penang and we disembarked to stay there and could pick up another ship onto India or we stayed on the ship but disembarked for two days…those were the days ….when sea travel was the most common way to travel….back in the 60s and 70s ….
I agree with you Win... 60s & 70s, there were 2 ships travelling from Penang & India, remember taking one of them to India in the 60s,not mistaken the ship's name was "Rajula", the other was "State of Madras". Later years had "Chitabram", it was a modern ship with swimming & other facilities. Thanks for sharing, Win.
Hi there!
Just passing by. This was such a lovely read. Penang sounds like a literary gem and the workshop and the silent reading club especially seems quite interesting.
Don't stop adventuring and be free!
- Antonio
Getting a taste of the literary scene in Penang sounds like a special experience, Ashleigh. I've seen events like "Shut up and Write" but hadn't heard of silent reading clubs. Very cool!
Shut up and write sounds interesting! I definitely recommend joining or starting a Silent Reading Club.
I loved Penang! Great to learn more about its literary credentials too.
It’s really a relaxing city, Claire! I love the green spaces and hiking spots around it.
This is a fascinating idea! I think I will even seek out such groups in my hometown.
It’s a great way to meet people and work on projects, Toni!
I was travelling with my Sikh friend. Quite an experience staying in a Sikh Temple, we get free food especially Chapati 😊
Yum, I love chapati! 🫓
Yummy!
So great to see this! I grew up there as a child and you’ve done a fantastic job writing about the charm of this little city!
And you’ve given me quite a few recommendations to check out the next time I visit
Ah, that's so cool, Janice! It seems like a wonderful place to grow up.
It was definitely very different to Australia. But yes it was great, especially the food :D
This is so meaningful! Kudos to you for finding these opportunities to connect with people whenever you go. I'm so impressed.
Thank you, Yuezhong! It's thanks to my friend who lives in the area, she knew all the local spots. :)
Holy crap--I make a point of trying to visit and buy local books from independent bookstores wherever I travel, but I never thought of trying to join writing groups or workshops!!!! This is SUCH A GREAT IDEA!! Do you just find them via Facebook/friend networks, or can google help?!?
Rebecca, it really is a game changer! For Penang, I have a friend who lives there so she gave me all the local info. But, you can check out the events boards at libraries or bookshops or google to see if there are literary events or arts festivals coming up. Or, you can even research writing retreats and plan your trip around them.
Btw, I joined a writing group when I was in Sarandë, and I’m sure Tirana has a few, too!
My local independent coffee+book shop is called The Book Nook.
ahh, I love the coffee+bookshop combo. :)
I was in the cafe of the book club! Lovely place!
Flavio, it's such a good spot! I love that they have handmade souvenir shops around it, too.
How an article can resonates with others & brings back old memories!
Thank you, ER, your comment means a lot to me!
You are most welcome Ash!
Penang Island is quite different from other parts of Malaysia. During my school holidays, we used to hitchhike from Cameron Highlands to Penang & stayed in a Sikh Temple. It was our fun days! 🙂Thank you for sharing this lovely piece of article. 🙏
ER, that sounds like a fun experience to share with your friends. I wonder what it was like to stay in the Sikh Temple! Thanks for sharing your memories. :)
Ashleigh, the venue for the Penang book club? Amazing! It is so perfectly cool! And how fun--also the snacks looked pretty darn tasty. I'd love to get to Malaysia. I really enjoyed Singapore, but that was the last stop on a round the world whirlwind trip just before Covid. So just kept going. When I worked in travel, our magazine covered the Asia Pacific and the writer who went there to write it up for the cover story said it was so fantastic. And another friend lived there for many years (now in Portugal) and he said the food is fantastic, better than Singapore -- you would know! Well??
Jeanine, yes, the snacks were so good! One of the ladies shared the different techniques she uses to make sticky rice dumplings and wrap them in banana leaves. The food in Malaysia is fantastic. There's some overlap with Singaporean food; I enjoyed them both, but preferred Malaysia because I was able to try a greater variety there.
Sticky rice! Everyone’s favorite!!!!
I went to Penang many times years ago, particularly when we travelled by ship to India and loved being there…. It’s my dream to return in the not too distant future.
Thanks ….it was actually a ship from Singapore that called in at Penang and we disembarked to stay there and could pick up another ship onto India or we stayed on the ship but disembarked for two days…those were the days ….when sea travel was the most common way to travel….back in the 60s and 70s ….
I agree with you Win... 60s & 70s, there were 2 ships travelling from Penang & India, remember taking one of them to India in the 60s,not mistaken the ship's name was "Rajula", the other was "State of Madras". Later years had "Chitabram", it was a modern ship with swimming & other facilities. Thanks for sharing, Win.
What a cool experience, I'm glad you were able to travel that way!
That sounds like an adventure. I would have loved to travel by sea 😍
Win, you traveled by ship to India? That sounds like an amazing story! I hope you can visit Penang again soon. 😌