Gentle Days in Penang, Malaysia: George Town’s Street Art, Penang Hill Escapes, and Vegan KL Discoveries

Welcome to Penang, Malaysia

Malaysia felt like coming home to flavours we already loved, but with a fresh, slower lens. George Town on Penang Island stole our hearts with its colourful street art, colonial shophouses, and UNESCO heritage vibe. We wandered slowly, cameras down more often than up, simply absorbing the mix of Peranakan, Chinese, and Indian influences.

We loved our time in KL, even though the city vibes was a bit much for us. We stayed in a little studio for a month and got out walking the streets hunting down vegan feasts. There was an ubundant amount of vegan food on offer, and everyone was accomodating of our needs.
KL offers such an explosion of cultural diversity. Even though we knew this, it really does hit you when you walk the streets. It is very cool to see everyone getting along in their own ways. But that is Malaysia for you. If you get a chance go to the mueseum in KL. We spent hours learning about the history of the area. And as it was intergeral to shipping you can see how Malaysia has always been steeped in diversity.

Back to Penang; we enjoyed our time here. Though I think I went into our time here thinking it was more of an island vibe. Where it is really a city. Of course there are places you can sneak of to and get away from the husel and bustle of city life.
Penang Hill offered cool breezes and panoramic views after a funicular ride—no strenuous hikes required. We paired it with quiet café stops and vegan eats that ranged from Indian curries to local fusion.

Our days blurred into a rhythm of morning market strolls, afternoon sketching, and evening street-food hunts (always vegan versions of nasi lemak or roti canai). Malaysia reminded us that slow travel works even in bustling capitals—you just choose the quiet corners.

Vegan tip for Malaysia: Look for “vegetarian” or “vegan” signs in Little India areas; they’re everywhere and delicious. Always confirm no egg or fish sauce. And don’t skip the fresh tropical fruit—mangosteen and rambutan are nature’s candy.