The Altruistic Traveller
  • Home
  • Destinations
    • Africa
    • Cambodia
    • Colombia
    • Europe
    • India
    • Indonesia
    • Laos
    • Malaysia
    • Maldives
    • Myanmar
    • Mexico
    • Nepal
    • Philippines
    • Thailand
    • Vietnam
  • Travel Resources
    • What is Responsible Tourism?
    • How to be a Sustainable Traveller
    • What is Community-based Tourism
    • Responsible Volunteering
    • The Rise of Impact Travel
    • Ethical Animal Encounters
    • The Importance of Fair Trade
    • Responsible Travel Websites
    • Sustainable Tourism Organisations & Experiences
    • Sustainable Tourism Podcasts
    • Travel Insurance (that covers COVID-19)
  • About
    • Bianca’s Story
    • The Altruistic Traveller Story
    • Personal Stories
    • Podcast Interviews
    • Bee Designs Co
    • SustainAffiliate
  • Media
    • Featured In
    • Work with me
    • Book a Podcast Interview
  • Contribute
    • List a Sustainable Tourism Organisation or Experience
  • Contact Me

The Altruistic Traveller

Banner
  • Home
  • Destinations
    • Africa
    • Cambodia
    • Colombia
    • Europe
    • India
    • Indonesia
    • Laos
    • Malaysia
    • Maldives
    • Myanmar
    • Mexico
    • Nepal
    • Philippines
    • Thailand
    • Vietnam
  • Travel Resources
    • What is Responsible Tourism?
    • How to be a Sustainable Traveller
    • What is Community-based Tourism
    • Responsible Volunteering
    • The Rise of Impact Travel
    • Ethical Animal Encounters
    • The Importance of Fair Trade
    • Responsible Travel Websites
    • Sustainable Tourism Organisations & Experiences
    • Sustainable Tourism Podcasts
    • Travel Insurance (that covers COVID-19)
  • About
    • Bianca’s Story
    • The Altruistic Traveller Story
    • Personal Stories
    • Podcast Interviews
    • Bee Designs Co
    • SustainAffiliate
  • Media
    • Featured In
    • Work with me
    • Book a Podcast Interview
  • Contribute
    • List a Sustainable Tourism Organisation or Experience
  • Contact Me
Animal FriendlyMalaysia

Penang, Malaysia – For the love of Food, Art and Cats

by Bianca Caruana November 18, 2015October 7, 2018
written by Bianca Caruana November 18, 2015October 7, 2018
Penang, Malaysia – For the love of Food, Art and Cats

My journey has taken me north to the island of Penang, where I have found myself taking a step back in time to the colonial city of Georgetown. In 2008 Georgetown became listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has since kept and maintained its unique colonial architecture to which it is most recognised for. Amongst the 18th century feel you will encounter a modern Asian city ambience, with cars and motorbikes lining the busy streets, food stalls and shops on every corner, and the vision of the eagerness to expand this classical town.

Colonial architecture and old Bacha in Georgetown

Colonial architecture and old Bacha in Georgetown

I had been told that Penang was most famous for it’s food. On any street you can see and smell a range of cuisines, from Chinese, to Cantonese, restaurants to street stalls. You would need a whole month, and a good stomach, to be able to try all the food on offer.

Street Food Street Food – Vegetarian Hokkien Noodles 2 Ringget (0.66c)

Laksa Stall Laksa Stall @ Air Itam Market

Asam Laksa Asam Laksa @ Air Itam Market 4 Ringget ($1.33)

Aside from the world-renowned food, Penang provides a generous offer for art lovers, with the streets lined with various pieces from all over the world. You can find a variety of murals, along with wrought-iron cartoons depicting various historical and modern characteristics of this fascinating city.

Old Motorcycle “Old Motorcycle” – Ernest Zacharevic

"The Indian Boatman" “The Indian Boatman” – Julia Volchkova

Child Mural at Prangin Canal Child Mural at Prangin Canal – Julia Volchkova

No Plastic Bag No Plastic Bag – A petty-trading neighbourhood where you can find activities such as drying of salted fish and basket weaving

Cow & Fish Cow & Fish – Depicting historical food trade

Retail Paradise Retail Paradise – Campbell St is Penang’s Fifth Avenue

And then there are the cats; well not necessarily an abundance of cats roaming the streets but rather an area of town where you will notice an array of Cat murals all dedicated to a very worthy cause, and one that I found well worth sharing the story.

Skippy Comes to Penang

“Skippy Comes to Penang” – Artists For Stray Animals (ASA)

The China House in Penang is a range of heritage buildings converted into a shop, cafe, restaurant, gallery, reading room and bakery, situated on Beach St near the Khoo Kongsi Chinese Temple in Georgetown. The House opened in 2011 and has for a long time supported the work of a foundation in Langkawi that works to rehabilitate and care for neglected, abused and needy animals, The Langkawi Animal Shelter and Sanctuary Foundation (LASSie). They also use their gallery to show and promote the work of local artists, as well as working with local community groups and festivals. In 2013 at the George Town Festival, China House worked with a range of artists, both local and international, to set the scene of the building and create awareness about the stray cat and dog issues facing Malaysia, and Asia as a whole. They filled the house with quirky and colourful depictions of animals and all the art is still visible on the walls of the house today.

 

Meowsa Lisa Meowsa Lisa

China House Cat graffiti China House Cat graffiti

China House Dog Graffiti China House Dog Graffiti

 

Donations Box

Donations Box with a twist

Surrounding the China House there are a number of Cat murals that had been created by the ASA (Artists for Stray Animals) during the 2013 Georgetown Festival. The piece was named “101 Lost Kittens” and the aim to create community awareness about the care and protection of animals, quite a well worthy topic. LASSie has been working with China House and many other groups around Malaysia to raise awareness about animals. The foundation also does amazing work at the sanctuary in Langkawi, which includes free de-sexing of the animals and community awareness programs. Animal protection awareness is important throughout Asia and it’s wonderful to see such a big example of this right here in Penang.

 

"Love Me Like Your Fortune Cat" Mural"Love Me Like Your Fortune Cat" Mural “Love Me Like Your Fortune Cat” Mural

"I Can Help Catch Rats" Mural “I Can Help Catch Rats” Mural

 

"The Giant Rat" Mural “The Giant Rat” Mural

"Mama Cat" Sculpture

“Mama Cat” Sculpture outside China House

You can pick up a street art guide at any of the local hostels and hotels and take yourself on a guided tour through the city. It is well worth the visit.

If you would like to donate to LASSie and help them to continue their great work you can do so here.

 

0 comment
FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinRedditStumbleuponEmail
previous post
Why the Cameron Highlands is a Must See for Nature Lovers
next post
How Travellers Can Help the Animal Community in Langkawi Malaysia

You may also like

Why the Cameron Highlands is a Must See...

November 16, 2015

The one where Kuala Lumpur taught me about...

November 15, 2015

How Travellers Can Help the Animal Community in...

November 23, 2015

Swimming with Whale Sharks in Donsol Philippines (The...

May 16, 2016

The Fashion Revolution comes to Malaysia

April 26, 2016

10 Of The World’s Best Places For Wildlife...

June 23, 2016

10 Of The World’s Best Places For Wildlife...

June 22, 2016

Community Based Tourism Gives New Hope to Irrawaddy...

May 31, 2016

Discussing the importance of Cambodia’s Elephants– An interview...

September 12, 2016

10 Of The World’s Best Places For Wildlife...

July 25, 2016

About Bianca

About Bianca

The Altruistic Traveller

I am an Australian-Maltese freelance journalist, blogger & podcast host specialising in stories that ignite thoughts surrounding compassion, ethics and the happiness of all beings. Through my work, I aim to promote ethical values and give a voice to those who are making the world a better place.

Keep in touch

Facebook Twitter Instagram Pinterest Linkedin Spotify

Sign up for the Newsletter

Subscribe my newsletter for new blog posts, tips & travel advice.

Listen to The Altruistic Traveller Podcast

Get Travel Insurance

incurance-that-covers-covid-19

Offset Your Travel with Offsetra

Offset Your Travel with Offsetra

Save $$$ on your currency conversion while you travel

Transfer-wise

House Sit & Travel The World

trusted-housesitters

Learn a language online with Live Lingua

Responsible Travel (Virtually) with I Like Local

I-like-local

Browse Sustainable Travel experiences on the Greener Act App

Greener Act App Button

JOIN THE IMPACT TRAVEL ALLIANCE MEDIA NETWORK

Are you a content creator specialising in sustainable travel? Join the ITA media network.

Meet local heroes and find local experiences with LocalsFromZero

LocalsFromZero Network

Book Travel with Kiwi


Learn how to become location independent

Use code thealtruistictraveller10 for 10% off courses

NomadsSkillshare

Dine with Locals on EatWith

eat-with-coupon-7B728BBE

Find Ethical Food Venues Nearest to you with Fair Food Forager

fair-food-forager

LATEST TRAVEL TIPS

Subscribe my newsletter for new blog posts, tips & travel advice.

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Linkedin
  • Youtube
  • Email
  • Soundcloud
  • Spotify
  • RSS

@2021 - The Altruistic Traveller. Developed by Cybernite Technologies.
The Altruistic Traveller uses affiliate links. If you make a purchase using a link we may receive a commission. Such revenue helps keep this website running, and allows us to keep the content free for readers like you.
This website uses cookies. To learn more or opt-out please visit our Privacy Policy.


Back To Top