Where in the world is Palau Penang?

We finished up our time in city and moved on from KL.  We caught a bus just a few blocks from our hostel in Chinatown and before we knew it, we were headed up north.  After a 4 hour bus ride we arrived in Georgetown on Palau Penang.  We wanted to move out of the city a bit and try to find some secluded beach so we caught a city bus and rode it out of town.  We managed to find a hostel somewhat off of the main drag and located in Batu Ferranghi.  The hostel was very simple but our room was cool and the staff was friendly, which we liked.

We hadn't eaten since the night before so we were starving and found an Indian / Chinese / Western restaurant down the street a little way.  I was taunted for ordering Hawaiian pizza and I know how ridiculous it sounds, but I was HUNGRY and pizza really did do it for me.

Penang is considered the "Pearl of the Orient" but I have this overwhelming sense of cheap.  All of the prices are jacked way up on account of tourism.  Our hostel is neighbors to a Holiday Inn and a Hard Rock Hotel.  When we were done eating we were so excited to lay on the beach and swim for a bit, but the shoreline was covered with tourists, ATVs, and locals charging for pony beach rides.  The ocean was occupied by several jet skis.  We knew this just wasn't going to work...I miss Sabang!!

Being that it was a Saturday night we walked around the main part of the town and eventually came to sidewalk after sidewalk lined with street hawkers selling DVDs, fake Gucci purses, and sarongs.  It was really overwhelming and after a long day of traveling we fell right to sleep after getting home to our hostel.

The next morning we checked out and caught the city bus back to Georgetown in an attempt to stay in the city and see more since the beach paradise idea was surely out the window.  We eventually made our way into another Chinatown and we are currently enjoying our accommodations at the Banana Guest House.  We ate plenty of wonderful Indian food yesterday, quite possibly the best naan I've ever had. I want more!!

We're planning on making our next move soon.  Thailand is at the top of the list!