More Murals Around Penang

If imitation is a form of flattery, Ernest Zacharevic should feel proud. His style has cropped up all over Penang. Once shops and other businesses realized the murals could draw customers, the doodling race was on.

Not an Ernest Zacharevic. Pushing the influence. If you can create something interactive, all the better to get people to linger around your establishment.

More interaction, more 3D touches, more silly tourist photo opportunities.

Branching out (under?), two nice works by the artist Julia Volchkova.

Back to another Ernest Zacharevic homage, with model.

Still Covering Up In Penang

When Sarah and James visited Penang back in 2011, they were impressed at the locals' ingenuity at shielding their vehicles from the sun. Seven years later, the sun is still beating down and the people are still covering up.

Protecting an old Volvo.

Time to baby your ride with a nice quilt and cushions.

Deep storage, custom cover and leveling pieces of wood.

Re-purposing a vinyl sign.

Time To Eat In Penang

Everyone tells you that one of Penang's highlights is the food, specifically the outdoor night markets. They're generally a hectic group of vendors, next to the street, making some of the best concoctions right before your eyes. Time to eat.

James and Sarah have had this experience before in Penang. Why mess with a good thing? Time to go back to the well.

At the New Lane night market. Let's line up.

Satay is tempting. Pass. The crowd has come for a Penang specialty, char koay teow. Get your ringgit ready and prepare to watch the master at work.

Mixing up the medicine. Oh, yea.

The divine ingredients, before, during and....

...after. Let's eat!

The Ernest Zacharevic Murals in Penang

Penang holds a sweet double connection for Sarah and James, courtesy of Ernest Zacharevic. Zacharevic is from Lithuania and lives in Malaysia, two of the three places Sarah and James have been posted.

Beyond the connection, the guy has been a prolific muralist and he's put Penang on the world street art map in a big way, pun intended.

Zacharevic is famous for incorporating physical items into his murals, adding a semi-interacvtive experience for the viewer. And a bonanza for snaps.

Kids on a bicycle.

"Yea, my turn to ride the bike, junior."

Another location, another bike. And a group sizing up the pose. The current rider looking a little concerned.

More of his murals, going big.

Continuing the 3D theme, using everyday objects to add a little depth to his work.

The Perankan Mansion Museum In Penang

Malays of Chinese descent are known as Peranakans or Baba-Nyonya. They flourished in the 19th century, growing rich in the merchant trade and related industries that developed along the Straits of Malacca.

Penang is still a core Peranakan community in Malaysia and the Peranakan Mansion Museum offers a nice glimpse into its rich past. The museum is designed to recreate what a typical home might look like and is not based on a specific family.

Exterior. The mansion would be right at home in New Orleans' French Quarter.

Interior. The central courtyard is open to the elements, good for breezes and collecting rain water.

Signs, meaning business and being obvious.

One of the nicer, understated details of the house, a little side sink in an upstairs alcove. Stuffed wardrobe.

Holding court. Model optional, yet appropriate.

Card room. Fancy tiffin in the kitchen.

Bedroom, rich.

Details Of Penang, Part 3

Finishing up grooving on the little gems of Penang.

Dress shop window, glowing in the night.

Delightful detail of a Hindu temple. Who doesn't want a fish painting in your lobby?

Mysterious curtain.

Family shrine in a temple. Church sign.

Lights on a path to a temple.

Details Of Penang, Part 2

Continuing the walk around George Town, finding the little things that enrich the environment.

Stage at a Chinese clan house, used during Chinese New Year night celebrations.

Chinese prayer area. Indian pooja garlands.

Offering at a Buddist temple.

Local fireworks for Chinese New Year. Chinese lanterns lining a street.

Military portrait in a Chinese temple.

Details Of Penang, Part 1

The real beauty of old George Town in Penang is the patina, found everywhere. There's a real sense of history in the little things, inside, outside, in shops, in houses.

Buddhist prayer area in an old shophouse boarding house, next to the bathroom and shower.

Business license and other paperwork. Old 3-D column advertising.

Family history on the wall.

Trishaw cushion bling. Flea market finds.

Cracker cans.