Visiting a Chinese Waterfront Village in Penang, Malaysia

[@benfishermin]

⚠WATCH NEXT: The REAL Reason I Came to Malaysia (why I left NYC)... kzbin.info/www/bejne/hoWTe3qoh7-Fj8k

[@klloo5689]

If you like Penang I guess you'll like Taiping city in neighboring Perak State. Taiping is the city with the most Firsts in Malaysia: Open tin mining activity in the peninsula (1844) Hill resort - Maxwell Hill (1844) Swimming pool - Coronation Swimming Pool (1870) Mosque - Masjid Tengku Menteri (1870) Rest house (1870) Artillery warehouse (1870) Magistrate court (1874) Balai penghulu (1875) Resident’s house (1877) Port - Port Weld (1877) English school - Central School Kamunting (1878) Police force (1879) Government offices (1879) Post and telegraph office (1880) Lake gardens - Taiping Lake Gardens (1880) Taiping General Hospital, private and government (1880) Club - New Club (1880) Club - Perak Club Railway station and warehouse (1881) Museum - Perak Museum (1883) Market building - Taiping Markets (1884) Prison - Taiping Gaol(1885) Railway track - from Port Weld to Taiping (1885) Turf club - Perak Turf Club (1886) Anglican church - All Saints Church, Taiping (1886) English girl’s school - Treacher Methodist Girls’ School (1889) Clock tower - Taiping Clock Tower (1890) Esplanade - Esplanade (1890) Malay newspaper - Seri Perak (June 1893) English newspaper - Perak Pioneer (July 4, 1894) Tamil newspaper - Perak Verthamani (1894) Armed Forces - Malay States Guides (1896) Teaching college - Maktab Perguruan Melayu Ceylon association (1899) Punjabi association - Khalsa Diwan Malaya Association (1903) Indian association (1906) Recreation park - Coronation Park (1920s) Airfield - Tekah Airport (1930) Golf Club (some claimed in Southeast Asia) Library - Perpustakaan Merdeka Fire brigade”

[@MrQalamQabut]

We have a Japanese couple, iChang and Jimmy (iChang RM youtube channel) who became famous here because the wife (and the husband too) is so interested/knowledgeable about DURIANs. I'm sure you can be famous too if you concentrate more on NASI KANDAR. Penang is THE PLACE for NASI KANDAR in the whole world, with 200+ eateries on the island alone.

[@LoveSerah]

Bro, thanks for bringing the beautiful views of malaysia to youtube!

[@jami7772]

Really enjoyed this video and you definitely look more relaxed compared to yesterday !!

[@Yasin_Affandi]

What a wonderful day for exploration.

[@RamansSon]

Im not sure if you know this but Penang is also Malaysian Silicon Valley , Intel, AMD , Dell and many other tech companies have big factories in Penang

[@shinyong7362]

Welcome to penang

[@klmn2000]

Penang is wonderful!

[@benfishermin]

Agreed 😁

[@2009ns2n]

The first building you commented on was not a temple, but a mosque ("masjid" in Malay) and that is why you saw a lot of people there going to a prayer service on Eid-ul-Adha. That particular one (Masjid Kapitan Keling) is part of the "street of harmony" houses of worship. As for the narrow streets in Penang with no open sidewalk, you can thank the 18th and 19th century British town planners for their design. Georgetown is congested and crowded, with rows of pre-war shophouses built with connected covered sidewalks. Of course, the sidewalk usually stops where the building ends. It's funny that you said that Penang is calm and relaxing compared to Bangkok. By Malaysian standard, Penang, particularly Georgetown, is a bustling, chaotic and noisy place. I guess it's all relative

[@koufax174]

I was exactly where you are walking. I went into the Mosque. It was interesting. They were very welcoming and not pushy. People who criticize your walking have never been there and are typically bleeding Western contentiousness

[@tazzznphilly]

Omg, this part could be a computer background, or a Hallmark card shot...at 18:28 🥰

[@kiplingkoliak]

Ben, before leaving Penang, don't forget to go up to and explore Bukit Bendera (Penang Hill) and make a video there, let everybody see .. only don't think there is a nasi kandar restaurant up there.

[@slebetman]

Wow. You're posting in almost real-time

[@VagabondJim65]

A couple of phrases you may find useful: Terima Kasih = thank you Selamat + (pagi, petang, sior) = good + (morning, afternoon, evening) They always generate smiles. Big smiles. Reciprocal smiles. 😊 Jalan jalan!

[@benfishermin]

Thanks I appreciate it! Terima Kasih :D

[@-dash.]

Alot of those building you peered into or "open spaces" with a shrine is actual villager's home, the open spaces is their living room and they typically have a shrine at home for prayer, many of the stalls and shops is setup right outside their houses and if you look closely behind it is their front door and house

[@miinhueysoo136]

Good explanation. Imagine the household shrine of ancient Rome two thousand years ago, this is the modern version at this side of the world.

[@geopoliticalnutz7350]

Haha, yes !! As a Penangite, I can vouch for walking on the streets... sidewalks have bikes parked on it, some random objects blocking the path or totally non-existent, cars parked on double yellow lines... etc. But Georgetown is an old town, they have narrow streets. Go to newer places, you'll definitely get sidewalks.

[@Jacobplayz269]

25:06 as skmeone from penang i aint never heard anyone say "oh damn the water looks good" like it dont look good to me

[@CJ-Fortes_Atque_Fidelis]

Chew is a chinese surname, Chew Jetty is the Chew clan's Jetty and fishing village.

[@klmn2000]

Ben: try visiting Batu Ferringhi in the north of the island - that's the best stretch of beach on Penang. Maybe have a lunch or tea at the Rasa Sayang (Shangri-La) hotel there if you have time. You can take a public bus from George Town to Batu Ferringhi/the Rasa Sayang hotel for around RM3. Takes around 70 mins, but worth the ride.

[@benfishermin]

Yea I checked out ferringhi beach before, it’s really nice actually. So far it’s the only proper beach I’ve been on in Malaysia. Thanks for the tips

[@klmn2000]

No worries - glad you went there. Nice to breath less polluted air than in KL. Other nice beaches are on Langkawi and Pangkor islands, but those may be more appropriate in a future Malaysian trip.

[@alexandralok5792]

If you enjoy hiking, do checkout Penang National Park. After 1.5 hrs you will reach a turtle sanctuary at kerachut beach. My fav thing to do in Penang ❤ Can take a boat back to the entrance (way before the entry) but you will need to negotiate with them before your hike. They will head to the beach at the time you tell them.

[@benfishermin]

Thanks for the tip I’ll check it out!

[@TheMightyBeer]

Cheers!! Btw Ben, Thailand is just 1 1/2 hours' drive from Penang too

[@slebetman]

Oh. And the sacrifice of the cow/goat/sheep is to celebrate Abraham's willing sacrifice of his son (Ishmael in Islam) where god switched him for an animal at the last moment. By tradition we give the meat away as charity.

[@glenniskoay]

The Chew Jetty. My family used to lived nearby in Prangin Estate before the area was reclaimed to built new flats/apartments

[@muhd7144]

22:11 It's Chew Jetty - not Chew Getty...Chew is a Chinese clan name. Chew Jetty is one of the seven clan jetties built by Chinese immigrants when they came to Penang in the 19th century. The chose to built their houses over water because it was economical - no need to buy land and then pay for the land tax.

[@tazzznphilly]

Ohhhh, ok. Thanks for explaining. That was such a quaint and beautiful area to watch. I would love to be there shopping, taking a sightseeing tour, eating, and also enjoying the breeze that must come from the water. Loved watching. Sky was beautiful as well. ~ Tazzz ~

[@edgehogR]

Ben pls do visit n video the botanical gardens n penang hill, its really calming n relaxing, do visit the beaches too on weekdays, less crowd, u will love it, do it early morning beforr noon though so it wont b so hot

[@edgehogR]

Welcome back to penang Ben, lol my little bz hometown, hate the traffic jams here though 😂

[@munawir5302]

Yup vehicles prices are crazy in Malaysia all bcz of the various tax and import duties.

[@GeorgeLee-tk2px]

Ben, you should go to Gurney Bay area there are a new park by the ocean ( more high rises here), esplanade, queensbay mall area.

[@benfishermin]

Thanks I gotta check it out

[@CJ-Fortes_Atque_Fidelis]

That mosque you mistook for a temple is on Harmony Street dude.

[@DurainMontong]

Ben! Mercedes used to be used for taxis back in the day.

[@slebetman]

Import duty for cars is roughly 100%. That means cars at minimum have double the price in the US or Europe. Only local cars are relatively cheap.

[@muhd7144]

In Malaysia street scammers - in various guises - just like street beggers are almost invariably foreigners from one of the third world countries. I don't mean to say there are no Malaysian scammers: there are, but they operate in more sophisticated manner - online, phone calls...

[@VagabondJim65]

The sidewalks are there. The store fronts are set back from the street and the floors above extend over them. This provides protection from sun and rain. Just walk around the stalls and planters as needed. Common in SE Asia Maritime Region. I've seen it in Indo, Sing, MY. A vestige of colonial days perhaps? Just be polite, and in this case stay left. Keep walking and talking.

[@benfishermin]

There are sidewalks for sure but many times there are motorbikes parked or it ends quite abruptly, so you'll inevitably have to walk in the street at some points in Penang, in my experience

[@arivfotomoto3642]

European marque cars are expensive here. The amount people pay for some of the models can also buy them a house.

[@mikolovecoco]

wondering why always nasi kandar? i think penang has more food than just nasi kandar... even if no carb, you can consider Chicken Rice, Economi Rice...etc all can order without rice.

[@benfishermin]

Well I can't eat most foods, so I stick to Nasi Kandar eating beef/lamb/chicken curry and cabbage. I don't like taking too many risks because the repercussions are severe for me. Just a little bit of soy, dairy, gluten, or many other things can really wreak havoc on my body.

[@darrelladrian5744]

Hey Ben could you at some point talk about getting back into Malaysia or any country really after doing a visa run. Surely it gets to a point where they will refuse a person ?

[@benfishermin]

It's all really up to the immigration officer, and depends just how many times you're going in and out. I have never had any issue or been questioned so far, but you read online about people that have. Typically the biggest red flag is if you're staying the maximum duration you're allowed, so 3 months in this case, and then heading to another country for a short visit and right back to Malaysia. Since I typically stay in Malaysia for 2-3 weeks and then I travel into Thailand for example for a week, I believe it looks more like standard tourism/traveling than someone trying to stay long-term.

[@SouthernCrossGO]

It probably wasnt a scam.bro. maybe just a friendly local. You dont interact with locals enough. You can always block his number if he is a snake and just leave

[@MojoZ20]

Dude, basically the backstory for yesterday's Hari Raya Qurban holiday is ~ God tested* Abraham by asking him to slaughter his elder son, Ishmael, as a show of obedience & tribute to Him (God). After appeals, it was mutually agreed that instead of his son, Abraham were to sacrifice an animal for God - hence this tradition for cows, goats, camels even. * it was indeed a test as Abraham waited super long to finally have kids - first-born, Ishmael (who became progenitor to the arab tribes today), and second-born Issac, who's the forefather to the hebrew tribes of today). So, yeah, theres that.

[@bumihijau5670]

Maybe Ben u will be familiar with the sacrifice of Isaac from the Bible.

[@MojoZ20]

@@bumihijau5670 yep..indeed im aware in the Old/New Testament, it was said God instructed Abraham to sacrifice Issac (instead of Ishmael). ✌️

[@Kevin-zz9nc]

At least he didn't say you a hansum man/very lucky man etc etc....

[@benfishermin]

Haha well it felt very similar to those scammers

[@darrylk808]

Every shop house has a different level of sidewalk. Sidewalks are for parking motor bikes.😂 I love Penang, but not as much A/C as KL. In KL you can walk between Suria to Lalaport with minimal exposure. Or just jump on the MRT. The expat area is around Gurney. Nice waterfront and a few malls. If you get the Picachu hat you may change your demographics.😁 Get the Chinese man bobble head as a channel mascot. The Chinese would set up associations or club houses to help new immigrants get established. They did it by clan or last name. We have them in SF and established members with the same last name contribute to the association and they continue to help immigrants of their clan come over and get settled. As you walk around you'll see these clan houses...you may have to read Chinese.😂

[@benfishermin]

You know I still haven't really checked out the Gurney area at all, I should potentially stay over there for a night or two and see how it feels. I thought about Ferringhi but it's just too far and without a motorbike it doesn't make much sense

[@darrylk808]

@benfishermin Ferringji is a resort place. Great place to visit, but it's not a longer stay kind of place. Great night market and food centre. Gurney has a night market along the water, the food is not as good. A few shopping malls, but it too is kinda out of the way. Just not as far out of the way. Many high-rise condos.

[@Vicki222-buzz73]

Is Sarawak on your list to visit?

[@RajeshRavindranathan]

I told him that, go to Kuching! Nice people, nice food.

[@wannasir5167]

Why dont you go to Ipoh...mitchell yeoh born place

[@benfishermin]

I do have 1 video in Ipoh where I ate nasi ganja, so delicious. I have to head back there again at some point for sure.

[@badrulida7210]

Georgetown looks like Taipie

[@secrets.295]

Malaysian cities are not pedestrian friendly unfortunately. So don't worry buddy. Just walk on the streets & ignore the ignorant people.

[@klmklmklm2581]

Are you / were you into cars?

[@RajeshRavindranathan]

BTW, you aware that you will never come across American cars in Malaysia other than Teslas? All those markets are covered by Benz and BMW and other brands. Kinda of USA's fault for exiting the Malaysian car market :)

[@arivfotomoto3642]

Plenty of Mustangs in KL

[@RajeshRavindranathan]

@@arivfotomoto3642 all grey market imports and none of it for the Malaysian market.

[@RajeshRavindranathan]

​@@arivfotomoto3642 you right, there are so many mustangs in my place too, you like the car so much, you dismissed all other risks? That's a real fan :)

[@ravishankerparimanam3081]

Ford not an American car….??

[@RajeshRavindranathan]

​@@ravishankerparimanam3081 Did I say it was not? Or are you confusing Japanese fords with the real thing?

[@rushdrift]

in Malaysia the import tax is 300% so what you pay in the states you need to buy 3 beemer to own 1 here in Malaysia, so yah owhh about the eid-adha its basically the story of prophet Abraham(Ibrahim) about when he got tested with a dream to slaughter his kid then he told his son that he had a dream that he should sacrifice him and slaughter him as what he had dreamt and ask for the son opinion said prophet Abraham, the son prophet Ishmael(Ismail) says : if that what God wants then so be it I will abide by it, then came Iblis(evil spirit) says dont do it but prophet Abraham doesn't listen and still proceed, so Abraham went to mount Arafat he was crying and blindfolded himself when Ishmael was there waiting to be sacrifice he was swap with a sheep by the angel Gabriel(Jibril), God then said to him you have fulfil what I've told as a replacement instead of sacrificing your son I've replaced a stock animal and this was a test for you, then he was told to give every part of the sheep to everyone in need, the muslim treat that day as a reminder no matter how hard the test that we're facing we should never forget that there's always a bright side and when we earn something never forget to give to the one who needs it the most

[@eerievon2208]

yup .. never give ur phone number to random strangers…. it’s dodgy… unless if a hot chick does that… 😅😅.. bt then again the hot chick might be working with some dodgy scammer… best solution.. don’t give.. life is hard…. 🤔

[@benfishermin]

Haha yep better just give her the IG username :D

[@eerievon2208]

@@benfishermin 🤣🤣🤣.. the longer u stay here bro.. the higher chances u’ll meet weird n shady characters appear out of nowhere… i remember an aussie youtuber who met some dodgy characters during his travel across malaysia.. 🤣🤣

[@keangwooichoo6138]

Should clean up chew jetty water. Polluted with some trash sometimes

[@benfishermin]

It's true, there were a few spots near the dock in the water loaded with garbage

[@keangwooichoo6138]

@benfishermin problem of sea trash is getting out of hand in malaysia, particularly in sabah. In peninsula we have that too.

[@badasspop9419]

Is there a difference because Penang doesn't have many electric poles with insulated cables? Don't get me wrong. I love Thailand and have been several times to Bangkok, Pattaya, Hatyai and Phuket. I like to buy street clothes and eat Thai food.

[@irishque]

Its chew jetty..not getty

[@RollinCoco-Nut]

Funny, it's spa-ghetti, too. 🤷