Circumstance smiles fondly upon the island of Penang. Just two kilometres off of the coast of mainland Malaysia, this tiny little prefecture has more stories crammed into its 1,000 square kilometres than any other place on earth. It’s an island of post-colonialism, fused cultures and fascinating beauty – a place impossible to define with one, crude indiscriminate pen stroke. Here are a few bits and bobs that help define the place.

Ghosts

Georgetown was the first area settled by the British and it’s here that visitors are most likely to catch up with some of Penang’s ‘other’ residents. Chinese settlers brought much of their superstition and knowledge of the underworld with them when they came during the 19th century. There’s a local eccentric known as the Ghost King who conducts séances and spiritual manifestations in some of the city’s most infamous relics. Just don’t look at him the wrong way. He has a short temper and has been known to place hexes on unwitting customers.

See: the old houses along Love Lane, just off Lebuh Chulia.

Sirap Lemon 

Thirsty travellers don’t have to look long to find something to drink in Penang. The weather lends well to cold drinks and street vendors are on every corner making sure you don’t melt under the island’s unrelenting sun. One such Malaysian concoction that they do particularly well in Penang is sirap lemon, a part soda, part rose syrup, part lemon drink that strikes just the right note in the afternoon. Dark stouts seem to be popular in Penang as well, although it’s hard to imagine why.

Drink: just about anywhere, RMB 3 at most.

The British     

They sure left their mark, and it’s easy to spot everyday remnants of colonial influence all over Georgetown. After all, Malaysia was part of the Commonwealth up until 1957 when Queen Elizabeth II handed the reins over to King Yang Di-Pertuan Agong. Well, she didn’t physically hand over the reins, but in any case Penang was in no hurry to establish itself as part of a greater independent state. Locals still speak in British tones, favour a UK-based educational system and take time for afternoon tea. Penang may have just been a trading port to the upper crust in Westminster, but the influence they instilled here continues to this day.

See: the State Museum of Penang, Lebuh Light.