GEORGE TOWN: From the Little Red Dot to the Pearl of the Orient, visitors from Singapore have been taking advantage of the school holiday break to indulge their cravings for hawker delights and soak in the local sights and experiences.
Ng Yu Min and his girlfriend have sampled char koay teow at seven different spots over the past four days.
“We are here specifically for this fried rice noodle. It tastes different than what we have in Singapore, and we wanted to see how it varies here.
“Back home, I have never seen it fried with duck eggs.
“It’s been great, and we’ve even found a favourite,” he beamed.
The 29-year-old administrator also enjoys assam laksa.
“Again, it's different from the version in Singapore, where the broth is made with coconut milk.
"Here, the assam laksa is tangy and flavourful,” he said.
Ng also appreciates the architecture and laid-back lifestyle.
“People seem to enjoy life here, and it’s pleasing to see such calm,” he added.
Noting that he only realised his holiday was coinciding with Singapore’s school break, Ng quipped that "everyone in Singapore is travelling right now".
Schools in the island republic have been on a break since March 15. Today marks the last day of the holidays.
Shinobu Nakamura, 44, a housewife who has lived in Singapore for several years, was seen strolling along Armenian Street with her husband and daughter.
“Since my daughter has the week off, we thought of visiting Penang, as we've heard a lot about it.
"It’s quite different from Singapore, both in food and architecture," she said.
Nakamura said she loves sampling the local fare, especially noodles and fried rice.
"I can't recall the names of the dishes, but they have a more homemade and traditional feel in contrast to the commercialisation of Singaporean food.
“My daughter is used to Japanese food, so we are letting her try bread," she said, adding that it was nice to visit a neighbouring country that offered a fresh experience.
Trishaw rider S. Siva, 57, said he's noticed fewer tourists but more Singaporeans in town recently.
"We can tell them apart because they usually speak more English than other languages or dialects.
“Some ask for a ride, but most just walk around.
“I did give a ride to a family from Singapore. They were here with their two daughters for the school holidays," he said.
