the island of Penang is no stranger when it comes to preserving their heritage. the streets of George Town is adorned with murals that range from tasteful to kitsch. the old Chinese and peranakan shophouses and mansions largely remain unspoiled, though recent years have seen parts of town undergoing bouts of gentrification.
the old quays of George Town, consisting of piers occupied by several Penang Chinese clans, for the better part remains unfazed by the ravages of time. our early morning bicycle ride along the quay was mostly quiet, with nary a soul astir. the rain clouds loomed above our heads as we navigate the labyrinthine alleyways buried among the wooden houses built on stilts. it was in the Tan jetty where we spotted a pier stretching out towards the peninsular mainland. as we made our way to the edge of the pier, the wooden jetty creaked under our feet and the wind started picking up in a northerly manner. we had a schedule to meet, and perhaps a looming storm right above our heads, but the brief moment of tranquillity at the edge of the pier is refreshing among the bustle of George Town. the island continues to grow - roads are widened into highways, sleek condos pop up like mushrooms after the rain, and tourists flood the island and cram up the city. yet this little corner of George Town remains as it always did, perhaps for the past hundred years.
the ocean beckons, yet the city stands firm.
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