Georgetown - Malaysia!

After a long journey from Koh Tao, I arrived in Georgetown, Penang, where I spent two weeks volunteering at a hostel and it turned out to be a great decision.

The hostel was honestly one of the nicest I’ve stayed in so far. Clean, well-run, and with a friendly atmosphere. Volunteering meant I didn’t have to pay for accommodation, which definitely helped with the budget.

The work itself was simple, checking in guests, cleaning and remaking beds, and helping run the daily activities. I especially enjoyed hosting the weekly quiz night. It was an easy way to chat with new people and have a bit of fun during the week. Also, there was a super kitten living at the hostel, which made every shift more enjoyable.

Outside of work, I had loads of time to explore Georgetown. The city is full of street art, heritage buildings, and a mix of cultures that makes just walking around interesting. One day I hiked up Penang Hill, which had amazing views. Another day I visited a butterfly and insect house, which was a nice break from the city.

One of the big highlights was the food. Georgetown is known for its mix of Malay, Chinese, and Indian cuisine, and I made the most of it. I joined a food tour one day and tried a whole range of dishes - all of them great. Even just grabbing something at a street market was usually a win.

I also got to meet up with a couple of friends while I was there - Christina, who I met in Vietnam, and Beth from my time in Japan. We spent a lot of time catching up and exploring the city together, which made the experience even better.

All in all, it was a really solid couple of weeks. The work was easy, the place was comfortable, and I had plenty of time to rest, explore, and hang out with people!