A relaxing start to the day for us both….that’s if you ignore Andy’s daily 10k ritual, which today was spent on the hotel’s treadmill due to the lack of road running routes.

After a lazy morning worshipping the sun god, we decided to head into Georgetown and do some exploring. We’d heard from other travellers that the street food scene and graffiti were to be sought out, and we weren’t disappointed. Despite the 35c heat (and 90% humidity) at 2.30pm we started an informal walking tour at the Esplanade, the narrowest point to the main land which is touching distance (half a mile) away and can be clearly seen.

After a short walk from the water front we started to come across some of the colonial buildings that helped to establish this once prosperous port city, Fort Cornwallis and then Queen Victoria Memorial Clock, the latter of which sits in the middle of a roundabout.

From there we headed to Pinang Peranakan Mansion, which is a curated former home of a rich Baba from a century ago. The house is filled with Chinese antiques. It’s set out as a museum of sorts and gives a glimpse of the opulent lifestyle of the Straits Chinese who blended local Malay and colonial British tastes into their lifestyle and cultural identity.

The entrance to the mansion was stunning painted in a vivid emerald green colour.

Once inside we spent an hour walking across the two floors of this exquisite property filled to the brim with antiquities from China, Malay and the UK.

We couldn’t resist asking the two Chinese girls for a photo as they had dressed in traditional attire from the colonial days. Both looked beautiful and made us realise how much we are looking forward to our visit to China later in August.

Such was the size and scale of the mansion that it had its own internal garden and fountain.

After our visit to the mansion we headed to Little India a couple of blocks away. This part of the city was awash with local Indian shops, restaurants and bazaars. The colours and atmosphere were electric.

As we wandered further into the hub of the city we came across more colourful buildings, as well as street graffiti.

Once in the Beach Street & Armenian Street areas we started to see more art and local graffiti, which the city is now famous for.

Everywhere you looked the streets were emblazoned with beautiful coloured drawings & murals.

Leaving the murals behind we then entered an area famous for its coffee shops – again colour was everywhere and made the place so inviting.

More colour, more character and so much to see and admire.

We couldn’t walk past this graffiti without taking the call.

After walking the streets and markets for the last few hours we decided to rest and found this great bazaar where cool beers ‘appeared’ to be on offer. Sadly they’d run out of Tiger, so we had no option but to keep on walking – Michelle is a convert so won’t drink anything else!!!

After much searching and a touch of heat stroke we eventually found the promised land and a large Tiger beer at the Monalisa Cafe. True happiness and the chance to watch the world go by from our seats on the street.

After a relaxing break, we went in search of the Komtar Tower which is the highest building on the island. Sadly by the time we got there it was going dark, so the plan is to return to the city tomorrow to continue our roaming.

Before we left, Michelle was keen to grab a bite so after discounting much of the local street food, we ventured into a local chain called The Chicken Rice Shop. No guesses for what they sell, although we went for noodles and some deep fried chicken with sweet and sour dips.

A definite hit and one that has given us to the courage to push on & try something more adventurous tomorrow night when we return to the Little India area.