CULTURE SHOCK in GEORGETOWN, Penang, MALAYSIA 🇲🇾
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 4 มิ.ย. 2024
- Welcome to the first Video in our Malaysia Series! 🇲🇾
We're so excited to how you all around Malaysia, Starting in Georgetown, Penang.
Georgetown is not what we were expecting, stay tuned to find out why!
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00:00 - Coming up
00:49 - Selamat Datang Ke Malaysia
02:05 - Little India, Penang
02:48 - Why we got Culture Shock...
04:42 - What's Cool about Georgetown?
05:18 - Fort Cornwallis
06:10 - Island Vibes
06:59 - Franc's Hot Take
08:08 - Pork Lunch...
10:55 - Stoic Philosophy
12:05 - Multicultural Malaysia
12:57 - Bogus Monks
13:52 - Little India again
14:38 - Bag Snatchers
15:07 - Cat Mates - Like & Subscribe
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#penang #malaysia #georgetown #georgetownpenang #malaysia #malaysian #travelmalaysia #firstimpressions #travelcouple #culture
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Actually Penang is the streetfood heaven, cheap and amazingly good. State of Penang is not only the island, part of it is on the the mainland across the other side which you can cross by ferries or the 2 bridges. But most tourists visit the island of Penang.
Firstly, I am digging the new hippie attire that Franc has added lately. As an older hippie myself, it's nice to see..
I would have stayed around those wild chickens after seeing the danger lightning sign. I would chill and wait for some naturally fried chicken. Haha
Thank you kind sir. A big fan of the flamboyancy of it. I knew you’d appreciate it!
Haha that’s a good idea! We’ll use that next time!
Nice vlog. So interesting that somewhere so close can be so different. Looking forward to the Malay tour as I don't know much about it. Enjoy
Thanks a bunch! It’s very different but so far so good!
We shall learn about it together because we also don’t know a lot about it 😂
Can’t wait to show you more!
Nailed it Fam!!!!!!! 🎉🎉
Sammy! Thank you heaps! We hope you’re well ❤️🙌🏽
I'm surprised that you didn't find the Malaysian people as friendly as you were used to. I've travelled extensively in SE Asia and after 3 months in peninsula Malaysia and Borneo my partner and I found the Malaysians the friendliest, warmest and genuine people we encountered. More genuine encounters without the tourist touting and hard sell of some other countries
We are now in serawak (Borneo) and have found the people absolutely amazing. Some of the nicest and willing to chat that we’ve ever met.
We’ve seen a lot more of Malaysia since that first few days in Georgetown and are really warming to some of the places and the Malaysians in general.
Most definitely less touters trying to do us over as well which is a breath of fresh air. Speaking of, the air in Borneo is awesome, breathing oxygen and pretty much nothing else is a great feeling!
Very interesting place Sarah and Johnny D. lol I worked years ago with a woman in Vancouver who was from there. I still remember how beautiful she was inside and out. Looking forward to more content from there..
There is some lovely people in Malaysia 🫶
Nice video looks very quite there
Thanks Julie, it was very different that’s for sure!
Hi guys, just came across your channel and read your bio. Looks great. I'm also from regional Qld (Maryborough). Just curious what town in rural Qld are you guys from? I've subscribed to the channel so looking forward to watching all your vids.
Hey Wendy! Thanks for watching! We visited Maryborough 2 years ago while staying in Hervey Bay. We were living in emerald for about 4 years before we up and left!
Thanks again for subscribing and hope to see you in future videos 😊🙏❤️
Thanks for the replies. Emerald is a nice town. I have a sister who lives further out in Sapphire.
Neat wander guys - certainly quiet in your day video - Bogus Monks 🤩 - cash - goodness me
Island life is ok 👌
Thanks Ant 🫶🫶
Check the old Christian cemetery opposite Oriental hotel , it's amazing ......
Thank you 🙌🏽
I understand your culture shock. Come to Kuala Lumpur, it will only increase. 😁😃 Malaysia is very Western and Eastern at the same time. The major Asian racial and cultural groups are right here in Malaysia. Indian (mostly Tamil but the other groups are all here too), Chinese (almost all the different dialect groups from various parts of China), Malays (hard to define as you need to include those here, those whose ancestors are from somewhere in Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand and Cambodia with their own sub-ethnic culture and sometimes even languages or dialects), Aboriginal groups here in Peninsular Malaysia and the Borneo states, Native tribes in the Borneo States, and various other ethnic groups or mixed race people as Malaysian men and women have a large degree of race mixing tendencies making it more complicated with many marrying the various peoples in South East Asia, Middle East, Europeans and even Africans.
A large section of the population travels outside of Malaysia for vacation, work or business and education. Malaysians & Singaporeans are in the top 3 foreign purchases of homes in Australia, New Zealand and the UK. We have visa free travel to Europe (there are some new requirements but its easy to fulfill) as our passport ranks in the top 10 in the world.
There are many foreign universities and public schools with local branches including from the UK, Australia, China etc.
Malaysia is number 4 in the world for the number of tall skyscrapers. The top 3 are China, USA and UAE. Kuala Lumpur skyline has 5 super tall structures jutting out into the heavens.
Malaysians can speak no less than 2 languages and 3 languages is the norm. And yes many can do 4 to 5 or 6 languages.
I can go on. The only comparable country is Singapore but that country was once part of Malaysia and it doesn't count. The longer you live here. The more complicated you will feel.
To add to the super diverse population, we have millions of foreign workers from Bangladesh, Indonesia, Nepal, Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar and more. Refugees from the middle east, Myanmar (both the Rohingyas and the Christian tribes). Expats from China, Japan, Korea, Europe, US etc. Foreign students from around the globe. Elementary and High school kids studying in international schools here with their mothers from Korea and Japan seems to be common. A dizzying thing to think about. But wonderful to experience.
And it all boils down to our national past time. Eating. Food is the unifier of the nation. You come to Malaysia to eat. That's the true heaven on Earth.
Enjoy. ❤
Hello friend!
Thank you so much for this very well thought out comment, we appreciate it a lot & we will respond properly soon but just wanted to say thanks in the meantime ❤️🇲🇾🫶
Firstly, thanks a bunch for understanding why we had culture shock - the initial shock has worn off now that we have been in Malaysia a little while & we have experienced more places here! We're in KL at the moment 🇲🇾
So far we are finding that the Mix of cultures here is a beautiful thing (Tamil, Chinese and Malay/Malaysians), we are surely learning a hell of a lot in a short amount of time.
We're excited to head over to Borneo soon to experience the culture in Sarawak...I'm sure it will be beautiful and different again, another great learning opportunity for us.
We have seen some of those absolutely gigantic skyscrapers here in KL. It' very interesting that Malaysia is number 4 worldwide for skyscrapers.
haha yes definitely - we have been here 10 days now and we're feeling very positive to be here but also still trying to wrap our heads around all of the different people and cultures here. It is a very unique place.
We have tried some really great food here & coffee!
we're keen to continue sharing our journey with the world :)
Thank you again for your very informative and well thought out comment, we really do appreciate it a lot.
🇲🇾❤
@@francandsarah My wife is from Sandakan, Sabah. The Orang Utan rehabilitation and Sun Bear Conservation Stations are there (side by side actually) at Sepilok which is in Sandakan.
Sarawak is also very interesting. The land of the Head Hunters and the White Rajah. Do Google Sarawak's history.
As a side note. The Sultan of Brunei and the new President of Indonesia both studied at Victoria Institution in Kuala Lumpur. 😄
Wait?? Did you saying that Malay are originated from Phillipines, South of Thailand Cambodia, South Vietnam, Indonesia and many other part of other countries ACCEPT MALAYSIA???? Really??
@@oscartangoromeo003 Proto and Deutero Malay originated from Southern China and Indo China. Filipinos are a mix of Polynesian and Malay. If you read the Constitution of the Philippines. They declare themselves a Malay race. Its a catch all phrase, though many Indonesians would not agree as they are proud of their unique ethno-linguistic differences.
Nevertheless Southeast Asia has a significant population of abroginal people which extend as far north as Taiwan and are spread out all across the region and are cousins of the Papuans and Australian natives. The Maoris are more Polynesian.
Malays can be found as far west as Madagascar. The Malays are considered first peoples of Malaysia but there are still abroginal people who came earlier. However, civilization in the Malay Archipelago is Malay. Similar to India which still has abroginal people but civilization was begun by others.
Southeast Asia is too unique as it was heavily influenced by India for over 2000 years culturally and religiously. And also significantly influenced by the Chinese and the Arabs. Thats why it can be confusing to outsiders.
Anyway, if scientist are accurate, then everyone came out of Africa. Just like the Black Shang people in China who were Africans. The first inhabitants of China. You can check this with the Chinese Archeological Department.
We are all humans my friend. So we travel, we explore, we seek adventure and we just live.
have fun.
Thank you 🫶
Go down to Pankor Island. So good there to relax
Thanks for the tip 🇲🇾❤️
Great job guys, love watching your videos and following your journey! Also love hearing more from Sarah in this video ❤
Thank you Carla ❤️❤️🫶
You’re so lovely!
Georgetown is a cosmopolitan city with cosmopolitan cuisine.
Don't carry your bag the same side as the motorcycle traffic to prevent snatch theft. Motorcycle traffic on the right, bag on the left.
Restaurants or stalls or 'food courts' with chinese writing sell pork & other types of proteins most of the time. They also have alcohol sometimes. Other places don't.
Great advise! I like to carry my bag across my body and have it in the front so I can always see it 🇲🇾🙌🏽🫶
I am local Penang. U guys can explore find the pamphlet in your hotel about Penang. There is other side of this island u should explore. Georgetown for me I go for 😅 nasi kandar or pasembur or nasi dalca lol 😂. U guys can explore the other side for the nature and beach. If u love that nature and beach.
Thank you 🫶❤️
I feel bad for you guys. Malaysians are usually warm & friendly, and lively. As much as I hate to say it, do go to the nicer parts of Penang, like the beaches and tourist spots and the better parts of town. The tourist spots are necessarily hard-sell or rip-off. They are just friendlier than those in your video. But fair play, what you showed IS indeed some parts of Penang and Malaysia. Don't lose faith
We’ve done some more travelling around Malaysia and have found a ton of more warm and friendly people. We’ve left Penang but may visit those places in the future.
A bad first impression (for us) but it’s gotten a whole lot better!
Malaysia is one of the warmest, friendliest places, but I guess not Georgetown.
Yes 100%, we’ve met some of the nicest people here. Just not in Georgetown 🤣
Snatch thieves are everywhere in the world, I am sure even in the country you come from have that. Penang have a bigger group of Chinese population. Of course in other parts of Malaysia, have pork, population is about 63.5%, Of course if you travel in some muslim states in East Coast of Malaysia, pork are only available in Chinese places.
Interesting information about Penang! Thank you very much! 🫶🇲🇾🫶
It depends on who you speak to. …I find some of them shy in speaking up. That’s all diff individual diff response here
Yea that’s true, learning as we go along!
Are you Australian? Its kinda odd for us Malaysian to see Australian have a very weird impression or no impression at all about our country because Australia and Malaysia are both an alliances nation with the ANZAC and many Australian military was station here during the war and after the war during the communist insurrection. Not to mention we are basically neighbor! Australia is not that much far away from Malaysia and we always consider Australia as part of ASIA not Europe or America even thought many Australian tend to have a different views of themselves and kind stuck up about it (sorry). No shade but that is how many Australian feel about other south east Asian countries. I have seen many American, UK and EU citizen that knows a lot more about Malaysia then Australian tbh. Malaysia is Australia top ten partner in economy just for your info and we also have a lot of Malaysian expat in Australia, We have LOADS of British expat and British tourist coming here every year and most of them love to visit Langkawi and Penang. Thailand is known to be land of smile, but most white expat who live there would tell you that its an obligatory smile not a sincere smile. We Malaysian have worked, dealt and encounter Europeans for 600 years, we used to control the most important straits in the world back then the straits of Malacca where east and west meet to trade and we were the middle man of these 2 powers. That is the reason why the Portuguese, Dutch and British flocked to take controlled of our land back then. That is why we have so many mixed of race, culture and religion here, we are basically the first melting pot nation. So seeing white tourist roaming around the street is like common for us. Its not that we are not friendly but we are not OVERLY pretentious. If you smile at us we smile back, if you dont we just go on with out life. Unlike Thais we Malaysian are more practical and realist and we hate hypocrite. When you get to Malacca you can find the descendent of the Portuguese colonizer there still in their own enclave and village they call themselves Kristang/ Christ tongue community, we also used to have Dutch Burger community here but most of them move out after the British took over.
Hey! Well, Iast time I checked we were. That's very interesting to hear. I'd say that, based on my experience, the knowledge of Malaysia isn't as well known as it probably should be. Everyone has gaps in their knowledge of the world, and Malaysia is definitely one of those countries for us. We were quite shocked to see a Harvey Norman in Ipoh of all places. Just speaking for us, we aren't nearly aware of all this history as you've pointed out. But that's why we come to these countries, to learn and find out more, get a better understanding of the country, cultures and people.
I guess it depends on where you live and visit in Thailand in regards to the sincerity of smiles, visiting the more rural places such as Udon Thani, we found the people to be very sincere.
No doubt about it, Australian's can think quite highly of themselves, and we do that as well from time to time, but experiencing these different countries helps humble us and see more of the world to get a more well rounded view of the world.
As we've travelled a bit more in Malaysia and dropped our (obviously wrong) pre conceived notions of Malaysia, we've had a lot more fun and enjoyment. It's a breath of fresh air to not have the "saving-face" culture in this country as well, something we disliked.
Appreciate the comment and the detailed information about the relationship between Malaysia and Australia. We're here to have fun, but also to learn, so thank you for helping us do that.
Your video is simply eye opening 😲😲😲
❤️❤️
Nice report. Thanks.
I commend your diplomatic politesse (thanks for that brilliant word, Sir Mick Jagger).
Surprised to learn pork on the menu is so readily available.
Will be interesting to see if there is the Thai Soi-Dog problem over there (as Muslims don't like dogs either, I'm given to understand).
Availability and acceptance of alcohol (or otherwise), too (nevermind "girlie-bars").
Am very much looking forward to your continuing sojourn in and around Malaysia, I must say.
Thank you muchly!
Yes so were we, there was a good mix of halal & non halal places in Georgetown for sure, something for everyone!
As for the soi dogs, we haven’t seen too many. Just a couple in Ipoh that seemed worse for wear the poor things.
There are a lot of stray cats.
Also a big homeless population out in the open which is quite sad to see.
Alcohol is available, mostly at 7-11s and stores… not too much in restaurants & it’s not as cheap as the Thai prices.
Thank you, we can’t wait to explore more of this country! 🙌🏽🇲🇾
DOG? Muslims dietary restriction is the same as Jews and early Christians and Jehovah witness...do Jews, Jehovah witness and Christian eat Dogs? xD Muslim cant even eat bugs or blood! No blood sausage or blood in eggs! Muslim can eat anything Kosher and Jews can eat anything Halal, that is how similar Muslims and Jewish dietary restriction is. ...if you eat dog here you go to jail! In Thailand they not only eat dog but also bugs, cat and mice especially in north of Thailand. You can get pork in Chinese restaurant. Other places is a no no and in groceries store usually there is a specific section for non halal food at the back. We also have a lot of Hindus so dont expect to find beef in Indian restaurant unless the Indian are Muslim Indian. You can get alcohol also in non Muslims establishment everywhere but its illegal to drink in public, juts drink at home or at that place where they serve it. Girly bars? Well you can find it in KL somewhere but prostitutions is illegal! If you got caught then jail time.
Really! Pass!
Just need to know where to find non-halal food. Me malaysian chinese always eat pork.
That’s a good point. All I’m really after is chicken without bones in it haha and we seem to have found some amazing food in Kuching!
At 14:19 , the guy is cursing in Hokkien foul language. I’m wondering what happened? It’s not Cantonese. It’s Hokkien which is spoken by the majority of Chinese in Penang. It means stinky vagina and a word sounds like “foreigner” in Mandarin. What a shame.
Thanks heaps for translating that for us!
We think maybe he had some mental health problems because he was shouting long before we walked passed him. Very sad to see, poor guy & we hope he gets help ❤️
It seems like Malacca, but bleak and depressing. Won't be going there. We are at a loss for where to go next. Luang Prabang, our last holiday, kind of sucked due to the rubbish on the ground, terrible airport lineups, and that the locals were so fed up with crass Chinese tourists that we felt unwelcome. Franc & Sarah, find us a new place!!! :)
Hahahha IPOH! We absolutely loved Ipoh, we have a few videos of it coming out soon but it’s a small town vibe, food culture & really nice locals! We wish we were in Ipoh longer.🇲🇾
@@francandsarah Thanks for the tip!! We may do KL -->> Ipoh in Aug. I think the train is like 2hrs. You know those trains, the ones cold like meat lockers. :) Awesome!
we took the train from Ipoh to KL so you’ll be able to see the trip in the opposite direction soon. 😊🇲🇾
At 14.21, I heard some Cantonese foul words.
Hahaha oh really? What were the words?
We can’t speak Cantonese unfortunately 😅
@@francandsarah concerning the female organ. That was the result of the verbal clash between the two persons.
@samraj3179 beautiful!
it should be hokkian. By the way, most chinese in Penang speak Hokkian instead of cantonese.
@@losamy7404 you are right I got itisplaced. The word for it in Cantonese "cau hai". I often get the words in Hokkien and Cantonese mixed.
We cancelled Penang due to the vibe and that it didn't look pretty on a google walkabout.