When we were planning our DIY trip to Georgetown, Penang, Neeti and I were looking to soak in loads of history, we wanted to get a true feel of the heritage of the place. And we thought East Indies Mansion met our requirements, completely and absolutely, as we were soon to discover...
While we checked into this 7-room boutique bed & breakfast hotel yesterday morning, we did not get an opportunity to explore it to the fullest as we had to head out to Kek Lok Si Temple and Bukit Bendera...
We had hoped to catch a meal at Georgetown's iconic restaurant, Tek Sen, after returning from Bukit Bendera, but we were soon to figure out that Tek Sen had shut down for the day. I pray we are able to visit Tek Sen today evening...
Instead we had to head to Sri Ananda Bhawan, right next to East Indies, for a quick dinner. This place, owned by Indian immigrants, dishes out authentic South Indian cuisine. I bet if you were to sit in Sri Ananda Bhawan, you would feel as though you were teleported from Penang straight into Tamil Nadu...
Like most South India eateries back home, Sri Ananda Bhawan has a quick turnaround time, you can be sure to be served in a jiffy and it is also expected that you wipe your plate clean really fast!
Neeti, true to her culinary loyalties, stuck to a very conventional lemon rice platter...
But for me, it was a very soft, fluffy roti canai, stuffed with onion and eggs. Though my roti canai came with a spicy gravy, I supplemented my meal with a made-to-order, extra spicy egg bhurji...
We were delighted to see a couple of off-duty Chinese nurses enjoying dosas and South Indian meals over a boisterous conversation. Indeed Penang much like Singapore is a melting pot of cultures, though, I am not sure if that would be true for the rest of Malaysia...
After our meal, we leisurely walked down Lebuh China to our hotel, East Indies Mansion...
The name "East Indies" was a complete give-away, when we were searching for a hotel in Georgetown. We did not want to stay in a sterile, modern hotel...
To be honest, when I first saw the name "East Indies" on the Expedia website, I had visions of the past, with maritime powers of 1800s - England, Spain, Holland and Portugal, vying for dominance over the spice trade, with immigrant Indians and Chinese providing the much needed workforce, and psst, the mafia...
And Penang was at the epicentre of the machinations of the colonial powers. in a sense, our "home" in Georgetown reflected that...
This mansion was once home to a Koh Lay Huan, Fujian-born, distinguished gentleman who was the first Kapitan China or the leader of the Chinese community of Penang. In 1786, when Sir Francis Light arrived in Penang, Koh became his confidante and was referred to as ‘an old fox’!
Towards the late 1800s, the mansion came under the control of Chung Keng Kwee, a secret society leader...
After receiving a heritage status a few years back, the property has been painstakingly restored to its original grandeur!
A spacious and warm room welcomed us...
An ornate bed-side lamp...
Does that stand for luck, good health or longevity? I am not too sure...
An interesting kettle...
The Buddha stands guard for us...
A welcoming lobby by the side of the open courtyard...
I would love to spend a whole day sitting curled up on one of these seats, reading a book...
The dining area ornately decorated with traditional Chinese kitchen implements...
Our breakfast menu...
Surely lights up my morning...
A refreshing and cool fresh orange juice...
Fresh fruit platter...
The charming lady prepares our breakfast...
My roti-john - I must say it was yum...
Neeti's paratha with potato curry...
Sitting here, having a lovely breakfast with this lovely view is indeed priceless...
The mansion is built around a courtyard in feng-shui style...
This is so tempting...
With evocative greenery in the courtyard to eclectic artefacts that are strategically located throughout the property and an emphasised rustic character, East Indies Mansion has infinitely enchanted us...
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