A Whirlwind Rendezvous with George Town

The scorching Malaysian sun beats down, once again, today in Penang, this island state hugging the northwest coast. Stifling humidity greeted us, a harbinger of the sweltering day ahead - the weather report warns of extreme temperatures and potential thunderstorms.

Yet Penang beckons to at least grab a glimpse of its blend of cultural riches, colonial remnants, street food, and beguiling island vistas that are the reason its a beloved Malaysian destination.

The unbearable heat rendered our time in George Town, Penang's capital, a mere fleeting rendezvous. With sweat beading on our brows, we could manage only a cursory exploration of the harbor-side attractions before retreating back to the ship. Since we had vowed to experience every port on this voyage, revisiting familiar haunts or making new discoveries - we had to brave the scorching temperatures, however briefly, to sample Penang's lengendary appeal.

Upon our return to the ship, we ambled through the pub onboard, where this poster caught our eye. No doubt a beer would be a welcome alternative to the alcohol in the bottles we'd procured during our stop in Vietnam. [Pictured here with our favorite waiters - the ever-amiable Rafe and Kris, as well as a photo of the ubiquitous Shangam (Jeff's right side), whom we encountered with uncanny frequency at nearly every port of call]. They have genuinely contributed to making this journey an unforgettable and once-in-a-lifetime experience, no matter what the weather