Ten days ago we called a wrap on a couple assignments in Turkey, flew from Istanbul to Singapore, crashed for seven hours at Changi, then got on a plane home to Penang. The next day we drove to George Town, met with our contractor at Ah Tong Tailor and gave a thumbs up to tile that he'd sourced for the backsplash behind our stove. Then we hopped in the car, drove back to the house in the suburbs that we've been renting for the last two years and began packing like mad.
On Thursday morning the tile was laid. After twenty months of renovations the house was finished. That evening and into the night our contractor and his crew cleared the last of their tools and equipment out and cleaned up our shop house. On Friday morning we began moving in. Since the last bits of furniture and boxes were carried through our new home's double front doors on Saturday night we've been unpacking boxes, troubleshooting new-home problems, dealing with internet, phone and TV cable installers, acclimatizing three dogs to new and very urban surroundings and trying (mostly unsuccessfully) to meet deadlines.
Yet amidst the frenzy we've found time to revel in living here in George Town, finally, three and a half years after we found our house. We've walked to Chow Rasta market in the morning to shop and to Tek Sen in the evening to dine. We've picked out watermelons at the fruit wholesaler on Carnavon Street. We've met neighbors and this morning even toured the gorgeous double shophouse, used as a commercial establishment, of one. We've renewed acquaintances with vendors and market sellers that we saw too infrequently when we were out in the 'burbs and driving into the city was a pain. Dave has even nipped across the street to the always impeccably dressed and coiffed Indian barber's shop for a trim.
We've been eating around too, for a serendipitously timed George Town food assignment. What a great excuse to periodically pull ourselves away from our desks and walk away from half-emptied boxes it's been. And what a lovely change to travel by foot rather than car or airplane to do our reporting.
Our last work stop, late this morning, was China House for a scoop of the fabulous gula Melaka (coconut palm sugar) ice cream at Kopi C cafe. It's a long-time favorite for Dave and I both. I'm a gula Melaka obsessive from way, way back, and in the last year this ice cream has morphed from very good to ecstatically delicious, probably because of more (and/or better) palm sugar in the custard and the generous chunks of soft gula, with its distinctive slightly salty-sour caramel-coffee notes, that now stud every scoop.
If you're visiting Penang it's a definite Don't Miss. And to think that now that we're at home in George Town, it's only 4 blocks away.
Gula Melaka ice cream, RM 8 per scoop at China House, 183B Victoria Street, George Town Penang. 04/263-7299
Oh, I hope you'll be posting pictures either here or on Ah Tong. I can't wait to see how it all turned out!
Posted by: Gillian @GlobalBookshelf | 2013.05.03 at 15:24
Oh wow, that ice cream looks insanely good. I've been a fan of gula melaka since, well, probably since I was born, given that I'm Malaysian. Might have to try replicating this at home...
Posted by: leaf (the indolent cook) | 2013.05.03 at 15:55
sounds too delicious to miss - on my list for september eats! can't wait for my holidays!
Posted by: Lil | 2013.05.03 at 16:14
Well done Robyn and Dave on finally moving into Ah Tong Tailor's former haunt!
Sounds like it is ideally placed for your food jaunts :)
Posted by: Michelle | 2013.05.03 at 18:51
Congratulations! A new chapter begins...
Posted by: Ling | 2013.05.03 at 19:02
We will be posting pics somewhere Gillian. The house isn't entirely together yet, probably not for another couple months. Thanks for your patience!
leaf, be sure to include the gula chunks if you do. Insanely delicious.
Thanks for reading Lil!
Thanks Michelle. It is indeed ideally located, for food and other jaunts. :)
Thank you Ling! A new chapter indeed....
Posted by: Robyn | 2013.05.03 at 19:14
Happy that you and your house have finally been reunited.
Posted by: sharon Miro | 2013.05.03 at 19:59
Thank you Sharon!
Posted by: Robyn | 2013.05.04 at 11:37
Well done! So jealous - cant wait to see the pics
xx
Posted by: Pamela | 2013.05.04 at 12:54
Oh gosh, now I have to get to the ice cream too! I share your obsession with gula melaka, and specifically with gula melaka ice cream. I tried a version in KL that was good but not great and am still searching for the holy grail.
Posted by: Preeta | 2013.05.06 at 00:54
Congratulations on moving, and the pork at Tek Sen is fantastic, is our welcome back to penang meal, we force ourselves to eat something new each time we go, and not been disappointed yet.
Would it be rude to ask you for Contractor Ts information (and contractor C - so we can avoid). We are also considering refurbishing a place but at tanjung bungah. Thanks in advance.
Posted by: Les B. | 2013.05.07 at 06:52
Thanks Pam!
Preeta, you definitely do have to try it! The chunks of gula take the ice cream over the top.
Hi Les, thank you. And yes Tek Sen is a favourite. Contractor T does not do email or phone intros. (In fact he doesn't do email at all.) He's old-fashioned that way. Contractor C's name was Chen, I believe (I've tried to block the experience from my mind!) Study the photo of him so you can avoid! Thanks for reading.
Posted by: Robyn | 2013.05.07 at 07:07
Congratulations on moving house! Your story is really inspiring. We, too, harbor hopes of settling in Penang one day after more than 10 years overseas. Good luck and keep up the blog! I love the stories and photos!
Posted by: C.vOo | 2013.05.07 at 21:51
congratulations! i do hope we can make it to malaysia, and georgetown one day and get to see it!
enjoy, and we look forward to photos when you are ready!
Posted by: dena ross | 2013.05.21 at 20:18
Hi Robyn. All the best to you and Dave in your new home.
Signed,
Seriously Jealous,
Cape Town
Posted by: Paul Perton | 2013.05.22 at 08:11
Thanks Dena! Look forward to meeting you here at some point.
Paul -- ha ha. You're not suffering in Cape Town, I bet. ;-) Thanks for the good wishes.
Posted by: Robyn | 2013.05.22 at 09:08
Hi Robyn.
I have been a (silent) fan of your blog/food & travel writing and David's photos for quite a while now. But I am breaking my silence, excited as I am at this mention of China House's gula Melaka ice cream! I discovered their gula Melaka milkshake a year ago (in fact, they even obliged to an indulgent request for the second glass to be bolstered by a shot of cachaça... superfluous but fun!), and have since been raving about it to anyone who would listen.
Unfortunately, the flavours of Penang will remain a haunting memory for now: I am currently pursuing a pastry diploma in Paris... though, regrettably, croissants can't compare to good ol' curry mee for a true breakfast! Until a much-needed return home next year, your blog will be sustaining me through this wicked weather...
Keep up the AMAAAAYYYYYZING job!
Homesick Penang Boy
Posted by: Tao | 2013.06.25 at 03:31
Hello Tao, thanks for reading and for the kind words! I'll have to remember that cachaca tip next time I am at China House. :)
Best of luck in your pastry studies. Freshly baked croissants are not such an awful substitute for curry mee, though I too miss Penang food when we're away, so I feel a little of your pain.
Robyn
Posted by: Robyn | 2013.06.25 at 04:08