Cost of eating out If you eat at local cafes, Moslem and Indian food shops (or at the more pedestrian food courts) it can cost you as little as 20RM (5-6USD) per day for three meals. If you go to some of the nicer restaurants (not crass tourists places) frequented by Malaysians, it will cost more of course - expect to pay $15-25USD per day for three meals.

To give you an idea of my dining expenses, I had a western style breakfast - two eggs, a small glass of fruit juice and toast - at Four Leaves Cafe, located across the street from Traders Hotel. It cost me all of 4.00RM (1.35USD). I also had lunch at a small local eatery (across the street from Traders) that offered only Halal and Indian dishes. The lunch cost me all of 3.60RM (a little over $1.00USD).

My dinner expenses for the three nights that I was in Penang were as follows:

• First night - Woodlands ….. 14.30RM
• 2nd night - Sri Anan Bahwani …17.50RM
• 3rd night - Luk Yea Yan… 23.60RM

The first two are very respectable Indian restaurants located in Little India, while the third restaurant is a very proper vegetarian Chinese eatery

There are a bunch of moderately upscale restaurants and cafes - including McDonald’s at the big shopping center located next door to Traders. On the bottom floor of the mall is the ever popular Starbucks.

Starbucks To put the cost of dining in MALAYSIA in perspective, consider this - if you go to a local Starbucks, a Veinte Latte will set you back 12.10RM (3.40USD) and a Veinte Americano 8.35RM (2.35USD). These prices are what Westerners are used to paying, but for Malaysians, Starbucks represents a big splurge!

Nightlife About 1.2 Kilometers away from Traders Hotel is Georgetown’s Pink Zone, a very touristy area with many upscale clubs & bars, trendy restaurants and outdoor bistros. Most of Western tourists can be seen congregating here at night. Be prepared to spend some serious monies if you go there.

Taxi For 7 ½ hours of touring, I paid 270RM, the equivalent of 76USD! Not too bad, my taxi driver was happy and I was haPee!

Note: 1.00USD = 3.55 Ringit (RM)