This post is well-done and evocative. A few months ago, I spent a week in Georgetown, Penang, and found it to be a very pleasant place (even though I generally avoid cities when I travel).

Your comments re the food are spot on. At the hawker centers, you can find almost anything to suit your tastes – from crispy pork (makes a good bacon-replacement for breakfast, methinks) to fried rice and various types of seafood. The greatest thing is that almost all of it is fresh and very healthy. No processed crap at the hawker centers.