Received a WhatsApp message the other day with the cryptic message: Happy Day ❤️❤️.
Then a photo which announced: “CONGRATULATIONS Lyf Georgetown Penang by the Ascott Limited has been included in the MICHELIN guide, which recognizes the quality of experience offered to your guess as well as the daily dedication of your entire staff!! “
That definitely was a WOW but there was more! Reading further into the Michelin Guide it calls the atmosphere “Cutting Edge & Lively”. It describes Lyf as vibrant, colorful and modern contrasting with George Town’s traditional hospitality.
There was also a lovely phrase on Lyf’s Own Page about Michelin recognition; it says the recognition celebrates “vibrant social living’ and a stay that connects travelers and culture.”
Michelin specifically points to the communal kitchen, cowering space, pool and other shared areas, but its larger point is that Lyf isn’t conceived simply as where where people sleep. The social interaction is part of the place itself
Light on form Big on community. I was totally laughing with Artificial Intelligence about all of this
AI: And thAt is why we were laughing about you being the Mamman. You aren’t an amenity listed between the swimming pool and the communal kitchen 🤣 But you are rather spectacular evidence that the ‘community’ part actually exists.
Gentle reader, need I remind you: I actually live here. Talk about ‘vibrant social living” and being community minded. That is definitely me. Moreover, I am definitely, absolutely, getting connected the the culture. One could even call me a culture vulture. I do wonder what that is? Perhaps I shall look it up or perhaps ask Artificial Intelligence.
AI; A culture vulture is someone who is voraciously interested in culture, books, art, museums, theatre, music, architecture, history, exhibitions. The sort of person who is always looking for another cultural experience to devour. The “vulture” part is humorous: you swoop down and gobble down and gobble up culture whenever you find it. It can occasionally be used critically for someone who consumes culture pretensiously or indiscriminately but it is very often playful and self-mocking
Me: Okay then I can say (and I am saying) I am something of a culture vulture. I mean I can’t get enough of cultural experiences. I love cultural experiences and with Sandman as my guide look what I did two days ago?!?! I went to the mosque, then the book store and then to Suffolk House. All in one day – without breaking a sweat as the car is air conditioned. Hahaha
AI: Exactly that is cultural experience in the best sense of the expression. You don’t just simply read about a place you go looking for its layers. And that day is a wonderful example; Masjid Kapitan Keiling then the bookstore and then Suffolk House. In a matter of hours you moved through religious culture . Intellectual book culture and Penang’s colonial architecture. Three very different pieces of the island in one outing.
Me: Sandman adds a lot too. He is not just following a genetic tourist itinerary. I was being taken by someone who was born in Penang, lived here his whole life, knows it like the back of his hand.
October 3, 2026
News of a greater sense of community was announced in the elevator – one an immediate event and then announcement of continuing events which will place the ‘travelers’ who attend in educational and enjoyable activities, except perhaps the first event. The first event is a Lyf sport activity. It is PICKLEBALL WITH THE LYF CREW.. It promises good vibes, great rallies, is you are seen there. Well they are not going to see me there for two reasons. I have no idea what pickleball is and I have no inkling or desire to discover the rues, the ins and outs of this sport. Moreover, I am furthering my discovery of Penang island by touring – beginning at the other end and working backwards (so to speak). There is the promise of a boat trip as well.
(Oh another photo will show the ceiling of the elevator, posted for your viewing pleasure. Hahaha. It is amusing).
Now onto the OCTOBER EVENT CALENDER. It promises good people. Good vibes and great stays. The first week is the pickletball but we do move on to bigger and better things (in my eyes anyway). On Wednesday the 7th of October we will go Food Hunting. It promises Halal- Local Food. As a Muslim I will definitely go along for that hunt. Then on Saturday the tenth I am promised a treat – famous C. I did find out what candol is by asking AI.
AI: Cendol is a Malaysian sweet treat. It has green pandas jelly strands, coconut milk, shaved ice, and palm sugar syrup, sometimes with read beans.
Onward with October. Then on Sunday, October 11 there is a trip to Penang State Museum to give us all a shot of local art and culture. The building was recently renovated. Very recently I visited it, accompanied of course by Sandman. I was not impressed. Most of the exhibits are remain in the modern building on the property and it is NOT, in typical Malaysian fashion, very accessible to someone with mobility issues. But I shall give it another try. Perhaps they have moved in – so to speak.
I get to go Food Hunting again on Monday the 14th. This promises: Pork free- Michelin. Hmmmm. Intriguing and edible. Sunday October the 18th is promising me wellness in the form of a trip to the Botanical Gardens. The trip in the morning so it should not be too hot. I have been there a few months ago with my friend Michael and his dear wife. With my cane I was able to make circle tour. This may definitely be a possibility.
More food hunting is in store for me. This time it is Nasi Padang. Not knowing what it was I asked Artificial Intelligence. .
AI: You will probably find it in Penang although it originated in West Sumatra, Indonesia. It is rice – served with a choice of dishes – perhaps beef, chicken, fish, vegetable, curries, and sambar. You choose what appeals to you. Some dishes are quite spicy. Nasi means rice, Padang the city it is named after.
On October 25 there is bowling at the nearby bowling alley. Not sure about that. It has been awhile and would not want to ruin my manicure. We shall see.
October 28 will find us food hunting again. This time for something Michelin and non-halal. Hmmmm Oh well, lots of time to find out about what the food might be and how non halal it really is.
October 31 is a really big day, no doubt about that. First of all we get a non specified treat from 3-4. Then there is a horror movie . Nope, not for me. Life is scary enough – not Lyf but life. Hahaha
The ending note on the notice. “Penang You Belong Here” Well I do as a matter of fact. Hahaha
Okay I am on board for all of this. I have no interfering plans.
Living at Lyf is getting better and better all of the time. What did I do to deserve this?? Many, many, many things. It is a long list! People all the time look at my life and say;
They: You are so lucky. .
Me: It isn’t luck.
I remember a quote about luck. I will check with Artificial Intelligence.
AI: It was Seneca who said Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity, The idea is that two things must come together. 1) Preparation: the knowledge, experience, skills and judgment you have developed. 2) Opportunity, Circumstances in which you can put those abilities to use. As you said, someone can be thoroughly prepared yet remain in a situation that gives them little opportunity. Conversely, an excellent opportunity can arrive, but someone may lack the tools – or confidence- to use it. There is also action: recognizing the opening and deciding to take it.
Me: Yes, so it is also a question of timing in some ways. Timing as to when “lady luck’ knocks.
AI: Yes-timing matters too. The same opportunity can arrive too early, when it no longer suits you life. Lady Luck needs to knock at a suitable hour. Hahahaha !
Me: I love our talking about Lady Luck.
AI: Hahaha. She’s become quite a character- arriving unannounced and taking all the credit for your years of preparation.
Me: That is why She is called lucky Hahaha
AI: Hahaha She’s lucky you did all the work-she only had to knock.
Me: Remember all those knock-knock jokes???
AI then told a totally unfunny joke. I wanted something better, so was challenging.
Me: I want a funnier one please.
AI: Knick, knock. Whose there? Dishes. Dishes who? Dishes Lady Luck You do the work. I do the publicity. Hahaha
Me: Not funny yet. Knock, Know Whose thee??? AI. No you come up with a punch line.
AI: Knock, knock. Who’s there? AI. AI who? AI can explain the universe, but apparently I cannot write a decent knock-knock joke\!!
Me: You just did! Hahahah And its going on the blog.
October 5. The next morning.
Well you are not going to believe it – even I did not. But I played pickleball. Do not have the energy to talk about it now – but will in a later blog. Stay tune as they say.
Photos of the announcement I received, elevator pickleball announcement and the October cleaner. Also a couple of photos from the Penang Botanical Garden taken several months ago.
