Tropfest SEA

Returning to our regular breakfast haunt this morning, we went with the chef's suggestion and found ourselves, presumably having exhausted the range of noodle soups, eating a selection of mock chicken, duck, and goose with rice.

Rice and 'meats'

It is amazing what can be done with a few folded sheets of tofu skin and judicious flavourings.

Having packed our bags and made a few final arrangements in preparation for leaving tomorrow, we segues neatly into lunch at Lily's Kitchen.

Laksa, dumpling soup, sate

I ordered the Kelantang laksa, which is the more familiar spicy coconut milk-based soup in contrast to the tamarind sour Penang (or asam) laksa. It had similar components - slippery white laksa noodles, sliced cucumber and pineapple. K had a clear broth with 'chicken' dumplings.

Popiah and sate

We also greedily had popiah - fresh spring rolls filled with grated vegetables and sambal - and satay (sate) skewers with a nicely spicy peanut sauce.

Tonight was the Tropfest SEA (South East Asia) finalist showcase. Sixteen short films from SE Asian directors were shown on a big open-air screen in the Esplanade park opposite the city hall.

Esplanade park

The whole park was taken over with stalls selling food and crafts. The event showcased not only the films, but embodied everything that I have enjoyed about George Town -  its artistic spirit, its passion for eating good food, and the perfect environment for a festival, with dry and warm weather until late in the evening. I sat eating a take-away 'chicken' curry from nearby Sri Ananda.

Veggie chicken tikka masala, roti and dal

All the films were good, but the competition was rightfully won by Polen Ly for his film Colourful Knots, which skillfully manages to handle an emotional subject without being mawkish or heavy-handed and, for me, stood out among the other finalists' work. It shows a talent in the Cambodian director that goes well beyond his years.

Kumar at Tropfest SEA

After the screening, we were treated to some stand-up by Singaporean Indian comedian, Kumar. Despite his act being in English, the jokes required a level of local knowledge that meant most went flying over my head, but he must be good as everyone else was in stitches.

Tropfest was a perfect way to say goodbye to George Town and Penang.