"God, it's fucking hot." The thought cycles through my head on repeat as I trudge down a sidewalk-less street that was definitely not designed for pedestrians. Sweat streams down every crevice on my body, and I reach down to peel my elephant print backpacker pants off my thighs for the umpteenth time. Locals on mopeds and bikes stare at me with open curiosity. Foreigners don't often stray miles from the tourist center of George Town, Penang, and they're probably wondering if they should call the police.

But I'm determined to make it to my destination…