Penang revisited

We have now spent a total of 5 nights in Penang (returning to Penang after our 10 days in Langkawi) so I thought it was time to do a quick write up on our time here.

In our first couple of days we knuckled down and wracked up some serious tourist hours - catching a bus out to kek lok si temple (the largest in Malaysia) and then walking to Penang Hill and catching the train that takes you up the side of the hill. For those of you who have taken the scenic railway in the Blue Mountains, it wasn't quite as steep as that but it takes about 25 minutes to reach the top and about one third of the way up you have to change trains...needless to say I had my eyes shut for most of the trip as we chugged our way very slowly to the top. The view from the top was amazing as you could see all across Penang and when the clouds drifted away you had a view back to mainland Malaysia. Except for dodging the crazy monkeys that tried to urinate and jump on us, (i am not joking, you have to have eyes in the back of your head when they are around) it was incredibly peaceful and beautiful walking around Penang Hill.

After we got back from Langkawi (enduring the ferry trip that was so rough Brendan and I had to lie down on the roof top of the ferry to try and stop ourselves from being sick) we headed off on the tourist trail again - this time we headed north to Batu Ferringhi which is probably where most of the tourists that come to Penang head for some sun and surf. This time of the year there are very large jelly fish in the water, so we took the opportunity to 'pose' as guests at a more up market resort and enjoy the pool and beach front furniture that was on offer...I thought Brendan got a bit cocky when he asked one of the waiters to take a few pictures for us...we left soon after...sure that one of the staff had copped on and was on our tail. But we escaped and have lived to tell the tale. We went to a great night market, gorging ourselves on some excellent Malaysian and Indian food ("wow, that is a suprise" I hear you mock!) and then headed home on what could only be described as the oldest bus still working...well only just working. It took an hour to make the journey back (which only took 25 minutes to get there originally), you had to be a midget to fit your legs in the seat and there were holes in the floor of the bus that you had to navigate and attempt not to fall through! An interesting experience to say the least.

And last but not least, as the locals promised us, the food in Penang has been great. We found an excellent night market around the corner from our guest house called the red square (no relation to its Russian counterpart) market at which we have feasted on the Malaysian 'must eats' such as laksa, roti and char kway teow (a great fried noodle dish that is served with a bunch of seafood and lots of chili of course!). We also had an 'ABC' (in the photo below with Brendan) which is probably the strangest desert I have ever had - it has red kidney beans, jelly lollies, ice cream, flavoured shaved ice and then condensed milk and nuts on top....strange but very nice!



Well, that is it for Penang. Tomorrow we are heading east, catching the ferry back to mainland Malaysia and then taking the 5 hour bus trip to the Cameron Highlands which is pretty much in the middle of Malaysia.

We have added quite a few photos to the Malaysia Album so make sure you check them out. Also, for those of you that have Skype, our skype name is brendan_and_kate (original I know, but easy to remember). Add us on, and we can have a chat next time we find a decent broadband connection.

Ok, that's it for now. Hope this finds you well and until next time...

//Kate