TRAVELS WITH PIN

Greetings everyone from the east coast of Malaysia !

The Butterfly Farm, Penang Hill with it's spectacular views over George Town, the Botanical Gardens with it's cheeky monkeys and Les' birthday bash at Tescos ( I got a Swiss Army Knife with woodsaw ), all came and went in quick order !

We bade farewell to Penang, none too soon in my opinion as I'm gaining weight rapidly, crossing the peninsular to Kelantan on the east coast just south of the Thai border.

The nine-hour journey was comfortable and the scenery en-route, rather pleasant.

History buffs will no doubt recall that the Japanese landed near here, with their bicycles, to commence their invasion of Malaya.

The times indeed are achanging and all I could recall of Kota Bharu, since being there some 15 or more years ago, was the bus station AND the oppressive heat at this time of the year !
We went nocturnal, appearing only for meals, and taking the soft option as in air-con room with two showers ( one hot and one cold of course ! ).
Pin was well at home speaking, and eating all things, Thai with cooks who invariably hailed from northern Thailand.

For the past three days we have been ensconced in Kuala Terrenganu, 3 hours south by bus.
It's fairly pleasant here and appears much more relaxed, but no less cooler, than my previous visit.

On Mother's Day we took a local bus to Marang, a sleepy fishing village, with a thumping big mosque, being the access point to the resort island of Kapas.
I recall fishing with local guys off the bridge.
I didn't catch anything but witnessed a hefty barramundi being landed.
Some fishermen hang their catch off the bridge for others, to enhance their reputations !

Dear readers, at this point, we must confess to spending several hours in the airconditioned comfort of McDonalds ( they have Wi-fi you see ).
It seems only right and proper that we should sponsor this fine establishment by eating an occasional meal here, if only to cover their internet costs.
…......... to be continued

Greetings to everyone from Penang, Malaysia !

We arrived safely, no worse for wear, after a reasonably comfortable flight from Sydney via KLIA.

Passed the time, in part, by watching 'The Tourist' Roll on Venice, eta 2013 !

Whilst waiting in KL we were able to provide a little comfort to a distressed young Filipina woman travelling alone to Manila.
Her partner and 17 year old stepson had missed the flight as the young man's passport had expired !

We were met on arrival in Penang and spent our first two nights in a luxury penthouse apartment overlooking the beach at Tanjong Bungah.
The unit lacked basic amenities such as a fridge and washing machine as the owner was in the process of selling up and returning to England.
Great views but too far distant from the action in Georgetown.

We then moved to less salubrious accommodation in the heart of the U.N. Heritage listed old city - $10 per night including all the electricity ( ! ) and Wi-fi we care to consume.

Pin's finding out, sometimes the hard way......
She returned from an Internet Cafe having handing over a $50 note instead of $1 in part payment.
In fairness to her, both notes are the same colour....... But the numbers !!!

We made contact with YWAM, Penang who run a feeding programme called Kawan ( Friends ) feeding about 100 people thrice weekly and conduct a street church including bible study and an outreach to streetworkers once a week.

They appear to have more than enough workers at present, with two teams visiting from the U.S.A in transit, on a version of 'The Amazing Race', serving one month in each of eleven countries as they travel around the world.

We are attending Penang Christian Centre which I attended 2000 to 2003.
I tried sliding in unnoticed to surprise a few folks, but to no avail !
We go to one of their two Saturday evening services.
They, of course, have a Sunday morning service but many prefer to attend in the cool of the evening rather than the heat of the day.
The congregation now numbers 1500. The church has great praise and worship and a strong focus on 'Missions'.
We have attended my old homefellowship which has grown and split several times since 2003.

Many things have changed in Penang: a new efficient bus service, refurbished buildings now housing boutique, expensive hotels, new shopping malls, etc.

Some things, however, do not change !

I'm surprised and humbled by the number of people who remember me from what must be at least eight years ago.
I have walked into several places and met people on the streets and been greeted as if I was there just the day before.
I suppose it's one of the inherent characteristics of Penang and Malaysia(ns) in general – very welcoming and hospitable.

Met up with Rahim, a young moneychanger whom I met way back in 1991 when I started backpacking.
He very graciously took us out one night for a satay dinner –
Final score : Pin 17, Les 11, Rahim 8.

The food is as good and as reasonably priced as ever....compromising all that sweating to lose weight in Oz.
You can't beat the options of Indian, Chinese, Malay and increasingly Thai food in my opinion.
Fruit fabulous except durian ( TA please note )
If we worked through every menu at every cafe, restaurant or roadside stall, as Pin's trying to do so, we'd never leave Penang !

We've been out and about a little.......yesterday catching the ferry to Butterworth on the mainland and then the bus to Bukit Mertajam ( because it's there ) where we had something to eat, of course !

Butterfly Farm is on the agenda for tomorrow.

Hope that everyone is safe and well.

Best Wishes,

Pin and Less xxxx