Blogs from George Town, Penang, Malaysia, Asia - page 48

Got good deal at my previous hotel in Georgetown so went back there for 3 days. Made full use of the gym there.... read more

After the hotel breakfast, I decided to get a taxi to the Botanic gardens which are on the edge of Georgetown. This was originally setup by the British in the 19th century when they occupied Penang. The gardens are very picturesque and there are numerous different species of plants. The best thing there though is the rhesus monkeys that roam around like they own the place (which I suppose they do). There were a few mothers with babies that would get a bit arregive if you got too close but on the whole they didn't seem bothered by humans, even when some Chinese kids were trying to irritate them (They had the last laugh by scaring them away). I also saw a big lizard, possible a metre long in a tree. I wouldn't have spotted it ... read more

Woke up at 10am and didn't feel too bad. My first task was to try and find somewhere more comforable for a couple of days and I got a 3 day booking in the Bayview hotel. I then went to grab some breakfast from the 7-Eleven but when a local tried to push in front of me at the till I probably should have just ignored it but was just tired and he got really aggresive with me. Funny that he was half my size but seeing as there were about 30 other Malaysians about I tried to calm down the idiot and walked away having paid of course! Explored some of the sites and saw some of the British history that has been left here. Wanted to visit the Islamic museum but it was close ... read more

After the cool of the Cameron Highlands, the lure of the Malaysian FA Cup was enough to entice one of the party to return to Penang. The first round tie between FA Pulau Pinang ....(yes, the locals spell it, Pinang) and Shahzan Muda was played in front of a packed house at the City Stadium....well maybe not, but the fixture captured the imagination of two passing English. There have been many past reports of match fixing in this part of the world and the collapse of "Pinang's" unassailable 2-0 lead with the aid of two rather dodgy looking penalties near the end had John thinking that perhaps such things are still rife. The mighty Shahzan Muda went on to take the game to extra time and win 4-2 on penalties. The standard was difficult to guage...clearly ... read more

Our first stop in malaysia was the pleasant Georgetown. It is a large mixing pot of numerous people and religions. They all live and work side by side in what appears harmnious conditions. We walked around town all day through the old colonial district with its european architecture (some buildings in a sorry state), little india with bollywood music blaring out pungeant street vendors (not the people) and colourful hindu temples. Chinatown alive with small shops selling antiques, chinese medicines and every kind of curiosity. Also the main budget accomadation area (so we were there too). Then superimposed upon the whole town is islamic culture and mosques. Geoergetown is proud of its history and promotes it throughout the town. It was the first european outpost in mainland malaysia and quickly became a wealthy commercial dock. Sprinkled ... read more