The 'Ping' in Pinang

So we made it into Malaysia really quickly and rather easily!

Being two countries close together we thought that Malaysia would be similar to Thailand but how wrong can you be... so different as soon as you cross.

We arrived in Pinang (sometimes Penang) at bout midday. The place is buzzing and seeing the place used to be owned by us Brits i thought i might go and slam a flag onto the beach and claim it back.... not a good idea i realize but seriously the influence the Brits have over the island is still very evident. The island is about teh size of Phuket so quite big but slightly further away from the mainland. You cross over on SE Asias longest bridge to get there and arrive in the NE city of Georgetown!

Looked around for accommodation but guesthouses here are unfortunately the worst we have seen for quite a while. Prostitution is rife here and you can tell by the state of the rooms!! The one place we knew that was nice was the 75 Travellers Lodge but unfortunately full when we got there! And so we had to check into a place called Budget Hotel... now i know what your thinking why oh why did you do that.. your asking for trouble... the truth is i dont know but we found a grey old room with a dodgy bed and a sink.. seemed ok!

Explored today around the island a little and visited Komptar tower going upto the 59th floor the see the island below. The tower also has a huge shopping center.. 6 floors in fact that sell anything and everything and even cheaper than thailand. You can get hold of perfect DVD's of films that havent even come out yet for about a quid... great watches for the same.... get your orders in!!!!

Pinang has an amazingly diverse community full of Europeans, Indians, Malay, Jews, Chinese... its incredible and everyone gets on really really well. People seem to be so friendly and ive had more conversations with people than through our whole time in Thailand... were really liking it here!

Were staying in what is basically the red light district (where the backpackers go) in China Town but just a short walk away in Little India and it is great!! Weve eaten here almost every night and walking the streets is an event itself. Really loud Bangra and Bollywood music blasting from stereos, people trading and conversing, colour and beautiful women what more do you want.... but the food of the food is superb.. every curry you can think of and we're quickly getting through them all!

Headed back to the hotel and pass some Lady Boy prostitutes hanging round on a corner. One looks a bit like Michael Jackson with an incredibly deep voice!!! I say hello just to be polite but am told later on to stay well away as they are known to grab you, hoist you in the air and carry you off into the sunset!! You can imagine the screams of terror!!

Our first night in Budget was absolutely awful!! We had just got into bed when cockroaches decided to come and visit us out of the sink, and then a mice decided to come and run round the room. The owner couldnt understand the problem and sprayed some spray which seemed to bring tehm all out!! I spent the night trying to blaock every single hole with newspaper but it didnt seem to do any good. We got about an hours worth of sleep... really annoying and not very nice!!! Checked into 75 Travellers Lodge early the next morn and the place is really nice, great atmosphere, clean and an owner that will bend over backwards to help you!!

Just down the road we go and have breakfast at an Ozzie owned restaurant and they look after us with some really nice English Tea and Bacon sandwiches... yummm proper bacon at last!!! Chat to a girl where we are staying who has told us to be careful as she has had her bag stolen by a passing motorbike and lost everything including passport to get home!

Next day we head out on the local bus to Penang hill and get the hill train upto the top for views, temples and lunch! Very steep incline and takes a while to get to the top but once you do the viees accross the island are stunning. Made our way down in the afternoon and walked to a local temple and one of the biggest in SE Asia... believe me the place is huge and more of a theme park than a temple!!! Its capped off with an enormous Buddhist statue standing on the hill which can be seen for miles... and a tall pagoda! We made it back to the hostel absolutely shattered and had a nap before going out at night.

Spent tonight back in Little india for food and then headed to the cinema (its cheap) to catch Walace and Grommit (cheeeessseee)!

Heading to the Cameron Highlands tomorrow for some hiking and loads of tea as loads of plantations are based up there... should be fun!!!

Have confermation today that our friends on Bali are going to be expecting us in a few weeks time so cant wait!!

Malaysia seems fantastic already and cant wait to explore some more. More english speaking than anywhere else we have been you can buy loads of papers, magazines and stuff you can get back home.....

Really enjoying it all.... the journey continues.........

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