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Published: January 7th 2011
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Road 2 Vale of Tempe
An amazing feeling seeing something after so long, especially when I was so young. It had always been my intention to return to Penang from the moment I decided to travel through South east Asia. I was just a toddler when in 1972 to 1974 my parents relocated our family to Penang Island. My father was in the Royal Austalian Airforce and in total we lived at Hill Side Vale of Tempe for 3 1/2 years. My first attempt to find our old address was a failure when I couldn't get any confirmation from Tourism or cab drivers that vale of tempe still existed, let alone the exact house or street. After a lot of asking I decided that maybe it was a pipedream to find it and just be greatful to return to the island at all.
Day 3 on the island I woke with determination to locate our old house neighbourhood. If my parents or siblings were with me they would have found it a lot quicker but given I was four when we returned to Australia I had to rely 100% on instinct & gut feelings alone.
I spoke to a few taxi drivers that had some age about them and together they agreed they knew the area. For $25 RNG I
Number 9
Our old house. Looking rather modern now. was on my way to Vale Of Tempe.
I was looking for Road 2 House number 9. I need to mention now that the streets have now been named a malaysian name and locals & cabbies only know them by the latter.
I had the cab driver drop me off at the local School, I felt this was a good starting point and I would have to follow my nose from there. After a half an hour and a snack from a street stall later I came about a road with a number 3 on the end of it. Given that the road I used to live in was number 2 I figured I was at least in proximity. I kept on walking till I eventually hit Road number six and relised that I had gone to far. Time to back track, its hot and the roads are hilly, I am relieved I have plenty of water. By chance I turned down road 5 and there right in front of me was Road 2. I found the road we lived on, and a few moments later I was staring at number 9. I stood for a moment and looked around
Directly across the road
here is one of the many RAAF houses still standing and looking pretty much the same. and it was strange & emotional feeling. Not like a memory but more a De ja Vue for me. I had definately retained this street in my mind. Our old house is completely different however straight across the road are housing which appeared not to have changed. The sight of them caught me a little unawares and I felt a lump of emotion in my throat.
My family lived in Bowen North Queensland Australia after Penang and before I came here I too went to Bowen for 18 months. Now I have gone even further back. It puts so much in perspective for me and gives me a whole new view on what life was like for my parents here in Penang with 4 small children.
I have achieved a 360 circle in my life and today as I marched over the Hill in Vale Of Tempe, I smiled and said,
"I did it"
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Ky
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Stoked
So stoked for you Mish!! What an extraordinary journey you have embarked on so far. You cannot believe how stoked I am for you right now. Your stories and photos are brilliant! Keep them coming!