Blogs from Penang, Malaysia, Asia - page 75

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Asia » Malaysia » Penang » George Town November 2nd 2006

Georgetown, Penang—the Malaysian island—that is. No, my DC friends, I have not returned home to my beloved city yet, as much as my lungs and mind are screaming for some fresh air and relative quiet. Georgetown in Malaysia, however, does have some characters that just might rival the characters of DC, and gay divas that are even more “fabulous”, or at least work hard at it. Case in point was the Guest Relations Manager at our homestay, a fabulous renovated 19th century electric blue mansion formerly the home of the “Rockefeller of the East”, Mr. Cheong Fatze. Mrs. Lo (We were never clear what his name was, but we affectionately and laughingly called our pseudo-host this after he directed us to a local restaurant and advised us to tell them, “Mrs. Lo sent you”.) thankfully took ... read more
Our almost room in the mansion
Sightseeing at Penang Hill
View from Penang Hill at Dusk

Asia » Malaysia » Penang October 13th 2006

Well, just thinking about leaving Malaysia to head to Thailand! Spent the last few nights in Penang...which has been interesting to say the least.....we arrived to be dropped off half way down the island in the middle of nowhere, to be informed that they had built a new bus station and to catch the bus over there.........which we managed fairly successfully! Got off at (yep you guessed it) a shopping centre - although not quite so well AC'd as we would have liked.....then hotfooted it through town to China town to find oursleves a hostel and got ourselves a base! Next challenge was naturally dinner..........meandering around the streets looking pretty lost, an Australian couple took pity on us and asked if we needed help.....and recommended a Chinese place just up the road (failing to mention that ... read more
View from Penang Hill
Me and a weird fruit!
The weird and wonderful fruit itself

Asia » Malaysia » Penang » George Town October 1st 2006

The boat trip from Langkawi was about 2 and a half hours long. We'd been on the boat for less than 10 minutes when the wee man that organised all our bags and stuff told us that we could move outside now that the rain had stopped. What he actually meant was that it was blazing sunshine outside. So out we went. Perhaps naively, we had assumed that we would be indoors for the duration of the journey, and that it would be raining, so the old factor 25 had been safely stashed away in the big rucksacks, which were in turn stashed under about another 40 rucksacks below us. We managed to find ourselves a nice wee spot at the back of the boat and soaked up the rays for the remainder of the journey. ... read more
On the way to Penang
Wonder Woman
The new Steve Irwin

Asia » Malaysia » Penang » George Town September 18th 2006

The Blue Diamond is a pretty fun place. They have an outdoor cafe and a jamming stage, though the in-house band is too good, and probably a bit intimidating to any would-be performers. Loads of geckos too, which is cool. The room's not bad at all for the price. Joss: no sign of Gill. I haven't asked after him, but the most outgoing staff member here seems to be Lake, if you know him. funny guy, sings every night with this fantastic gravelly blues voice. Can't place his ethnicity... maybe Thai or dark-skinned Malay? First full day was spent checking out more temples. Seen loads now, but they are still quite interesting. There was a chinese one that was very busy and I spent about 15 minutes just watching people worship. you get a good feel ... read more
The Turtle Pond
Me, and some guys we met in the Temple.
The Statue (In Sillhouette)

Asia » Malaysia » Penang » George Town September 18th 2006

Salamat Datang! (good day). I'm in Penang at the monent which is nice but very touristy. We're staying in The Blue Dimond hotel which i stayed in four years ago. It's a cool place with a mexican food place and live music in the evenings. I'd recomend it but only if you can put up with grubby bathrooms. We've done all the touristy sights. (photos will follow, no usb on the comp). Yesterday we went to the biggest Budhist temple in Malaysia, Kek Lok Si. It is an amazing place and pretty big. they are in the process of finnishing a Buddha staue that is huge and on top of a hill. Although no where near as big it's position gives on the hill is remenicent of the Jesus in Rio. We also went all the ... read more
Smokin'!
Big Buddha

Asia » Malaysia » Penang » George Town September 10th 2006

Greetings from Malaysia :) We have now left the beaches in Thailand and made our way to Penang in Malaysia. After 10 hours cooped up in a tiny minivan we finally made it across the border. Today, we took the chance to wander around Georgetown admiring the "neo-classical architectural buildings." We also visited the Penang art gallery/museum and Little India. We only have one more night here so the next stop is the Cameron Highlands. Amy xxx... read more
Penang

Asia » Malaysia » Penang September 10th 2006

Jess here.... Well, after a day spent relaxing on the beaches, we decided to get a bit more physical and spend an afternoon sea-kayaking among the mangrove forests and canyons around Krabi. We saw loads of monkeys and fed them pineapples- which had to be the highlight of our journey. The scenery was also very beautiful, but the tide was so low (due to the full moon) and we kept getting stuck in the mud. This accounted for a very squishy experience as our toes sunk into the silt! After a grueling 10 hour journey in a mini-van seemingly custom-built for dwarves (even I had no leg room!!) and broken air conditioning, we've finally made it to Malaysia- Penang to be exact. ... read more
Cheeky Monkey!!
More monkey attacks
The Canyon

Asia » Malaysia » Penang » George Town August 30th 2006

Getting to Penang was a bit of a mission. It was only one boat and yet between the delays, the overcrowding (including bags against emergency exits) and the total failure of the air conditioning it was grim. Nevertheless onwards to the old colonial madness of Penang. Its a strange but interesting place, with Little India, Chinatown and the colonial areas. The place seems frozen in time around fifty years ago, filled with little garages sporting tin 'Shell' signs from yesteryear and dilapidated Bitish buildings everywhere. There are some backpackers and also a few older expat dropouts playing draughts with the locals in the stifling heat. We had lovely food at a Chinese restaurant called Opera on the first night on one of the renovated streets in the centre. You start to get a feel for just ... read more
Tiffin lunch
Laden with 24kg and looking for a hotel!
Kek Lok Si temple

Asia » Malaysia » Penang » George Town August 26th 2006

Wednesday 23rd August Paul - Leaving the Highlands this morning was sad as we were all getting used to the lovely weather. Not that I'm complaining that it's hot all the time here (honestly) it was nice to have a little bit of cool weather for a change. After a couple of Roti's for breakfast we got on the bus that didn't start for an hour... no surprises there. Read for a bit before going to the toilet as the bus still hadn't moved yet and as soon as I got back we were off. The road down the mountains was ridiculously windy so trying to read "Great Expectations" wasn't going to well so I nestled my head on Laura for a couple of hours. We pulled into a place called Ipoh for a brief stop ... read more
Moustachio!
Town Hall obviously
Crazy Temple

Asia » Malaysia » Penang August 9th 2006

3rd August The bus turned out to be OK. No water and sauage in a roll as in Thailand, but the bus was reasonable, comfy, and it made a couple of stops en route. It was a bit of guess work to realise that it was a comfort stop, driver just got out and left the engine running for air con. You had to assume cos you were at a cafe that this must be a comfort stop. The first time was lunch and it made me realise how easily kids learn from their parents/siblings, first of all I went in the 'Mens' by mistake, ah well, past having any dignity. Then I watched what everyone else did for their lunch and drink and where they pay etc and followed suit. Second time was just a ... read more
Bus from Kota Bharu
Penang Bridge
Famous Komtar




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