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Back to Western Malaysia and Pulau Penang
We left one island on the east coast- Pulau Perhentian Kecil-and headed for one on the west coast - historic Penang.
The drive across Malaysia took us through beautiful lush country side, rolling hills, huge rice fields being harvested, logging trucks zooming by. We did have a lunch stop en route -we do not actually understand what the bus driver is saying about getting off and on but follow everyone else and watch for people reboarding! Had the chance to use the lovely squat toilet (I do not find these easy!) for 30 cents and also to sit outside and eat some lunch.
We arrived in Butterworth about 4 pm -and immediately walked to the ferry pier and boarded the ferry to Penang. In 20 minutes we landed in Georgetown, the place where three colonial empires started in SE Asia. We took a taxi to the Swiss Hotel -again recommended by The Lonely Planet. Got a nice simple room on the first floor with a window and our own bathroom -and posters of the Swiss Alps on the wall! A little incongruous as we sat in the heat and looked out
at the Chinatown area of Lebuh Chulia!
This a crazy city to walk in - sidewalks come and go if in fact you can find one at all and you must keep watching your footing so as not to step in a hole or even worse a deep sewer! Vehicles of all sizes plus trishaws and bikes and scooters zoom all over the streets so we kept looking in all directions -and very carefully dashed across the streets, usually holding hands! There are street vendors selling food and clothes and everything else you can think of wanting or needing (or not) - and life is busy here!
We did walk everywhere and explored a lot in our few days here. The Penang Museum was wonderful, depicting the history of life for the many people of varied cultures who have come to Penang. And the Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion was fascinating. We had an excellent tour -and then some of the group let us tour their rooms too. I would love to stay here -a cultural experience! Check it out at www.cheongfatttzemansion.com
We also had a tour of the whole island with several stops so got a sense
of this place. Nice laid back feeling -wonderful mix of cultures -friendly people.
On May 11th - Mother’s Day -we headed off by mini-bus to Thailand and the city of Krabi! More to come!
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David
non-member comment
Wonderful Photos
Hi Robin and Al, so many of your photos remind me of a much more orderly civilized version of India. Especially the one with the electical wires. Friends sent us a series of photos of the wiring - amazing that these are the centres calling out to the world. Your journey appears to be continuing beautifully. regards, David