Penang 1

Our second full day in Penang was driving around the island. However before this eventuated visits to the local tailor had to happen. The first tailor under the name of Ted Tay who is located across the road from our hotel wanted 1200 ringgit (400 AUD) to have one dress for Heather made. After giving him some good old fashion Australian words we found the old famous Air Force recommended tailor nearby still operating who only charged about 100 ringgit. Lucky Tailor has been around this part of Penang for over 50 years and still happy to see Australians. Ted Tay is now known to Shirley Ong and Bee Bee our friends in Penang after telling them our experience. Some people try to rip off tourists whenever possible. Give some credit to Ted he did offer to manufacture the dress for 300 ringgit if kept simple – this was real big of him!! Shirley and Bee Bee will spread the word throughout Hillside (our hotel location) that to beware of his outrageous and audacious costs.

The journey around the island found the Batik Factory and Penang Butterfly Farm at Telok Bahang. It was at the farm where Heather’s excitement increased when she saw live Malaysian lizards as exhibits. “If only I could bring them back into Australia was the plea!” Notwithstanding this, the exhibits were quite good and interesting. Continuing on to the other side of Penang found Balik Pulau famous around the world for its Assam Laksa and the layback atmosphere of Malaysian life. Some of us did not try to eat this seafood based dish but instead ate fresh bananas and other exotic fruits. For people who did try Assam Laksa had found that this dish was delicious. By mid afternoon we stopped at the Snake Temple where live and poisonous Pit vipers are inside lazing away over the temple ornaments and special stands made for these serpents. The snakes are free to come and go however are actually doped by the strong incense burning in the temple. Therefore are not bothered by passing tourists. Before returning to the hotel a quick stop at the Monkey Gardens saw these pesky animals on the jungle edge to the amazement of us who have never seen these animals in the wild.

We had dinner at the famous E&O Hotel (Eastern & Oriental) famous for its visit and stay by people such as the Agar Khan, Rita Hayworth, William Holden, Charlie Chaplin and other dignities. The E&O served a buffet dinner which comprised of every conceivable dish. Its deserts are great. For all who had dinner there found that they needed to walk off the additional weight they put on after leaving the building.

Friday morning (today) is a rest day. Kay and Heather went to Georgetown by public transport, Neil, Anne, Carol, Tom and Dawn visited the Youth Park to experience the botanical gardens, waterfalls and outside gym machinery. There is a reflexology pathway that goes for about 50 metres. The path is laden with round pebbles where walkers remove their shoes and in bare feet and try to walk the entire distance. This is difficult and hard to do Dawn only made it for 10 metres however our fitness freak Tom found it easy – show off. This afternoon some have gone with Shirley and Bee Bee for more shopping!!! Crikey some of us are born to shop – no names will be mentioned here to protect them from others who are adverse to this pastime.  

Tonight will be a ballroom dancing experience at the Eurasian Community Hall; unknown by Anne & Neil, and our Penang friends, however it will be an experience in just discovering this venue. Selamat to our Ozzie readers.

THESE ARE MY IGUANAS - AT THE PENANG BUTTERFLY FARM

THE GROUP AT THE PENANG BUTTERFLY FARM

PIT VIPER AT THE SNAKE TEMPLE PENANG

WORKING OUT AT YOUTH PARK PENANG

OUCH OUCH - DAWN & CAROL AT THE REFLEXOLOGY PATH PENANG

MONITOR LIZARD OUTSIDE OUR HOTEL PENANG

NEIL & KAY ENJOYING FRESH PRAWNS - BATU FERRINGHI PENANG

I LIKE SATAYS - MYRTLE AT BATU FERRINGHI