Cameron Highlands 2

Message from Heather - I heard that Michael & Narelle are coping well and hope that the crowd at Rooty Hill are treating you both like they treat me - did the panadol tablets come in handy....and Michael hve you finished the jelly beans yet?

Message from Myrtle - I'm missing the dancing and I have been a good girl. Heather will explain more on her return to Oz.

Message from Dawn - I have made a new friend - her name is Olivia (from Neil - this is Dawn's new handbag purchased in Penang).

Message from Anne - I have found shoes in Penang that fits me - yahoo!!

Photos of Cameron Highland - focusing on the Boh Tea Factory. Cameron Highlands is famous for it tea, veggies, strawberries and is one of Malaysia's cream tourist districts.

The ladies and our trusty steed taken from of the Century Pines Resort, Cameron Highlands.

Heather in deep thought with our tour guide at the Boh Tea Factory, Tanah Rata, Cameron Highlands.

Kay in full flight - the hills are alive!!!!!

Neil after being tossed over the hill by the group.

A lovely pose of Dawn - ahhhhhhh!

Myrtle enjoying the scenery at the Boh Tea Factoy, Cameron Highlands.

A view of a typical tea plantation Cameron Highlands

The Smokehouse - an expensive dig and restuarant in the Cameron Highlads.

Anne in the garden surrounding near the Century Pines Resort, Cameron Highlands.

The well-manicured garden near the Century Pines Resort, Cameron Highlands.

Penang 2

We have left Penang on Monday and now in Cameron Highlands. The following photographs are some of the sights and moments we experienced on the island during our stay. All is fine with us however Kay started the flu bug and has passed it on the Heather, Myrtle, Carol and Shirley. Talk about sharing!! The flu is at its worse for 24 hours than tapers of slowly. So far Anne, Neil and Dawn have been spared. The next post will be focused on our visit to the Cameron Highlands. Neil  

Our beach taken from the Copthorne Orchid Hotel, Penang. This beach is visited by a  colony of Monitor Lizards who live in the nearby jungle. 

The Goddess of Mercy on top of the Kek Lok See Temple, Penang. The statue and surrounding structure is paid for by visitors donating money and purchasing tiles.

The Kek Lok See Temple near Penang Hill.

The Khoo Konsi. This two hundred year old building was built for the Khoo family whose ancestors lived, fought (during the 19th century Chinese Wars) and built a society of "clan people" for their family. Interestingly Shirley's son-in-law is a Khoo and is directly connected to this family.

Cooking roti's for us at the Sri Ananda Bawang restuarant, Tanjong Bungah, Penang. This restuarant is only a couple of metres from our Copthorne Hotel.

Making batik at the Batik Factory, Telok Bahang, Penang

The group at the Chinese Swimming Club ready for ballroom dancing. This exclusive club requires a membership of $10,000 to join. We were extremely lucky to be invited by our Chinese friends.

My thoughts on Malaysia so far

Hi Everyone,

Heather here. Again!!!! I wanted to share a few thoughts with you about what I have seen so far. My over riding impression is one of balanced survival. For the poor, it is hand to mouth, for the others it seems to be get one up on the next bloke so tomorrow is not so pressured. I notice a big difference between Kuala Lumpar and the other towns. In KL there is a huge pressure due to the volume of people and the competition between all of them, In Penang, it seems like there is a less pressured survival due to the rural feel.

One other thing that hits me is that NO ONE is asking for nothing for nothing. It is very dirty in many areas and this surprised me, as there is lots of people here but they seem to be busy doing the essentials and do not notice the filth. The country is very pretty in areas other than in the town, no infrastructure apparent, O H and S issues everywhere, few hospitals, no building codes, no town planning, and little thought for the future.

I have had very mixed experiences with the food. being a good Queensland girl, I am not used to curry so Ihave tried some mild ones and enjoyed them but curry for breakfast, lunch and dinner is not my idea of a good time. speaking of curry, you should see the toilets here. It is a hole in the floor, hose attached to the wall, and you have to pay for the privilege, and the paper. Now that we are up in the highlands, the fruit is delightful.

got to go, dinner has arrived.

love to everyone,
Heather

Cameron Highlands 1

Hi Everyone,

heather here, We have arrived at a higher altitude, and the humidity is much less oppressive. It has been a long twisty drive up throughout various habitat. it is now obvious that this is the bread basket for the local area. the hills are covered on every square inch with farming of tea, vegetables, fruit and other sorts of food. I have seen beasts for the first time in numbers, and the stalls all have a much better variety of fruit available plus vegs instead of junk and clothes.
The sleep last night was difficult as the school holidays are on and the Malaysians have a no discipline policy according to Neil. By goodness, I would go crazy here with that policy or suddenly there would be a few sore bums! Screaming at anytime of night is OK apparently!

We are off to a tea plantation today and that will be good for me so I will soak up lots of tea to last the rest of the trip as Neil and Anne don't drink tea of coffee so we don't get many top ups for us vaccine addicts.

The locals seem very poor as well but are not as insistent for you to buy. They seem to be better fed, working hard in the fields and living hand to mouth as seems to be the norm for this country unless you are wealthy.

Well we are off to the bus now so will see you later,

Love to everyone,
heather

Langkawi 2

This post will focus on our Langkawi sector. Langkawi Island is a few hundred kilometers or so north of Penang. The way to travel to Langkawi is by direct ferry from Penang or by driving along the mainland of Malaysia to Kuala Kedah and taking the shorter ferry ride. There is a direct air flight from Penang to Langkawi which takes about one hour. We took the Kuala Kedah route so we could cross over the long Penang Bridge and see a bit of the northern Malaysian coastline. We didn’t know that there was the Malaysian school holiday season which made the hour journey from Kuala Kedah to Kuah (Langkawi’s ferry port) a crowded and uncomfortable sea ride. Once we made our Berjaya Resort on the far side of Langkawi all was good and we settled in to our five star establishment and enjoyed the beauty of a tropical paradise.

During the entire three days some had just relaxed by the poolside and observed geckos, squirrels, hornbills, lemurs and other fascinating fauna around the hotel. Most however toured the world famous sky bridge on top of Langkawi’s highest mountain – wow what a view!! Other places visited were the “black beach” on the north side of the island and the bird park.

For those who would like to know of any interesting moments of our trip – well nothing unusual has occurred. Neil drives the 10 seater Toyota van – mostly taking the ladies to dressmaking shops and just shepherding everyone to dinner etc. We seem to be late at every arranged time however! Tom and Carol left Langkawi on day 1 for the journey back to KL and hence back to Oz. They only stayed in Sydney for one day to take a connecting flight to LA and Las Vegas. We had our friend Shirley and Emmerline with us in Langkawi. Shirley has been our dedicated GPS2 and interpreter whilst Dawn is our GPS1 usually sitting in the front seat of the van to guide the driver through thick and thin – with lots of successes we might add.

To finish off this post the group would like to thank David and Bev back in Oz for their wonderful thought by giving us some money to enjoy our holiday. There is a picture with this post of us with cocktails at the Golden Sands Hotel along Penang’s famous beach area of Batu Ferringhi. The drinks were great and witnessing the sunset along this stretch of tourist attractions during this great moment the salute went to Dave and Bev. Until next time – selamat.    



Breakfast at the Sri Ananda, Tanjoing Bungah Penang. The meals are typically Malaysian - rotis, banana rotis, apple& carrot juices and all sorts of curry dishes.




Walking across the Sky Bridge Langkawi - at 705 metres the view of the Straits of Malacca, Thailand and all of Langkawi can be seen. The journey up is not for the feint-hearted.




Saying goodbye to Tom and Carol. With Shirley looking at the camera person. This was taken descending the cable car on Langkawi.




Guess who on the Sky Bridge, Langkawi.




A beautiful scene at the Black Beach, Langkawi. There is a maket here selling very very very cheap clothes. It was a magnet for those who visited this site.




See no evil, hear no evil and speak no evil - not in those order. Three lovelies at the Black Beach Langkawi




At the Langkawi Bird Park.




Drinking cocktails at the Golden Sands Hotel beach garden. Drinks were on the house courtesy to Dave & Bev. Oh! they were delicious and fine discussions were heard thinking about the Rooty Hill dance events.




Emmerline (our friend from Penang) and Myrtle joining in to a pre-wedding photo shoot. The couple are dressed in traditional costume and welcomed us to participate with them. Emmerline is a line-dancing instructor who at our age is the envy of many people with her energy and zest.



  

Today at Langkawi

We arrived yesterday by ferry and it was a very crowded with lots of kids and families.  It was a very cold trip over with a very strong air conditioner blowing directly on us.  As a result some have a nasty lurgy.  The resort is beautiful and idilic.  Wildlife abounds.  Seen a squirrel, several types of birds, a sea eagle, geckos and a few other odds & ends.  The trip is an eye opener for me, so much poverty, so much waste, and filth everywhere.  I can not believe how some of the people survive.  It is a whole new world for me. 

I am a bit homesick, it seems that lots of things remind me of Alysha and home plus the time seems to go very slowly at times and very fast other times.  I would like to be able to make some changes to the way they live but it is not realistic.  Love to everyone at home, Miss you heaps,  Love, Heather

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

Kuala Lumpur 1

At last we have access to an internet café in Malaysia and can place our first post. Firstly, our flight to Kuala Lumpur was without ado and after the eight hour flight we arrived in nighttime KL rather tired. We arranged an eight-seater taxi to the Royal Bintang Hotel with no room to spare after loading our bags. This had cost us a whole $8 Aust each for the 70klm journey. Not without thinking otherwise the transportation system in Malaysia is so……cheap.

The next day was shopping for the ladies – no rest for Tom and Neil who had to endure the three hours at Sam Lee’s shoe store in the suburb of Cheras. I heard that 16 shoes are being made across five women. We had booked a taxi to take us to Cheras and hence the driver waited patiently and took advantage of having a siesta when all had their feet measured and squared away. After Sam Lee the driver took us to the Mid-Valley Mega Mall; believe this or not MORE shoes were purchased! We had amongst us another Imelda Marcos – max points go to Myrtle who now has to carry these shoes back to Oz! After the Mega Mall more shopping was had near our hotel where electronic equipment was explored and pirate DVDs were seen. It was another late night and most was exhausted. Tomorrow was going to be another day without shopping – we hoped. Before we returned to the hotel Kendo fish spa was tried by everybody. One had to dip our tootsies into a fish pond and Kendo fish would nibble and digest the dead skin – sounds disgusting – not really. It was an adventure except for one person who screamed and fought her way from the tank. However Heather was there to the rescue who physically forced her feet back into the tank. More loud screams were heard. Without mentioning any names we hope that Vernon’s house has solid and thick walls in Sydney after hearing the larynx at full flight!!!!! 

Monday 7^th came quickly with a ride to the top of the high Menara Tower in KL. We are very proud of Heather who was brave enough to reach the top. Heather does suffer from heights. Nevertheless the view from the top is magnificent. After the tower experience we walked to Chinatown, a famous tourist site in KL and guess what – more shopping. This time Tom and Neil found a drinking hole and devoured some Anchor local beer while waiting for the ladies with their booty. It was here that KL experienced a severe tropical thunderstorm and the street quickly was consumed by floodwaters.

We travelled back to our hotel and after visiting a men’s tailor shop for Neil and Heather we had makan (dinner) at a hawker store and guess who turned up to visit us? Tenny and Jenny from the Rooty Hill dance. They had travelled to their KL home that particular morning and made arrangements for a late dinner with us – thus this made another late night.

Tuesday morning was a tour of the Royal Palace, National Monument, Medeka Square and past the famous Petronis Towers. We returned to our hotel to check-out at noon and travelled to Subang Airport for our Firefly flight to Penang. All was on time and after landing on Penang we collected our ten-seater Toyota van. Neil drove the “bus” through thick and thin of Penang’s heavy traffic and reached our Copthorne Hotel at 6pm. Shirley Ong (Neil and Anne’s friend) meet us at the hotel and arranged dinner nearby. The dinner was a Chinese cuisine and discussions were had arranging the next days’ venture in purchasing dress materials and having local tailors making clothes for the ladies. And that is where this narrative ends. It is now Wednesday with the day taken by visiting material shops in Georgetown and hence having Penang’s tailors boosting their workload for the next week or so. Now what about Neil and Tom you may think? They took a trishaw ride along Penang Road and watched the lady folk complete their primary mission in having dresses made.

THE GROUP AT BUKIT BINTANG KL HAWKER STALL

 

MYRTLE & ANNE AT MEDEKA SQUARE KL

LOTS OF MATERIAL SAYS MYRTLE IN PENANG

OUR LOCAL GUIDE "SHIRLEY" IN A MATERIAL DRESS SHOP PENANG

DAWN & NEIL IN CHINATOWN KL

DAWN & ANNE HAVING A SHOPPING SPREE KL

KENDO FISH ENJOYING OUR SWEET FEET - BUKIT BINTANG KL

AT THE NATIONAL MONUMENT KL

AT THE KING'S PALACE KL

I LIKE SHOES SAYS HEATHER AT SAM LEE"S SHOE SHOP KL

\

Almost Time

Well this is the first time for me to post.  I have done no packing but I have had my injections tonight.  I just don't have enough time to get back to the doctor so I got a friend to give them to me.  She isn't a nurse but she did do a good job.  It was really funny trying to explain how to do it plus she had to change the plunger as I needed two different solutions.  It did sting but she did a really good job.  Now I won't get Hep A or Typhoid!!!!

  I am a little worried about the time I will have to spend on the plane.  What if I get some screaming kid next to me, behind me or in front.  Am I allowed to kick the seat or be rude to the mother??? My friend suggested earplugs so that is on the list now! Alysha has also downlaoded heaps of apps for my ipad so I will have lots to do.  Well I hope to get my bag packed this week.  See you at the airport, Love Heather

One Week To Go

A MALAYSIAN AIRLINE AIRCRAFT AT SYDNEY KINGSFORD SMITH AIRPORT

This will be my last post from Australia before our eight hour journey to Kuala Lumpur. For those who will be attending the Wednesday and Saturday nights dances at Rooty Hill RSL we hope that Michael & Narelle's MC work is just as good as Heather's. I'm certain that many will miss Heather's cheerful banter for the three or so weeks we are away. We will remember to ponder over a few drinks in a tropical hotel bar thinking of those who are in the Wally Chubb Room during the time when the dances are on.

Once in Malaysia next week we will endeavour to insert photographs of our experiences on a weekly basis hopefully illustrating a few humorous "kodak" moments. So any readers who are eager to insert a comment or so please do - all of us would be glad to hear from Oz while we away.

Neil

Two Weeks To Go

Who was this Englishman and what connection did Hollywood eventually had with this person?
A hint - he was buried in Penang's Old Cemetery. However his wife was more famous than he was.

On another note, if you haven't guessed - only two weeks to go!

Three Weeks To Go

How time flies - it's only 20 days to go! I believe most travellers have either purchased new bags or dragged them down from the cupboards ready to be packed - most are excited. For this weeks' contribution I'll post a series of photos of Air Base Butterworth, Malaysia during the seventies and eighties. These photographs depict life on the base as experienced by Neil. The RAAF aircraft at that time was the French made Mirage, a Mach 2 intercept fighter. Two squadrons were stationed at Butterworth which is directly across from the island of Penang. The first photo was taken from an Iroqouis helicopter that transported airmen from Butterworth to an island called Song Song. Song Song was thirty or so kilometres away from Penang and served as a air-to-ground target range. Two photos show how the aircraft was armed with 30mm ammunition and the others are shots of the base showing the "French Lady". Hope readers enjoy these captured pictures. Until next week

The Travel Director

Four Weeks To Go

There is really nothing to place into the blogspot at this stage. Nevertheless I will post a yarn or two on a weekly basis until we arrive in the land of batik, hawker food, and the inevitable wet season. After looking at the current weather pattern for Kuala Lumpur the temperature has been sitting around the 32 deg C max with occasional thunderstorms and showers. Penang is experiencing similar weather with their typical wet season - afternoon thunderstorms and cloudy throughout the day. "What can you set your watch by Harry" was Graeme Kennedy's frequent question asked to him in the film The Odd Angry Shot? Interestingly the temperature rarely goes above 33 deg C in Malaysia however the high humidity is the unconfortable aspect of Malaysian weather. 

To finish this blogspot I'll insert a film clip of the most famous of all dancers - Fred Astaire and Cyd Charisse (no not Ginger Rogers). The extract comes from The Bandwagon and to many it is the best dance routine Fred and Cyd performed for the silver screen. The music is Dancing in the Dark and accentuates the foxtrot style. Hope you enjoy this piece. Until next week.