I got a little sad when I saw the date today. Our vacation is due to end so soon! We spend the day of October 9th getting back to Vancouver. Then, we had to make it seem one step closer by buying bus tickets back to Kuala Lumpur. It takes nearly five hours with breaks as the distance is about 370 kilometers (230 miles). We have to get on a bus at 9:45 tomorrow. I could use a few more weeks here, I think.
This morning we decided to visit the Penang National Park or as it's called in Malaysian, Taman Negara Pulau Pinang. We had to find Bus #101 which is no easy task. If there's anything which needs improvement on the island, it's a more consistent transit system. The buses don't seem to follow much of a schedule, nor even a set route in fact. The price varies on distance which can cause trouble when boarding as well. As well, the whole city is not pedestrian-friendly.
Yet, there are many more things which we've found favorable. For one, we love the choice of restaurants. We have had some fantastic Indian meals for the equivalent of just a few dollars including the pop. Secondly, all the vegetation is lush and tropical. This means Jay is forever seeing something growing which he is familiar with. Unlike in forests at home, most plants here are used in the local cuisine. In addition, there's a broad mix of history and culture. Exposure to a variety of experiences makes life interesting. Lastly, people seem friendly and easygoing. All these factors really do invite one to return. I can really see us spending additional time in Penang someday.