Day 23 - Penang to Kuala Lumpur

We spent the better part of the day heading south. The promise of a 4.5 hour trip between Penang and KL is a bit of a myth, I think. Today, it was closer to 1.5 hours longer than that. It seemed we had to drop passengers off at two other bus terminals in the far-flung suburbs of Kuala Lumpur.

It was uneventful but I guess that, in a way, is a blessing. I surely looked out on massive acreage of planted palm trees. We climbed impressive mountains on the road that runs the length of this part of the country. KL now seems like a comfortable old shoe as we stayed here four nights at the beginning of the time in Malaysia. It's nice returning to a place where one has already come, seen, and conquered. The sad part is the realization that tomorrow is our last day here. In fact, we'll be heading to the airport at around 9:30 pm for our flight back to YVR through Shanghai. I would really like to stay longer on this vacation.

We just returned from having dinner in the KL Sentral area near the YMCA here. Under normal situations food, for me, seems more of a practicality than my recent extravagances. I didn't read the book but found the movie Eat, Pray, Love astonishingly annoying. To me, the main protagonist came across as impressively whiny, spoilt, and immature. I have got to say though there are have been moments when I can sort of relate to the Eat part in the last few days. I was in hot chipathi up to my elbows devouring each peice wrapped around a succulent chicken or vegetable morsel wondering how things could possible be better. Malaysia really seems like a place where can let one's taste buds take their own adventure. In Malaysia I see how food really is an art form!

Day 22 - Taman Negara Pulau Pinang

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.

Day 21 - Batu Feringgi

The YMCA breakfasts here are a bit skimpy. I've probably consumed more calories in the past three weeks than in an ordinary month though. On the other hand, I've probably walked more in the past three weeks than during an ordinary half year.

After breakfast we asked about a Thai and another Burmese Buddhist Temple that looked close on the map. The front desk lady said that, indeed, they were within walking distance. So we started the morning by walking the tree lined streets towards Wat Chayamanklakaram and the Dharmikarama Temples. First, we accidentally came across an additional one with a "lifting Buddha" at the Buppharam Thai Buddhist Temple. It's not in the tourist information. We following along oral directions to find the ones for which we were originally searching.



After, we noticed that we weren't far from the sea. In fact we saw Bus Route #101. We knew that these were destined for the northern beach area. We'd been used to paying for local bus trips and were unready for the 2.00 (66 cent) charge each to go to Batu Feringgi.

Now I have another beach for retirement consideration. Closer to town there were enormous towers which I'm sure from a ship make the coastline look like Waikiki. Yet, even a mere 13 kilometers along, the more typical, poor beach scene still exists. I liked how the mountains are fairly close to the water. It reminded me of Unawatuna, Sri Lanka, or maybe south of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Both areas have been the subject of a lot of post-work daydreaming over the last few years. Now add Batu Feringgi ...

Day 20 - George Town

Representing the British era at the end of the 1800's, George Town, Penang is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. I must say that I feel as though we thoroughly explored it. We explored partly using a free bus service that runs loops around a lot of the heritage sites. We must have looped at least a half dozen times today. We are not far from Komtar Tower and all transit seems to loop through there too. We visited downtown in the morning and walked through Little India, and the famous Campbell Street. Many of the buildings, were built in the late 1800's or early 1900's and look similar to the old buildings found in Chinatowns of west coast American cities. After a break in the afternoon, we went back during the evening. The picture below was taken from the Esplanade.

Day 19 - Express Through Jungle

We spent a good portion of the day in this bus heading north from Kuala Lumpur. Our 9:30 departure really didn't get rolling until 10:30. Then it was a straight shot up the motorway. It was all four or six lane highway which would be recognizable as a piece of Interstate to US readers, except it was all left-hand drive. We got into Butterworth at about 3:30 but didn't cross the Penang Bridge and to the bus terminal in Georgetown until about 4:00.

We took a taxi to the YMCA as they had reservations for us. In most of the world, that organization still offers accommodation to anyone at comparably-cheap hotel prices but with the assurance of a good clean room.



We only went out to find a restaurant so far. Yet, we've got three complete days to explore the area. It reminds me of Hawaii but with a lot more colonial and world history. I think I am really going to like our short stay in Penang.