We
pull into Penang bus station at 2.23pm, just over two hours since leaving Ipoh,
on Monday 25 July. The journey passed by quickly.
Nikki had planned on
meeting me at the bus station but when I got off the bus she wasn’t anywhere. I
tried to find a Wi-Fi connection, nothing. Dragged my suitcase upstairs to try,
nothing. One of the shops told me I needed to purchase a ticket to be able to
use Wi-Fi. Ooh my.
In the end I use my HK
data….let’s hope the bill isn’t too high! Grab ordered and message sent to
Nikki.
Check in at the hotel
is easy, although the receptionist takes three calls while checking me in.
Nikki arrives as I’m waiting for the lift. The view from my room is great. The
rain is coming!
We head out to find
somewhere to eat. Seems like we aren’t in the right place as we hardly find
anywhere. I know lots of places are often closed on a Monday, but this is
crazy.
As the rain drops
start we come across a Mexican place - done!
I wait to Nikki’s
grab arrives then wander back to the hotel. Within a block of where we were
there are so many options for food. Always the way! We clearly walked the
wrong way when we left the hotel earlier.
A block from the hotel
I come across a wine store and decide to go in. I’m always interested in seeing
what NZ wine is being sold where I go. Nice to see not just Cloudy Bay wines.
My nice view has
gone….it’s too cold in the room so I have serious condensation.
As the sun starts to
set I head up to the 22nd floor (highest level to the hotel). The views are
amazing!
Tuesday 26 July I
wake just after 7am. What I can see of sunrise is amazing!!! I have
condensation on my windows again. Tomorrow morning if I’m awake at this time
I’ll go up to the roof.
I’m surprised how
many people are at breakfast as I only saw one person yesterday. The hotel has
designed the reception / lobby and breakfast area on the top floors so the
views are amazing.
My first mission today
is laundry. There is a place less than 2 minutes walk from the hotel. As I step
out of the hotel I’m surprised there is a small breeze. I really hope this is
around all day.
When I arrive I’m the
only one here but others have clearly been here as machines are working. It’s
very well documented how things work. Nice!!
The only thing is the
price is more than what is on the wall and of course I only don’t have any MYR
1 notes. Aaah. A man comes in when I’m speaking to myself (because why not!).
He very kindly gives me one of his tokens (I had done the same to someone in
KL) so now I can wash and dry without having to go and get small change.
The 25 minutes passes
quickly thanks to my sudoku book. Once my things are in the dryer I head back
to the hotel to hang up those things that I don’t dry. Might need to rethink
this for next time!
Now that my jobs are
all done I’m free to explore Penang.
As I walk into
Wheelers Café (recommended by Alice, who I met in the Cameron Highlands) the a/c
and fans hit me - heaven! I’ve only been outside for less than 10 minutes but
It’s H O T.
I’m given the
incredibly long Wi-Fi password, scan the menu via QR code and order
coffee.
As I leave there is a
line up of people wanting to come here. I clearly came at the right time as I
didn’t need to wait.
I wander the streets
- always so much to look at, including “hunting” for the famous Penang Street
Art.
I make my way back to the hotel. Air conditioning, water and sunscreen is needed. Along the way I come across an Italian restaurant and shop - will try and return later for Aperol Spritz.
I’d been recommended
a place that is famous for nutmeg so decide to go off in hunt for the shop.
It’s on the opposite direction of where I’ve been earlier.
Cheong Kim Chuan (C.K.C) established it’s brand in 1937 for both national and international. They are known for upholding the local Penang food traditions which include nutmeg.
I’m glad to finally arrive at the shop! There is a tiny fan, I try not to make it too obvious that I’m standing directly in front of it to try to cool down. Unfortunately there is no nutmeg spice, only food items that continue nutmeg.
I wander back in the direction of the hotel - again walking in the shade as much as I can.
Trying to find a place for lunch that’s inside and not super heavy (food wise) proves difficult. Finally I come across a place, the menu like most other places, is super long.
On walking in I stand by the fan to cool down. This is heaven! I’ll be making a beeline for the hotel then pool once I’m done.
As soon as I’m back to the hotel and cooled down a bit I head up to the pool. There is a lovely breeze. Getting into the water is lovey.
Moon arrives just after 5pm. SO great to see her after soooo many years!
We head to the Italian restaurant I’d found earlier in the day. Aperol Spritz and a cheese board are ordered.
At 7.30pm we are told the table is booked in 15 minutes - time for us to
leave. We walk towards an area I’d been before. So many places are now
open.
Moon decides we’ll go to a restaurant further away which has good
cocktails and food. Works for me.
I’m dropped back at the hotel in a grab. Great to be out and about late
(ish) at night!
Wednesday 27 July I’m woken at 2.50am by the room above me having some
kind of party. In the end I call reception. Thankfully the noise eventually
stops and I manage to go back to sleep.
After breakfast I head back to Wheelers Cafe for coffee. There is a nice
breeze when I exit the hotel. I do my best to walk in the shade - don’t need to
add sun burn to my bits of sun burn from yesterday.
Wow my coffee arrives in no time at all this morning. Perfect as it’s
really really needed.
Moon collects me just before 12noon. We head back to her place to
put on a load of washing (a small luxury for me!) and get her mask.
Finding a place to park the car in Georgetown is interesting - we end up
driving around the block a couple of times until we locate one.
The mission was to location the children playing on a swing street art. When we were driving around to find a place to park the car we passed
an alleyway that we both thought looked cool so decided to walk through
that. There was lots of little stores
selling coffee to clothing to a photography exhibition. As we walked into the area where the
photography exhibition was the photographer came up to us to tell us about the
photos and that he was around if we wanted to ask questions.
Walking out of the alleyway we come face to face with the children playing on a swing street art – perfect!
We cross the road and wander around Lim Jetty and Chew Jetty. It’s nice
to be out of the direct sun in parts. Some of the boards are not nailed down
very well so it’s a bit of looking where we are walking while looking
around.
I learn from Google that the Clan Jetties are named after the last name of the
residents. They are villages built on stilts above the sea.
According to the notice at the entrance of Lim Jetty, “family” have lived
in this unique community above the sea for over 100 years.
The Chew Jetty notice informs us it was established in the mid 19th century with the ancestors coming from Fujian Province in China. There are 75 houses in Chew Jetty.
It’s super hot so we
decide to head to one of the shopping malls for lunch - this way we are in air
conditioning! Post lunch we wander around a few shops.
Moon drops me off at
the hotel just after 4pm.
I’m picked up at
6.30pm by Moon and her parents. It’s so nice seeing a place through locals. We
head to a steamboat / hot pot place for dinner. Perfect for a coolish evening.
Moon and I drop her
parents at home and head off to a bar / restaurant close by. It’s in a
converted house and has a number of areas to sit. Given we are the second table
there we are able to select where to sit.
We are told due to
alcohol storages they don’t have all their specialty drinks - no problem. We’ll
choose something from the options.
Thursday 28 July I
wake just after 7am. It’s great to watch night turn to day. My “friendly” above
neighbours woke me again last night, this time at 4.30am. Some people are
extremely rude!
I had planned my time
so that I have time for coffee before Moon arrives. Thankfully the sun isn’t on
full steam ahead when I leave the hotel.
I wander down to Coffee Lane which I had been recommended and has great reviews. The roads are quite quiet which is nice.
The a/c doesn’t seem to be working where I’m sitting. I’m glad I’m only having a coffee and not breakfast. This would have to be one of my best coffees in Malaysia - nice and strong.
It’s a quick 20 minute drive to the airport. On arrival I join a line for bag drop, thankfully it moves quickly (Moon is doing carry on). I’m praying the flight isn’t full as I’ve been randomly given a middle seat 2 rows from the back.
Ooh my goodness me, there are SOOOO many people lining up to board. This is going to be fun……I’m glad it’s only a quick flight (35 minutes).
I decide to stand in the shade and wait to everyone is up the stairs before I go. I see zero point on standing in the hot hot sun.
It’s been a lovely few days in Penang. I will return!
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