Country of Extremes, Malaysia

Penang Island

After a 24 hours of transportation issues, bus, plane, escalators to the sky, inside air trams, plane, and Grab(Haley would be so proud of me figuring out Grap) we arrived to this fantastic view. The sun was just setting as we collapsed on the balcony with a beer and soda water to enjoy our first of many sunsets over looking the Straights of Malacca, no pirate ships tonight.

We started off the next morning with a beach walk and cafe. There are many activities on the beach parachuting, banana boat rides and the notorious water maggots(jetskis) to break the fast with as much noise as they could muster.

Found the bride and took her to the mandatory mani/pedi in a luxurious salon.

Here is where the extremes start to come in. We ate at Batu Ferringhi the night before and to walk there from our flat we had to run the gauntlet of street vendors which lined both sides of the sidewalk for miles in 90 degree heat, sweating bullets.   Then you go to a mall like you would never believe. Marble floors, crystal chandeliers, escalators to the sky, air conditioned. Is was hard for me to acclimatize to this change. You walk out of the mall and there are the street vendors in mass. 

The temperature up here was another extreme, cool and comfy at the top of the hill, 5 shower day in town.

We took the 7 minute tram to the top of Penang Hill and had a civilized walk through the jungle topped it off with a walk through the tree tops.  We had dinner over looking all of Georgetown and across the straights to mainland Malaysia.

The wedding was great. Beautiful masque and people. Very small affair with only close family and friends, very nice. 

Kept our sunset walks up and sight seeing

                                Strolled down the beach from the Avatar Gardens for dinner by a fishing community that was over shadowed by huge high rises and then  to a harbor with some fine yachts   and nice board walk. It goes from haves to have nots so fast it makes your head spin.

 Kirk found a place that sold beers finally. We were told you were suppose to go to the mini mart and get a beer and bring it to the restaurants, as many restaurants were not allowed to sell alcohol.

We went back after sunset to see the garden at night. 

                                                                        Chinatown

               Found ChinaTown Cafe and met up with loads of Amani and Iqbols friends for lunch.

Great conversation and interesting people. 

 Had fun shopping and looking for tea towels which none were to be found. The people were all so helpful and nice  So Mom will have to be happy with a blouse.

After a long day of being a tourist we were off to Batu Ferringhi for dinner at our favorite Turkish restaurant.

                               No we did not try to jump into the pool from our room, 27th floor, could have targeting issues.

Never missed a day in the pool. We got real lucky and it mostly only rained at night.

The weather had its extremes also, beautiful sunny days and then the thunderheads would put on a fantastic display of lighting and rain.

 The thunder and lighting storms were quit spectacular. They lite up the whole night sky.

                                     Beach walks every morning and loads of beach glass.

 Last day we had fun site seeing in Georgetown and dinner together with Amani and Iqbol. Really wonder people, could not ask for better friends. Brilliant, Smart and loads of Fun!