Chinese New Year in Penang

14.2.16

We went off today to find Penang Hill and to join the Penang Hash House Harriers at 5 pm.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hash_House_Harriers: Penang Hill, Malaysia

John wearing his running top and shorts, me in fetching Asian holiday style trousers and trainers. He looked the part, I definitely didn’t.

The bus station is close to our jetty and we found the 204 bus to Penang Hill. Our fare was just 2 ringets each and took about an hour.

The journey was fairly uneventful apart from a German lady who never stopped fidgeting and some small Malaysian children playing the equivalent of 1D on their iPods and singing along. The little girl was especially sweet. The German lady didn’t agree and used a baseball cap and her shirt sleeves to block her ears.

Next the funicular, it takes you to the top of the hill and goes at a fair old speed. It was mildly scary. Even more scary as you’re getting off and praying he’s put the brake firmly on and put it into reverse!

The views from the top really are spectacular.

First stop was breakfast/ lunch, we opted for a noodle dish that we saw a street lady making yesterday. Delicious flat noodles, prawns, spring onion and egg. Rounded off with an amazing iced mocha and we were ready to set off.
All was great until the noodle lady appeared and accused us of not paying! Not sure if it was a scam or genuine but we stood our ground.

Next stop was the temple and mosque at the top. A young Asian girl came and asked me to be in a selfie with her, no idea why! She then accosted John to do the same. Obviously thought we were Brad and Angelina. 

We opted for the top path A and strolled while admiring the amazing plants and views.

I met an elderly, very wizened, stooped Malaysian man, and had a very interesting chat about when the British were there . It was all going well until he pointed out that I’m only 15 years younger than him!

We found the Victorian post box!

Opted later for path C, which took us down lower where the elderly man said we might see Monkeys. We didn’t but did see some of the bungalows mentioned in the leaflet. Stunning places.

It was a little spooky as we were the only people walking down there.
We came across this big black critter as we were clambering up the steps back to path A.

John poked it with a stick and the poor thing rolled into a ball and rolled for ages down the hill. We decided it was some kind of woodlouse.

Back on the funicular at full ramming speed down to the bottom and waited for the 204 bus back to the bus station. According to the bus station map we then needed a 104 bus to get to the hash walk meeting point at Tar University College.
The bus station said no, need 101 to the other bus station and then the 104.

The traffic was crazy, it wasn’t looking like we would get there by 5 pm.
Bus 101 didn’t move out of the bus station and after 10 minutes John suggested we get a taxi. Jumped off, found a taxi, he had no idea where the college was and after trying to look it up said he couldn’t take us as the road is closed.

Joining the hash didn’t happen, we walked back to our room to change our shoes and for John to look less like a runner. As we arrived back there was terrible thunder and it started spitting with rain at 5 pm.
We were glad we hadn’t gone hashing as we would have had no umbrella or wet weather gear with us.

We set off to the area where Chinese New Year Celebrations were advertised on a Facebook group I found. The heavens opened so we dived into the Black Kettle, a fabulous looking patisserie and cafe we spotted yesterday.

After about an hour the rain stopped  and we continued to the celebrations. We had the most fabulous evening and are so pleased we saw it. Just lovely and a great atmosphere.

So many more photos! Finished off our lovely evening with errrmmm…curry in Little India. Gorgeous butter chicken chicken and they even made me a naan with fruit and nuts.
John’s currently drooling over his desert of iced chocolate.

Our feet are killing us and we’re in desperate need of a shower. It’s been very hot today, but we’ve had such a fantastic day. Couldn’t resist a few more temples, stalls and taking in the atmosphere on the way back.

Wandered down the jetty near ours, all lit up and beautiful.
The next jetty to ours had the big lady that sounds like a strangled cat still wailing away.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=keZsUZG2BFIhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=keZsUZG2BFI

They were lighting fire crackers by the stage but it still didn’t stop her.

Came back, had a shower and washed some clothes in a bucket while chatting with Nancy.
We discussed how all the poo goes straight down below and she explained that they’ve been protesting to Government and they may get drainage in the future.

Nancy told us there’s a huge procession on Monday evening and we may need an afternoon nap as it goes on very late.

She wants to drive us to the airport on Wednesday morning, even though its going to be about 4.30 am beacuse she needs the money. She’s very sweet, forgetful and confused.
Could be an interesting drive!

Happy Chinese New Year Everyone !