Penang, Malaysia

10th & 11th Feb 2016

We actually got married in Turkey on 12th April 2014. As we’d been together for 7 years or so there wasn’t anything we needed as wedding presents, instead friends and family gifted money towards our travels. Thanks again all of you, we had an absolutely fabulous time.

We’re off -The never ending journey.

The build up to this trip has been a bit of a roller coaster of emotions and stages to go through before being able to get excited.

My mum always says everything comes in 3’s, well there’s been 3 farewells; first to Freddie our amazing foster dog of 4 months who went to live with Paula and Ady in the UK 5 days before our trip, then to Simon who will be in Bulgaria starting a new life there by the time we get back and then to Julie & Graham.
We shared a transfer from Dalaman to Istanbul airport with Julie and Graham, they’re off for new adventure in Spain.
Such a blurry photo but it’s the only one I’ve got.

Lots of changes and people going who we are very fond of. Living in an area with lots of expats means that it’s very transient and always seems to be people we like the most who leave.

The journey to Dalaman started with us getting up at 5 am, we arrived at Atatürk airport at 10, said our goodbyes, had a few tears and sat in the comfort lounge, courtesy of our TEB bank card ( one free, one half price – €20 )
Well worth it for the never ending 8 hour wait for our Kuala Lumpur flight.

My heart sank as I sat next to a toddler on the plane, my fears weren’t unfounded.
Terrible parenting and terrible behaviour from the little girl. Somehow the mum, the little girl , the dad and the son had got separated. The dad definitely drew the long straw.
I so wish we had offered to move so they could all be together.
After 4 hours I pleaded with the mum to put the child in the aisle seat so I could try to get some sleep but she refused.
I think the full cup of coffee/ coke all over my bag and feet was my breaking point.
When she refused to move her I swapped with John as I wouldn’t have been responsible for what happened next.
Anyway, the mum snuggled her down and she slept in between fits of grizzling which seemed to go on forever.

It was our first experience of Turkish airlines long haul. Not too bad but Qatar don’t need to be too worried.
My aubergine and tomato rigatoni was really nice as was Johns salmon.
Breakfast at 2 am was a novelty although we had to put our watches on 6 hours so I guess it was breakfast.
I don’t do olives and borek at the best at of times. My first and possibly last experience of muesli soaked in yogurt. The 2 things in isolation, lovely, but not like this.

It was just all a bit chaotic and seemed to take forever to take trays away etc, not good when you’re squished in and want to try and get comfy.
The staff weren’t very friendly and looked exhausted.
Great coffee though.

24 hours after getting up we arrived in Kuala Lumpur, the 10 hour flight was fortunately only 9 hours, but this saved hour was spent queuing at passport control where they really could have done with having more than 4 of their numerous desks staffed.

We walked about 10 miles towards baggage reclaim and were happy to see our cases after 24 long hours!
There’s always that niggling doubt isn’t there?

We then had to get across to Klia2 airport for our onward flight to Penang.
We had no cash at this point and couldn’t find an ATM, but could pay on credit card, just 4RM (60p) for the high speed train across to the other terminal.
The heat was lovely, time to swap over to flip flops for me and John went off and put his shorts on.
Found lots of cash points at the terminal and happy to report that contacting bank head offices in advance worked a treat and both got money, with only one hitch,my card didn’t work in the Islamic bank machine.

Time for a well deserved Starbucks, a low fat, no cream mocha frappacino for me as I’ve recently been diagnosed with high cholesterol and a caramel with everything for John.

Its now 2.30 pm ( 8.30 am) and we’ve just boarded our flight to Penang.
Nice child free window seat and seem to have got a second wind and finally feeling excited.

Observations about being back In Malaysia : I had forgotten how friendly and helpful the people are, how slim and fair skinned the young girls are and how wet the toilet seats are after they use the hand held water spray guns.

The Penang flight was only 50 minutes, John and I bolted down a meal, authentic Malay food, I think we were the only ones who forgot to un-check all the extras boxes on Air Asia’s website on our first booking.
We bought a taxi voucher for our 18 km drive to our accommodation. I much prefer this system as don’t need to do any haggling.

There was loads of traffic, it took ages and instead of the romantic lush green island I had in my head there an awful lot of high rise and run down tower blocks.
Lots of big business too, huge Bosch and Osram warehouses and even spotted a Tesco.

The driver had terrible problems finding our place.
Phone calls, up down, past all the jetties, asked for directions and suddenly I spotted a small sign saying New Jetty.
Gave him an extra 10 ringets for getting us there eventually.

2 eccentric older Malay ladies run the Silence Sealife Hostel, Nancy and Doris.
Have a feeling we will still be having a giggle about them in many years to come.
We have been put in an upgraded room, we actually paid slightly more for a better room in any case.
Hate to think what the other one would have been like!
But, we expected ‘Character’ and the experience of being in a Chinese house on a jetty and that’s exactly what we’ve got!

Went for a stroll and to get something to eat. The jetties are just lovely, full of charm.
Lots of eateries were already closed and others were way too confusing, so we ended up in a huge food court, loads and loads of choice and photos of what you get. You can order from any of the stalls and they bring it to your table.

Opted for spring rolls, sweet sticky pork, and a mild chicken curry.

Hoping to be able to become a bit more adventurous as time goes on. Would have liked to have tried the fish restaurant which was buzzing, but you have to order by the kilo and my brain was well frazzled.

Went back to the room absolutely shattered.
Johns already crashed out.
My biggest worry is the rickety floor to the shared shower room / toilet at the other end of the building.
Excess alcohol will be a definite no go whilst staying couldn’t risk it!

Can’t keep my eyes open any longer.

Night night x