Batu Ferringhi Penang

13.2.16

We didn’t wake up until gone 9. The joys of a dark brown ( plum? ) room with no windows.

Walked to the bus station and got the 101 to the outskirts of Batu Ferringhi to visit the spice gardens.(28rm each)
There was an incredible selection of tropical plants, herbs and spices.
We had an audio guide which tells you the history, uses and benefits of each one in amazing detail.
Really beautiful to see, unfortunately we didn’t see the giant black squirrels but did see butterflies and John saw a lizard.
Well worth a visit.

We were going to try the cafe for lunch but with meals costing over double what we’ve been paying for evening meals we opted for a roadside place across the road.
2 very good rice and noodle dishes with massive prawns and iced coffee by the sea, perfect

We got the bus back to Batu Ferringhi. It was incredibly hot and we sat in the breeze near the beach drinking fresh pineapple juice for a while before venturing onto the beach.
I haggled and got 2 plastic chairs ( they didn’t have any sunbeds and hardly anyone used chairs)  for the price of 1 and we sat under a tree watching the many jet skis and speedboats.
Needless to say I dozed off, but with guys blowing whistles to warn jet skiers that they were about to chop some poor swimmers head off, they were very short naps.

Read a bit of my book, The Sunrise, started it approx 4 months ago. Reading it because I absolutely loved The Island, about a leper colony both by Victoria Hyslop.
This one is about the war in Cyprus in the 70’s and as we’ve seen the results of the war in Famagusta it should be good, but it just doesn’t hold my attention and I kept dozing off. Determined to finish it though and get onto new books I’ve downloaded for our hols.

When we walked along the beach there were several groups of young lads ogling the women.
Later I asked John to go and find soft drinks as I didn’t fancy walking along alone.
Off he went saying ‘don’t run off with any strange men’ Hmmmphh, like they’re going to come and bother me, I’m safer sat here than walking along to the shop’ I said.
Within moments a man came over and tried to make conversation and asked if I wanted to go on a jet ski with him, and then 2 young lads came over and one wanted to take  a selfie with me.
I asked why and he said for his profile picture. I declined.
He asked where my husband was, John thankfully appeared a couple of seconds later.
Maybe it was because its Valentines Day and I looked lonely or maybe it was Malaysian Grab a Granny Day.
All quite seedy, I wouldn’t want to holiday alone here.

We found a massive food court after leaving the beach, by the night market.
This one was much easier to understand as there were descriptions in English and we asked a lady how we choose our food and where to sit.
Once informed, we selected dishes from all over the place, gave our table number and everything systematically appeared.
Best meal we’ve had, a struggle to finish it all, for the equivalent of less than £10 with drinks.

Time for the night market, which basically stretches all along the edge of the main road.
Very similar items for sale as our Fethiye market in Turkey, handbags, fake DVD’s, watches, sunglasses etc but made for a pleasant stroll.
I bought 3 small water colour paintings of Georgetown, painted by the lovely older man that was selling them.

This side of the island has many tourists, we’ve not really seen any over our side. It’s the first time we’ve heard British voices. 
There are some very smart hotels and holiday complexes. No comparison to the character of our jetty though.

It started spitting with rain around 9pm so we jumped on the 101 bus to home.
Stopped by the jetty next to ours, and there she was as usual.
Caterwauling yet again. I feel sad for her as there’s never anyone watching.

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

Nancy had very kindly brought our laundry in and neatly folded it and put on the sofa in the lounge.
She looked so apologetic when I said I hoped she’d ironed it and she started to say she didn’t realise…She thought it was very funny though when I said I was only joking…

I’m going to miss Nancy.