Whilst I haven’t posted for awhile , in fact a very very long time I’ve just discovered that there’s an app for my phone that even an oldie like myself can use ..
a blog is a great idea to share ideas Musings and thoughts about what you experience in your travels ,
I arrived in Penang 3 days ago , Monday morning and it’s been such a change compared to the cold weather I left behind in Melbourne .
As I’m writing I’m sitting on the 101 bus that pretty much circles the island. I caught it in Batu Ferenghi the beachside holiday resort of this island . I first came to Penang ver 40 years ago when it was a Kampong ( Village) where locals came on the weekend to splash in the waves and eat at the small roadside and seaside restaurant s where local fare was simple , cooked on coals in front of you and tasted of the sea
These days it’s the Miami of Malaysia! Mile after mile of high density high rise condos , most air BnB, very few people actually live full time here . The winding mountainside road has changed little over 40 years , yet the traffic has increased to what is almost a full blown traffic jam , the 8km journey can take up to an hour in peak times .. whilst at others little more than 10 minutes.
Im heading back to Chulia street , a place I visited in a blog I posted several years ago, this time I’m
Not heading to historical mansions, Nonya homes , temples or places of listed on the UNESCO heritage site.. I’m heading in to see the real Penang at work ! It’s a Monday and most Penangites as they’re called are at school or work , and only the tourists and under employed are hanging around the streets in the middle of the day .
So I’m on the 101 bus , and it’s full , half with locals and the other obviously tourists with their red faces and pale skin , some burnt to a crisp for lack of foresight in applying sun screen or insect repellent in this humid , tropical island . As we get closer to town , the bus gets fuller ,swelling like a state school on the first day of term ! The Muslim lady sitting next to me on the bus , after initially being chatty and making the usual pleasant enquiries as to where I’m from and what did I think of Penang has drawn her headscarf across her face and nodded off to sleep in the heat, as have quite a few other passengers who were lucky enough to acquire seats . I was one of those , having gotten in the bus back at it’s first few stops , but now it’s packed as we head into the very heart of the city and it’s commercial center.
I’m getting off in Chulia street mainly for nostalgic reasons , having spent many a holiday staying at the Banana 6 backpackers , and enjoying the delights of the many hawker food stalls in the vicinity, historical sights , and large shopping centres .. this trip is different , I’ve come to relax and enjoy the Malay ambiance before heading off tomorrow night to Sarawak and this years Rainforest world music festival . Penang never fails to deliver the amazing foodie and cultural experiences that have become the norm of this island. When Malaysians from other part of the country come here just to eat, you know you've hit a culinary high.
a blog is a great idea to share ideas Musings and thoughts about what you experience in your travels ,
I arrived in Penang 3 days ago , Monday morning and it’s been such a change compared to the cold weather I left behind in Melbourne .
As I’m writing I’m sitting on the 101 bus that pretty much circles the island. I caught it in Batu Ferenghi the beachside holiday resort of this island . I first came to Penang ver 40 years ago when it was a Kampong ( Village) where locals came on the weekend to splash in the waves and eat at the small roadside and seaside restaurant s where local fare was simple , cooked on coals in front of you and tasted of the sea
These days it’s the Miami of Malaysia! Mile after mile of high density high rise condos , most air BnB, very few people actually live full time here . The winding mountainside road has changed little over 40 years , yet the traffic has increased to what is almost a full blown traffic jam , the 8km journey can take up to an hour in peak times .. whilst at others little more than 10 minutes.
Im heading back to Chulia street , a place I visited in a blog I posted several years ago, this time I’m
Not heading to historical mansions, Nonya homes , temples or places of listed on the UNESCO heritage site.. I’m heading in to see the real Penang at work ! It’s a Monday and most Penangites as they’re called are at school or work , and only the tourists and under employed are hanging around the streets in the middle of the day .
So I’m on the 101 bus , and it’s full , half with locals and the other obviously tourists with their red faces and pale skin , some burnt to a crisp for lack of foresight in applying sun screen or insect repellent in this humid , tropical island . As we get closer to town , the bus gets fuller ,swelling like a state school on the first day of term ! The Muslim lady sitting next to me on the bus , after initially being chatty and making the usual pleasant enquiries as to where I’m from and what did I think of Penang has drawn her headscarf across her face and nodded off to sleep in the heat, as have quite a few other passengers who were lucky enough to acquire seats . I was one of those , having gotten in the bus back at it’s first few stops , but now it’s packed as we head into the very heart of the city and it’s commercial center.
I’m getting off in Chulia street mainly for nostalgic reasons , having spent many a holiday staying at the Banana 6 backpackers , and enjoying the delights of the many hawker food stalls in the vicinity, historical sights , and large shopping centres .. this trip is different , I’ve come to relax and enjoy the Malay ambiance before heading off tomorrow night to Sarawak and this years Rainforest world music festival . Penang never fails to deliver the amazing foodie and cultural experiences that have become the norm of this island. When Malaysians from other part of the country come here just to eat, you know you've hit a culinary high.
