Penang, Malaysia

It's been a while since I have posted on the blog. But with a spare moment to breathe and soak in the nice ambience / atmosphere of Starbucks at Queensbay Mall in Penang, I thought I should write something. :)

Well, it's been just a tad over a week since Cheryl and I touched down in Penang. Boy have we covered a lot! We went to do all the shopping and replenishing of supplies for the next year (Shampoo here is like the same price but in Ringgits, so about 1/3 of the cost) and we managed to visit most if not all the relatives in and around this corner of the world. We've been to Singapore as well and caught up with most of the relatives there as well. Right now, Cheryl is having a haircut, hence I got time to write this up. But let me say that it's going to be a busy few days before I leave for Melbourne and onto home.

It's been over a year since our last visit ad I gotta admit there are small changes which I see will bring good things to Penang, but may take time to work out. Some roads are now one way streets (which Cheryl didn't know until she drove into the street and then said was that a no entry sign?) and there are some more traffic lights around the roads, but this to me seems to cause more congestion than to make it safer. Hmmm... Wonder whether that was the aim?

Shops wise, Penang is still by far cheaper for all things compared with Australia. For those wondering, on top of a watch, my beautiful wife got a very nice and new camera for her birthday. We bought it in Singapore and managed to test our bargaining skills. We succeeded but I think he wasn't happy with us by the end, more happy to see the back of us because of the amount of things we wanted for the price. The deal was great, compared with Australia I don't think you could have gotten the same amount of things for the price. The better thing is that we get the tax back since we were flying out of Singapore. I'm sure she'll post some pics of the new addition to the ever growing technological family.

I just wanted to probably end this rather short post with saying thank you to my sister in law and her boyfriend for making a special trip up to Penang from KL to see us. I know it may have been a bit quiet at times (if I can put it that way) but it was great to catch up with you guys. Everyone knows you didn't have to come but the fact you all came and we had so much fun, those are the good memories to take from this trip.

I don't know whether I will post another blog before I head back to Australia, but it's been an amazing time as always in Penang. The weather is a bit hot and humid at times, but let me just say that I would not trade this for the probably cold weather that is being experienced in Canberra.

Next trip to Penang is sometime in 2010. Probably mid year, but we'll see. Got to plan it so that we avoid winter in Australia. :P

Thanks Penang for a great week spent. :)

Alex.