November 29, 2011

In Penang again

~ Betch

Now here's a disclaimer for the title... I intend it to sound like a sequel to the 'In Penang' post, so I'm not slighting Penang. Plus, I didn't wanna sound like I was some movie. So I just called it 'In Penang again' to sound different. I'm no rebel, believe me, but in some cases, different is good.

Well anyway, I went to Penang again with the same two friends I was with before. Aside from them being fantastic company, they were also hugely effortless to have a holiday with because they're spontaneous and unfussy. So the trip went very well, did a lot of walking and bus rides which was fun. The buses in Penang are quite spotless if you compare them to the KL ones. Rapid Penang should honestly give Rapid KL a call and offer them some advice about cleanliness and management.

Again, we ate mostly and did a lot of waiting for buses and pausing for directions. The usual tourist conundrum, you know. We stayed at the Tune Hotel which was a lot of fun, but I think the other guests say different, because I was making so much of noise during the night time. My friends were trying to calm me but really, I was just being loud and cracking jokes at anything or anyone. Speaking of the Tune Hotel, they have an excellent concept going on and it'll be to your benefit if you have a budget.

My friends and I encountered a homeless lady who was schizophrenic (I think). She was just by the bus stand where we were when she suddenly jumped up, whipped around and screamed, "Get away, devil!" She then continued speaking in hushed tones to this other being next to her and walked up and down the street. My friends and I were sombre for her predicament. She shouldn't even be on the streets, considering her state. Sighz.

We didn't go to the beach this time round. It was really more of a food getaway. So by the time we got home to KL, all of us had acquired two extra chins. They're gone now, thank goodness.

Penang's a well-rounded place in the sense that it has a balance of the suburbs and a city implemented into it which is great for people like me who can't decide whether he's for the city or the suburbs.

The Penang government should be paying me for promoting their state. But I shall shut an eye and do it for free... as I've already done. 

People travel to faraway places to watch, in fascination, the kind of people they ignore at home. – Dagobert D. Runes

November 12, 2011

In Penang

~ Betch

This has been WAY overdue. The story of the Penang trips in one year. I meant to tell it earlier but with schedule clashes and busy periods (this year has been rather overwhelming), it was quite hard to manage. SO anyways, here it is... the first two trips of Penang. Both were great, don't get me wrong, but the first one was quite challenging.

The first trip happened some time back in May I think, when two college friends and I went camping in Penang. I know, you'd think, when did camping ever interest me? But these two friends of mine were rather insistent that I should experience camping out. So off we went to Pantai Kerachut, Penang, where we spent the night in this campsite. 

The mosquitoes were pure bloody murder (Listerine is NOT a mosquito repellent) and like that wasn't enough, I got stung by a jellyfish when I was swimming in the beach! OH HEAVEN HAVE MERCY, I can still feel the raging sting that plagued my right hand. It looked as if a thousand insects of various kinds just landed on the same spot of my right hand and bit me. So you can imagine me (if you know me), I just started prancing and dancing and singing around the beach to take the pain away... AFTER I applied vinegar to the stung hand. Oh, the ringing pain.

So then, my friends and I retired for the night and ate food that was pre-prepared. Of course we had marshmallows and stuff over a fire. That was great. And to think the challenge of the day was over... 

We all went to sleep. I had trouble though. The air was humid and heavy, which made me feel uneasy. I rolled about for a long time and just when I fell asleep, I heard a kerfuffle next to me and realised my friends had awoken. I turned and that was when I felt the first drop of water on my face, followed by another, and then another and before I said "Oh piss", it was raining! And best of all, the tent wasn't protecting us from it! What kind of tent isn't waterproof?!!!! My question was later answered when my friend who got it said, "I got it for free." *heaves and sighs*

We moved to this hall, and spent the rest of the night there. I couldn't sleep at all. I was a feast for the mosquitoes that trailed me as I spent the rest of the night till morning walking in circles to stop them from biting me. My friend thought I was doing my devotional reading and praying. LOL. I was definitely praying... praying for time to speed up so morning will come and we all could leave.

The rest of the trip was spent in an apartment we booked for three days. We spent most of our time eating really. What else do you do in Penang aside from eat and go to the beach? It's the most affordable thing to do as a tourist and if people know me well, they know I like affordable. It's safe grounds. :D

Well, after camping, I suppose it was an eye-opening experience. Honestly, I dunno if I'll ever go camping again.
(to be continued...)

Our moments of inspiration are not lost though we have no particular poem to show for them; for those experiences have left an indelible impression, and we are ever and anon reminded of them. ~ Henry David Thoreau