Tuesday, July 04, 2006
Hot and steamy
I am sure that headline has got your attention but I merely want to start this post by mentioning how hot and steamy it can be this close to the border. Today has been an absolute scorcher. I have probably sweated out my entire body weight!!!
I am in a bit of a tired and crabby mood today which doesn't help. Yesterday when I arrived I checked into the Swiss Hotel. I didn't sleep very well last night because I kept on being harassed by a mosquito that I couldn't find and kill because the light wasn't very strong in my room. When I finally fell asleep at 6AM I counted over 50 bites all over my sweaty and exausted body. Woke up late this morning pissed off that one mosquito could keep me awake. Checked out of my hotel and went to another one nearby that has a mosquito net on the window.
This afternoon I took a train up Penang Hill. There were lots of women going up with their husbands wearing burqas. Interestingly one couple were drinking cokes and the husband was wearing a Harley-Davidson hat. I think that most of them were going up to pray at the mosque. I went up and took a stroll around in the cooler air. I then relaxed at a restaurant that has a fantastic view of the entire island of Penang and drank the most expensive tea that I have ever consumed. I have some excellent photos from the top.
Other than the hotels, I really like Georgetown. The people are incredibly helpful and friendly. One isn't overwhelmed by people whose eyes pop out of their head when they see you and want to sell you a Thai visa, a cheap t-shirt or a meal. The streets are full of life and the places culture hasn't been overly altered by tourism. There is some excellent food here. I have mostly been eating in Little India, but I know there is also a vibrant culinary experience to be had in Chinatown and from the myriad of food stalls that stalk each street.
Having said all that, tomorrow afternoon I will be making haste for the Cameron Highlands.
I am in a bit of a tired and crabby mood today which doesn't help. Yesterday when I arrived I checked into the Swiss Hotel. I didn't sleep very well last night because I kept on being harassed by a mosquito that I couldn't find and kill because the light wasn't very strong in my room. When I finally fell asleep at 6AM I counted over 50 bites all over my sweaty and exausted body. Woke up late this morning pissed off that one mosquito could keep me awake. Checked out of my hotel and went to another one nearby that has a mosquito net on the window.
This afternoon I took a train up Penang Hill. There were lots of women going up with their husbands wearing burqas. Interestingly one couple were drinking cokes and the husband was wearing a Harley-Davidson hat. I think that most of them were going up to pray at the mosque. I went up and took a stroll around in the cooler air. I then relaxed at a restaurant that has a fantastic view of the entire island of Penang and drank the most expensive tea that I have ever consumed. I have some excellent photos from the top.
Other than the hotels, I really like Georgetown. The people are incredibly helpful and friendly. One isn't overwhelmed by people whose eyes pop out of their head when they see you and want to sell you a Thai visa, a cheap t-shirt or a meal. The streets are full of life and the places culture hasn't been overly altered by tourism. There is some excellent food here. I have mostly been eating in Little India, but I know there is also a vibrant culinary experience to be had in Chinatown and from the myriad of food stalls that stalk each street.
Having said all that, tomorrow afternoon I will be making haste for the Cameron Highlands.
