Very sad to leave what truly had become a home from home, well sort of, actually no not at all but I think the relaxation has got to me. I can so understand why people come for a couple of days to this amazing island and leave 3 weeks later however our Christmas home awaits and I am a tad excited.
It was great to be back in saddle, bizarrely, and we chose the squiggly line on the map which followed the southern coast back to Kuah and the port. Oh my the ups and the downs, there was not a bit of flat until we actually reached the port road! Rounding one corner at about 25mph came across a group of monkeys sitting in the road, they moved very casually out of the way to watch us pass from the safety of the road guard rails. The Malaysian navy has a base here. If anyone is thinking of joining the navy you need to check you eligibility for the Malaysian one first as their base overlooks and is surrounded by the bluest of seas and majesty of cliffs.
Fell for McD's when we got to Kuah, wrong and should not have been done but the arches of gold lured us both in and we succumbed. Then to the port and the confident walk through the security search area meant we did not have to unpack the bikes and put each pannier and bag through the screening as everyone else seemed to. And there was no one looking at the screen I am not sure what the purpose was other than to create a queue. Met a Finnish family who were very interested in our endeavours and achievements to date.
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| Our boat is behind the covered jetty, the other is a cruise ship |
We loaded bikes and luggage on the front of the boat as inside was awash with backpacks and suitcases. G lashed the bikes down and I did the bags and pretty pleased we did as this boat rocketed out of the port and into the sea. Watched the Prince of Persia on the boats dvd system until we began to slow and were able to watch the emerging island of high rise hotels that is Penang. Our bags were off loaded and we did the bikes, reloaded everything for the walk through customs and out into Georgetown, Penang.
With a roundabout negotiated we were then 0.6 miles later approaching a barrier to our oasis of lowrise and history in the middle of major over development. Wow on so many levels is the Cheong Fatt Ze Mansion or if you look at the following awesomemungus Blue Mansion. Steeped in history, Feng Shui and Chi, but more on this later.
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| So Christmassy |
We were met by Poh who having lived in London for 30 years is the first person we have met and spoken to who has such a eloquent command of the Kings English. Our room is Nangyong, large, high ceilings, and a bathroom that has the essential ingredients of its name...a bath. A kettle, fridge with juices make up the little anteroom between the bedroom and bathroom. It is such a find for us for Christmas and I am so very very chuffed we have decided to stay here. Dinner post unpacking was in the Red Garden next door, an open courtyard surrounded and bisected by many many food stalls from around the universe with the dominance of Chinese very much in evidence. Crispy duck and pork rice dishes with 2 Skol's (at 5%!, am I wrong to think that in the Uk it is 3%) to flush it down was a great way to finish the day. A quick wander in the rain as a thunderstorm lashed the island helped the digestive system and back to the Blue Mansion.
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