Around the world for free

Be Square, then be there. Part 3

Penang

Arriving at Penang was a bit hair raising, the Air Asia pilot who thought he was Tom Cruise overshot the small runway and had to pull up before we went in the river; this is not a good feeling when you are already clenching for all your worth with food poisoning. He went round one more time and even then he hit the ground quite hard coming in to land, we were just grateful we were going to be off this plane in a few minutes. After going through passport control and a trip to the loo, we were met by a large man who looked like a Samoan rugby player who loaded our cases into the minibus and sat us next to an Australian couple. The Australian couple constantly talked about how many time they'd been there and how it was only a short hop for them, this still didn't stop me staring at the man who seemed to have no neck and rather sweaty. After about an hour we arrived at the Holiday Inn Penang and we're dropped off on the side of the hotel that didn't have sea views only inland views, oh well can't win them all.

We were given our key and told what room it was and were the elevator was located, this was to become the bane of our holiday with its constant whining up and down all hours of the day. We complained about it but they said there were no more rooms available because they were renovating the hotel, so we complained again when we got home and got a free night's stay in any holiday inn.

After unpacking we decided to go out and get something to eat and where best to start than the huge pirate ship across the road. We walked in and stood by the door waiting to be seated and ten minutes later we were still stood there so we left and went next door. This restaurant we didn't stay in long either, it was one of those were the fish are in tanks and you choose one and they cook it there and then, this didn't appeal to us, so once again we left and found somewhere else, just a normal Asian restaurant.

After our meal we went and looked at the night market that ran about 200 metres alongside the main coast road and sold a copy of everything available in the west. Some of the copies were really good not like the cheap ones you get in Thailand and haggling was par for the course. As we were strolling along looking in the market we saw the no neck Australian in a vest coming towards at pace, weaving in and out of the crowd, dripping in sweat, we immediately popped behind one of the market stalls until he had passed and continued to look both ways until we arrived back at the hotel.

The next day we wanted to go up to capital Hill but we're informed it was closed for repairs so decided to go to the Chinese temple instead but first we had to find the right bus. After much searching we managed to find the right bus and twenty minutes later we were there or so we thought. First there was a long walk in the stifling heat, then we had to make our way past the rows and rows of Chinese tat. Finally we got there and had a good look around and to be fair there wasn't much to see. So it was back down again and the bus into town for a look around and start the epic journey of finding me a birthday present. We visited the shopping mall and after much looking about find nothing. So we decided to get the bus and visit the big shopping mall nearer our hotel further down the coast. This place was quite big so we were hopeful and after visiting nearly every shop finally found a pair of Adidas dragon trainers in blue which I hadn't seen before in the UK. We headed back on the packed bus listening to some Australians from our hotel going about crime, these two couple we christened law and order called them it every time we saw them. Later that evening we went out to look for something to eat, and saw signs saying chicken chop everywhere but that didn't sound appealing at all to a range, how wrong we were, so we settled for some noodles instead.

Afterwards we went for a walk along the road by the hotel and bought some lacoste tshirts at a fraction of the price after much haggling, now we decided to book a trip using our new found bargaining skills. We booked a trip to go and see the monkeys on an island and then a tour of penang all with our own guide and private car. The next day he met us outside the hotel at eight and then we were off, first he took us to his friends chocolate shop but we weren't interested at that time of day, then we were off tearing down the motorway while he thought he was Lewis Hamilton, all the while pointing out landmarks. We finally arrived an hour later and he went and got our tickets and arranged a place to meet back up later. To go and see the monkeys we had to get the boat with about twenty other people and make the short twenty minute trip to Monkey Island, it seemed like we were in the movie king Kong. Once on the island you follow the designated path all the while watching the monkeys playing in the trees and on the beach, further up there is a building that houses the nursery, where you can watch them play. It's quite good if you like monkeys but not really much else to do, the ticket also allows you access to the theme park so you can have a good day out. Trish and I went back over to the park and had a sandwich before seeing what there is to do. All refreshed we decided to go on the overhead chairlift that goes around the park and get a better view of what there is to do. Once we had done a lap of the park we decided to give it a miss as we don't like theme parks and we could go and visit somewhere else we wanted to see.

On the way back our driver took us to ssdgasf Jewellers, a German company with an outlet in Penang that allows you to go round the factory floor watching the jewellers make fabulous and expensive works of art. After the tour you can purchase the jewellery or leave without obligation, Trish purchased a beautiful bracelet that still looks great today.

The driver then took us to a museum in the centre of Penang, where it showed the history of the island and its people, it was surprisingly interesting and had some great artefacts and some unusual cars outside. Then it was on to bxfgzbxgc a fortified jail compound from the eighteern century right by the sea, it was good to see and it had the novelty value of getting your picture taken in jail or b the big cannons.

We had one last place to visit, the jetty down by the bus station where people live in traditional style housing on jetties that are on stilts over the sea. You walk down narrow passageways avoiding the gaps in the planks on the floor, trying to have a glance in the houses either side without upsetting the inhabitants till you get to the end of the jetty. It has great views of the bridge and surrounding areas but must be quite scary when a typhoon strikes. After our jam packed day out it was back to the hotel, but first stopping at a chemist, for some more Imodium and what can only be described as charcoal tablets.

The next day we were off to Langkawi, we decided back home to sacrifice two days in Penang to see this beautiful island. It only cost us £25 each return with AirAsia for the 35 minute flight and £60 for the room for two days, at that price it was worth a visit to paradise.