Batu Ferringhi

Yesterday afternoon, we went to Batu Ferringhi, a small town on the northern end of Penang Island, and walked along the beach among the large boulders, 

 enjoyed the strange site of trees and stuff growing right at the ocean's edge,

watched boats come, go, and remain parked,

watched the monkey's eat a few berries,

looked intently for some real treasures - ("Christmas gift just for you"-- and the offerings were many, including some real deals on Rolex, Coach, and a few other name brands.)

had some satay, a beverage or two under this tree on the deck,

and watched the sun go down-

It was really nice too.

a hike on Penang Hill

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How about we go for a  “hike”  and with those innocent words Charles and Linda introduced me to Penang Hill.   They had said we would go for a little hike on Penang Hill.  Charles and Emily apparently did this several times  a week.  And sure enough, it starts innocently enough as we walk through the neighborhood. 

 But soon we start up hill.-- some of it is through open - or somewhat open, tropical undergrowth

But it soon turns up really up hill, as you have to look carefully for a place where you can place the next step.

 The routes we have taken up the mountain (hill) have names or references that Charles uses, like "the above 5 trail", or below station 39 and such.

 M'Chowi ocassionaly takes a drink which provides me with an opportuniy for a much needed rest.

 I was thinking prior to the hike, that it would be not to difficult - as I have considered myself to be somewhat in shape and in good physical condition.  I was wrong.

 Well, as I was huffing and puffing and stopping for rests, I was thinking on "just one step at a time"  somewhat on the mode of Into Thin Air.  and "I do not ant to be airlifted off this -- that would really be embarrassing"  It was that strenuous for me.

 There are places that are really challenging and you do have to "scramble" as Charles says.

 This is me -- and hot - sweaty - and having fun.-- we have done this four times now -- and I am getting a little closer to being able to sorta keep up.

a post in the future will have more photos - especially some of the views.

Restaurant Review #14- lets risk the Chicken and Rice

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Tricks, this McDonalds  is not it.  Though they do on the occasion of Chinese New Year offer a "double-good-fortune-opportunity-burger"- I may have misremembered the name but am not far off.

 This is the place and the best name we could come up with was  the “hawkers stand at  Penang Furnishing on Burma Road".  (There are lots and lots of these little food cart areas.)  and this one is quite noted and famous -- more later on that.

It is now later ---this one is actually quite famous, at least according to brother Charles, resident  authority on matters of this type.  This place is apparently the site of food tours and subject of food and dining blogs (well, at least regarding the last part we know Charles is correct regarding his facts as of now, if not before).  Here is brother paying for our lime juice drinks.  – and on camera too.

 Our main course, chicken on rice – being prepared- note the knife.

Our food upon delivery to our table:  the aforementioned chicken on rice.

 And our desert being prepared with me posing next to the famous preparer of banana crepes.—again on Charles authority I have it.

I am ginving this place a two thumbs up or five star, which ever you measure outstanding  by – , the overhead fans even moderated the high temperature of Penang at noon some- making it quite comfortable – again in the judgement of brother Charles – I thought it was still a little on the hot side.—but then I have eaten in Riverside on court square when the A/C was on high and frost building up on the windows. – For you who quibble, the actual name of the restaurant is not Riverside, that is just what Dad always called it.

the adventures renew

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Leaving China for Malaysia, I, with ample assistance from Laura, chose a budget airline and one of the worlds fastest growing  airlines too from what I understand.  At any rate, they must be saving money by not paying gate fees as we eschewed the traditional gate at start and stop points after leaving China – even though an ample number of gates appeared to be available.

And the hike to the terminal once in Kula Lumpur, do not even get me started.  And I have been on hikes before while in the Boy Scouts.  – it was late, hot like we were in the tropics – (well duh ) – and oh so full of that sweet smell of airport fuel, diesel fuel for the trucks, and just hot asphalt and concrete.  

 I sat in the back, my choice on the second flight as I knew I would get to get on - off quickly as they use both doors on loading and un- loading the aircraft – really a good idea.

 Also in the Kuala Lumpur terminal, I saw my first, in person, women in full Arab – Moslem regalia complete with the face covered and only eye slits for them to see out of.   Patt and I often speak of the filter/funnel you go through in international airports and even local airports as the distribution of people is carried out.  Once again it was remarkable from Chengdu to Penang.


 The lobby is full of host country/local population, the departure lounges beginning a segregation by destination, of course, and that is where Arabs, then  Americans,  all the way through the litany of travelers to Zambians begin the segregation and filtering of peoples.  For example the departure lounge for China in Chicago is at least half full of Chinese looking people, and the departure lounge for Malaysia in Chengdu had a large number of people who did not look like Chinese – only one Westerner (that was me) – as I was now with Indians, Malays, Indonesians, and Chinese diaspora people – and so on.  Once in KL, going to Penang it continued and actually picked up a couple of westerners as Malaysia has a higher percentage of western people than does China..  an so the transition was complete as I was filtered/ funneled out of China and into Malaysia.  It is fascinating to me as a people watcher who enjoys distant travel.

 The airplane above, landed, was assaulted by service vehicles and personnel, as luggage off loaded, loaded, food service serviced, and the plane cleaners cleaned.  Then within minutes of unloading was reloading -- and making preparations for departure - more like a bus stop than an airline.  (the plane above is of the same Air Asia I was on, this one just had it's owner Chairman's picture painted on it.) . This airline does get luggage to the luggage pick up carousel !    ---and by the way- the my suitcase was there -- and you all may imagine, I can get to a carousel as soon as most anyone.

 Once here and with Charles and Linda,  we had a delightful first evening.  It so happened that Charles and Linda, ever being the gracious hosts, arranged for some big time Chinese Buddhist festival, replete with parade for me to enjoy.  Actually I think from  listening to C & L talk, I think about anytime you come, there will be a festival of some type – as the Buddhists and Hindus compete in a who can be most garish contest.   

 Apparently I will miss one of the larger festivals held on the island, but aside from a would like to see a bit of it -- sounds like something worth missing- sorta like a Chinese New Year or Thai water festival.-- I guess something of the feeling of those who are not fans of the State Fair might feel about the fair.  This is based on discussion with above hosts - with whom I am glad to be staying.

 A great deal of effort was going into getting the parade underway which included much praying, chanting, burning of incense and a no-one-is-in-charge-here final preparations – or perhaps it was everyone is in charge –The resulting efforts were lots of efforts, and then more efforts. ---- eventually this boat was hoisted onto the backs of a dozen or so "carriers of the boat"- and parade ready.

 While waiting this Monk and I discussed the fact that the USA is a long way from here-  He was right about that too.  Once again confirming my children's suspicion of me potentially talking with about anybody anytime and about anywhere.

and in the background was a room full of monks and supplicants chanting and such.  and actually a lot of photography going on-- so much so that even I did not feel conspicuous taking pictures.

a technology park

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 You know what that is.  -- A day or so ago, we went out to eat at the closest McDonalds which was about 30 minutes away.  It is located in this cities technology park like place where high tech industries with names we recognize are located.  The McDonalds looked like one on the outside, and on the inside, it was identical except for the language.  There were one or two unique items on the menu, but the basic hamburger – which I got – was IDENTICAL, right down to the slightly gummy bread.  The one big difference, there were no Hispanics working at this one.

The McDonalds, along with a Subway are located in the new “Technology Park” part of town.  Think of it as a gigantic RTP and you are getting close to the idea.  This place goes on for miles and miles.  It is landscaped to a plush green and that also goes on and on.   This is an example of what I have a hard time imaging here.  It does not fit my pre-set idea of what ought to be here

 The buildings in this version of research Triangle Park, are new and have that Chinese flair (I guess you could call it that )  where the buildings are odd shaped, have interconnections, and use one heck of a lot of glass.

 This is what I mean, you got your tall building, lots of glass, and and no way looks like a steritypical type old style communist structure.-- this is not a tobacco barn.

The base is a little weird if you ask me, but no one has yet.  The buldings behind the roundy glass thing are apartments.  There are lots of those scattered, no grouped tightly among the other office looking buildings.

 See what I mean about flair and a bit odd shaped glass type thing. 

Most places I have been I have not had as good an angle to get a picture, or the sky and buildings are obscured as it is often overcast – this day was a wonderful clear day – but often the sky is overcast due to season, due to this city being surrounded by mountains with humidity and fog, and of course, there is that good ole standby – pollution.  
And as is obvious, several of these photos were taken from the car as we drove through PART of the complex.

What it was -- was football

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With respect to Andy Griffith’s monologue – I was party to the advent of football on a campus in China.  It happened this way --Matt and I were on campus during the first week of school when students are encouraged to join, participate with or become involved with extra circular activities.  

Along the internal campus road that was next to one of the large cafeterias on campus and near playing fields, ball courts, and so on students had set up booths to introduce their “club” society, interest group or whatever.  In front of the roller-blade club, the club members had set up an obstacle course and were putting on a show of moving through it kinda like ice skaters – and these guys were really good too.

 In addition to roller blades, there was mountain biking, photography, drama, several ethnic clubs, various music type clubs, (did not see young Republicans or Democrats), and many which could not be identified by someone like me who is reading Chinese characters challenged (again, my teacher’s fault).  This booth in particular, despite the best efforts at signage did not seem to be to catching on. 

  

I sorta got the idea that Matt’s idea of introducing football, --good ole USA – Demon Deacon type of football – to the group of these students would be a challenge,  This was reinforced when as Matt was walking towards us, one of the boys asked me “what is that ball he has?”

Matt has done this before,  he lines the guys up in facing lines, puts them through  a rudimentary passing the ball drill while teaching how to hold the ball type instructions.  Anyway we pass the ball back and forth across the two lines of kids (by the second time down the line, there was noticeable and significant improvement – of course given the starting point, that may not be all that much praise).

Anyway, then divide into teams of four, no rushing the passer, four downs to score and losing team leaves the field to return for another chance.  We were playing on the soft surface in the endzone of their soccer field that is part of the track.  It really is a nice track facility.

 And this guy with the ball, will not be playing on Sundays as the saying goes.  The play was an energetic all out effort., though it will be a while before any of these guys are seeing a lot of playing time –Matt has the only ball.

 This guy who also joined us for football, was playing his guitar and singing with some friends when I stopped to talk with him.  His English was quite good and we had a very enjoyable visit and I got to hear some Chinese music that sounded a bit like American Folk music of the 60s. – I liked it.  He knew what folk music was after one of the guys looked it up on the dictionary in his telephone.  They have nice phones too.

and the campus looked exactly like a college campus -- a nice college campus with lots of money to develop the facilitiy and such.