On to Penang

Yeah! Penang! A whole family trip!

It has been quite awhile since all of us hang out in one huge vehicle and journey to somewhere in Malaysia, and Papa suggested for this year's sister-trip, why don't the whole family go Penang together?? It was a good idea. And Auntie Marg tagged along!

It was a long journey, we got out of home at 7am (and Mummy had to personally wake all us piggies and Loon was the last one) and most of us continued sleeping in the car, especially Pearly!

Ngiaw Chu was exceptionally happy because he heard got Pulau Tikus in Penang!

Finally, Penang! We checked into Traders Hotel, a 5 star hotel in Penang, thanks to Cindy and Loon.

Best part about Traders is it's 5 minutes walk to Perangin Mall, 15 minutes walk to best chendol in Penang with this really charming, good looking guy who speaks fluent English working in the stall, and 10 minutes walk to Mummy's custom made line dancing shoe shop.

I didn't really get a good angle on the cute guy, but heck, not only the chendol is nice, I get to see cute guy!

Well, I told Cindy how cute the guy is and when she went back to the stall to tapao Chendol for Ah Loon (yeah that guy didn't follow us and messed up with my stuff toys), she actually told him her sister mentioned he's handsome and he responded, which sister. Of course the prettiest one lor...

Behind the chendol stall lies the best Penang Laksa I've tasted! But Auntie Marg said the original of all originals Penang Laksa is black colour, because they'll use fresh sardines instead of the canned ones.

In the evening while Pearly and Loon hibernates in the hotel room, the rest of us went to Gurney Drive!

It looks totally different from how it used to be; I remember most stalls are from caravan. But food there is't as nice as if you were to walk around and stop by a few places to get a bite. Maybe because we didn't know how to choose. But Cindy (as always) tapaoed char kueh tiaw and chicken wing for her lazy bum hubby and sleeping beauty sister. Apparently Loon thinks Mummy's char kueh tiaw is much better!

By the time we got back most of us were exhausted. It was late so we call it a day!

The next day we stroll along the old streets of Penang and Ngiaw Chu saw this!

We went to some famous Ghee Hiang and got some pao looking thing. Mummy commented the 'store' never grow up though it's more than 100 years old, just like us. Look mummy, Ah Loon point middle finger! He should be punished!

We excitedly went to USM! Auntie Marg used to study there 19 years ago. She told us many things like the burnt down dorm and how everyone was panic and she managed to save some students important cert but fail to save the motorcycle. Cause of the fire? Some malay girl forgot to switch off the iron.

USM is situated towards south of the island, so Papa brought us to the roads of Balik Pulau and stopped for durian near the waterfalls. And here we can see hungry piggies devouring the remains of the fruit.

Balik Pulau is a really long stretch road that links the whole Penang, but most of us didn't know it was THAT long. And what's worse, the fuel tank was almost empty! Mummy, Cindy and Ah Loon, especially got panic because if the vehicle really run out of gas, the men have to push the car to the nearest petrol station. I'm the lightest so I'll be the driver hiak hiak. And at that time we don't seem to be near any houses, what more to saw small town!

Well, nothing happen alright. We got back to Traders safe and sound!

In the evening I finally get to meet Sam and Ann!

They brought me to Batu Ferringi. I miss beach! It has been a long time since I have sand under my feet! It was really nice of them to spend time with me and bring me around though they have their final presentation the week after next.

Outside along the roads at Batu Feringgi lies a long stretch market that takes up half of the road. Abit scary walking there actually but you get to see souvenirs which you can see almost everywhere... highly recommended for outstation tourist!

Our next destination was Sam's house! Sam has a nice family, a nice house, very windy all the time and best of all, a wonderful view!

We headed out to Pulau Tikus (too bad Ngiaw Chu did not tag along) and had out dinner there. Ann is very fussy with choice of food; that's why being with her you'll only taste the best!

It was almost 12 when I got back. I really had fun with them.

The next day most of us woke up really early in the morning and head off to the market.

What made me sad was I see many people carrying poodle on their shoulders, a real dog, and sadly, I only have Hobart... haiz...

But it's alright Hobart, your dad may abandon, I won't do that for a real dog... I hope...

We had dim sum for breakfast nearby the market and their loh mai kai was fantastic! Best I've tasted so far. And as for our most spoilt person throughout the journey, for good behavior, he got room service breakfast on bed! For your information, the hand on the lower right hand side of the picture is Cindy's. Yes, she is a pig.

We head down to Ipoh for an early dinner and get to meet up with one and only Auntie Power! Yeah... still big size apparently. But still the same woman. It's nice to see old faces once in awhile.

On our way back to KL we stopped by the legendary Kellie's Castle where all the weird mysteries happened and rumours spread wildly just so that the government can cheat foolish people who wish to see ghost. I don't see any. And the tunnels closed down since it collapse.

But the whole building is magnificent. Sadly, it wasn't finished as the owner died of pneumonia. I'm a survivor of that disease! The design is a mixture of Malayish and Indian architecure. And a pinch of English design, arches and all that, especially their underground wine cellar.

The journey back was interesting. None of us slept but gossiped throughout the journey. I got to know why I wasn't in the school debate team which lost 1st round. I got to know the teachers were happy because a rogue classmate and I talked back to the difficult pain-in-the-ass Philip Chan!

I had fun! Thanks for the whole trip, Mummy, Papa, Cindy and Ah Loon! We shall all travel again together!

Next trip, to Pearly's Graduation in Russia! I hope...