1.6: Of Freaking Kueh Tiaw and Barren Bricks

Location: The penthouse

*Yawn! Stretch. Yawn! More stretching!

What a rest we had after an exhausting 8 hour train ride and 30 minute ferry ride. And with all the laughing and fooling around on the journey to Penang, who wouldn’t be?

So as soon as we got to our penthouse, a humble abode overlooking the beautiful and scenic sea and the Bridge, we all collapsed on the master bedroom’s 2 beds.

Turn on aircon to full blast!

Plug in phone chargers!

Fight over which bed to take!

Aaaaaand…

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz (until 1pm)

Time      : 1pm

We’re all soggy from sleep and a bit drained of energy. Hop into the shower, get dressed, put on some make-up for the people of Penang and voila! We are ready, refreshed and revitalized to see this historic state!

Before that we called the taxi first.

Aina: Hello? Yeah, nak teksi bole ah? Jelutong, Jelutong. (Hello, can I get a taxi? At Jelutong.)

Uncle: Lu mau teksi ah? Belapa orang? Kat mana lu mau? Pukul belapa ah? (You want a taxi? How many people? Where do you want it? And what time)

Aina: Lu cakap laju ma, I tak paham. 5 orang. Jelutong, Mutiara Heights. You tau ah? (You’re speaking too fast, I can’t understand. We’re 5 people. At Jelutong, Mutiare Heights. Do you know the place?)

Uncle: Oh Mutiara Heights. I tau I tau. Pukul 2 boleh ah? (Oh Mutiara Heights. I know it, I know it. Is 2 o’clock ok?)

Aina: Boleh boleh. Ok pukul 2. I tunggu kat gate Mutiara Heights ah? (Yes, 2 is ok. I’ll wait at the gate, ok?

Uncle: Ok boleh boleh. Lu tunggu ah? (Ok yes, yes. You just wait, ok?)

Aina: Ok ok terima kasih ah. (Ok, thanks yeah.)


And wait until 2pm.

*vain pictures of ourselves*

When it is already 2 o'clock, we went down to (yet again) wait for the taxi.

Which was late.

Half an hour late.

We were mad and dissatisfied. Akmar, then said:

“Ni lah dia janji Melayu”(Malay's promises).

-         Only to find out that the taxi driver is an Indian! Ironic.

z    Typical Malaysians, don’t have their watches set correctly. Grr.

So we asked Uncle Raja (the taxi driver) for a discount because he was late. Guess what? We got it! *Cue evil laugh.

Off to Padang Kota then!

Uncle Raja was talkative. Pointing us to sights along the way, making good conversation. I guess he liked us, we were an excited bunch!

When we got there, Uncle Raja (who was from Johor, just like Dayang) gave us his card and even some maps.

Be careful, he said.

We will! Thanks uncle! *wave




Location: Padang Kota

It's lunchtime!

We ate lunch by the sea. With the sea breeze in our faces and the smell of sea salt in our nostrils :D

People stared at us as we walked pass.

Why.

Maybe: 

1. We were acting all ‘tourist-like’ with our sunglasses and all
2.  We were 5 (cute?) girls without a single guy walking around
3. We laughed and talked loudly like the place was ours

Menu: Air nyior (pronounced: nyok), kuew tiaw kerang

Surprise surprise.

Not every food in Penang is GREAT. Some are GOOD. Some are good. Some are ok. Some are um, fine. And some, like the kuew tiaw kerang are EXPENSIVE!!

RM8 a plate for a measly plate of keuw tiaw kerang?! What, did you catch the kerang by yourself or something?

Grr.

None the less, we paid up. Our faces hiding the fact that we wanted to punch the guy in the face.

Next we went walking along the pier. Taking in the sights of the ocean, a cruise liner and some people on the streets.

After taking some photos with various landmarks (like the stone remembering who fought the war) and some pretty buildings nearby, we proceeded towards Fort Cornwallis.

Along the way we met an awesome group of uncles lounging about under the shade of some trees, some napping, others joking about. We said hi and they waved and returned the greeting! They even gave us a peace sign. Nice!

"Awesome uncles are awesome. Who said the elderly are dull and boring?*

So after taking a little break from walking by playing in the playground (yes, we played), we entered Fort Cornwallis. Near the playground, we saw trishaw drivers napping, mothers and fathers with their children and even a kid who was studying under a huge tree. It was a nice sight.

Except that we saw a little boy fall off a swing and hit his head! *Ouch. Where are the parents? Tsk tsk tsk.

Enter      : Fort Cornwallis

Entry fee: RM1

In here, we saw statues of Mr Francis Light, a plaque displaying Penang’s roots, some underground structure, a creepy chapel, a shooting house and some cannons!

*screw you Francis Light for conquering Penang!* ;[

There was also a big ship (not sure whether it is a model or the real thing).

After taking some pictures and devouring some ice cream (it was a hot day!), we headed out.