It's 6pm on a Friday and we are on our way to Penang for a short break. TH picked up the kids at school and reached home about 4pm just now. They had a bowl of fried rice each and a slice of papaya. After they finished shower, off we went.
We are all in good spirit and excited. The kids are actually doing their school homework in the car now and they are enjoying it because of the table top that TH brought along from his store for them. Since we will spend 3 nights in Penang, the kids will have to skip school on Monday. JW has 15 books to do and that is why she better starts now in the car before the sun goes down. At least, these 4 hours on the road is put into good use. Brilliant!
Well, this trip is made quite impromptu. Two weeks ago, JS classmate, How Ray received some free tickets to the Astro Star Quest Final in Penang but doesnt intend to go. JS told me about it and I thought why waste the tickets, why not we take a short break, head up north and go to a live show with the kids for the first time. That's life! Moreover, we follow the show every week on TV. So that's how we ended up on the PLUS highway now.
I have drafted a quick itinerary and it looks like we will all be very busy in Penang. It's been at least more than 10 years since I last went to Penang. Eager to see Penang Today!
Next day: It's 8:41am on a Saturday and it's breezy and cooling here. I am at my balcony, enjoying my cup of coffee slender from Buzzybody while admiring the deep blue sea. The sound of wave is pleasant to the ear and it is so relaxing. At this moment, TH and JS had gone down for breakfast while JW is doing her homework. Just now we had some fun on the bed, never thought my kids cannot do the somerset, showed them the way and JS picked up, did it but not JW. Had a good laugh when JW related how she did it the first time in school, absolutely funny.
Well, let me refresh myself about last nite. Where was I, oh ya, we arrived at 9:42pm, took exactly 4 hours to reach Gurney Drive in Georgetown, our first stop on the itinerary. Had an interesting supper, a lot of good food that we enjoyed very much. We had CKT, rojak, grilled cutterfish, yau yee ong choy, muar chi, apom, chi cheong fan, etc. Since I was not too hungry, I ate very minimal. I just enjoyed seeing TH and the kids excited over the food. Then, with our GPS, we made our way and checked in at Flamingo Hotel about 11:30pm. This hotel is just of average standard and is a favourite for the Middle East guests. Suddenly felt as though we are in Dubai already before the year end holiday. Didnt feel too easy with the foreigners in the hotels but rooms are clean and furthermore we paid only $192 out of the normal rate of $292. Christy helped to book using her Magnum corporate rates. Like the sea view room though and beach is also clean and lovely. TH and I noticed Penang today is much cleaner and has become a popular tourist spot, hope LGE administration will further develop Penang. Shortly, we will be heading to Batu Ferringhi, visiting the Tropical Fruit Farm.
Today is the 3rd day, a Sunday, at 12:10pm. We are now waiting for our char kuey teow at Ah Leng CKT stall. Since this is a popular stall, it will be a long wait. While waiting, let's refresh: our trip to Tropical Fruit Farm yesterday was interesting and fun. On our way, we were delighted to see many durian trees along the road with many durians on them. It was an experience and a tempting one. We paid $92 for the visit and we were taken to an hour tour to the farm. The guide introduced many types of local fruit trees and the fruits plucked from them. The kids enjoyed plucking and picking them up from the ground and tasted them. The tour finally ended with a fruit buffet and upon our request, they gave us 2 plates of durian for tasting. Our tickets entitled us to a free fruit juice each and it was nice. Then we made our way to the Toy Museum that has an interesting collection of toys. JW was fascinated and overwhelmed by the toys that she made sure we go through each and every show case slowly. So three of us had to oblige and started to take pictures leisurely with our handphones while waiting for her to satisfy her mission. We paid $36 for the tickets. We went back to hotel and rested until late afternoon before we head out for the highlight of our trip, to PISA. When TH took too much time in the room and caused delay to my itinerary, I was angry and mad at him. Then when I remembered what I told my gal just this morning in the car, I decided to calm down and get over it. I told her that we are supposed to go on a holiday and have fun but if she throws tantrum unnecessarily, she will ruin the holiday and make everyone unhappy. Looks like I forgot to mean what I said, hehehe!
By 6pm, we were queuing up at the entrance of PISA together with many fans and supporters. The contestants for the night are Miko, Geraldine, Licus, Kim and Lee Jie Ying. I like LJY voice, unique! It was a good experience overall. The kids enjoyed the show very much because they are familiar with most of the Chinese songs. I am sure the show gave them some insight about the ability and talents of the young ones of their generation. By the way, it was so different watching the show on tv compared to live show. As audience, we were encouraged to make the show a success and support them by cheering loud. We got to see behind stage action during intervals. Well, Geraldine won!
It's almost 45mins into waiting and here comes our first plate. JW smiles and takes it.
It was delicious, worth the wait. The rest of the day, we eat, eat and eat. We had 'red prawn' durian and chendol at New World Park. We had sugar cane juice by the road side on our visit to Penang Hill. Took the newly built tram to the top, it was nothing too special but a comfortable ride. On top the hill, we took pictures of the city and had fun making funny faces for camera. The kids ran around enjoying the cool air. The tram ride costs us $18 whereas foreigners got to pay $72. Smart government! Then we were off to the new and quite empty Straits Quay shopping mall, spent less than half an hour there before we adjourned to an early dinner at the Living Room Cafe which is listed the top restaurant on Trip Advisor. On the way, the kids helped to look out for the restaurant Living Room Cafe but when JS asked JW what she was looking for, suddenly she said Family and then she corrected herself and said Dining Table, so silly. We had a good laugh in the car and JW laughed the most uncontrollably at herself. Hmm, I am so blessed with this family. I love them so much, thanks GOD.
It's Monday today, the day we leave for home. It is 12pm and we are now at Coffee Bean in Queensbay Mall, sipping our Ultimate Ice Blended while looking out at the Penang Bridge. This morning we made our way to the famous Him Heang shoplot and bought 10 boxes of tau sar peah for family and friends. We were so tempted by the freshness that as soon as we reached the car park of Queensbay Mall, we took a box with us into the mall and finished the whole box while window shopped together. We enjoyed it very much, it was crispy and still warm inside. At the mall, I didnt buy anything for myself, bought 3 Angry Bird key chains and 2 spinning pens for JS. He wants to give them to his friends in school.
Well, that was it for now. Time to bid fare Penang, leaving now:(
Oops! Our driver wants to make a detour to Tualang for another round of good delicacy, yummy yummy prawns:)
Both my kids have chemistry. They enjoy each other company very much and are very close. My gal will defend her brother whenever he get scolding from me and she help him out. She knows her brother too always give in to her and let her have it her way. Honestly, JS is a simple and innocent boy. He's a happy go lucky boy. Back in Penang, he was upset with me when I didnt want to go to Kek Lok Si Temple and Penang Hill on that hot afternoon. Was quite guilty to disappoint him then, so I promised him that we will return to Penang Hill later in the evening when it is not hot. The kids have mood swing too, sometimes they can be so energetic and happy but at times, they just behave adult and get serious. I must understand their feeling and not hurt them. They are so precious to me.
It is so natural to do the unexpected when I age, maybe this is what I say, as I age, I get wiser. In the middle of the live show that night in Penang, I noticed a miss call from Tracy, our neighbour. I was quite worried throughout the show but I decided not to tell my family about it, not until the show ends. At least they can enjoy the show without worries like I do. Admist my worries, I kept reminding myself that my family are all here with me, they are my treasures, what else do I have to lose. Then I felt much better. So, after the show, I called Tracy, she asked for the gardener contact number. Phew!
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