Weds 27th

Arrival in Butterworth, off the bus and wait for a local Rapid bus to get us to the port, we all bundle on. Most of us were backpackers so it was easy to follow the crowd. One girl managed to get her bag stuck in one of the bus doors, a feat in itself really. We buy a ticket each and wait for the next ferry, 15 mins. The sail reminded us of the Star Ferry in Hong Kong. Off and on our way, on a rather humid afternoon through Georgetown and eventually find our hostel. The Red Inn Court Hostel. And it looked very nice too. It was a heritage building, all the wood work was painted red, stairs were very deep/high so we promptly stubbed our toes (nevermind) and the floor was wooden too. In our huge double room we had floor length blackout curtains and wooden shutters that looked out on to the main street. No windows...hmm, it maybe a bit noisy then. Free breakfast tea and coffee, a nice hostel.

Beansprout coffee cafe was two doors down and not only had stronger wifi but the best cappuccino and Americano that both of us had tasted. Out for dinner and we found a cheap and clean Indian restaurant in Little India. Little India being where all the India  migrants landed and settled. Its a criss cross of roads full of colourful produce, clothes, nick-nacks and food joints. More often than not blaring bollywood soundtracks out down the street to escort you on your way. We walked our way round George Town and felt it had an awful lot in common with Melacca. The same European colonial houses. A Chinatown, a Little India and countless tourists to boot.

Back to the hostel for a chill then out again for more food, which turned into drinks at a bar/pub Taj In The City, where we watched the Germany v South Korea match with the two Indian guys who worked there. We cheered for South Korea - being the underdogs. Great fun, cheers and 'high fiving'. Throughout the night they served not only drinks but helpings of bombay mixed - that stuff had some kick too!

Thur 28th

Lots of walking. We scouted round town looking for the Malay tourism office, so we could get information about how best to travel to Thailand. Eventually we found it.

We also walked back to the Ferry (our thinking was to see the main bus station to work out where our Thai bus would be waiting. We decided it wasn't a fruitful use of time or money. So we got the 'CAT bus' to a shopping centre to find an internet cafe. Once found we booked ourselves aboard a bus to Hat Yai in a few days time and printed the receipt.

Lunch - fish and chips - yep we found some... alright they weren't that good but it was food.

Another amble back to the hostel, the  Beansprout for good coffee and good wifi - internet banking. All business today really. Found a vegetarian place for dinner.

Back to Taj In The City to watch the Japan vs. Poland match. Again, more fun and laughs and lots more bombay mix! A woman was there, a barmaid we think. She seemed rather excitable she was also cheering for Japan. Not a good result for her.

Fri 29th

Up breakfasted and on the bus to Penang national park, Taman Negara Pulau Pinang as it's known locally. It took nearly an hour to get there and a drizzle of rain welcomed us. So we dived into a little restaurant for some fried food. Then into the park, where you register on entry and let them know how far you're going (I guess in-case you don't come out when they close). We opted for the 45 minute route, 'the path looks wide. We'll probably do it in 30mins'. And we would have had if the path stayed as wide! It quickly went from a four person width path to a two person. Then into a single lane track up and over rocks, roots and mud. We clambered and scrambled along, getting sweatier and muckier with each step. It was good fun and felt like a real trek. We crossed over a footbridge and sat on the banister and in the trees were some brown monkeys.. loads of them. Got a few photos and cautiously walked by making sure they didn't snatch as us. Onwards and we found a little white sandy beach.

No one was there on account of the rain earlier and most people were getting boats round to the other beaches on the park. After a short stop we tracked back, across the sand, through the trees and over the footbridge where I promptly found I'd run my hand through monkey poo, deposited earlier no doubt! Now that's how you know you're somewhere exoctic. Back out and hand thoroughly washed we got a bus back to George Town and chilled at the hostel. Wandered round town, down Love Lane which is full of (dearer) bars and street food. Had dinner in a vegetarian restaurant (making up for the fried food earlier in the day). Most of the town begins to shut down after 9pm so we stayed for a few drinks at the vegetarian place, then to bed.

Sat 30th

We decided for culture today. So to Fort Cornwallis we went. We had a guide, Molly, and were joined by an Australian couple and an Australian man. A very intriguing look into how much the British have had an impact across the world. Sri Rambai Cannon made from brass and doesnt get hot in the sun.

Afterwards we wandered around in the hot sun through a graveyard were famous people are buried. Had a walk down Love Lane where it looks far calmer in the day. We crossed a Honda sponsored road bridge and unfortunately someone had been caught short and relieved themselves (and their trousers and pants!) on the bridge. A charming mess! Yuck!

We then opted to have a look inside the Wonder Food Museum. A spectacular array of models of giant food on display - mostly Malaysian inspired and a few other quirky models too. At the end there was a charity box for hungry children of the world, I dropped what we had of our change and small notes in. Not much, I know, shortcomings of living on a budget.

More wandering the streets and down Armenian Street there was a live band playing on instruments that were made from recycled materials. Drum kit made from large milk tins a kettle and other bits. The bass from a shovel and the guitar from a tennis racket. They were from Thailand, raising money for 'St. Joseph Home' as I dropped a note in their bucket they called me back over - to play the tambourine, so all shy and retiring like I obliged and had a little boogie with the singer too. Great fun, in great heat! It was easily 33°C.

Later that evening, cooled and showered we traversed back to Love Lane for street food, where we met an American guy who gave us the low down on Thailand, before wandering back to our haunt for the footie -Taj In The City. We learnt the names of our barman friends, Kalim and Sin ("is king!"). When we first arrived there was only them, the barmaid from the day before, Shelia and another couple. Soon, during the match (France vs. Argentina 10pm kick off) a trickle of people turned up for drinks. One guy began setting up the music system/karaoke. A few more Indian people came in. Everyone looked ready for a night out. Sure enough during halftime the music kicked in. Full Bollywood songs boomed through the long concrete bar bouncing off the walls and piercing the ears. As the match progressed the music and singing quitened down a little, enough to introduce ourselves. There was Joe - a popular bloke who was back from somewhere. At this stage  the alcohol had kicked in (not enough bombay mix to absorb it) and the ladies who introduced themselves...well I forgot their names. Even though I repeated their names at least twice back to them. So much talking, singing, drinking and dancing was had (and some world cup watching Uruguay Vs. Portugal 2am kick off!!!) the night whizzed away and before we knew it, it was 4am! We've got a bus (and a ferry) to catch in a few hours!!! Better head back.

Sun 1st July

Whilst stumbling merrily back to the hostel we discovered we were amongst runners. Lots of them. Getting ready for a fun run/ race. Most were in light blue and fairly upbeat and cheery. We were too but that was the alcohol. Locked out of our hostel we eventually drew attention to our cause and were let in. Then to bed. I downed as much water as I could before my head hit the pillow...
The alarm goes and we're (I'm) still a bit tipsy. We try and get to our bus/train station with an hour to spare... just in case. Breakfast and checkout. Backpacks on and a 5 minute walk to the ferry port. Ferried across the water. Then, hung over, got off the boat and showed our print out for our bus ticket staff. All good. We just have to wait in the bus station ...an hour earlier than our usual earlier! I.e two hours earlier then when our bus for Thailand leaves. Oh, I really could've done with that extra hour in bed and not lying like a Hobo on the station bench in THAT heat. It was a great night though. Certainly left Malaysia with a bang!