Well, we finally did it and have taken off for our year of travel in SE Asia. Somehow managed to get all our luggage here(after several strict cullings) without extra cost!!!! Thank you Singapore Airlines. The strains and stresses of the last few weeks are falling away as we relax into our new way of life. We will be based in Penang in between our trips and nobody could have a lovelier base than the Eastern and Oriental Hotel in Georgetown. We are staying in the newly opened Victory Wing of this old colonial hotel and it is great with fabulous bed and bathrooms and balconies overlooking the sea.. We are also using the brand new gym and pool to get fitter for our first trip, trekking in Bhutan on 14/10.

It is monsoon season here so we are dodging the torrential downpours and have watched some spectacular storms roll in. Nearly fell out of bed on Tuesday night due to loud crack of thunder above the hotel! The temperatures and humidity are fine for walking around and exploring.

Georgetown is busy, loud and constantly full of traffic. It is also fun, full of energy, interesting and I love it. We have spent hours walking around the old town as there is so much to see and do. The biggest community is Straits Chinese but they seem to live in harmony with Indians, Muslims, Christians, Taoists, backpackers, tourists and assorted others. The town is full of Chinese shopfronts (many being renovated), temples,mosques, museums, street art, traditional artisans, trishaws and food. We also visited the clan jetties in the week -wooden stilted jetties lived on by old Chinese families. We already have a favourite cafe in Chulia street called Mona Lisa and have searched out the Chinese laundry we will use.

Will have to do a separate blog on street food and the hawker centres here. Penang is renowned for its food and all is good so far. Those who know me well know l'm not that keen on rice but luckily you can eat any kind of Asian food in the centres. Char koay teow, a common prawn noodle dish, is my favourite so far. Kevin is eating roti canai (a flat bread) with curry sauce for breakfast but l leave him to that.

Yesterday we visited the beach at Batu Ferringhi, about 30 mins drive from the hotel. It was surprising lovely despite the masses of tourist high rise hotels there. Had a great session of reflexology from an old Malay while Kevin was enduring a traditional massage. An Iraqi family came in for some treatments and were agitated that a man was touching my feet. When should you get worried about foot fetishists????

Will be here for another week so will blog from Penang again. Missing you all so do keep in touch. x