Have been in Georgetown for 2 weeks now and we are still enjoying every minute. We try and do something different every day despite the unsettled weather. I loved the Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion which is just around the corner from us. It is externally the most gorgeous bright blue and was the family home of a very wealthy Chinaman. The house was used during the filming of 'Indochine'. Midweek we hired a (bright turquoise!!!!) car and drove around Penang. Georgetown is pretty compact so we made lots of stops : the Thai temple of Chayamangkalaram (33m reclining Buddha) and the Burmese temple of Dharmmikarama (rather lovely). Penang Hill(full of decaying colonial bungalows) and the Snake Temple (very disappointing inactive snakes wrapped around bamboo holders). We then drove clockwise around the island coast roads. Kevin was tempted to change his driving style from Belgian to Malaysian but luckily didn't !!! We think AWAS means caution. Dinner was at the Monkey Tree Restaurant at the Tropical Spice Garden. Great Thai food surrounded by monkeys in the trees!!! Liked our tour with the very charming Raz. The following day, we drove over the 8 km road bridge to the mainland. Decided to drive north to the Thai border. to the towns of Kuala Perlis and Kangar. Not really worth the 2 hour drive but pleasant agricultural vistas, lots of rubber, rice paddies.... drove back through Alor Star. All these towns are conservative Muslim areas with very few foreigners and not many things to see. England may have allowed Malaysia to become independent but is now colonising the country in another way - massive Tesco stores are springing up everywhere! Eating out has continued to be enjoyable and interesting. We usually eat at hawker centres for a cost of 30RM (6 pounds). They are some great seafood centres where you see all the fish in tanks and can then have it cooked as you want. The best so far is Bali Hai at Gurney Drive. A lot of the Chinese are eating vegetarian food now during the festival of the Nine Gods so lots of stalls have sprouted up to cater for them. Today, we ate dim sum at an old Chinese restaurant ,Tai Tong, in Cintra Street. The old ladies serving from their trolleys were very chatty if only we could speak Chinese. A fun and tasty start to the day. Our washing has survived the Chinese laundry, thank goodness, as we don't have that many clothes with us. Have realised that you can buy most things here as there are 2 glitzy malls 20 minutes away by taxi at Gurney Drive. I'm now the proud owner of a wifi camera memory card which should download automatically to my ipad. We shall see!!!!!! My favourite way to spend time is just walking around the old Chinese streets. Have found the most lovely shop, China Joe's, which is full of lovely old furniture and gift items. Also met the photographer,Howard, of HowardStudio who is really putting Penang on the map with his fab work. There are some lovely small boutique places to stay ( the 7 Terraces, 23 Love Lane...) and then lots of much cheaper places along Lebuh Muntai. I also love Little India with it's Bollywood music, great restaurants. and colourful shops. Had my eyebrows expertly threaded there this week. In 2 days time, we fly to Bangkok and then the following day to Bhutan to start our trek. The first thing l have to get right is the pronounciation. Keep calling it Butane. Slight idiosyncrasy of mine as the Carcassonne crew know (bisous to bises to bison!). Had to laugh at dim sum restaurant today when saw the butane gas cylinders attached to food trolleys. Anyhow, know that Bhutan is one of the last Himalayan kingdoms and measures national happiness rather than GNP. Hoping the trekking won't be too arduous. Don't think l will be able to post until we reach N India in about 2 weeks time. Keep all those messages and emails coming as all my/our friends are now virtual!!! All for now. OMG Kevin is wearing a sarong! xxx