Round The World and other travels
A frequent flyer's collection of trip diaries
This is: Far East 2009
Exploring and relaxing in Penang
I had breakfast in the main restaurant and quickly got myself organised. Although it was another nice day, there was a thin layer of cloud that was keeping the temperature a touch subdued. I realised that this might well operate in my favour and was determined to get started with my sight-seeing as soon as possible.
Soon enough, I set out armed with my city map, with the aim of seeing a lot more of the interesting buildings in the World Heritage Site area of George Town. I didn't have long to wait for my multi-cultural tour to get interesting. I spent the morning visiting a succession of buildings representing colonial, Muslim, Chinese and Indian traditions. Without a doubt, the main highlights were Chinese, specifically the Leong San Tong Khoo Kongsi temple (self-styled 'The Heritage Jewel of Penang', and I'm not arguing!), the Cheah Kongsi temple and the Peranakan Mansion, each of which was stunning.
By the time I'd done all that, the cloud cover had burned off and, with the time approaching 1200, it was fast becoming a case of 'Mad Dogs and Englishmen' - or Scotsman, in my case. I made my way back to the E&O and enjoyed a refreshing shower. During lunch, I considered doing some afternoon sight-seeing by venturing outside George Town, the most likely objective being Penang Hill. However the lure of a poolside sun lounger proved to be too strong and, content that I'd already done a creditable amount of sight-seeing, I was happy to while away the afternoon reading and just relaxing.
I had a room service dinner so that I could start to watch the build-up to the presidential inauguration in Washington DC. However I hadn't fully appreciated the extent of the time difference. I realised that I'd need something else to keep me occupied until the moment arrived, so for only the second time on the trip, I decided to watch a DVD. I trawled through the selection that I'd brought with me, trying to find something vaguely appropriate, and came up with Thirteen Days, telling the story of the Cuban missile crisis in the 1960s. I then sat up (in bed, I must admit!) until 0130 to witness history being made as Barack Obama became the 44th President of the United States.
