Pinang

Penang from the hill
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I'm learning not to trust my first impressions of a new destination. I arrive hot , sweaty and tired and invariably don't enjoy my first day.

Georgetown , Pinang, certainly fell in to that category.Having come from somewhere that felt so relaxed, this was a complete change. A steaming , bustling city; not what I was expecting at all.

I dodged the taxis hustling for trade and walked to the Hostel. I was greeted by very friendly staff and shown a room with double bed and a sink . Not bad for 20r - about 3 quid. I did swelter in the evening heat tho'. Even with the fan on full it's uncomfortably hot and i didn't sleep until the early hours.

Not a happy cobra; at the temple
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After a few hours sleep , things look a lot better.There's plenty to see in town and a good bus service to get out to the beaches.Just as well as i'll be here a few days . I've decided to get an extended visa for Thailand , otherwise i can only stay for 30 days without crossing a border.

On the way to the digs I saw a rat near the drains that line the streets. I've been counting since and I'm up to 9 , not counting a squashed one . It's odd as Georgetown also has the most obvious cat population of anywhere I've seen.Call the Pied Piper someone.

Georgetown
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As with KL, this is not an easy place for a pedestrian. There are very few marked crossing points , and those may as well not be there for all the notice drivers take. So crossing the road involves dodging the traffic, often over 4 lanes. Not a game I enjoy.

It's impossible to walk on the pavements as not only do they seem to change level with every shopfront , but also are often totally blocked with merchandise , so you're  forced to take your chances with the traffic. Totally mad.

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A bus ride out the city and I was at 'Snake Temple' , othewise known as Temple of the Azure Cloud. It was built in 1850 and is the only temple in the world that houses poisonous vipers.Can't imagine why the idea didn't catch on.

They laze in potted trees within the temple , apparently made drowsy by the ever burning joss sticks. Can't say i'm convinced by that , I think they should be tested for signs of drugs!

The next trip out was to Penang Hill , an 821 m high hill largely covered in tropical forest. It  has been a tourist spot for a long time with a hotel with pre war guests like Noel Coward . The peak gives a great view of the city . There are also some resident monkeys that , thanks to the internet , i now know were Dusky Leaf Monkeys, but remind me of the ' black & white minstrels'  with their big white rings around their eyes!

This poor woman spent all day on this stretch of street.
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A walk round the corner from '75' is the Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion , the home of  "One of China's last Mandarins and 1st Capitalists" an impressive mix of styles boasting 7 staircases , 5 courtyards and 38 rooms.

While on the culture route I spent an hour in the Museum to see signs of a fairly recent past . The rickshaws are certainly within living memory.

I was walking back and i hear " Hello Andy".  It's only my old boss on holiday. I just stood their like an idiot in shock. . I had to take a pic as proof , to myself if no one else.You truly are not safe anywhere.

Slothlike snake
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I've been a bit of a coward and mostly eating where I see menus in English. Tonight tho' I braved the Hawkers on the next street ( literally)for a cheap meal. I was all ready to mime in best party game fashion what I wanted , but of course , they spoke English , which saved some embarrassment all round I imagine.  I'm not sure what i'd have done for pork and noodles.

It's an odd experience eating with motorcyclists swerving round your table. I just clenched my chopsticks firmly and prayed i'd get to finish dinner.

Viper at Snake Temple
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While I was slurping my noodles I could watch the 'lady boys'  hustling, in much the same way as the taxi drivers had earlier .I expect they over charge  as well.

An early start tommorrow, to go to a brand new country. Thailand beckons!

Oh , final rat count - 10!