Malaysia -Penang

We woke up at 4 a.m. to grab a mini bus back to Medan and then catch a ferry for the 6 hour journey across the Strait of Malacca. Our guide from the jungle trek accompanied us and helped us get to the right bemo that went to the dock. We were happy to have his help, it would have been very difficult to figure out where to change buses, etc. The ferry was a small vessel with tiny windows. I usually don't get sea sick but I was fighting it this time. We rocked back and forth violently and there was nothing that seemed to help. Many passengers felt my pain. Needless to say, we were happy to arrive in Penang as it came highly recommended by David and his family. Recognized to have some of the best Indian food in Asia, we were really anxious for a taste test.

We decided to head towards the beach for our last few days of total relaxation. We found a home-stay in Batu Ferringhi right across from the beach. The Sunset Bistro right next door became our hangout. We enjoyed sipping a few beers and playing card games and Yahtzee to pass the time. A few strolls down the beach made us realize that our journey was coming to an end.

Sure enough, the Indian food was delectable! We had it 3 nights in a row and could have easily stayed there longer. We made a point to try a new dish at every meal and discovered several new favorites!

There were many tourists in Penang but few were of Western decent. Muslim travelers bring their families to enjoy the rich multi-cultural atmosphere. Women wore black burqas which covered them from head to toe. Several wore face masks where only their eyes could be seen. Their restricting attire did not stop them from having fun though. Many rode jet skis, enjoyed horse-back riding along the beach and para-sailing. One evening we were enjoying some delicious Indian curry at an open aired restaurant and noticed that there was a private enclosed seating area. We wondered what it was for. Moments later a Muslim family entered and was seated in that area. Then the waiter brought a partition to place around the family as they ate so no one could see them. Seclusion was necessary so the wife could remove her burqa. We were fascinated by the spectacle that this made.

Penang was also atypical because most of the businesses and restaurants didn't open until 5 or 6 in the evening. It was impossible to find breakfast! We thought that if just one of the street venders opened early, they could make a fortune! With a lack of other options, we had the opportunity of sun bathing and swimming in the sea. It was considerably more modern than the last few places that we'd been so we were happy for an upgrade even though it was considerably more expensive that we were accustomed to. It was a good segway back to regular US prices.

The Sunset Bistro had a recipe for relaxation. Every day at sunset we enjoyed playing with the white Cockatoo and 2 month old baby monkey. Alex loved jumping the waves and I enjoyed the last few pages of "A Fortune Teller Told Me," an account of a journalist traveling through Asia.

Our trip was over 100 days of pure excitement and we were in the last stretch. It all went by so quickly. On one hand we were really ready for the comforts of home but on the other hand we cherished all of the places we'd been and didn't want to leave this side of the world. The last few days provided us with mixed feelings and happy memories. We reminisced about all of the adventures that we encountered and wondered what life would be like back at home. The days and weeks slip by so quickly at home but here we were able to slow down, breath deeply, and appreciate every moment with each other. It was a time of discovery; personally, as a couple, and as a visitor of Earth.