And on to Malaysia by train and hooking up with friends

March 12 2017

Timm taking our picture

Our train was only 15 minutes late. Tui and Timm, sisters, took us to the train station and stayed to ensure we got on the right car. They are so sweet and so pretty as you can see from the photos.

We got a sleeper car with AC. The attendants like to make up the beds early up we managed to put them off until 8:30. I was in awe of how quickly and efficiently they make up the beds. They have it down. The bed was comfortable and I was glad to have the cotton blanket they provided as the AC was cold. By 9:00 I was sleepy and I think we were both ready to call it a night. We slept across the aisle from each other as neither of us wanted the upper because we both get up during the night to use the bathroom…ah the joys of aging. I woke up at 3:00 and saw Ron had just returned from down the aisle so I crawled in with him. We can hardly stand to sleep apart. We sleep like spoons nestled in the silverware drawer. We snuggled for 30 minutes and realized we wouldn’t get any more sleep in a single bed so I went back to my bed.

March 13

We woke up around 6:00 and when the folks above us woke up the attendants changed our beds back into seats. Bill and Kay had joined us around 2:00 a.m. and were in the bunks next to us.

When we crossed the border with Malaysia we got off the train and went inside the station to pass through Thai immigration which was quick. We turned to our left and walked down the hall into Malay immigration and then out onto the platform to catch the Malay train to Butterworth. This was one well thought out processing center in a train station.

Our trip to Butterworth was on a modern high speed light rail system. It was fast and it took two hours with stops. We walked over to the ferry system and boarded the ferry to Penang, an island. It was a short 20 minute trip. We caught a cab and headed to our hotel which was absolutely incredible. For $56 a night we stayed in the boutique hotel, four floors with ambiance everywhere. The materials used throughout and the furnishings were high quality and well maintained. An incredible breakfast was included with French toast, pancakes, espresso, eggs any style you requested, fresh fruit, and on and on it went. Something for eastern and western tastes. And all delicious. In addition they offered high tea delights in the afternoon, happy hour on the roof top with wine and soft drinks, cookies, ice cream and movie and popcorn nightly. All for free! They had a small gym and Jacuzzis. The staff was terrific. All of us loved this hotel. It was an easy walk to some of the sights we wanted to see and one block away from the free Hop On Hop Off buses that run throughout the city. This town was amazing. It is a World Heritage site with lots to see but not overwhelming,

I had planned an itinerary to maximize out time there. Since we had traveled all night I suggested that the first day we just walk around the Chew Jetty where there were 75 shop houses, community centers, shrines, etc on an elevated walkway over the water. This neighborhood had been here since the late 18^th century. 

After we checked into the hotel we went to an eatery at the end of the block, famous for their roasted duck. OMG it was fabulous and they gave us so much we couldn’t finish it. 

Back to the hotel to rest and we met at 5:30 to walk to Chew Jetty. We walked down

Armenian St which is known for its street art. Delightful murals are painted along the way. There are old shop houses with restaurants, shops and residences. This is part of the World Heritage site. George Town is supposed to be famous for its street food but our experience with fried oysters that night was nothing to write home about. We topped off the night with ice cream on the roof top of our hotel.