What a difference a bus ride makes. In Georgetown the morning after the New Year's blowout, we couldn't get anything to eat --- all shops closed or recovering. So took a chance and a 45-minute bus around Penang Island to the obscure shore town of Batu Ferringhi. It turned out to be like a different country, and totally to our liking.
I have said over and over the main corner reminds me of Florida (palms, big gas station, white condos, McDonalds) and Mexico (slightly grotty, different language, friendly, charming). We're at the Ferringhi Stay Inn (can you spot Pat: top floor, above the red sign?) with a/c, flatscreen TV, and bathroom for $33. Like the promised land, there is milk and honey. And finally all kinds of fruit and veggies. And surprise ---like our Toronto neighbourhood, we're one block from a wide clean beach and inviting warm waters. It does not feel like Malaysia, nor an island. Lots of expats ending their holidays but also lots of Malays enjoying theirs. Not a backpackers' party place. And did I mention many many places and varieties to eat?
At night the sidewalks are taken over completely by open air vendors. The $5 Prada bags and Rolex watches are not "fake" --- they're called "copies"! Our favourite diner, called "Power Up", after dark is a huge DVD and CD shop; latest movies or music albums six for $8. Does this mean there's a fake "Fast and Furious" or Justin Beiber (oh the joy?). No matter --- more giant food courts in every block.
Anyway, it's a few days of discovery in an unexpected corner of
Malaysia. Like the 'chutes, we're just floating along in the breeze.
I have said over and over the main corner reminds me of Florida (palms, big gas station, white condos, McDonalds) and Mexico (slightly grotty, different language, friendly, charming). We're at the Ferringhi Stay Inn (can you spot Pat: top floor, above the red sign?) with a/c, flatscreen TV, and bathroom for $33. Like the promised land, there is milk and honey. And finally all kinds of fruit and veggies. And surprise ---like our Toronto neighbourhood, we're one block from a wide clean beach and inviting warm waters. It does not feel like Malaysia, nor an island. Lots of expats ending their holidays but also lots of Malays enjoying theirs. Not a backpackers' party place. And did I mention many many places and varieties to eat?
At night the sidewalks are taken over completely by open air vendors. The $5 Prada bags and Rolex watches are not "fake" --- they're called "copies"! Our favourite diner, called "Power Up", after dark is a huge DVD and CD shop; latest movies or music albums six for $8. Does this mean there's a fake "Fast and Furious" or Justin Beiber (oh the joy?). No matter --- more giant food courts in every block.
No comments:
Post a Comment