Penang - day 1 (25 Nov 2008)

Right, the journal continues. Despite my prayers for the train to be very delayed, it reached Butterworth a few mins to 5am. Even though not on time it was not late enough (You can read about the train ride here). HB knocked on our cabin door at 4am with Balqis behind him. Yasmin & I were already awake. Yasmin at 3am & I earlier than that. I could hardly sleep. The moment my eyes were about to surrender in dreamland, the train would somehow stop at a station & another & another. Maybe I did sleep for 3 hours the most.

Somebody did not seem to be disturbed slumbering though. The dead to the world on a train ride award went to.... Nadeen & Wardah. They continued sleeping until the announcement about the train approaching Butterworth Station made ;-)

Now, check us out. Face washed, teeth brushed at 5 in the morning. My girls were not grumpy at all... excited yes as the trip was only the beginning.

The train we were in. It sure was long. Didn't have the chance to explore the train from one end to another though.

The only family portrait for this Penang trip. Good that it turned out OK despite us without a shower... ;-)

To kill time, we hung out at the station whilst waiting for the Subuh Azan.

The deco of the station. Some antiques used then.

None of the girls went back to sleep. Yasmin was looking around the station with HB, reading the charts or any info pasted on the notice board. Nadeen was entertained by the other 2 sisters. When thirsty, I nursed her. The vacant stroller was made use by Wardah & Balqis. Taking turn pushing with one inside. Imagine how cheerful that morning was for us... hahaha!

After performing Subuh prayer, it was still too early to get the ferry. We wanted the girls to experience the ferry ride upon sunrise. It wouldn't be fun in darkness.

We then decided to look around outside the station premises.... to snap snap snap! First, only this mischievous two posing at the railway track.

Yasmin then joined them.

They looked like having a great time. It reminded me of a musical video of a local band... apa ya? I too wanted a pose on a railway track! Imagine doing this in KL... hahaha!

Nadeen simply watched the silly us from her stroller.

We found this old train. Didn't get the chance to read about it as it was still dark. But gambar mesti ambil... ;-)

At half past 6, we made a move to the jetty which was very nearby.

The ticket prices

We were in the Pulau Undan ferry.

Next to us, the Pulau Rimau.

The girls' first ferry ride. The morning breeze was very cooling.

HB entertained Nadeen as I was busy with the camera.

The Pulau Pinang ferry.

Of course this 2 could not sit still but it was rather too dark for them to enjoy the view.

This girl of mine chose to read! She brought along one of her Secret Seven books.

This was at the jetty in Penang island. If I'm not mistaken Pengkalan Raja Tun Uda.

From the jetty, HB wanted to take us to Padang Kota Lama. Wanted to have breakfast & visit the fort there. But it was closed & no breakfast either. We enjoyed the bus ride though. Never been in Rapid KL but we did in Rapid Penang ;-)

From Padang Kota, we walked to search for a place to eat. You should be there to witness us going in circles ... hahaha! At this point the girls were still OK. So, what do you think of us in this picture? We called ourselves the Amazing Race Family Team ;-)

Notice that HB had Wardah in his left hand, Nadeen in his right arm & not to mention the weight on his back... Who do you think was in the stroller? Balqis... who else? We rather carried Nadeen than her...

We settled with a mamak restaurant. Mustaffa if I'm not mistaken. The camera person was too tired & hungry to even shoot any pic at the restaurant. We had the regular of roti canai, roti telur and tosai for me. Even Nadeen had her share of my tosai. And the iced Milo was really, really kaw!

With full tummies, we refused to walk. A trishaw man wanted RM10 for the ride to our hotel. Obviously at least 2 trishaws had to endure the weight we carried. But we need a shower so badly & fast... A taxi stopped by & the girls were all smiling. Off to the hotel we went.

Once at Dorsett, we hit the shower. Cleaner but not fresher. We surrendered ourselves to the luxury of a proper bed. No swaying, no stopping, no moving. By 10am, all of us slept like a log.

At noon, we had lunch in the room. Nay... not room service! Penang is known for her lovely foods. HB sneaked while we were asleep & bought us our lunch. Nasi Padang Penang style. Again, no pictures... Not that I was famished but too occupied feeding my platoon. Hehehe!

I had made arrangements for a rental car earlier. Hence after Zohor prayer with jamaq takdim, we explored Penang. Well, with such limited time we could not cover everything. Told the girls to choose the place they wanted to go from the Penang-tour brochure. Penang Hill was omitted from the plan upon finding out that the cable car was on service. What's thrill of Penang Hill without the cable car?

They chose to go to the Toy Museum. Situated somewhere in Tanjung Bungah, in front of the Copthorne.

According to HB, the museum used to be a disco. From the interior inside, I could tell. The museum was worth going to. Even though it looked like a budget museum, the girls even us were fascinated with the collection of toys. Enjoy the pics.

"Kak Yasmin, look your first Barbie." "Wardah, remember this Barbie" "Aqis nak semua... Aqis nak semua...." Adoiii!

Barbie, more Barbie!

Jack Sparrow

Lara Croft

Shrek

Batman

Spiderman

Monster inc.

And also Eddie the Head. For Iron Maiden fans this is not foreign. This is kind of nostalgic to me... hahaha! How shall I put this? I've known HB for a long time... & the first thing that he gave me was a small note with a sketch of this Eddie the Head. That's him in his own romantic way! Hahaha! I still keep it somewhere at my parents'.

After the museum it was already 5pm. Asked the girls where they wanted to go & simultaneously... the beach! Butterfly park, the aquarium, batik craft did not really get their attention. So off we headed to Teluk Bahang.

When it comes to the beach we take extra careful. Both HB & I are no good swimmers. Hence, the girls understood... beach time would only restricted to sand play, kite flying, picnic & water play by the beach. Hahaha!

These are the photos taken at Teluk Bahang.

Once at the beach, they knew no dipping in the water without adults' supervision. So, they played with the sand.

Beach boy is here... off to the water girls! Hehehe!

Having fun with the waves by the beach.. ;-)

Balqis at first was afraid...

After a few attempts, she agreed to join the fun.

This girl really had a wonderful time unlike...

this one... Poor Nadeen! Wait until you can walk independently OK.

We spent about an hour there & by the time freshened up, it was almost dinner. I really wanted to eat ikan bakar in Penang but it was drizzling. To kill time & hoping for the rain to stop, we took a ferry to the mainland. Besides meeting my good friend & helped ourselves to a late dinner/almost supper in Permatang Pauh (sorry no pics, as my friend was not keen with the idea), HB wanted the girls to experience being in a car & on a ferry. They had a good time! We were also blessed to be parked on the first lane, in front (Sorry, no more photos for the night. Was too tired to even press the shoot button...hehehe)

Another reason for driving all the way to the mainland was for the girls to experience the ride on the Penang Bridge. We were going back the next day by plane so it was the only opportunity. Half way through the bridge Yasmin, Nadeen & yours truly dozed off. Balqis didn't even make it to the bridge! Only Wardah was awake assisting to navigate HB to our hotel. What I heard, they were lost. How?, Where?, When? No idea. HB woke us up when we reached the hotel.

*to be continued