Thursday 9 May 2013

penang - up a hill and then some

It was very exciting to have my Mum or 'Peeba' as she is known as to Poe and Ilo, on our little day trip up Penang Hill . We caught the super speedy and new funicular up the hill which took all of 7 minutes, as opposed to the leisurely, bordering on walking pace of the funicular in my past, which would take anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour. Personally I preferred the slower journey up the hill, you could feel the air subtly change as you entered the jungle surrounds, you would feel simultaneously entertained and anxious as monkeys would play around the tracks and alongside the carts and reaching the top would always feel like an achievement. This trip was a matter of hold on and off we go and then, pffft we were at the top. 
It was a wonder to take in the view, seeing the development, marvelling at the existing bridge that goes from Penang island to the mainland, stretching 13.5 kilometres to feeling incredulous watching the development of the new bridge to the mainland, stretching a whooping 26km of pure bridge. Astounding. There are a number of temples on top of Penang Hill, food stalls (of course) which includes apparently the best Ais Kacang  in Penang (pictured above)as well as a number of beautifully classic old white colonial mansions (some of which are reportedly haunted, my Aunt once made us all leave a house just after we arrived for a wonderful family weekend because she swore she saw something a bit spooky). 
It was special spending this day with Mum, giving her space to debrief, process how she has been feeling, reminisce, give and receive lots of special cuddles and kisses as well as catch some of the infectious delight spread about by Poe and Ilo.

From the moment we arrived at Sydney Airport and for the entire time away, we were accompanied by Ilo singing pretty much the whole O'Brother Where Art Thou soundtrack, obviously the show had a big impact on him. It was hilarious and constant, most of the time it was done in character voices complete with actions; shoulders slumped forward, squat like dance moves, elbow out kind of motions and dragging his feet along with a pained look on his face to really accentuate a certain song). It was so delightful and relentlessly amusing, just watching Ilo, really feeling the songs, regardless of his surroundings and largely oblivious to all those around.
This is one of the few restaurants we went to, as we mostly ate Hawker Street food and one or two meals at my Aunts, Sri Ananda Bahwan is a fantastic vegetarian Indian restaurant in Georgetown. They do really great (and ridiculously cheap) South and North Indian meals, simple and delicious banana leaf meals (where they ladle whatever curries are available along with some rice and bread on the banana leaves) dishes like idli, dosai, tahlis, countless curries, breads galore and oodles of Indian sweets (I personally prefer them as eye candy rather than for eating, as beautiful as they are, they aren't really my thing). Oh and some seriously great ice coffee, no ice cream, cream or chocolate sprinkles here, just simple weak but yummy and refreshing 'coffee'.
This phone caught my eye as I walked past, how gorgeous is it!

11 comments :

  1. Oh my mouth is watering - I could happily put away that curry and the coconut pancake. Takes me back. One day together?...

    xxxxxxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh that comment made my heart do a little spin and leap, yes one day together indeed, oh imagine that. love you

      Delete
  2. Enjoying your photos of Malaysia. Brings back memories and a yearning for travel again. I am heading to Sri Lanka in June and after seeing your photos I am really looking forward to getting into some photography while I am there. Beautiful shots. Looks like you are having a great time. x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh hello there Meg, how are you lovely one? Wow, travelling to Sri Lanka, what an exciting adventure, Manu went last year and just loved it, can't wait to see what beautiful images you capture. Big love to you and yours. xxxx

      Delete
  3. Dear Jay, I have just been mesmerized by reading of your journey through Penang. So interesting and such gorgeous photographs! xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh Judith, I am so thrilled that you are having a great time, love to hear it. xxx

      Delete
  4. Thank you Jay for sharing these beautiful images. Of course I am loving the insight into the food in Malaysia, I haven't traveled there before. I've said before but I'll say it again, Poe and Ilo are just exquisite. Bless Ilo providing you with a live soundtrack for your journey :) xxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh a pleasure my dear. So happy that you are enjoying. xxxx

      Delete
  5. Once spent a night at the hotel on top of Penang Hill. It was pretty basic even back then. But oh the joy of staying up there and exploring the hill top, when everyone went back down - and the views for sunset and dawn I've never forgotten :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. it has a really beautiful and surreal feel about it doesn't it. xx

      Delete
    2. Yes it does, you are right. It's a very special place :)

      Delete

thank you, thank you for sharing your words, thoughts, feelings. xx