BKinASIA: Hello Malaysia!

The world is such a big place

I've finally decided to get off my ass and out of Thailand. A short 4 hr bus ride later, and i've arrived in Georgetown, Penang Island, Malaysia!

Komtar Towers, my shopping center

I've arrived in the Chinatown part of the town. I must say, its quite refreshing, although slightly disappointing to me. The city itself is very similar to Macau (colonial style architecture) with very out of place buildings, one way streets, and Chinese people everywhere.

Its nice to finally get some real chinese food, although, it does seem to have a slight fusion with something else, but i'm not sure what. And its nice to speak some cantonese again and listen to other cantonese speakers. Its different from Hat Yai in that the Chinese population was very small. Here, its so much bigger, but maybe its because i'm in Chinatown (hey, didn't chose here b/c its chinatown, its b/c its the backpacker district!). Anyways, the food is great, cheap, efficient, and i can finally get some of the things i've been craving for since i left HK.

Oops!

However, on the down side, I'm fear that Malaysia will be a little bit of a disappointment for me. Its not the people that i'm unhappy with. Its the mix. There are Chinese, Malay, Indian, Thai, Singaporean, etc... Basically all the asians you can find, all here together. Not that its a bad thing, its just so similar to HK. Just a laid back version of HK.

View from Penang Hill, about 700 m above sea level
They jsut had to pack us onto the tram. Like sardines i tell you!

Whats wrong with everyone mixing? Nothing, its a good thing. It promotes diversity! But i guess for me, their is less unique culture to view. I've just come from 4 countries that were basically all homogeneous populations. Everyone speaks their native language and, thankfully, english sometimes. But here, because everyone speaks a different language already, they all speak english as a common ground.

Some more views from Penang Hill.
I should have went up at night. I like night pics so much more.
But damn camera is not idea for my artsy photos!
And they want 150 USD for a 28 mm wide angle attachment!
Forget it punks! Ces, when i get home i'm stealing your camera and wide angle!

Who knows, maybe its just the city i'm in. I really hope it is. KL i'm sure will be similar, as well as Singapore. I think i need to get off the beaten tourist track and go seek out something new. Time to go visit some kinda small muslim village or something. Something different. Somewhere where hookers won't harass me and food vendors won't sell me hotdogs and hamburgers (its really not that bad, i'm just exaggerating!).

Treetop walk. Fun? It was ok. Nothing spectacular.
Saw some black furry animal, looked like a monkey, but it took off. Boo.

Looking down

After about 3 days in Penang, I finally went and did some tourist stuff (Penang Hill, see pics). So what if i've spent the last 2 days shopping (not really buying much, just essentials, and checking out the local population in the mall, and enjoying the a/c). I've pretty much replaced all that i've lost from back in Nha Trang (Cell battery, small bag, headphones). i know its been a while, but i haven't had a camera until i arrived in bangkok so I didn't need a bag! Sheesh!

Look carefully, its a red bummed ant.
And no, that's not what makes it special...

Look carefully, look at its freaking size in comparison with my foot!
This thing was the size of 1.5-2 digits on my pinky finger!
I would not pic up this ant. It had huge mandibles!

Got a new program on my fone. What is it? A youtube viewer! Whee! I know its not really that exciting to you guys to be able to watch youtube but for me its the greatest thing ever! I can download vids, save them and watch clips when i'm bored on my fone. I'm finally, after 4 months, starting to use my fone for what it really can do. God, and to think i wanted to sell it and get something cheaper! Not anymore.