Penang - Chapter 8

"Taxis 1 - Us 2" - Another result in our favour!  Rafi who had been our driver for the trip to the Orang - Utan sanctuary had offered to drive us to the airport for 20 ringgits, the taxis had told us that it would be 26 ringgits so Rafi was hired and was there to meet us at 0715 to take us back to Kuching airport and our flight back to Penang.  Not the luxurious E & O hotel this time but a beach hotel at Batu Ferringhi about 12 miles from Georgetown on the north coast of the island of Penang.

The flight was only about 2/3 full so we had a row to ourselves.  Being seasoned travellers by now, we knew that we had to get a taxi coupon from the kiosk before leaving the terminal building.  75 ringgits I was told was the fixed price fare - got anything cheaper, I asked - No - only fixed price!  The taxi driver either didn't speak English or was a deaf mute - not a word was uttered from his mouth for the duration of the 45 minute ride.  We arrived at the Park Royal Hotel in Batu Ferringhi, Penang's equivalent of Benidorm!  Lots of high rise apartment blocks and up market hotels line the extensive beach front but our hotel is very clean with big rooms and spacious, airy public areas.  Although the sea is very, very busy and noisy with jet skis and parasenders all dodging each other - makes interesting watching from the safety of the shore!

 Whist we were getting our bearings I asked at reception how much a taxi would be to take us back to the airport - 70 ringgits I was told.  "Taxis 2 - Us 2" - I can't believe that I fell for the old fixed price trick!  What made matters worse that during the taxi ride from the airport I suddenly remembered that I had left my now DRY socks hanging on coat hangers in the hotel in Kuching!  I wouldn't be surprised if someone has now set up a stall selling second hand good quality white golf socks.

We lounged by the pool and grabbed some lunch amid the many hundreds of Australians that seem to be here.  It's like being on the set of "Home and Away" -  all the boys are called Brad and all the girls are called Bindi!

A stroll along the sea front and we discovered the cheap restaurants and witnessed lots of people setting up their stalls for the night market that happens every night along the "strip".  Our dinner was taken on a deck some 20 yards from the sea - Tam Yam soup, chicken, prawns, noodles and of course, Tiger beer after which we took in the market stalls.

 More genuine Rolex watches were on offer together with Armani shirts and if you had time, you could have had a suit made to measure for 300 ringgits -  I did try and get a genuine Lacoste polo shirt and was offered 2 for 30 ringgits (£6) - unfortunately he didn't have any in XXXL!

We've really only seen a very tiny proportion of Penang but it has steadily grown on us and not disappointed - we'll have to come back and maybe I'll  get that suit made!