Well, here we go again, the mad dash to try and catch up with the blog. The biggest problem is that the photos are all on Val’s laptop, which does not have wifi and I am working on another computer. I will sort something out! (OK, I am now in Perth Airport using their wifi – we shall see what happens – it is the photos that take all the time to upload).

23rd Feb, 2016

Right, Benn Tours were back in action, this time with a visit to George Town, the capital of Penang, founded by Francis Light in 1786 as a free trade port for the East India Company. First stop was the Khoo Kongsi, a base for the Khoo clan, part admin centre, part temple and totally fabulous, as you can see.

Next we walked to the Kapitan Keling Mosque, the oldest mosque in Penang where we were given a tour, which was excellent and informative. This was built largely for the immigrant Tamil Muslims in the early 19th Century. Great costumes were also provided – as you can see!

It was then free time to wander the streets of the old historic part of George Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site. I discovered a house in Armenian Street where Dr Sun Yat Sen, the first President of the Republic of China (in 1912) lived briefly. They also have their own version of Banksy…

It was, as ever, stonkingly hot, so some decided to head back to the hotel and pool, but Benn Tours continued with a visit to one of the best sites in George Town, the Penang Peranakan Mansion. We had to hurry it a bit as we had to pick up another of Val’s friends, Vasuntha, from the airport, but here is a taste. Good news is that I managed to visit again later in the hols, so will cover it in more depth then.

The evening was spent at the food court of the Queensbay Mall with yet ANOTHER old friend of Val’s Trudy (who lives in Penang).

24th to 25th Feb, 2016

Two rest days (!!), much like the others! Interestingly the Tour de Langkawi passed through the island and whizzed past the resort. Excellent (if somewhat pricey) dinner (chilli crabs and massive prawns) at a Thai restaurant which included dancing plus cameo performances by Chris and his mother! Dinner on 25/2 at Helena’s restaurant, near the resort – really good.

26th Feb, 2016

Off we went again on the last tour, though the numbers had thinned somewhat as Val, Chris and Shivonne opted for a bit more R&R. The rest of us boarded the trusty Urvan and set off first to the Thai Temple with its large Sleeping Buddha.

This was conveniently located across the road from the Burmese Temple….

It was then off for my second visit to the Penang Peranakan Mansion, though the first for the rest of the party. We were shown around once more by the amusing and enthusiastic, Stephen. The Mansion was built by a rich Chinese merchant called Chung Keng Kwee. The mansion fell into disrepair after WW2, but has been restored. A must-see site if you go to Penang. It is also a popular spot for wedding and modelling photos – hence the attractive young lady appearing a few times in the montage!

It was then time to have a last dip in the pool, a final cocktail and some swift packing before a final dinner, again at Helena’s.

27th Feb, 2016

It was time to leave – sad, but what a great holiday. The Urvan was repacked and it was time to go – but not before we had visited the Snake Temple!! This is a bit legendary in penang, though I fear I may have talked it up a bit more than it deserved. It used to have a lot more snakes when I last visited in 1979, but there were still quite a few and Nick and Shivonne gamely agreed to be draped with a python and one of the resident pit vipers.I quote, “The temple is filled with the smoke of burning incense and a variety of pit vipers. The vipers are believed to be rendered harmless by the sacred smoke, but as a safety precaution, the snakes have also been de-venomed but still have their fangs intact.”

We successfully made it back to the hotel and, guided by Claire’s excellent directions, dropped off the cases at the hotel the young ones were staying in and then it was dinner at Ad & Babes’s (admittedly after a bit of a detour due to an unexpected road closure).