OK, this is turning into less (or is that fewer?) of a blog and more like a history, so please excuse the rather longer time span covered in this blog otherwise I will never catch up!

We had a nice dinner in the restaurant across the road from the hotel. There was even a coconut (one very happy Val!).

20th Feb, 2016

A rest day spent by the pool in the shade of the coconut palms. All very idyllic and restful (except for the table tennis, of course. And the swimming. And Val’s visit to the gym). Dinner was at the Beach Corner Restaurant – all good!

21st Feb, 2016

Once more Benn Tours had a fun-packed day ahead of us all, starting with the Kek Lok Si temple just outside George Town. This is a massive complex with a number of temples and prayer halls and it is still growing. It means the Temple of Supreme Bliss and is a Buddhist shrine. It is spectacular and vast – we lost, individually, both Val and Shivonne during the course of our visit (but did find them again, you will be pleased to know). The Liberation Pond of turtles (or are they terrapins) is the first thing you come across – I hope they felt liberated, but I cannot say they looked it. There is a huge statue (30.2 metres/99 feet) of Kuan Yin, the Goddess of Mercy, accessible by funicular railway. I was amused when the ticket seller for the latter asked me if I wanted a return ticket. I said yes, feeling that whilst it might well have been hood for my soul, I did not wish to end my days on the hillside – I discovered later that you could have walked down if you so wished.

Next we drove a short way to the parking for the really spectacular funicular railway that takes you up (and down) Penang Hill (2,733 feet). It was first developed by Francis Light and is made up of a number of peaks, such as Flagstaff Hill and Strawberry Hill. It was also the site of the TV series, Indian Summers. We visited the new eco attraction called the Habitat, a jungle walk where you are accompanied by a guide, which was truly excellent.

A long day was rounded off with a visit to The Ship restaurant. The Ship is something of an institution in Malaysia and there are numerous versions. Ours was actually in the shape of a ship!. Its most famous dish is sizzling steak. Much enjoyed by all (especially Chris!) (and Tristan, who ordered a very large beer!).

22nd Feb, 2016

Another rest day. Chris and Nick organised tailor-made suits, so disappeared for being measured, etc. The poolside, swim-up bar proved popular too as did the massages available. Nick came back virtually floating on air! We were joined by Sanda, a friend of Val’s who came to stay with us for a couple of nights.

Right, that will do for the time being. More soon, promise.