Malaysia: Penang

 Monday, May 15, Penang, Malaysia

We had a tour to Penang Hill. For the funicular up to the top of the hill, we had to wear masks. It was hot. And humid. The gardens at the top were absolutely gorgeous. We had a good view of the city, but it was foggy. We were on the lookout for monkeys and managed to see a black Dusky Monkey in the tree tops off the side of the hill using binoculars.

Our next stop was Kek Lok Si, an elaborate temple complex. A more descriptive title they use is Temple of 10,000 Buddha’s. There was an enormous rock in a waterway which somehow got there and helped divert floodwater. We took a shorter funicular up, others walked the steps. We both arrived at the top about the same time. Then we started our tour of this large complex. At one point it started to pour rain. My dress was pretty much soaked through, but it was thin and dried equally fast once the rain stopped. During free time we climbed the tallest temple for some good views and more statues. The concrete spiral steps became narrower the higher we got. On the way back Jill walked through a Moongate for good luck. We had to scramble to get back the bus on time.

Once back at the dock, we went out again on our own with a SUV driver, Govinnathan, who was an expert guide for Penang. He took us past some other temples for photo stops. Back on the road to the Reclining Buddha, the largest of its kind in Malaysia. Wat Chayamangkataram is the name that comes up on my phone. 

Our driver asked if we were interested in visiting a coffee company. Sure! They immediately gave us tiny samples of coffee in all flavors. We felt like helping out, so we bought their one style of decaf, and a bag of stevia leaves (something new to us). 

Then to the botanical gardens. It was fabulous! All the plants were huge, and the air smelled like perfume. That’s what you get when your garden is 200 years old. It had hanging fruit, flowers, an interpretive center, water features (including a waterfall), butterflies, birds, a rockery with desert plants, greenhouses, and open areas among dense foliage, and several bridges. 

Our taxi waited for us while we wandered. We were looking for monkeys, and stopped at the interpretive center to ask where we might find them. We followed their directions, but no monkey sightings. We spotted a couple getting wedding photos taken in the gardens. There were a couple of joggers, but mostly we had the place to ourselves. There was an empty stage and Charlie got up and sang “Round Midnight”.

It started pouring again and we got under some trees. Back at the taxi, our driver showed us monkeys! They were now at the entrance (someone may have lured them with food) and there were lots of adults and babies alike on the wall, in the trees, and on utility wires.

Our driver had to drop us off at the port gate, which was a long ways from the ship. We made it back taking pictures along the way, then through the port building, down a long staircase and finally up the gangway. 

That night we had an enjoyable dinner with Jim Kennedy, and his wife Bernie. Jim was the Director of the NASA Shuttle program for four-and-a-half years, and was a lecturer onboard giving interesting and inspiring talks.