Penang Reunion

Jim Crisp had threatened to have a welcoming party waiting for us at the hotel when we arrived at about 12:30am but thankfully they had all sensibly gone to bed.  Eric says he couldn't have handled an even later night (but we all know he would have joined in if others were being social).

Over breakfast we caught up with most of the others in our party. Kevin and Fran (Melb), Lynley and Alison (Stanthorpe, Qld) and their daughter Jo (Bris), Bob and Barb (Boambee NSW), Jenni and Glenn (Wamberal) with a party of 4 more travelers, Jim and Joan (South West Rocks), Di Reynolds (near Port Macquarie), Bill and Robyn (Woolongong).  After breakfast we hired 2 small buses and took an Island tour that revisited a few sites particular to our groups' memories. The drivers looked a bit bemused about some of the addresses which included the new Hostie (All Ranks Mess on the island) the homes of a few families who had lived on Penang (Chippy Chop and Hillside), the old school and its annex sites, popular makan stalls etc. We finished up right out at Batu Ferringhi Beach and beyond to Teluk Bahang where the fishing fleet moor and the entrance to the National Park. We visited the Butterfly House and the Batik factory on the way back. When we returned to town we assembled by the pool for refreshments and a swim with Wayne and Pauline (Sg) who had just joined us. We all had dinner at the makan centre along Gurney Drive.

 Site of the old junior school annex on the island which was closed and initiated the move to Air Base Butterworth

 Crisp's Chippy Chop home currently up for sale and worth a pretty penny (ringgit)

 on the Teluk Bahang jetty, seen better days

 batik factory

 butterfly house

 Gurney Drive Hawker Centre

 Some girls never know when to call it a night. Barb took the photo, she's just as guilty

Tuesday morning some people opted to visit the Air Base at Butterworth and after much rigmarole they did eventually gain access. They were pleased to see how well maintained much of the infrastructure was, including the school which is now converted into visitor quarters and some outlets for local businesses who support the military (t-shirt and logo printing for example). Others took a later bus and just visited the All Ranks Mess (which used to be our Boatie) and the streets where our old homes were. Like 5 years ago they found some immaculately renovated and others left to decay. We chose to stay in Georgetown and wander the streets enjoying seeing the continuing restoration work under the UNESCO guidelines, which covers more than 1700 historic buildings within the core zone. The street art project, which began in 2012 continues to grow with both wrought iron caricatures and paintings which number more than 50 now. We also did a spot of shopping which inevitably took us back to Sams Batik. 

 Massage chairs were popular in Komtar

 current view from the spider-like pedestrian bridge on Penang Rd

 one of the iron artworks

 one of the paintings

 nicely restored shophouse

In the late afternoon we all met around the pool. Our planned assembly in the hotel foyer after that was a hoot because a number of the boys surprised Bob by buying the same shirt as he had done the day before (just as they had done 5 years ago) only even more were involved this time. 

 the originals

Then we took a trip down memory lane, heading to the Hong Kong Bar (starting point for Eric's surprise 30th birthday party and at least one staff function). A number in the group swore they had never been there but we were able to prove otherwise as the photo albums revealed. Our rather noisy group took over the place and we enjoyed sharing anecdotes of the days in Butterworth and roasting Bob who has put so much time and effort into organising this reunion.

 Jim told Peter Pan stories

 Billy told Sonics stories

 Jenni spoke about running Harriets

 Look what I found! Something to help us all remember more details of those stories.

And this is how good we look now!

 The whole lot of us

We all wandered back up Chulia St to dine at the Kashmir, another popular choice back in the 80s and still serving good food. Some went home to bed, having to catch early flights the following morning but a good number arrived in the makan across the road from Red Rock just in time for last round drinks.

There we some who couldn't remember going to Kashmir too! But look at this.

 and later in the night

 Miss Sultry

On Wednesday morning, while some began to head off to other destinations, we made our way to the Botanic Gardens and found the small path that leads off from the gardens into the forest. We confirmed with some young locals that this was in fact the path to Penang Hill (833 meters above sea level) as it was completely unmarked. We were assured it was the correct path and that it should only take us about an hour and a half. This path is a seriously steep hiking trail, with hundreds of steps at the beginning, going straight up. Thank goodness it was a cool morning.

 In the clouds

Eventually the path joins up with the road leaving you another 3 1/2 km to get to the top. The gradient is so steep in places the cars are doing 3 point turns to navigate the hairpin bends. Eric estimates we walked about 6 kms and climbed at least 750m. I can't argue with that, only confirm that we were drenched in sweat and weary long before I got to the top. It did take us the hour and a half. 
On top you find Southeast Asia's oldest British hill station (1700's) with offers a cool respite from the city. The original name was Flagstaff Hill because the flagpole at Bel Retiro Bungalow, the home of the Governor of Penang at that time, was used as a signal transmitter. Today we are in the clouds and the views are very limited. On a good day you can see all the way to Langkawi apparently. 

 Final stretch

 stuffed

For all that effort we only stayed a few minutes before making our way back down on the funicular railway. A journey that takes all of three and a half mins! 

We,took a taxi back to our hotel and and had Char Kway Teow from the stall just around the corner voted best in Penang 2012. It was very nice too. 

After a shower and relax we joined Di for a walk into town. Walking again, I can't believe it! I went shopping while the two of them went to hunt down some more of the street art in the old quarter. 

I met up with Eric later so he could carry home my parcels. No, not really, but I did get an outfit for the Bollywood theme night coming up at the end of the year. By the time we got home from that walk my feet were killing me and I had to get to the pool for a swim. We reassembled as a group and made our way back to the Hostie for drinks and an opportunity to purchase t-shirts for the 19th Sqdn (the current RAAF detachment stationed here). Just for memories sake, not because anyone needs another t-shirt. We all had dinner at DeHappy just down Macalister Rd. They had a great range of food, their specialty seafood so Bob and Eric tucked into black pepper crab again. I was most taken by the way they offered take away in little boxes at the entrance. You select what you want, the colours on the boxes indicate the price. 

Back at the hotel we assembled in our room, this is the last night for most of us so we didn't want to waste an opportunity to tell one more story. Besides the boys wanted to show off their new shirts.

 but did you need that hat too?

Even though we get a complimentary breakfast in the room deal, most mornings we have been found at Pelita Nasi Kandar Restaurant just down the road. They do all manner of roti and murtabak with fresh juice or coffee and milk tea in the mornings. If you get there too late the menu swaps to noodles. We shared our last breakfast there once again then made our way reluctantly to the airport. 

We needed to be back at work for a 5pm start and figured we had plenty of time to fly out at midday, go home to shower and relax first. Unfortunately we discovered at the airport that our flight was cancelled. Next available didn't leave until 3:40pm. We were going to be late, oops!