Back to KL

It was a great idea to drive on Monday instead of during the weekend. Traffic was smooth, and we managed to get back to KL before the rush hour started. Now unpacked and about to hit the showers. Anita had made the orders for deliveries. That would be dinner for tonight.

Will be back to clinic tomorrow morning, and the usual mad first day back. Expect some aggravation. And I have a few meetings already lined up ....

For tonight, I would have to get the photographs I took in Penang and my blog in order. Early night of course and going through the emails.

All Good Things ...

After four nights, it was finally time to - reluctantly - say goodbye to Penang and this genuinely superb hotel. The boys were already making noise about extending for another day, but unfortunately I have clinic tomorrow.

The helped with the packing this morning, after we had breakfast. It was enough time still for me for a brief walk after Subuh. While walking around Love Lane - about 10 minutes away - I stumbled across a camera crew shooting a scene. We had to stay quiet for a couple of moments before allowed to cross. When I did, I noticed that one of the lady behind the camera was an old acquaintance.

Breakfast before setting off ...Can't really argue when they carry all three sports channelsA brief chat then, she had to go back to work. While I had to walk to the hotel to join Anita and the boys for breakfast. The weather was certainly very nice this morning, as if not letting us go .....

Goodbye Penang. Goodbye Eastern & Oriental ...

Padang Kota

A trip to Penang for me won't be complete without a stop at Padang Kota for laksa, sotong kangkung (squid and spinach) or sotong bakar (grilled squid). But most of the time it would be all three - like today.

After an afternoon nap, we set off for a ten minutes drive up the street to Padang Kota. Still early, we managed to get a spot to park without much hassle. Sat down, ordered the stuff and enjoyed the food. The boys only stared at us at the beginning although later Irfan joined us for laksa.

We tended to order from the same stall every time we came here. It was located at a corner, away from the sea front where most of the customers usually sat. It was good again today, although the squid was rather overcooked. The laksa was still the bomb though.

Sotong kangkungSome proper laksaOf course, some sotong bakarNext came the walk along the beach front. There were many vendors selling toys, and my boys went for the bubble guns. Before long, it was mayhem!

It was still an overcast day, with not much wind, making the weather rather muggy. A strong breeze would have been better. Once the bubbles dried up, we took a drive towards Batu Feringghi. It was almost Maghrib when we reached there, and Anita decided against getting off. There was a night market near the main intersection and the traffic was already starting to build up.

Time to head back to the hotel then ...

Baws Wanted to Stay In

It looked like an afternoon in. Idlan wanted to go out but Irfan wanted otherwise. He had been in bed all afternoon, with his iPad. But we agreed that there would be no lunch until late afternoon when we would go out for laksa nearby. We had a big late breakfast anyway, so we were still full.

If I had my way, we would've been at Line Clear by now! It was only a 10 minutes walk from the hotel .....

Anita wanted to go for a swim but the sun was too bright. Maybe we would do that after laksa later. Hmmmm .... I could do with some ice cream

An Evening Stroll

After a long day at Gurney Plaza, the boys were hungry by the time we touched down. We decided against ordering in since the menu was pretty limited. We went for dinner buffet at Sarkies instead.

The boys were charged at half price and on the whole considering the quality of the food on the spread, it was well worth it.

It had the usual Malaysian food, plus roast, salad, seafood including oyster - which I was not into, sashimi - my favourite, and some local delicacies including some flaming char kuey teow, which was the bomb!

The previous evening, there was roast lamb on the skewer, but not tonight. They had satay instead and it was really nice as well. The hidden gem was the chicken curry. Almost as good as the nasi kandar outlet to be honest. They really knew how to cook here, that was for certain!

Since both Anita and I overindulged, we had to take a walk. In the sea breeze towards the room, it was a really nice walk. The air was fresh. Shame that Irfan couldn't wait to get into the room. We could have done with another hour or so at the sofa by the lobby .....