Back Home

Now back in KL after a four hour drive. It was a pleasant one, with no jam and the weather was nice. We stopped by McDonald's and bought our laksa to bring back to KL. We finally left Penang just after 3.

We had a quick stop in Tapah for kuih pau as well as jambu before dropping my parents off in Bukit Antarabangsa. Finally reached home at around 8, with enough time for a haircut before a long shower.

Irfan said, "Saya tak puas hati!"

It was a nice trip away, managed to visit my Grandmother and other relatives, as well as being a good break for everybody. Now, it was time for a nice dinner and an evening sorting out the photos. Have to take my mum to see the Opthalmologist tomorrow for her follow-up as well as sorting out some paperwork over at UMMC.

The Take-out Project

Just left the hotel and 5 minutes later, we reached Pelita. The original plan was Line Clear but the boys refused to get out of the car. The fact that we would be traveling later down to KL, we decided not to upset them. I don't want to have a couple of grumpy kids in the car all the way down.

Anita was going berserk in the shop, ordering everything on sight. It looked like we will be having a huge lunch at my Grandmother's. As for the two boys, they wanted McShaker. Argh!

Next stop would be Chowrasta market but again I will be in the car with the boys. So, no photographs there sadly ......

The Feast

It was more like a feast and a half. We left Sungai Petani just after Asar prayers, and stopped at my Uncle's place in Kepala Batas before returning to the hotel in Georgetown. My boys were confused as to the number of time we crossed the Penang Bridge. It was certainly more convenient than taking the ferries, but a lot less fun.

As we got back to Penang after Maghrib, we bought dinner back to the hotel - all that we fancied, laksa, tandoori, sotong kangkung - as tomorrow we would be easing home.

So, we ate and dined. Now we were all sleepy, settling in for an early night. We planned am early start tomorrow, likely heading to Chowrasta Market before making one last stop at Grandmother's on the way home. My mother-in-law had put some order in for food to take back down to KL. Therefore we were more than likely to leave for home after 3. Let's hope that there were still space in the boot ....

Lunch at Kepala Batas

We had our obligatory lunch at one of our old neighbors stall in Kepala Bataih earlier this afternoon. Anita had three plates of rice. It was gorgeous. Even Irfan said so. As for Idlan? He preferred his iPad.

The food was pretty basic but it was gorgeous. You can't get this kind of food in KL I'm afraid. Even if you do, they would probably charge you a bomb.

The old town of Kepala Batas. Things has certainly changed since one of the resident became the Prime Minister.

The stall was just a few houses away from the house where I was born. The house has been unkept since my Grandfather passed away in 2006. One of my Uncle and his family lived in the house next door to it just to make sure the area around it is tidy, but that was about it. I wished I could spend some time and money renovating the house as what we did with Anita's old house in Kuala Kangsar. Better not dwell on that too much though as I'm not really sure who the land actually belong to.

I went to have a look none the less while the rest was still having their lunch. My Uncle was away and the house was empty. After going around for a bit, it was time to was put again to Sungai Petani for another stop at my Auntie's.

Telok Bahang Butterfly Farm

After the boys finished their breakfast in the room, all of us drove up by the shore towards Telok Bahang. The destination - the Butterfly Farm. It is located further up Batu Feringghi, way past the now iconic, Hard Rock Hotel. Right in the end, a left turn just before you see the famous dam.

It was a bit further than I remembered. The weather was overcast, making the visit pleasant temperature wise. The Park was well signposted from the City Center. Parking was a squeeze even for a working Monday like today. Entrance was more expensive than I expected as well. An adult Malaysian cost RM27. My parents qualified for Senior Citizens, hence half the price. They did not charge my children. For a foreigner to enter, it would cost them RM39 per head. Good thing we did not bring our maid along ....

The size of the farm was more or less comparable to the Farm in Kuala Lumpur. Maybe just a touch smaller, but there were definitely more butterflies there. And the butterflies there were much more photographer-friendly. At least they tended to stay still a lot more. Unfortunately, Idlan was rather grumpy around butterflies. He imagined them as moth, and stood well away from them. To the exit he went. But the exit was not the end.

We were taken to an exhibit area, about moth and butterflies. Complete with video presentations and at the end, the obligatory gift shop. But the marking ploy here is definitely much better than the KL Butterfly Park. The staffs were a lot more friendly too.

We ended up buying T shirts and soft toys. And the soft toys were themed. Irfan got himself Jurro the Caterpillar! Complete with a gift bag ....

Handsome fellerOne of the mascots - OnyxDefinitely a destination I would recommend to those willing to take the scenic drive. I snapped close to 200 frames there, ao don't forget to bring your macro zoom ......