~ town and around ~
Wednesday Feb.24. Penang's cool, metaphorically speaking...the developed tropics...just what I need at the moment. I move way down cooler from the Sky to The Noble...situated in Jn. Pasar, a side street off the Indian money-changer street. The entrance to the Noble doesn't look very inspiring, but it's a well-maintained, friendly place and has everything I need.
It's the hotel a local lawyer I met when I got off the ferry took me to...but it was full at the time...being as it was, the end of Chinese New Year celebrations. It's not expensive for a modern, comfortable and clean room with shower (but no loo). The basic room costs RM20, with electicity and extra 1 and wifi 3; so it's RM24 all up. Some of the other cheaper rooms...around RM18, for example at the Traveler's Lodge...there are many others...are not as good value...that's very subjective. Number 66. They're nothing flash, but for Malaysia this room is very good value. There's a good, quiet fan and also a small a ceiling extractor fan, which helps to keep the place cool...also serves to get rid of my cigarette smoke, too. The shower is at the back and has a basin too. The only time you need to go over to the loo in the main building, is for a number 2...used plastic coke bottles get filled up nites. It's run by local Chinese and the staff here are efficient and friendly, migrant workers from Indonesia. As for the guests, it's frequented by local expats and return tourists...most of middle-age vintage...like me.
On the evening walkabout and come across a car smash. Traffic accidents...as we used to call them are not something I see a lot of this trip. Malaysia is full of cars, not m/cylces. Apparently the car that rolled was speeding through this intersection. No-one was injured...as far as I know. An ambulance did arrive, hung around a bit and then went back to base empty-handed.
Some nite-time snaps around Georgetown's Little India. I love the Indian food available in all parts of Malaysia...makes a change from rice and noodles. I generally eat local food wherever I go, only sometimes opting for a 'cheeseburger in paradise (Jimmy Buffet)'.
Storefronts in Little India...little further explanation needed. Little India video and music shops. When I wanted to snap a gold shop, the security there told me politely not to. I have found Malaysia people generally to be very, very polite...especially noticeable after living in Vietnam, where the opposite applies. On the honesty ranking they work out about the same...inherently DIS!
Later, in the wee small hours, I head with Mack and another American friend of his for an 'Old Trafford burger' on Chulia...and then back to base. They're cheap at RM3:50 for the simplest, RM4 for cheese in. A couple of these with fries and you DO think you're in paradise! Sleep right off. Just another day in the life of a budget traveler in Malaysia...simply Asia.