Post no 1.

Hi everyone,
At last we are on our holiday. Although we got off to a rocky start when I overslept the alarm and was finally awakened by a panic stricken Allrounder just 11 minutes before we were due at the rail station for our initial trip to Sydney we headed off to Penang safely.

This was a long day with a 7am start and finally arriving at the Royal Penang Hotel at 1.30am (Penang time which is 2 hrs time delay so 3.30am Aust. time).
When we arrived and unpacked for an early start Allrounder found that her clothes were all wet, obviously her case had been left in the rain at some stage on one of the may tarmacs during the trip.

On Thursday we had a bus trip through the city and up into the mountains of Penang , visiting a resort and then a fruit farm prior to the return in the afternoon. We then had a beautiful lunch at one of the open stall areas in the town. In the night time we had dinner at the night markets - no not clothing and jewellery night markets FOOD markets. Again food to enjoy and hard to choose which food to eat it was all so appealing. Many beers and much food later we journeyed home.

On Friday we went to Baba Nanya - the Green House which is an historic mansion in the city. This has been restored to the original glory of its day. I was gobsmacked when I walked into the foyer to see a GREEN  decorative item identical to my PINK THING - the epergne which is a family heirloom that has been handed down from my paternal grandfather. When we finally reached the 1st floor I was even more excited to find that there was WHOLE ROOM of these and similar items. When I told the guide that I had one of these he told me I must never sell it and that it was worth 70,000 RM which is equivalent to Approx  $30,000.
This mansion was exquisite and  was a great visit that we all enjoyed. We then went to Little India to see the shops and also for lunch. We had a traditional Indian meal and which was served on banana leaves and I ate in the traditional manner with the fingers, the only one in our group to do so. Unfortunately my french manicure suffered as the tumeric in the rice stained my nails yellow so had one hand white and one yellow.

After this Allrounder and I hit the shops and gathered some presents.
In the night time we attended the opening of the Harriettes 2000th run which was a well organised event, lots of great food, plenty of drink, music, cultural show and a MALE BELLY DANCER.

Saturday we ventured to a shopping centre and then late today to the 1st of the 2 days of running for the Harriettes. Another great night of food and drink. Tomorrow - Sunday we are going out to a beach for the run and then the closing ceremony of this Pre-Lube event.

On Monday morning we fly to Kuala Lumpar for another 2 1/2 days. I will update from Kuala Lumpar in the meantime we will continue to have a good time but also be thinking of all of our family and friends at home. Until I report again, take care and look out for one another and know that we love you all.
Lesley & Wendy (aka Streaker & Allrounder)