Penang, 7th April 2018.

Today, I had no shore excursion booked, nor have I tomorrow when we dock at Langkawi, our final port in Malaysia. Yesterday’s trip to Kuala Lumpur was long. However, I did enjoy visiting another major city. At around 8am on the 7th April, (again, it’s just after midnight), QM2 docked at Penang. After a fairly decent sleep, I decided to try for a shore excursion after all. There were places available on my preferred choice “Penang Hill and Temple”. Quite why every journey to a destination is described as scenic, I fail to understand. We had a conducted journey to the base of Penang Hill from where we would take the funicular railway. We journeyed past residential areas, numerous retail and other roadside businesses in shacks, through the capital Georgetown; all highly interesting to see, but not what I would call scenic! However, the approximately 7 minute funicular ride to the top of Penang Hill, which I am told is 700 metres high, was extremely lovely. There was plenty to see and enjoy at the top, and wonderful colourful vegetation and superbly tended gardens. The city of Georgetown lay far below as if looking down from an aeroplane. The aptly named Belle Vue Hotel is up there; I could do with a week there during a future world tour. Eventually, we descended the mountain by the same way we ascended Penang Hill. Missing breakfast this morning, I had grabbed some cold meat and fresh bread from the Kings Court and made impromptu sandwiches. These were rather nice during the trip. We continued to the massive hillside Kek Lok Si Temple, the largest in Malaysia. This involved a long hike through and high into this “Temple of Ten Thousand Buddhas”. Eventually, another funicular railway would take us to the summit, again affording colourful roof top views to the city far below. There was an ornate pond at the summit which I read may be the Tortoise Pond of Longevity. (I am not sure). Eventually, we all met at the coach park part way up, and were taken back to the ship. I am told the temperature reached a magnificent 37 degrees Celsius today. The heat and humidity did “get to me” for a short while. It remains humid tonight. The summit of Penang Hill Kel Lok Si Temple. More news soon. Thanks for reading, David.