Penang 16/06/06

Got up at 8.30am, got dressed etc and knocked for Kelly and Alissia. Chatted to them while they got ready and then we knocked for Kristine.
We decided it would be a good idea to go out and find our own breakfast, easy right!!! We eventually left the hotel at 10.45ish and walked up to the mall to begin our search. It took ages and then we found a crepe place so I ordered a banana chocolate one but they didn't have any bananas! Kristine wanted one but also wanted ice cream with it and the girl said she couldn't. We decided they didn't want our business. Ended up at a 7 eleven eating a load of crap.
Once we had finished our very unsuccessful breakfast we popped into the mall so that I could buy some discs for my photos. Also had a quick wander, to our surprise it was just another mall.
We then ventured off to get the free shuttle bus around town and by this time it was around 1pm so we waited at the stop. A bus finally appeared and stopped a little way before the stop, it was packed. We started to walk towards the bus and the driver waved us back, we thought that maybe he wanted us to let people off before we got on. Everybody got off until the bus was empty and then he just drove off. A local guy told us there would be no more buses as they all went to get a drink or something! Crazy..........
We figured we didn't need no shuttle bus so we started to walk about. We had maybe walked a couple of blocks and big shocker it started to rain - heavy. We ran into this closed shop doorway area to wait and then we realised we were pretty much stuck there for a bit. We stood for about 10 minutes and then it appeared to calm down a little so we thought we'd go for it. We walked through Little India getting quite wet.
It got really heavy again so we rushed for cover next to some Malay guy who appeared to like Alissia...!
After a bit we risked it again and ran over to King (?) George's Church but it was bloody closed so we had to stand at the entrance for a few minutes. We were off again down a road towards the hotel and we thought we could go into all these historical places and museums but everything was closed, we figured there was something religious happening as we had seen a load of people rushing into a mosque.
Anyway the rain had calmed down so that was something. We got back to the hotel and I popped online and then went to the room to rest.
Kelly and Alissia knocked at 3.30 and I was about to go downstairs to play cards with them when Kristine knocked and said she was off to wander the mall again. I said I would go, get out, so I would meet her in the lobby. I popped to see Kelly and Alissia, Kelly decided to come and Alissia wanted to rest and call home.
So we walked up there and Kristine and I got corn on the cob from a street stall, it was still in the leaves and steamed. Best I've ever had. A bit hot though!
I got some brown 3/4 length trousers which are quite nice to wear out. 29RM - 4quid, not bad.
Got back just after 6 and went to shower etc for dinner. I was ready by 7.15pm, early as usual. We went down to meet everyone just before 8. We were first there again, need to start being late. Catherine and Amy turned up and gradually a few more. So a few of us went off with Kit to the restaurant and the rest would join us.
We got to the indian and all went upstairs, all to ourselves, sat down and ordered. It had a really nice atmosphere and was well decorated. I had a lentil and spinach curry which I ate off a banana leave, was great. The food was great and I am also having a beer stage, had a tiger - yummy.
After dinner quite a few of us went to Slippery Singureatas (sp?) and into a club called Glo in there. It was loud and the music wasn't great so Nancy, Nadine, Kristine and I decided to back to Soho, as originally planned.
When we got outside though we decided to wander to the pretty posh Eastern and Oriental Hotel and have a peek at that. We just wandered around inside, there was some sort of wedding going on and we did consider sneaking in and then thought that we would probably get caught being all scruffy and the only white people there!!!
We were then back on track and on the way to Soho when we noticed a funky club with lights and mirrors all along the entrance hall. We walked in to check it out and it was ok. A live band were playing but Nancy and Nadine didn't fancy it so we left.
We got to Soho and a very nice man playing pool, not nice as in sexy!!, gave up his table near the back for us. We all got a drink each and watched some guy dancing, he was good - apparently a dance teacher. We sat for quite a while drinking and enjoying the music and when we finished our drinks Nancy and Nadine went back to the hotel so we said goodbye. Kristine and I decided to head to the funky lights club.
However, we got distracted on the way and went into this locals bar called Carls. We got inside and a waitress asked if we wanted a table so after looking around we said yes, before we could even get passed the first table the group sitting down gave us a beer eash and asked us to join them. There were about 7 Malay guys and 2 woman. I think only the women could speak english. But after a couple of the guys heard I was English they thought I was great cos we are great at football - for gods sake!!!
There were live singers and so we danced a bit to that and then carried on dancing when the cd player got put on even though it was playing westlife or something!! It was fun but one of the guys always liked to be hugging one of us so Kristine and I were trying to get away from him quite alot.
After about an hour we said we were going and it took a while to get out cos they didn't want us to go, we were the only westeners in there! When we eventually got out we started to head back to the hostel and met Phillip on the way so walked back with him.
Got back around 1.30 so off to bed.