Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Singapore Aug 2018 mini trippie - PENANG

[Geordieprincess]

Day 1 Sunday - Arrival in Penang

The flight from KL was a smooth 40mins and we were quickly out of the airport and in a taxi to The Hard Rock Hotel. They seem to charge depending on number of people as the standard 74 RM was doubled for 4 people - it’s still not bad £30 for an hours taxi ride.

We had booked a swim up room at less than £200 per night incl breakfast - we thought that was pretty reasonable and would have a wow factor.
When we walked into our room it had a king size bed but nothing for the kids and very little space to fit extra beds. What followed was an hour fiasco of
"we need more beds",
"here is one more",
"but there are 4 of us where does the other child sleep?"
"well in your bed",
"no I don’t think so" etc.
Ironically when I had booked it direct with the hotel the bed situation was not clear and I had followed up with an email to check the room was definitely big enough and I still had the email on my phone.

The Manager came and sorted out 2 beds for us and moved furniture around to get it to fit and we were sorted, but it took the shine off the excitement of the swim up room which was a surprise for the kids.

The kids went straight in the pool while we attempted to unpack 4 peoples stuff into enough space for 2! Finally got the kids out the pool after dark and headed out for pizza at one of the hotel restaurants as we couldn’t get a reservation at short notice for the Hard Rock Cafe. A few games of cards and an early night was needed.

Day 2 Monday - pool day

We hadn’t set an alarm and it was after 9.30 when we woke up - definitely needed it! Breakfast wasn’t as westernised as we’d hoped but there were some things we would eat. Hotel buffet breakfasts are usually the highlight for the kids so they were a bit gutted it’s not as good as the usual European ones.

As we left breakfast there was a torrential downpour - we started to think this holiday was cursed! After about an hour of watching "Sing" on the free movies the sun came out and we hit the pool, explored the grounds and went down to the beach. The sand is a bit gritty but it looks beautiful, the beach was so quiet and the sea was like a warm bath.

Back to the sun terrace and we were in and out of the pool all day with some chicken nuggets and chips to share for an afternoon snack. Hotel prices are western so expensive for Malaysia but what we'd expect.

It was a struggle to get the kids out of the pool around 7pm. After a quick change we took the free hotel shuttle to the night market where we ate at the hawker food stalls - the kids both loved chicken skewers and DD also enjoyed tepanyaki chicken. And pancakes for dessert. All for around £10! DS collects model aeroplanes which are usually around £10 at home - he bought 2 for less than £4 each at the night market so was happy.

We just missed the half hourly hotel shuttle so started to walk back - it’s only 1.2km but it was really hot so when we spotted some rickshaws we jumped in for a ride back to the hotel. DS is big on health and safety and was convinced we were going to die!

Day 3 Tuesday - Penang Hill and Temple

We set the alarm for 7.30am but could hear the torrential rain so didn’t rush to get up. The forecast suggested it would stop by 9am so we got dressed, had breakfast then got a taxi to Penang Hill to get the steepest funicular railway in the world to the top.

The views would be amazing on a clear day but it was quite hazy. We had a wander round, kids got a wax hand each done and a joint characterture all very reasonably priced then we jumped in another taxi to Lok Kek si temple. It was huge. We lit a candle for family and friends no longer with us - kids love to do this in churches wherever we go and when they saw some locals doing it decided it would be good to do it in a temple too.

We had planned to continue on the Georgetown but it was nearly 2pm and red hot so we decided to head back to the pool and leave GT until tomorrow.
Afternoon in the pool then we had dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe. Chicken fajitas is always a favourite but they were pretty tasteless vs everywhere we’ve had them before.

Day 4 Wednesday - Georgetown

Again we had a alarm set for 7.30, breakfast then we chatted to the concierge about where to go in George Town and he wrote us a list. We got a taxi to the first place he suggested and wander around - it was busy, hot and not really as I’d imagined. Scruffy and run down. A friend had said she loved George Town - we couldn’t see it. It was boiling again and the kids had seen an advert for the upside down house so we headed there hoping for air con. It was nice and cool and you walk around different upside down scenes while the staff take photos of you posing with your own camera or phone. It was good fun and the kids really enjoyed it. On the way out they handed us a voucher for money off their sister museum which was fluorescent scenes so we headed across town to there, stopping off at a small free chocolate museum on the way. The second museum was ok but as we are also doing trick eye in Singapore we maybe shouldn’t have bothered with his one too. The lady on the counter booked us a grab taxi and we headed back to the hotel. By now it was raining heavily so we went to the pizza place for lunch then watched a movie in the room until it stopped and the kids hit the pool.

Plan was to head back to the night market but a storm set in so we got room service and watched a movie and played cards. We needed an early night anyway as we have an early start tomo.

Day 5 Thursday - Orangutan island trip

Alarm set for 6.20am as we were getting picked up at 7.30. Quick breakfast and we were away in our private car booked through Ocean Jupiter. Our driver was friendly and spoke good English pointing things out on the way. The journey took 90mins. There is a 10 min boat ride over to Orangutan island.

24 orangutans live there in 15 acres while the visitors are caged. There were 2 playful youngsters and several older ones nearby. There were no babies in the hospital as they had been born healthy so were still with their mothers. The visit took 45mins but I could have easily stayed longer.

We got a boat back then went to the nearby water park. It was a bit run down and lots of slides closed for maintenance but we passed a few hours there before heading back to the hotel for just after 4pm.

An hour or so by the pool then we headed to the night market for hawker food and some haggling. DS bought 3 more planes at £4 each, DH bought Fakey Lacoste polo shirts for £6 each.

Day 6 Friday - pool day

Today was a pool day but DD woke up with the runs. Luckily we still had Imodium from DH in KL so after a bit of a drama trying to get her to take the tablet by sprinkling on food and dissolving in sprite she was much better.

Spent the day in and out of the pool - love the swim up room it’s so convenient - unfortunately probably can’t justify the price of them anywhere else!

Evening we just went to the hotels Italian restaurant, cocktails, sunset on the beach, game of cards and started the packing for leaving Sunday.

Day 7 Saturday - pool day

Much the same as yesterday, in and out of the pool all day. Finished packing then one final visit to the night market and another £4 plane for DS.

Sunday - transfer to Singapore

Alarm set for 7am, breakfast, check out and taxi to airport for our flight to Singapore.

Continued in Singapore...

[Melbatb]

What a palaver with the hotel and beds. The swim up pool looks fabulous though!

What a shame you still had sickness issues of one sort or another!

[Glee Fan]

I would just love that swim up room, but so annoying about the bed situation.

The orangutan’s look very cute!

[HiddenMickey35]

Oh beautiful photos