Hello,

Feeling much better now....

Well it was quite a long an ardious journey to Penang, but I wanted to set off early (you can get a direct boat from Langkawi to Penang, but it doesn't leave until 4.30pm). A taxi to the port in Kuah, (driven by Ibrahem, Hiroko's husband who moaned about Langkawi, the people who couldn't drive and the government the whole way!) the ferry to Kuala Kedah, 2 local buses to Alor Setar Bus Terminal (luckily a lad, who was going to the Bus Station, took me under his wing and showed me where to go) a coach to Butterworth, then a passenger ferry to Penang. On the way back to Langkawi to meet Michelle, I shall definately get the direct bus. Still it did save me a whole 2pounds doing it this route!

I had a walk up Chulia street, where the main backpacker placers are, not realising that this is quite a long road and by the time I got to where I was staying I was boiling having walked with my backpack in the heat.

By the time I sorted myself out and had something to eat it was getting on a bit, so I thought I would spend the late afternoon in a shopping mall. I had been talking to one of the guys who runs 'Jim's Place' where I am staying (Jim is Indian, by the way) and he said he would take me to the mall for 3R. I agreed to this, not realising it was on the back of his motorbike, but I felt really bad saying no, as he was so nice.

This was one of the most scariest experiences so far, even though the raods are much more ordered than those in Thailand. I gripped on to the handle at the back and the guys shoulder for dear life...and he didn't take me directly to the mall, oh no! He took me the scenic route, to show me some of the sights, which was very nice of him (though even more scary that he kep turning round to talk to me!) and even did a little quiz where I had to name the statues...'Queen Victoria', 'Mother Mary' etc....

Just to give you a little history lesson, this island was a British Colony from the 18th Century, when Captain Light landed here. It was used as a trading point for places in Asia and with Britain. However the island also attracted many other races and nationalities from, for example, Singapore, India, Burma, Thailand and China and the mix of cultures is still very promident today. In fact the street names not only tell you which people are/were settled mainly in that area, e.g. Lebuh (meaning street) China or Jalan (meaning road) Burma or who, of importance, had settled on the island, e.g. Lebuh Dickens (not Charles!), but the names of the roads also often suggest the type of trade that was/is there, e.g. Jalan Brick Kiln, or Jalan Magazine! The main people here now are Indian, Chinese and Malays. There are relatively no British, as those that were still residing here, as happened to the British in Singapore were transported to Burma and Thailand to build the Death Railway by the Japanese during WWII. It is a very interesting place.

Anyway I eventually reached the safety of the shopping mall - the man refused to take any money of me which was really sweet of him and even got off his bike to show me right inside the mall. I browsed the massive 7 floor building for hours (with dinner in between) and then went to see Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, which was at the very top in an impressive 18 screen cinema, which I enjoyed thoroughly! I am not sad at all!!!

On the way out of the building it seemed that everyone else was going to the car park to drive home, so I went down the escalators, to go out of the building by foot. The big centre, was rather overpowering when you're alone and thoughts of 'Dawn of the Dead' sprung to mind and made me nervous.....even worse so when the escalators were shut from the 3rd floor down. I had to walk down some stairs, that were completely deserted, where a mouse (not a rat luckily Jo-Jo!) ran passed me. I eventually (with a sigh of relief, at not being locked in!) made it into the outside world, from a side entrance to the mall, getting very strange looks from the security men!

I was then completely conned for a taxi back to the guesthouse, though by this point I didn't care as I was tired and it was starting to rain.

I can only say three things in Malay - thank you, please and no, so I'll sign off in the normal way...

Love

Lynds x x