Week 28, Penang, Malaysia

Dear Ethel, Family and Friends,

Despite our visa fiasco, we made it to Penang without a hiccup, but this was surely “pushing the envelope”. We left the lovely Island of Ko Samet on Wednesday at 10 am, opting for the speed boat back to the mainland, rather than the bone crushing ride in the taxi, which is really a ride in the back of a ute, and the slow Ferry back. It cost us an extra $20 each but worth it. On the mainland we were lucky enough to get a single mini bus back into Bangkok. The following day Tuesday, we picked up my new glasses then picked up the Visas at 5pm. Then Sky train to the MRT underground train which took us right to Bangkok Railway station and the 7.30pm overnight train left on time.

The second class overnight sleeper is a great way to travel. Food and drinks on the train if you want to buy them. Beds are made up at about 10pm and apart from the ‘clackety clack’ we had a reasonable night’s sleep. We were up at about 6am and had breakfast on board at 7am and the train arrived at Suri Thani at about 8am. The waiting bus drivers herded us on to our designated bus and we were off again, this time for the port about 60km from Suri Thani. Next we all pile off the bus and on to the ferry to Ko Sumi. About a 2 hour trip. Keeping in mind we have a 2.30pm flight to catch and its now about 10.30pm. It has been a somewhat nervous trip for both of us. The ferry arrives in Ko Sumi 12.30 on the dot. We transfer again to another minibus for the 45 minute drive to the airport. However we picked the only driver on the Island who has never been to the airport. And there were road works to gust to keep the stress levels peaking.

Needless to say we did make it on time, but it was a close one. Ko Sumi is a lovely airport, open air with free drinks and snacks while you wait which is just as well as that all we saw of Sumi. We flew with Firefly airlines, the old fashioned type airline that uses propellers for propulsions. It’s a good flight and got too see a good view of Penang as we flew around the west side of the Island as we came in to land. From the airport a short 1 hour taxi ride (peak hour traffic) to our hotel to relax.

Apart from that we haven’t done much this week. However, I have come down with some flew like symptoms. We have been to the doctor this morning (Monday) to get a blood test for malaria before setting off to India just in case. Will be in KL next week.

All the best for now.

Ric & Louise