Sitting at the airport McDonlads after putting away a double cheeseburger meal - a mere snack compared to the 2 double cheeseburgers consumed by my travel partner the other day - we have about 4 hours to kill before our flight. What better way to make the clock go forward 30min than to share with the world what we have been up too.
First of all...Harry Potter! I discussed in my last blog Kate and I seeing Fantastic Beasts. Well since that night, every night at bed time we have started the full discography of Harry Potter movies. Last night saw us finish the Goblet of Fire and when we pass through the gates today we will get a start on the Order of the Phoenix. While I still have many questions about glaring plot holes and what appear to be rational inconsistencies I have been introduced to Pottermore. This does help relieve a few worries off the brain, however I still find myself a bit confused. I must admit tho I do enjoy the movies and enjoy more when I stump Kate with a scenario that makes no logical sense. Swords don't just appear in hats. We even spent 3 hours yesterday navigating malls and cross-bridges and google maps in order to find a paper copy of the Philosopher's Stone. Kate is currently reading her book as fast as she can so she can dump that and get into the world at 4 Pivot Drive.
We have definitely had a heap more fun in Penang than KL. I think it is the freedom offered of a smaller coastal town that takes the pressure off and forces you to relax. The carefree attitude of the locals is infectious. We hired a scooter to 'ride or die' our way around the island. Once our transaction with the man in the oversized shirt range was done we had paid 33RM (less than $11), left a 70RM deposit and departed without leaving a passport, a licence - even our names! Add to this to fill the tank cost 3.30RM - $1...how can you not be relaxed when no one cares about anything??? Kate and I spent our evenings after dinner having a few porchies and discussing with each other that 2 weeks in we weren't sick of each other yet, in fact we still liked each other so that was a good thing :)
We stayed in the 80s Guesthouse. We had a huge double room to ourselves and the breakfast at this hostel was really nice. Toast, fruit and proper jams. The place was old, at a guess 80-100 years. You were asked to remove shoes and tread lightly to the bedrooms upstairs. You find out why pretty quickly. Not sure the single layer of thin floorboards would pass many building inspections back home.
The scooter came about because the day before we were hanging to get out and swim. We had hired pushies but drastically under estimated how far we were away from a swimable beach. While we got to see some sights, learn a bit about how the traffic works to prepare us for the main event and Kate was able to get some pampering done, the beach would have to wait a day.
We set off on the scooters with limited experience or knowledge of what we were doing but it's fair to say I don't just look like Opie but that his character was based on me and my Casey Stoner like attitude to the roads. After the above mentioned eating feat we found one of the most amazing places. An unrestricted, undisturbed waterfall in the middle of the mountains. Never been prouder of Kate - walking bridges that we both fell off, standing and riding in the pouring rain with a singlet for protection, swimming in a lake under a waterfall without any encouragement and most astonishingly, relinquishing all control as I did the driving. Kate did have a brief stint behind the wheel for a brief period of time and continued to impress on her first crack. The wild streets of Penang tho called for a man of courage and skill to be guiding us home. We couldn't find one so I hid in the left lane and let all the big boys pass.
We had our first go at a free walking tour. We lasted 3min into this one before we ducked out the back and hit the bar! Again no offence to anyone who enjoys seeing the same temple 300 times but we just don't care. The Asian history told to you is of shipping and trade - we want to hear about the torture, the which hunts, the plague, the Renaissance. It is a huge part of us spending more time in Europe.
Kate has only been told off 3 times in the last 4 days which is good. The TV was too loud, she didn't accept a flyer for a beauty product and refused to pay 50x the cost to get a taxi to the airport. Apart from that she has been well behaved.
We continue to do very well with money which is good as tomorrow afternoon we see Alexia and her man Ash for 4 nights in Phuket. I have no doubt at all what these days will bring to my body and wallet but we have been a very good and we both can't wait to see them. Today it's back to KL for the night, then back to the airport to hop on the plane to Phuket. Someone should really have a look at a map before they book flights!!!
Until next time, Mighty out.
