DAY 84---PENANG, MALAYSIA

 

We are docked in Georgetown today which is on a small island just opposite of Penang, Malaysia. Another hot and humid day.  This and last two ports have been just north of the Equator.

Historical/Background Info:

        We were here in 2010, 2013 & 2017 also. We are docked today in Georgetown the capital for the state of Penang. It is located on the northwest Malaysian peninsula just south of the Thailand border. Penang is one of 13 states in Malaysia, most of which, lies on Penang Island. To get to Georgetown on Penang Island you can take a ferry or there is a 8.5 mile bridge to it. Penang is one of the most developed and economically important states in the country and has a thriving tourist industry. Because of its shape and location on the strategic trading route of the Strait of Malacca, it is often referred to as the “Pearl of the Orient”. Manufacturing leads the economy here but tourism, shipping, finance, and other services are also important. As far as agriculture, palm oil, rice, rubber, fruits, coconut, vegetables, cocoa, and spices are harvested. Penang state’s population is 1.6 million, of which, 600,000 live on Penang Island. 

LAST EVENING

What a wonderful evening we had with Harvey, Richard, and Marcia.

                                                      Budi was great serving our special champagne .

Our three special ladies that usually drink with us in the Mariner Lounge Bar sent this wine to our table.  Very nice California cabernet.

Crab cakes

                        Of course, the waiters and Dominic has to sing to us.  The cake was very good.

                        To the show room and this is Jimbo and Mary Ann, favorite friends.

                                                              INCREDIBLE SHOW

                                              Bessie and Effrin had decorated our suite.

TODAY

                                                       The sun coming up this morning.
        I was scheduled to go on a four hour "George Heritage" tour at 8:45 this morning.  I went down and got a bus ticket.  They said masks were required to be worn when indoors in Malaysia.  I mulled that over and decided not to go on the tour.  I am not wearing a mask!

        So back to the suite and got dressed for the treadmill.  After the treadmill I changed as decided to take a walk into town since it was just outside the cruise terminal.  First some photos from deck 12.

                                                A Malaysian naval ship was just docking.

                                         Small, old cruise ship I guess.  No one around.

Another small, old cruise ship had arrived after we did this morning and got a berth right in front of the cruise terminal.  It is the Aegean Paradise.

                                                  Two guys painting the bow this morning.

                                               Old warehouse that is not used these days.

                                                          Queen Elizabeth Clock Tower

Penang State government building--As you will note from the photos that the buildings were from the Colonial period when the British ruled Malaysia.  They are very well maintained.  In 1957 Malaysia became independent.

                                                      Chinese Chamber of Commerce

                                                                          Town Hall

City Hall--I asked the couple sitting here what the building was.  They were super nice and said it was the City Hall.  I was confused now as the Town Hall was just next to it.

                                                         The streets are clean here

I asked the guard what this building was.  He was very nice also and said it is the " City Court Building".  It is Saturday here so no activity in town.

                                                       This bird was making a lot of noise.

                                           Covenant Light Street School (secondary school)

                                                  Penang State Museum and Art Gallery

                                                                         Starbucks

                                                         Flowering tree was interesting.

                                              Church of the Assumption--Catholic church

Old "shop houses".  Called shop houses as their business was on street level and they lived above on second floor.

                                                                        Bike taxi

        The front of the cruise terminal.  I had to take an escalator up to second floor where there were shops and security check point to return to the ship.  It was very well air conditioned and the internet free and fast!!  So I got my photos uploaded in just a few minutes.

        I was off the ship for an hour and was soaking wet (shirt and shorts) from sweat when I got back to the suite.  No wonder as it is 92 degrees and 60% humidity today.  Probably be raining again late afternoon.

        We will be sailing again at 5pm and arriving in Phuket, Thailand, tomorrow morning by 8am.  There is a Captain's Welcome Reception at 6:00 this evening.  We have a new Captain now, Captain Abhi.  He is a fairly new captain at Regent.  His wife and two small kids are on with him until Dubai.

        Here is tonight's Compass Rose menu.  We will be going up to Sette Mari for dinner however.  We told Donald, the maitre'd, we would be coming up.  We also asked Chef Anees to prepare a veal parmesan for us to share.

        Tonight's show is featuring Steve Marshall again.  He is a does magic, card tricks, and mind reading.  We did not attend his first show.  May go tonight.