From Grads to Nomads

The last 24 hours were a series of contrasts and interesting times. Yesterday we had a leisurly sleep in the jungle, and from there Rob and I had a tasty breakfast at the fancy resort across the river from where we stayed. The others all took the 8am bus to get to Penang, to avoid the possibility of missing the bus, whereas Rob and I opted for the 2pm boat ride out.....so as teh boat was surprisingly prompt, we hopped on to discover the guy behind us was wearing a U of C 101 shirt.....turns out though he was from Manchester, England, so we had a great little chat!

After the bus, we hopped on a local bus at Jerantut, a pithole of Malaysia, where we received many a stares from Muslim women fully head clothed. After a bumpy many stop ride to Temerloh, we had 4 hours to kill until the 11pm bus to Butterworth, to get to Penang. There was an air conditioned pizza hut where we had dinner, and they would not give me a menu due to me being female. When we went back later in the evening, again they would only give Rob the menu.

The bus station was not a pleasant time, as the designer had the foresight to design benches that were simply 2 metal poles, not comfy at all, and then while waiting for our bus in teh back terminal, what should be scurrying around the ground, but a huge disgusting rat. We were utterly disgusted, as rats are just not commonly found in Canada!! It was at that point we decided some luxury was in order upon arriving in Georgetown, Penang.

The 6 hour long night bus was anything but fun, as the driver blasted the air conditioning and half froze us to death, Rob kept his feet warm by putting them in his backpack, and I accidentally squished him while I slept and took over both seats. A LONG 6 hours later, we pulled up in Butterworth, and were totally unaware of it, the driver came over to ask us where we were going, we said Butterworth. "Oh" he goes, and walks away. Two minutes later, a different man comes to us and says "this is Butterworth!"

So in the dark, we were swindled into an expensive taxi ride into town due to a reluctance to take the ferry, and we pulled up to the Eastern and Oriental Hotel, which is a fantastic 120 year old colonial hotel where we have a gorgeous suite that brought pure giddyness to us upon getting into it at 7:30am this morning! We will be thoroughly enjoying luxury the next 3 days for sure!!!