Clinic Cafe

We were headed to Batu Ferranggi today so I wanted to try and squeeze in the other novelty restaurant that I had read about – the Clinic Café. After packing the bags, Makoa and went back to Gurney Plaza for a yummy lunch. 

  

Drinks were served in beakers, ketchup in syringes, and sandwiches in trays you’d expect to see in operating rooms. 

 

Tom and Jerry was playing on large screens and the décor was fun to look at. 

Then we took a taxi to the beach town of Batu Ferranggi (about 30min from Georgetown) and checked into Annie’s Homestay. We booked two air con rooms and were immediately welcomed into the family. Annie and Raj have 4 kids aged 10 to 16 and Makoa is feeling so cool! We went for a walk to check out our neighborhood and ate at a delicious pizza/pasta place called Olio's.

Budget:

Accommodation - $62

Transport - $20

Food - $75

Poo Ice Cream - Yum!

After reading about the T-bowl restaurant here, we just had to go. We took a taxi to the Queensbay Mall and after much hunting, finally found what we were looking for – a restaurant with toilets for seats and bathtubs for tables! Makoa and I got the giggles just talking about the place! Makoa sang a ‘waiting for poo’ song while we waited for our yummy desserts served in toilet bowls! 

 

It was silly and sweet and so fun for a 5 year old. Tasiana enjoyed looking in all the toilet seats too!

 

 I mean really, what could be better than ice cream and toilet humor (my dad would have loved it!)

Budget:

Accommodation - $126

Food - $50

Transport - $26

Extras - $10 for laundry and $3 for arcade games

New Year's Day

As it was New Years Day today we were prepared not to do much, but then the concierge called us at about 11 and said there were lion dancers at the hotel. We went downstairs and waited for the dance to begin. 

 

Makoa got his video camera ready too :)

It was incredible to be so close. 

 

Then we sat and sat and sat in the lobby as the lion must have gone to each office and every floor because it was so long for 2 little kids. When they came back though it was amazing to almost touch the costume. 

The dancers took the offering of mandarins and then pretended to eat them. They gave back a platter with the mandarins in a design and then threw some of the peels. As they danced around they gave all of the children fruit and chocolate money coins. 

It was so much fun. After nap Don took Tasi on a walk and Makoa and I played a huge battle in our giant hotel room. Then I attempted to make some dinner . . . boiling noodles in the ice cube bucket! Note to travelers – always read the label (I ended up with kidney beans in heavy syrup, always wondered how they made sweet bean buns) and make sure your cans have pop off lids if you don’t have a can opener (was lucky with the beans and corn but no peas) and noodles steamed in a bucket can get soggy. Ah well, the kids liked the familiar flavours!

Budget;

Accommodation - $126

Food - not so yummy but free :)

Don Birthday and New Year's Eve!

This year Don's birthday fell on the eve of Chinese New Year. I spoke with the town reps and got them to do a special show just for him :) In anticipation of a big night we were pretty low key during the day. We went to Gurney Plaza in hopes of checking out a restaurant we heard about, only to find them closing early. Apparently, most Chinese have a Reunion Dinner tonight getting together with all of their family to celebrate the new year. Oh well, downstairs to check out Toys R Us. Found this neck float - for all those who want to tie something around your baby's neck to help them stay afloat - just let me know if you want me to pick one up for you!

Makoa found some Star Wars characters, so he showed off his new present. Happy Birthday Daddy!

After dinner we found a playground and the kids played while Don and I checked out the funny graffiti. 

 

Big dicks, smelling farts, M is wack, and my favorite - cowsperm!!

Back at the hotel we found some matches and sang Happy Birthday to Don and pretty much demolished the cake.

 

At 9pm we went to Fort Cornwallis for the countdown and show.

I am sure this building has a name, but I don't know it. It was beautifully lit up and all of us were standing in a large field between the Fort and it. You can see a reddish glow of the stage beneath the tree to the left. Michael Jackson even came to sing.

My family is getting tired of smiling I guess!!

Tasi was tired and fell fast asleep despite all the noise. And Makoa had a great view of the lion dance from the sound stage - pays to be a tourist kid :)

At 11:58 Makoa had to go to the toilet so we ran the length of the field to the bathroom near the Fort. They stepped inside and from behind the bathroom the fireworks went off. It was so loud Tas and I hit the ground and rolled over with me saying 'ooh flower' (Tasi's word for firework). Makoa and Don ran out and laid in the grass next to us.

It was a fantastic show and Don and I were reminded of 4th of July in Chico, on the grass watching from Chico High. Although we couldn't FEEL every explosion like we could tonight, I think my chest hurts! We walked half way home and took a nice family pic on a decorated street.

At about the 1/2 way mark Makoa was a bit tired (it was nearly 1am) so we got into a trishaw. We made it around the block and it started POURING, not sprinkles, not heavy rain, like umbrellas and tarps covering us and lakes forming on the street. Thank goodness we weren't walking, and thank goodness we were already in the trishaw, I don't think they would take us if it was already raining. We made it, and after giving a big tip ran inside. I think Don had a good birthday!

Budget:

Accommodation - $126

Food - $39

Transport - $9 

Extras - $12

Lion Dance

This morning I went to a coffee shop while Don took the kids to a playground. I saw that there was to be a lion dance at the plaza so they eventually met up with me. Makoa and I had to pay 20 cents to use the toilet and we saw this funny sign.

 

No standing on the western style toilet people, please save it for the squat ones :)

Then Makoa and Tasiana did a little performance on the stage while the dancers got ready.

The performers were just teens and I enjoyed watching them rehearse before the show.

And really, who doesn't love seeing a bunch of boys in pink satin pants!

They did an amazing job and we even got to pose with the costume while they packed up and Tasi got a few tickles too.
  
On the way home Makoa and were so excited to find a bakery for Don's birthday cake (big day tomorrow!) and we also found some interesting flavored chips.

Budget:
Accommodation - $126
Food - $32
Cake - $6

Friday Travel to Penang

This morning we said goodbye to Anita and Sarang Mutiara for a plane to Penang, Malaysia.

In the taxi Makoa said, "Wait we didn't get to go up in the towers." (We made the choice to go to Megakidz instead of the discovery centre and wading pool at the towers.) So Don distracted with what were the best and favorite bits . . . "our hotel" and "Megakidz" granted we were just there yesterday, but the bird park and aquarium and painting ranked high too, so far Mommy has not disappointed on our outings!

We flew with the local airline, Firefly. We flew out of a tiny airport, but made friends in the waiting lounge.

The airplane ride was a short 1 hour, and was very nice. Our flight attendant was a bit tired I guess, she fell asleep during landing!

We got to the hotel and I was a bit nervous. We left a wonderful place and now we were headed to a Western-style big hotel and we were supposed to have an apartment and I paid extra for Makoa, but wasn't sure how it was going to turn out. I heard Don hold his breath as we first entered the tiny room with a couch and TV, then as I set my bags down I didn't hear him again . . . that was because he went through the GIANT bedroom with desk and couch and TV and was in the closet room with another desk and bathroom. After spending a week in a lovely studio with a wall between the bedroom and living room but no door, this place is massive! I'll post pics later.

The kids and I went to the pool then we all went out to dinner. It was 6:15 and we were starving as we usually eat closer to 5 :) but apparently the town doesn't even really open for dinner until 7, oops! We found an Indian restaurant open, surprised by us ready to eat so early, but willing to serve us! Makoa wore his napkin and crowned himself king, and then we feasted on lots of yummy food.

Afterwards we quickly ate ice cream before it melted.

Then took a trishaw home.

 

Budget:
Accommodation -$126
Flight - $262
Transport - $38
Food - $58