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OK this blog is going to be not up to usual standards....No pictures for this one cos I've had my camera stolen!! Bastards!! What a way to welcome in the New Year.
Proper bo Chrimbo!!
Gareth Penpraze2007-04-21 00:22:15
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OK this blog is going to be not up to usual standards....No pictures for this one cos I've had my camera stolen!! Bastards!! What a way to welcome in the New Year.
I arrived in Penang at some random bus station outside of Georgetown and trying to get info on local buses was a pain in the arse so no choice but a taxi to 75 Travellers lodge. I met up with a Belgian couple Geert and Mieke, they asked me to join them in an evening at a Chinese Opera. I had visions of a nice comfy theatre with green tea by the bucket load. How wrong can I get. We met up with Ang from the local temple who told us a little about Chinese culture and what to expect. Ang has so much energy and was liking to show off some of his Kung Fu. We get a local bus to some run down Chinese estate - the equivilant of Seacourt in Larne - where an open lorry is the stage. After Ang having an arguement with the bus conductor for pressing the stop button too much - "You stupid Malaysians are are too fucking slow" he tell him - we're taken backstage to see the performers putting on their own makeup. Ang warns me, "Gareth no touching the girls, they know Kung Fu and they'll break your balls in 2 seconds!" The opera lasts for a full 3 hours, meanwhile opposite an other temple puts on a fire cracker show so loud the ears ring for a while after. I now know why Chinese people are so loud, cos they're deaf!! We see a traditional lion and dragon dance. Geert reckoned it was a dragon chasing the holy chubba chup.
The next night Ang takes us to see a Chingy competition he is competing in. What the hell is Chingy I hear you cry!! Well its a giant flag strapped to bamboo that a team of people flick up with their foot and other catch on the head whille standing on peoples shoulders, riding bicycles and any other silly combinations that may result in a bamboo pole stuck down your throat!! Ang had us hold it in the strong wind which was bloody hard, while the local newspaper reporters were snapping away!! I scoured the newspapers for a few days after trying to find the pics but no joy!!
Chimbo day was spent at the beach sleeping in the shade - 38 degree heat was a bit too much to handle - and santa did come. He left me a sore head and a dose of the shits from the large amounts of curry consumed the past few days. Although it didn't stop me from the traditional Indian christmas samosa's for desert!!
Boxing day/morning was spent at Penang hill, it does what it says on the tin!! Its a bloody great hill that overlooks Penang! 'Nuf said about that. So the boat ticket is bought and I'm off to Langkawi for New Year, nice beaches and cheap beer!! Ye ha!!
HAPPY NEW YEAR ALL. HOPE IT STARTED BETTER THAN MINE. STAY TUNED FOR EXPLAINATIONS
Gareth Penpraze
http://www.travelblog.org/Bloggers/ASBO-Holidays/
See photographs from:
Malaysia Gallery
