Moving on .. and on!

Leaving the yoga centre was more sad than I had imagined it would be ... having been there just a month it never occurred to me that the friendships formed in such a short period of time could be so strong.   This was particularly so with the two Malaysian women .. one Chinese (volunteer) and one Hindu (long stay visitor) who were without a doubt the most  hardworking of all of us.  For some reason the three of us clicked mostly because we were usually last to leave the kitchen after washing up even if was not our turn to do so.   They were both at a turning point in their lives and they both had to break many taboos and boundaries of their own culture simply to come but they both were of the opinion that it had been a good experience and felt that they would take the next step in their lives following their dreams as well as the wishes of their parents.  On our last evening together the three of us plus a Brazilian chap who had become my very innovative assistant went out to the local cafe for iced drinks and the two women gave me cards with heartwarming comments about our time spent together. We have exchanged email addresses and I really hope that we keep in touch.  .... For me the other inspirational experience has been in meeting so many young European women (18 - 25) who are travelling on a budget throughout south east asia on their own as I am.  Most state that the comments .. whistles etc which they receive from young men have been no worse and often less so than in their own respetive countries .... when I remember my own anxiety and fears before I set out they now seem rather embarrassing in comparison to what these young women are doing .... Fortunately I had managed to accomplish most of the list of jobs I was asked to undertake at the centre including getting a toilet to drain properly which hadn't done so for many months!!

I left the yoga centre at 9.30 by taxi to Sugnai Petani .. a short wait and then an hours bus ride to Butterworth .. another short wait to catch the ferry to Georgetown and finally the number 101 bus to the home of my next workaway host who greeted me enthusiastically and effusively in that all American way.!!  After a minimalist lunch of potato salad (I wondered where the protein was!) we got in the car for the half hour ride to the beach to see the cattery which it was hoped I would be able to turn into a palace! .... on the way there the conversation turned to "where are the local suppliers of building materials" and at this point it emerged that 'my host' hadn't got any money to buy materials due to a mix up in bank transfers .... hmm !!! ... still we carried on and arrived at the beach where the shed plus the sea with small local fishing boats bobbing about convinced me that maybe a miracle would occur and something might happen in the way of restoration and repair ... I was formerly introduced to all the cats by name having been solemnly informed that my host believed in having a close and personal relationship with all her thirty odd moggies !  ... and then returned to the town house where I was then informed that she was leaving in one week to take up permanent residence at the cat house ... hmm !!  (nothing about this in our correspondence .!) dinner was spaghetti with a meatless sauce (having just had a month of vegetarian food with no meat, onions garlic etc I confess to a little disappointment !)   Next morning was spent in loading the car with cats .. tools (minimal) an old step which the host hoped I would be able to use for making the current staircase less lethal and generally fulfilling the role of lackey ... hmm!!  ... Still eventually we got going and upon arrival I got going to try and do something with the step which eventually I managed but let's hope the building inspector never pays a surprise visit!!   I volunteered to stop the night at the cattery and after an evening swim and local curry I was feeling very positive.  Next day I continued with the list of work which could be done without going shopping and managed to coble together secure fastenings to doors and windows and mend a table lamp ... again after an evening swim and some local curry etc etc .. I went to bed that night hoping the financial problems could be resolved and my host would give up trying to convince me of her feminine charms!!  .. (she had seemed particuarly interested in the fact that I had sold my house!!) ..... While swimming I remember thinking that it was hotter than usual but thought no more about it .... at three o'clock in the morning I woke to the most amazing and awe inspiring thunderstorm with continuous sheet lightening.. literally howling winds and rain falling like I have never seen before ..... then I began to realise that water was also pouring through the roof ... the cats were going berserk and overturning water  and food bowls ... I then trod in several pools of vomit and when I started to climb back into bed i realised that one of the cats had shit on my sheet .... next morning i discovered that my rucksack with all my clothes was saturated .... the vast quantity of food left out by the host (for the cats) the night before was swimming in water .... there was no food in the house for breakfast ... (the workaway deal is the host provides three meals a day and when I tried to focus on what work I could get on with after I had cleaned up everywhere it was apparent that nothing could happen as there was no money to buy materials ... with some, but not much guilt I phoned the host and told her I was quitting and now I'm round the corner in a quiet cheap and clean dormitory (see motel ckurtysrd photo below) enjoying the peace and also enjoying the realisation that with street vendor food and cheap accommodation I can actually have a few days holiday and be well within my budget.

Iced drinks with Augusto, Mei and Krisna

The last breakfast

Sunset while waiting for restaurant

Roof extension

Ramadan sweets

The cat sanctuary by the sea

Me and new friend

Motel courtyard in Georgetown

Sunset over Penang national park

Sights of sea and countryside in West Malaysia

Yesterday was my day off and having recently looked at the map of this area and seen that we are quite  close to the sea I decided to go on another cycle ride.  On the way I passed through a small Kampong (town) and managed eventually to track down hacksaw blades which the centre didn't have but couldn't find a puncture repair outfit anywhere.  Cycling is not that popular over here due to the availability of small motobikes from  China and everywhere one can see mum dad and two small children out for the day on the one bike!! After an hour or so I reached the sea and stopped to watch the small ferry boats taking tourists to the many islands and had a cup of Ipoh which is the local coffee.  I carried on and eventually came to the town where the road stops due the river and checked with the a local shopkeeper for directions ... needless to say he, his wife and all the customers had to have their say as to where I should be going.  I know I have commented in a previous post about the friendliness and helpfulness of local people but it is quite remarkable and leaves us Brits looking positively hostile to strangers in comparison.  Eventually agreement was reached as to which road I should now be taking and I set off down a small country road with rice fields either side.  It was all very different to the high hills which immediately surround us here at the centre with very little traffic and people .. I eventually across a small house with table and  and chairs outside and when stopping the proprietor came over and we sat down to discuss where I comd from etc etc ... when I came to pay he wouldn't take any money and wished me a good holiday ... I arrived back after 5 hours or so and the very narrow cart track from the road to the centre is downhill which is always good for a last minute burst of high speed cycling but as I rounded a bend there immediately in front of me was a 4 foot snake crossing the road and I had no choice but to cycle straight over him and hope but fortunately I was past before he could protest and when I looked back he was still crossing but glaring!

My first day off and an interesting cycle ride

At the yoga centre we are expected to work five days a week and today was my first day off.  Whenever I have been out walking I had seen signposts for an archaeological museum just 5 miles down the road and as the communal bike has just been repaired it seemed an ideal time to visit the museum and enjoy a bike ride.  The meeting after breakfast dragged on a bit but about 9.30 I was away with the early morning sun bright but not yet too hot. After 4 miles or so I hadn't seen any more signposts so called in to what turned out to be a police training centre and asked the way.  An extremely courteous young man was very helpful with directions and then wanted to talk about the poor result of the English football team in the recent championships which lead to discussions on the differences between Malaysia and England and how long was I here for etc etc.  After fifteen minutes or so we 9shook hands and I was off again with virtually every third vehicle coming from the other direction hooting or waving or calling out greetings which tends to put a smile on your face which probably encourages other vehicle drivers to respond etc etc.  As instructed by the policeman I soon saw the signpost on the right but decided a cup of local coffee was called for which was a bit disappointing as the Chinese owner served black rather than the white which is with condensed milk and extremely good.  I watched the world go by and then continued.  One of the things I have always liked about travelling in remote places in foreign lands is the interesting traditions which go on which you might not see in the more tourist areas and today it was the fruits on a tree wrapped in newspaper (see photo below) I concluded it was to protect the fruit from birds in thr early stages. I arrived at the museum (which was free) and apeared to be the only visitor there.  The museum itself was really interesting  but what was even more interesting was the reconstruction of 6th century Hindu temples which had been discovered on.this site.  As I hope the photos will show it was all very  beautiful and with the sounds of the water  falling down the rocks, the birds singing and the circadia's holding fourth in their thousands it must have been a very tranquil place to pray and meditate.

I left at half twelve but then called into a small place selling honey made from bees which don't sting and after a free tasting bought a 250 g jar for £10 which is very expensive but if every health benefit that the proprietor mentions turns out to be true I will live to be a hundred and never another illness so it will be a good investment!!

I continued on and came to the corner where I had my morning coffee and saw a chap waving me over so as I.needed lunch anyway I decided to go over and join him.  I think he was Indian but as he didn't speak  a word of English and I have only just mastered selamat datang (welcome) our conversation was going to be a bit limited, however when he heard.me order noodles he pulled a face and suggested by gestures that I should have what he was eating which I agreed to as it looked very good and turned out to be bulgur wheat mixed with wok fried.small pieces of pork, prawns and vegetables topped with a garnish of finely chopped chives and accompanied with a small bowl of green chillies onto which you poured a little soy sauce.  It was absolutely delicious and with a cup of tea which unfortunately had been made with condensed milk the bill came to £1.20 so I wasn't going to complain.   I   cycled home feeling very content but stopped off at a roadside stall and bought a kilo of Mangoesteens mentioned in a previous post ... If you ever get the chance try them you will not be disappointed!