My Longkang

That is how I feel when I am in Penang, a country bumpkin. The traffic is so heavy and the traffic system has changed. Everything is so near and yet so far. All the one-way traffic system is confusing to me.

Yesterday, I was driving a car and found it difficult to find parking spaces and the experience with illegal ‘thug-like’ jaga kereta or parking attendants persuaded me to use a motor-cycle today. I have noticed the motorists in Penang have their own system and are generally law-abiding. I saw the police at work issuing summons!

It is a little dangerous riding a bike in busy Penang. This morning I went to the Pulau Tikus market for breakfast. I had popia. The fillings are made of vege, mushrooms, a little shredded meat possibly sea food and wrapped in this hhaaha i don’t know the name and then steamed.

For lunch we went to this quiet little place called Padang Brown or simply the ‘Padang’. It was deserted but my hosts, a former Penang state councillor assured me the ‘chehu’ or literally translated green fish there is superb. There is no fish at all in it. It felt great to be sitting in his comfortable car whilst his still very lovely wife regaled me with current going-ons in the state. She hasn’t aged a bit since I last saw her.

It is basically a salad dish with strips of turnip, cucumber, fried bean-curd and a sweet sauce poured over it.

This is the infamous Penang Laksa. You can’t find it anywhere else in the world of the same quality as you can find it here on the island. I have tried making it myself a few times without much success even with all the correct ingredients.

It is a noodle dish but the sweet and sour soup is made of a kind of fish stew with many types of herbs strewn in. The best is still to be found around Air itam near the market and the Kek Lok Si pagoda and temple.

I have so many programs on and so many invitations to so many places from so many people I really don’t know how to space out my time. Anyway, I expect these invitations will cool down in a day or two Then, I hope to venture to the beaches and soak in the sun for day or two. Life is great. To be on holiday and forget everything except Benghui called me this morning.

Benghui: Daddy come home.
Bengbeng:Why,what happened?
BH:I want to give you a hug.
BB:That day,u already gave me a hug.
BH:That is not enuf.I want a hug now.
BB:(feeling pleased) You be a good boy and study your books.
BH:Don’t forget to buy me a watch, with lights in it and i don’t want the ones with hands on it.

Aiii, i was almost taken in. I thought he missed me. He just wanted a watch .Hahahahah. Anyway, his auntie has already given me money to buy him a watch

By the way, thanks Mr Ex-councillor for the lovely pics. I forgot to bring my camera out today and he was kind enough to use his camera to take pics for me. Thank you ever so much. There is still one more photo you haven’t sent yet, though..the last one!