Ipoh to Penang
The bus station was only a short walk but the rain decided to accompany us there. The bus left on time and was full of western tourists leaving the Cameron Highlands for Penang. We however had bought a ticket to Ipoh and were meeting our friend to travel together to Penang.
We arrived at Amanjaya bus station on time and had a short wait for our friend to collect us. Our first stop was to a really nice DimSum restaurant where we tried a variety of different dim sum - prawn, pork, steamed, fried. In fact we tried quite a few varieties. We were booked onto a small museum tour in the centre but were a little too late and they had locked us out.
Instead, we went on a quick tour of the old town before sitting in traffic. The reason being that the road was partially closed because of a drumming enable practicing for the evening. We did stay and watch for a short while and they were pretty good.
Once on the main highway the traffic dispersed and we made good time. Only slowing down again until we reached Penang. We took the new bridge across to the island. It passed through an industrial area and then the traffic started to built! Tonight Penang has a special event for Chinese New year so is particularly crowded. We were dropped on the centre right next to a restaurant that had been recommended by a Malaysian couple we had met in the Cameron Highlands. Christine recognised the name and in we went. The food was delicious and we ate set meal B with tea tarik.
We walked to the centre of Georgetown and that was where everything was happening. There were 15 stages spread throughout Georgetown, each with different performances. We only managed to get to around 5 or 6. The reason being it was super crowded! There was singing, dancing, yoga, drumming. A bit of everything to celebrate the lunar new year.
We were collected from an easy to find Prangin and whisked off to Batu Ferrenghi where we were going to be staying for a few days. It was now quite late so time to sleep.
