All templed out

Today I had the very distinct privilege of being the only person on a private tour of Penang. I'd once again paid for two people for a city tour (half day) and luckily got the car and driver all to myself! Awesome!

My driver was a gorgeous little old Baba man (Peranakan descent) who took me to lots of places which I'll outline below in bullet point format. He was just delightful, gave me so much information in so much detail about where to go, what to do, how to get there, what to eat etc - he was indeed a guardian Angel!

• Peranakan Museum - this was absolutely stunning. My granny would have absolutely adored this place, so many beautiful antiques, lovely things to look at, very very pretty and absolutely overflowing with history and cultural significance.. If you haven't been yet or are planning a trip to Penang, you must go and see this place. I'm a big fan of the Amazing Race and this was also a pitstop on the Amazing Race Asia.

• Khoo Kong Si Clan House - another site of cultural significance in Penang. The Khoo clan can trace their ancestry back hundreds of years; it's a good way to kill an hour. There was a newly married couple there on Monday having their photos taken; they are Khoo descendants. The detail that went into the clan house is just astounding. All hand-carved and hand-painted. Wow!

• Chocolate and Coffee Boutique - you get a tour at lightning speed from a staff member who talks faster than I do. You also get to try lots of tiny bits of their chocolates and drink shot glasses of their coffee for free. Durian white coffee was interesting, chilli chocolate nice and spicy - personally I prefer my coffee without the aroma and taste of three week old gym socks!

• Photo stops at Fort Cornwallis, Indian Mosque - "don't waste your time with Fort Cornwallis" said my driver. I took a couple of happy snaps from the outside. As a descendant of the British Empire, once you've seen one place the English roared in and took over, you've seen them all. Yawn. The mosque, however, was beautiful.

• Crown Pewter factory - I witnessed a very quick demonstration of how they make pewter tankards. I managed to escape without buying anything, the Aunty gave me a cup of tea but it wasn't as nice as the lemongrass and ginger tea I had at Alun-Alun Spa in Langkawi. 

• Burmese Buddhist Temple - stunning! Free to visit, although between here and the Thai reclining Buddha temple across the road I happily donated about RM12 for offerings and candles for Mum, Granny and Sue, I also donated some money to the monk for a blessing. I preferred the Burmese temple to the Thai one. The Thai one was a little theme-park like. This one was very peaceful and closer to Tibetan style. 

• Thai reclining Buddha temple - the reclining Buddha is beautiful and so big! This temple also has people's remains in urns around the walls behind and underneath the reclining Buddha. There's all kinds of statues and opportunities to part with some ringgit for donations, I lit more candles for Mum, Granny and Sue here. 

• Tour drive through of Chinatown and Little India - crazy traffic, motorcycles everywhere, lots to see. Also had a drive down the "Harmony Road" where there are temples, churches and mosques for Islam, Hindu, Buddhism and Christianity.  All four are represented on one street. Very cool. 

• Kek Lok Si - Kwan Yin temple. OMG - amazing. Normally I'm not taken with Chinese Temples but Green Tara (Kwan Yin) is my favourite Buddha manifestation and her puja is my favourite and go-to practice, so this was a great honour to visit. There's a gigantic (no exaggeration) bronze statue of her here that is up the hill - you can walk up or down, or take the mini cable car/funicular railway. This is a must visit if you're a Buddhist - if you're not it is still amazing! 

After a long day of walking around in the hot sun, I caught a bus back to town from Air Hitam then went on another bus ride to Gurney Plaza for some dinner and window shopping.  I had a Groupon for BBQ plaza, which is an awesome place where you cook your own dinner on a small grill thingy.  I had Aussie lamb, marinated sirloin, pak choy, rice, pumpkin and an angry bird fish cake (that was really gross). Photos to follow.

Gurney Plaza is awesome - lots of shops, a supermarket, plenty of food options, movies, a brand new gym (Jatomi Fitness) and much more. Right next door is a brand new mall that opens tomorrow. Personally I can't be bothered coming back for it. 

Jatomi gym is pretty cool, their website "does big talk" but when I went for a look they were cold, indifferent and one person there called me fat (well, not in so few words), so I pulled rank and pointed out I've lost over 60kg and am a PT, Zumba Instructor and run a gym. Many apologies followed.

By now the mall was about to close, so I left and went out to the bus stop back to town. After 25 mins of being harassed by Taxi drivers, the bus pulled up. RM1.40 bus ride vs RM30 taxi ride? I'll take the bus thanks! I arrived at KOMTAR, changed buses and got back to the hotel about half an hour ago.

Best I hit the hay now, last day tomorrow and I want to check out Queensbay Mall!