virtual diaries

Hot and sweaty...

I'm sitting in a small restaurant on a street called Jalan Chulia in Georgetown. Aurelie is opposite (with her laptop) eating a vegetable omelette. Jalan Chulia is one of the main streets here in Georgetown, so lots of traffic behind us on the street. It's hot and humid too, as ever here. It hasn't rained yet since we've been here, and it would be wonderful if there were.

We've been out exploring on the moped - we went to a beach called Batu Ferringhi (or something similar - it's on the North coast) and it was awful. Once, it must have been so beautiful, but human activity has destroyed its beauty. The sea was grey. A thick dank slimy grey. Apparently this was caused by the building of the Penang bridge which links the island to the mainland. Lots of people there too, drinking, smoking, leaving rubbish. Well I could go on. It was horrible and it upset me a lot. So if you come to visit, go to a different beach. We'll go and explore the other parts of the island later...must be better. Don't worry though, we are in easy reach of some wonderful other places, with great beaches, just a few hours away.

The day before, we went to the botanical gardens and fed the macaques. And yesterday, we went up to Penang Hill on the funicular train. That was very nice - it's a bit cooler up there. Got some lovely photos to post a bit later. It really is very hot here...33 degrees in the day, perhaps? At night, we need to use the air-conditioning in our hotel - can't sleep otherwise. Don't think it goes below 25 degrees at night. Air-con is a must, at least for now. I'm sure we could get used to the heat at night though.

We've started to look for a flat today. That's going to keep us busy over the next few days I'm sure. We want to get that sorted out as soon as possible, to have our own place, to cook, relax....so many things. We'll be sure to get a spare room for visitors! We looked at a house today - it was great but completely unfurnished - no good for us. Like I said, we'll try to get air-con...though I'm sure we'd get used to the heat at night eventually. So I'm going to go now...time for a cold shower. Oh,and now job news for me...but I haven't really been looking very hard! Don't worry Mum (see comment below) - they got me down for a bit - but not too long! Take care all.

Georgetown...

So, the reason for yesterday's rather breathless post was that as I was writing it, I saw that the British Council here in Penang were looking for an English teacher. There's no doubt that they're a good organisation to work for, and they offered a good salary.

It was a real coincidence, as I was going to go there yesterday anyway. So I saw the advert, and dreamt to myself that I could have the same experience as Aurelie. She went to the AF and spoke to the director and got herself a job on the spot (she hasn't signed the contract yet, but we're pretty sure she's got the job).

I did fear the worse however, as I know that the BC have their systems for recruitment and so on, and thought I'd be given short shrift, which unfortunately turned out to be the case. It's a long story...but I spoke to a lady to whom I explained my situation. She went off to talk to someone else, who then must have told her what I feared would be the case - that I must apply in the same way as anyone else. This meant filling in their online application form, although I was standing right there in their offices, fulfilling all of their criteria, ready to work. I certainly didn't get to speak to the director!

You might say that that is fair, that I deserve no special treatment - but surely it would've been also beneficial to them - to recruit someone who is here now, rather than having a telephone interview. But I knew it would happen like that. The lady was frosty and wasn't generous with her time - she wanted me out the door. But they have their all powerful systems, which must not on any account be circumvented. I also rather feel on the receiving end of 'positive' discrimination (they prefer to recruit disabled people and people from ethnic minorities). I hope you appreciate that I wouldn't say they don't deserve the same opportunities as anyone else - and I can appreciate why the BC do this. But perhaps it does serve to impede someone like me, who just wants a job, and is here, ready and available, from getting a job for which I'm suitable.

Anyway, upon reflection I don't want to work for them considering their overly professional and robotic ways. I'm sure I'd hate it. Plus it was 38 hours work a week, including weekends, teaching kids mostly. I'd rather find something with a bit more freedom and enjoyment for less money.

So, anyway, after Aurelie's amazing experience at the AF, we went to the opening of the French film festival, organised by the AF here in Penang. We had a great evening, with free food and Cognac, and met a lot of interesting people. We wore our best clothes (not that great) and we were the only ones in flip flops (it was either that or yellow running shoes). The French ambassador was there, as well as many other dignitaries, and we heard them each make a speech before we watched the opening film called Le Crime est Notre Affair.

And that's about it for now. I'll be looking for a job over the next few days - it seems there are some interesting possibilities around the island. We're still in the hotel for the time being, but Aurelie's new employers have put us into contact with a lady with a small flat to rent. And I hired a scooter yesterday (automatic this time - no gears) so we might go for a ride today - I fancy going to the botanical gardens, or the beach.

Bye for now!

Georgetown, Penang.

Hello all,

Thank you very much for the comments, it seems the photos were enjoyed by everyone, so I'm very glad - I certainly enjoyed selecting the photos and writing the comments!

Well, we went to the Cameron Highlands and had a nice time there - it was nice and cool up there. We hired a moped which had gears (which I learnt to ride in a few minutes) and did a tour of the area.

So now we're in a place called Georgetown which is on the island of Penang on the West coast of Malaysia. We came here because Aurelie saw there was an Alliance Francaise here and she wanted to try and get a job there, as she was a bit fed up of moving around all the time.

And yesterday, we had the most crazy day. We went to the AF and the director told us that that very day she had put out an advert for a French teacher! And she loved Aurelie! So to cut a long and amazing story short, it seems she has a job! And I've also just seen a very interesting job, so I must rush. There's a lot more to tell, but you'll have to wait. But things are looking up! :)

Back from the beach

Hi readers :)

Sorry for the lack of recent updates - there's been rather a lot of uncertainty in the air, and it's also really hot here, making me feel very lazy! As I sit here in our hotel (nice place, with WIFI - woohoo) I'm sweating a lot due to the humidity. Time to bring you up to date then! And, if the technological gods allow, I will post a photographic story of our time here so far in just a moment...

We left Juara beach about a week ago (after a month of doing very little indeed :-D ), and after another brief stop-over in Mersing, we are back in KL, and have been here since Friday last week. We had a few things we wanted to do here, which I hope you'll forgive me for not detailing here, but everything has turned out just fine.

So now, Aurelie and I have been talking over what we want to do next, and we haven't quite yet decided where, but I think we'll go and visit some new places on Friday, and we'll probably leave a lot of our luggage here at this hotel. It's only 2 Ringgits to leave a case per day (20 pence) so no problem there. I expect we'll stay on Peninsular Malaysia for now, as there's a great deal to see and do here, and then take it from there. Ah, such beautiful freedom! We may go the Cameron Highlands (mountainous / hilly ex-colonial tea plantation area) or maybe another beach, or Taman Negara, a national park of 150 million year old virgin rainforest. We'll see what the blonde one says.

But, for now, here are some of the better photos I've taken so far, starting all the way back on the 25th March, when I took a photo of Aurelie and I just before we got on the place in Paris CDG. We're a bit browner now!!

Then, after a couple of days here I came across a giant snail which I wanted to give a little kiss.

We then went sightseeing of course. First one here is the lovely Aurelie with both the KL tower and the Petronas towers in the background (just about visible).

Then you have my ugly mug in the same area (I think it's independence square or something similar, right in the heart of KL, where the colonial buildings are still retained. The patch of grass you can just see is in fact a cricket pitch!)

Then on another day we went up the KL tower (expensive but you only live once eh?). You can see La Méduse Dorée (Aurelie - her name is the same in French as a species of golden jellyfish) gazing out over the city.

So then we went to Tioman island. The first pic is Au under a banana tree.

Next is a photo of where we stayed for a month or so. It was called Juara Mutiara, and we stayed in a room amongst a row of chalets, and the garden you see here was just in front. The beach is just on the other side of the brown building (the cafe).

The view from the cafe. Au is thinking about having a swim in the clear blue sea (possibly).

The beach. It was, naturally speaking, absolutely amazing. A long curve of fine sand between headland on either side covered in jungle. First time I've seen something like that. Here is the left hand side. The jetty was in fact more or less in the middle (quite an eyesore, to be honest).

A six-toed cat.

Almost a full moon over the beach.

A monitor lizard. There were plenty around on Tioman island, which pleased me greatly. And of course I love all the little geckos everywhere in Malaysia - I've always liked lizards. In fact, I had a pair as pets once - they both escaped.

My back after the sandflies had their way - Au counted over 150 (see earlier posts).

So we then went to Tekek through the jungle to see the doctor (the first of many such treks). It was very hot, so I wore a teatowel on my head.

A strange looking bug we saw in the jungle.

Aurelie in our room. We had the sign on the door as our tranquility had been invaded by noisy Chinese tourists.

A very large beetle that wanted to nest in my towel - it took me 10 minutes to get him off!

Aurelie with a knife! Run! (She was getting the coconut flesh out after we'd drunk the milk).

A sandfly. After a couple of weeks, another couple told us that if you wore baby oil (or oily sun lotion) then they would die when they land on your skin. So I sunbathed tranquilly after that (not sure ifI mentioned that before). Sales petites bestioles.

Here is a photo of 2 of the kids from the famil who owned the chalets. Kimi and Lisa. Towards the end of our time there, about 50 % of all the kids would say 'Hello Ben' when they saw me. :) Some of them even managed to say "Aurelie"!! (But it sounded a bit like Horegly)

Another wierd jungle beasty. Anyone any ideas what it might be? Does its head hold any clues? Parasitic?

A monitor lizard on the jungle steps (it was very steep) who refused to move out of the way. I had to cajole him / her with a stick.

A beautiful old tree,which has the appearance of a hand over the rock at the bottom.

Me and Aurelie on our 10 month anniversary. I put on my linen trousers and a shirt for the occasion, and Aurelie her skirt. Aren't we pretty! :)

Me with a huge mutant banana.

Juara to the right (the following pictures were all taken at sunrise).

to the left...

the jetty

here comes the sun, doodo - do do :)

A large wasp like creature.

A beautiful smile.

A deserted coral beach I visited on a day trip. Au stayed at 'home' as she didn't want to snorkel.

A carving that Aurelie and I did. Well we had to do something with our time, other than reading and playing chess!!

We then gave it to our friend Nurul, who was the daughter of the owner of the chalets. A lovely sweet girl, always happy and helpful.

Phew! Are you still with me? I have lots more,  but my battery is running low! Let me just give you two we took recently in KL. First, here's me in the Orchid gardens (wasn't all that great).

 

and finally Aurelie near a huge grey palm like plant.

So that'll do for now.I hope you liked them (I also pray that my computer or this website isn't about to lose all my hard work). I'll write again soon, when we know what we're doing. One last thing to note - I had an interesting experience yesterday in the Central market. There was a 'fish spa' where one puts ones feet into a small pool with lots of fish, and they clean off all the dead skin with their mouths. So I had a go. Imagine hundreds of little mouths tickling / sucking / rasping your feet all over - an incredible (not necessarily good) sensation.  Aurelie, perhaps wisely, kept her feet firmly flip-flopped. Oh and thanks for your comment Ewa - good to know someone still reads this!