When Lights Go On

Went for a wedding the other day - it rained just when the happy couple got out of the car on their arrival.. murah rezeki kut la. But the bunga rampai got drenched in the crystal bowl - so did yours truly while attempting to sambut the pengantin and whilst melayan pengantin makan.. After the hustle and bustle of the kenduri died down, we left for Penang at almost 7pm.

On previous trips to the island for so many years, we always visited Padang Kota and have pasembor and rojak sotong and kerang bakar and sotong bakar etc etc by the sea. And played kite at the nearby field at mid-nite - Eirfan was four then I think and he loved it (so did I).

But on our most recent trip we found out the eating place was upgraded. Instead of shady trees and impromptu stalls and tables, proper gerai are bulit there. Gone is the quaint eating place with its own unique character (cool trees and crows and crow droppings nevertheless) and now the place just look like any other gerai (except for the sea of course). So on that last trip I said I dont think I want to visit Padang Kota anymore.

But on this trip we return to Penang because we found a new appeal in the pearl island.. the lights. If you are ever in the island, try taking the ferry to / from there instead the bridge and make the trip at dusk or at night. You'll love seeing the day turns into night as the sun sets and lights are gradually turned on the liners, cruise ships, boats, bridge and on the mainland and island. It is beautiful. It is even more beautiful at dusk compared to night time.

On our last trip the traffic was horrendous - maybe due to the school holidays but it was worth the trip with the ferry ride.

Believe me, you must try the ferry at dusk.

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