In fact, was joking with Normans’ Mum (will have to try and find out their names) about buying a house next door to them with my left over travel money (I wish) if my exams aren’t good and emigrating to Malaysia. Why? you ask, because the supermarket gives hundreds of free samples here! That alone is a good enough reason. You don’t need to buy drinks or food but take a lengthy walk around the supermarket. Unfortunately, some confusion arose where I nearly got arrested due to me interpreting that the toothpaste they gave me was free. It in fact, was not free, but came with a free gift. I am rather optimistic by nature at times…

The only thing to spoil an otherwise perfect day was an explosion. An explosion of my sunblock. I therefore declare a boycott of Boots Solaran sun block. The sunblock seems to have stained loads of my clothes and day rucksack making it look like someone performed some bizarre sex act all over my stuff (and in Normans car). I swear when I get back home to the UK there will be all hell to pay when I next visit Boots…

Checking my email last night gave me a huge shock. I’d received an email from the company I was supposed to be doing research with (UROP) asking me where was I and why hadn’t I started already. I was about to email back and inform them they’d made a mistake. Fortunately,  I decided to check the start day I’d originally emailed them and to my horror found out I’d got the wrong month! Will have to wait and see whether they still let me take part in the research.

Ate “the King of Malaysian Fruits” today, Durian. Durian is a large fruit that grows on trees, with very hard spines. Apparently if one lands on your head, your dead! So now I look up wherever I go. This shouldnt be too much of a problem in Kuala Lumpur though. It is true what they say, it is incredibly smelly. Wasn’t as bad as everybody had made out, although it did leave a very strong after taste that supermarket free food couldn’t get rid of. However, I preferred it to the food Norman had tried to feed me the night before. There’s only so much ground up prawn heads you can eat…. Also tried Mangosteene and star-fruit. My favourite is still Mango though. I can never get enough Mango juice. Mmmmmmmmmm.

In the evening, I helped prepare a bbq where once again I ate like a King. The previous night had been taken out for dinner by Normans family, where it felt like an Engineering conference as myself, Norman, Norman’s girlfriend, Norman’s friend and Norman’s Dad are all Engineering. Felt a bit sorry for his Mum as the only musician!

Penang is a large island that is approximately 50% developed, 50% jungle. Today I saw most of the island from the comforts of Normans air-conditioned 4×4. Not so many stray cats and dogs as Bangkoks however did get attacked by a bat in a deserted house on top of Penang hill. I’ve never seen bats in the day time so was worried it might bite me but was fine.Still 100% rabbies free.The nurse back in the UK can go shove her rabbies vaccination to someone else!

Travelling with us was Normans girlfriend and one of Normans old classmates. Both very friendly, nice people. In order to get to the top of Penang hill we took a mountain tram. I pretended to be terrified of heights but no one seemed to notice. I suggested getting all the stray cats on the island and using them to power a cart to the top of the hill. This idea went down well. I’ve also indicated if my results aren’t good I may emmigrate to Malaysia as its a pretty cool place to chill.

The Malaysian Crew

Driving in Penang is a little different from driving in the UK as can be seen in the picture below:

Who owns the road?

Was well fed today by Normans family and saw many things here from beaches to markets (bought more fake Tshirts). Was very good to know I had someone else watching my back.

They’ve arranged for a bbq tomorrow evening so have decided to stay an extra night. I love his family.

This post is dedicated to Norman