Travelling features heavily in my working life and I often find myself zipping off to far flung places. Be it for sales support, Demo’s to customers or teaching new customers how to operate our testers, it often leads me to some weird and wonderful locations.
Recently, a customer training course saw me holed up in Penang, Malaysia for three weeks. On previous visits to Penang I opted for the convenience of a hotel near to the office and to the airport, The Eastin, relying on my more than generous hosts for my transportation etc.
This time, being in Penang for three weeks I chose a different hotel and opted to rent a car to drive myself around. With a good deal, including Internet and breakfast, at the Holiday Inn Resort Penang winning the day, I found myself in the beach resort of Batu Ferrighi.
Driving around Penang in my little Perodua was quite an eye-opener. They drive on the left as we do, and the steering is the same too, so it’s relatively easy to get started. The traffic is at best total chaos. At worst, total grid-lock. Not much variation between the two either. Scooters are everywhere in their thousands and find ways through the traffic that would make your hair curl !!! On the whole, despite being crazy, everyone gets along and it all sorts itself out eventually.
The Holiday Inn Resort was a delight. I was anxious of being lumped in with all the holiday makers, and I did stick out like a sore thumb at breakfast in my suit and tie every morning. But it was such a treat after a busy day in the office to be able to sit by the pool with my Kindle, listen to the birds, hear the wind in the palm trees and be calmed and soothed by the waves gently lapping up the beach whilst watching the sun set slowly behind the trees. As close to paradise as I’ve ever got.
Service was good. Staff very friendly. Room very big and well appointed. Internet was pretty good coping well with Skype calls home and keeping me in touch with my home and work emails. Restaurant was OK too, but with great places to eat nearby at crazy cheap prices, it was never busy as most people opted to eat out. The Friday Indian Buffet was very good though and I’d recommended splurging out on it at least once.
For me it was a lovely place to stay. I felt comfortable. Safe, and looked after. I also met some lovely people during my stay too.
I’ll be back for sure, but as a tourist next time !!!!
mrandmrsyoung 