Penang Reunion 2007

What we did on our holidays...

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After being lucky enough to attend the 2005 Penang reunion our little group of late '60s RAAF schoolers decided that another visit in 2007 might be fun!

The two years between visits seemed to pass very quickly and once again we found ourselves at the Bayview Beach Hotel having breakfast and very excited at the prospect of a week or so on the loose in Penang.

We had arrived on the 50th Merdeka weekend and the whole island was a bursting with flags and billboards celebrating Malaysia's 50th year of independence from the British. The Batu Ferringhi night markets were overflowing with Malaysian families enjoying the long weekend.

Our days were spent lazing around the hotel pool in the mornings then shopping at Gurney Plaza and Island Plaza; eating out in the many and varied restaurants in Batu Ferringhi followed by a stroll through the night markets on the way home. The night markets had lost a lot of momentum after the holiday weekend but this made it easier to navigate the maze of stalls. A meal at the Eden Cafe in Hutton Lane with its cool airconditioning, dark atmosphere and delicious food is still a treat after all these years.

Towards the end of the week we hired a mini-bus from the hotel and had a tour past the school, Hillside, Khoo Kongsi, then lunch at Air Itam's "best" restaurant followed by more temples. I remember the temples were where your parents took you when there was nothing else to do. A great day though with great company.

Second last day, my wife Kath and I did the Penang Hill trip, there is a Devonshire tea house up there now and I'd recommend it. It's not cheap by Penang standards but it's a step back into the past you won't forget.

Finally, a quick trip to the school for a photo then a boys-only trip to Butterworth for another photo on the beach at Tan Sai Gin.

How do you top off a holiday like that? You can't. You just have to go back.

See you in 2010 schoolmates!

Kevin

Scout Rock and quarry in the distance.