A little thought about Penang

I have this really "close" feeling about Penang, and particularly about where I am staying now, Relau. It's a part of Penang that's really been growing rapidly in the past 20-30 years. We decided to settle here because most of my aunties are around here and it's only <30 mins to my work place. Perhaps the most interesting thing is that it used to be a jungle in the 1940s, my paternal grandparents and children used to hide here during world war II. My dad used to tell me to appreciate whatever I have because they used to be very poor. My dad said fish and meat were expensive and daily staple was normally rice with potatoes. They only had meat when really special occassions come by.

Coming back here is like going home for me. Almost all my relatives are here, except my parents who are still in PJ. Life here is not as hectic as KL. You can see it from the way people drive here. From the time and effort they spend on getting delicious food, even when it's from one part of the island to another. By the way, it's only around 45 mins from Bayan Lepas to Feringghi. Market products are very much cheaper. I bought a pomfret for RM9, in PJ it would be like RM 12. Most vegetables are below RM1. I can still find very good hockien mee at RM2.20 here. No tolls here. Except if you work in Prai. Even then the bridge toll is RM5.60, cheaper than if you travel from Subang to KL using Pantai Expressway end to end. There are many parks here, most single people in my company will stay back for tennis, gym, or hike up Botanical Garden, Relau or Bukit Jambul hill. Every Sunday morning, people will part by the Bukit Jambul road and from the number of cars, you know that there are many people are up there in the hill.

The Chinese people in Penang put in a lot of effort in building and getting good education. My grandfather always reminded me when he was still alive to study hard. Even though life was tough, my grandfather made sure my father go to a good private school. There are many famous schools here like Penang Free, Chung Ling, Penang Girl's School, Han Chiang, St Xavier etc.

Kind of glad I am here. It's a great place.