🚙 Family Trip to Penang, Malaysia (17 to 20 Dec 2018)

          As currently now I am in university, December would be my 1 month winter break. It was the only time where I could truly enjoy because for this entire 1 month, I have no homework/exams and do not need to study at all. It was something which I was truly looking forward too, especially after enduring so much during my 1st semester in uni. My relatives (my father's side) had already booked a hotel and a mini tour package at Penang, Malaysia. My father asked me last minute whether I would like to go with him for this trip. Sadly, my mother or sister did not manage to tag along. My father wanted to treat me this trip as a birthday present for my 21st birthday.
           Initially, I was not keen in going at all because I have been to Malaysia countless of times. In this December, I was supposed to go to Malaysia two more times. However, one of my mini two day trip was cancelled last minute due to unforeseen circumstances. I got more inclined to this trip since then as I missed out one trip already and would not want to miss another potential overseas trip.
           As my father booked the trip last minute, me and my father took a different airline from our relatives. Our flight was a transit flight and we flew from Singapore to KL and from KL to Penang and vice versa for the return journey. I was slightly worried as I have a fear of heights and this meant that I have to take a total of 4 airplanes. As recently there were two major and serious commercial airplane crashes (lion air in Indonesia), I was afraid that something could go wrong during one of the 4 flights that I will be taking. 4 flights to take, 4 times more the chances that something bad could go wrong... I kept listening to christian songs and praying to God until I felt calm during the 4 flights. All 4 flights were quite short being roughly about an hour each and I just watch only 1/2 episodes of anime during each flights.
            After reaching the airport, my father bought data. As I recently started playing Pokemon go due to the influence of my CCA peers, I was quite happy as I could catch Pokemon on a foreign land. There was also a double candy and Christmas event which spawned much more ice and Christmas related Pokemons than usual and I made the full use out of it through these 4 days!
            Me and father arrived few hours earlier than my relatives so we explored the streets and shop-houses near the hotel. As my hair was quite long and my parents dislike me having relatively "long" hair, my father took me to a saloon to cut and wash my hair. I was quite thankful as I only paid 36 RM for it, which is about 12 SGD. For a cut and wash in a saloon, it is considered relatively cheap as compared to Singapore where a wash and cut could amount to twice the price or more of what I paid. In addition, the haircut experiencing was very soothing and relaxing overall as the hairstylist put in her 100 percent effort in cutting my hair and also massaging my scalp. The haircut experience last about an hour plus and I thoroughly enjoy the whole process. This is one of the most worth 12 dollars haircut ever.
           The real adventures begins on the second day. We went to Penang Hill. It was one of the main highlights in this trip, going high up the hill in the cable car. It was possible to climb up the hill by foot, but there was older adults and a toddler so we chose the convenient way anyways. The view high up the hill was breathtaking and spectacular. Took quite a number of picturesque photos and even saw an eagle soaring high up in the sky. In addition, I on my Pokemon Go app, to my surprise, there were a hoard of starters that spawn frequently without lures or incense.
           I ate a lot delicious food at Penang. The one that was the most memorable was actually an Indian Vegetarian Restaurant. For me particular, I love meat a lot and would definitely prefer a meal with some meat over a meal with no meat at all. However, the meal I had at that Indian vegetarian restaurant changed my mind. Surprisingly, the vegetarian dishes were scrumptious.
           Furthermore, I also grew closer to my niece, my older cousin's young daughter. Usually in family gatherings there will be a lack of chance to interact with my young niece one to one on a close personal level. Most of my relatives will "chope" her first. However, during this trip, I got to interact with her personally as I held her hand while touring around Penang many times and she enjoyed it and was delighted whenever I approached her to hold her hand.
           The only tilting part in this trip was the return flight. Not only it was another transit flight, both flights were delayed. On top of that, the plane did not have space to land on the official landing area so they landed somewhere far else outside. They have to send a private bus to ferry us back to the main terminal. In the end, I was supposed to reach home around 7 to 8 pm but I only reach back at 12 am midnight.
            Overall, still it was a pleasant journey and I do not regret at all going this trip. Initially, I was not very receptive in wanting to go this trip but thank God I did went for it in the end.

Pic: this is an eagle soaring quite high up

   Pic: my hotel

This train was quite fun but scary as it went uphill and I believe it was overloaded

Pics: scenery high up Penang Hill

Pics: Pictures of me and father and extended family from my Father's side