WEATHER: 36 degrees, mostly cloudy, 47% Humidity
Woke around 7:30am, recharged with some caffiene and repaired my "Day 2" blog that crashed after I'd spent yesterday morning by the pool putting together. Blog uploaded, I checked out "Break the Code" website and made us a booking for later that day. Best thing about the online booking is that we could choose a "pay later" option - I like that!
We went down for breakfast around 9:30am, with Hubby and Miss 8yo going for a swim after while I hung out in our room continuing my blog. Soon there was a knock at the door "Housekeeping"... They worked around me, but I couldn't help chatting to one of the lovely young boys who just happened to be from Indonesia. I distracted him so much that he forgot to take the dirty pillowcases with him.
I decided my feet needed a little TLC, so I left Hubby and Miss 8yo at the hotel and wandered up the main road in search of a comfortable day spa. I popped my head into one place, but there was a room full of Indian people, who looked more like family members than employees; there was even a small toddler crawling around on the floor. Not a single customer inside, the owner who greeted me was enthusiastically (a little too much) trying to get my business. I was a bit overwhelmed and did not feel like this environment would be relaxing, so continued up the street a short distance before I came across a small place called "Belleness". The door opened straight into four lounge chairs where one customer was already being pampered; only a very small space looking directly at a TV screen - the movie "Skyfall" was being played. I asked for a Mani/Pedi package, costing 100RM which included a beverage from the Garden Coffee Cafe across the road. I was handed a coffee menu and chose a "Rose Milk Tea" beverage... just for something different.
Once the other customer had left, I didn't feel so much pressure to remain quiet and began chatting with the local Malay girl giving my manicure. We talked about travel, food, retirement and many other things, but we didn't even exchange names. She told me that she has travelled to Japan, so although it would take her much longer to save for an overseas holiday (around 3 years on her wage), travel is possible for working locals. She commented on my choice of toe nail polish, stating that it was "special" as noone else had picked this colour yet. She encouraged me to stay as long as I liked: "stay and finish watch the movie" but I looked at the time and realised it was nearly 4pm and we still had to catch a bus and find "Break the Code".
I walked fast back to the hotel; they were both anxiously waiting for me. Straight to the bus stop and on the bus at 4:30pm - we had an hour to get there and according to Google Maps that was about how long it would take... uh-oh! We made it with plenty of time, getting off at the correct bus stop and finding the place right away. Miss 8yo and I needed the toilet, which was out in the main complex and let me tell you, pretty much disgusting. It was probably better than it has been in the past, considering the sign on the back of the door. I don't think I'll quite ever get over my first world expectations of clean and tidy toilets.
We play a few games of this number eliminating electric shock device (I so wanted to buy one - would be a great party trick!) before we enter our game room "Pirate Ship: Lost Treasure of Kathubu" around 5:40pm and the attendant gives us an explanation of what to do with some hints and tips. This game is best played with 8 adults who have different ways of thinking - we've got no hope! The aim is to solve puzzles in order to find numbers to unlock padlocks. The first room had three puzzles; the first to open a small chest; the next to open a bigger chest; the last to open the door to the second room. There are 5 rooms in total and 60 minutes to get through them all and the only allow you 3 hints. We got the first puzzle solved in around 15 minutes, but it took us nearly another half hour before the attendant came in to help us open the bigger chest - we didn't even push the hint button, I'm pretty sure they were watching and laughing at us on security camera.
In the end they gave us at least half hour more time than we were supposed to have and we still only just managed to open the door to the third room; that is after they helped us with 4 out of 5 puzzles. We were definitely over-thinking the puzzles, but the cultural differences might have contributed somewhat, e.g. a picture of a tree represented the number 3; a picture of an egg = the number 8. Overall, it was a great concept and excellent value for money at a total cost of 64.80RM (Miss 8yo was free as they were not covered for U/9yo and I liked/checked-in on their Facebook page while waiting so got 10% discount), but we needed more people to make it more interesting... maybe we can open one of these up back home? Afterwards, Miss 8yo had fun in the foyer playing dress ups with the costumes they supplied.
We walked up the road to the shopping complex; another Gurney, but this one is the Paragon, next to the Plaza - so many shopping complexes in such close vacinity. We only went in to find a Money Changer who gave us 2.92RM for an Aussie dollar. Across the road to the bus stop, we walked back one stop from the one we knew was packed last time - thank goodness we did as some people didn't even manage to get on at the next stop. I only had to stand a short while before someone got off and I stole their seat.
We jumped off the bus at the stop across from Long Beach and excitedly ordered a range of different dishes to try: 1 x Pink Guava Blended Ice drink and 1 x Strawberry Blended Ice drink (4RM ea), 2 x 660ml Anchor Beer (16.50RM ea), 10 x Beef Satay (8RM), Hokkien Mee Prawn Soup (4RM), Fried Oysters w/ Egg noodle (6RM), Calamari/Chips (19RM), Surf & Turf (24RM) - TOTAL bargain price of 102RM/$35.
Night market shopping tonight consisted of 4 x decorated makeup mirrors (20RM for 4), 4 x bracelets (10RM for 4), 2 x (Toyota/Honda) Keyring (10RM for 2), 1 x Penang doll (10) keyring (8RM - so ripped off at other stall yesterday), 3 x OPI nail polish (10RM ea).
We were all hot and bothered by the time we got back to the hotel at 10pm, so showered ready for bed. I do love my showers, but another first world problem had me showering twice a day. I sent a message to our driver Mr Raja to organise transport to the airport in 2 days time. Although he was not available, he said he would organise another for us and confirm the next day. We would have loved to organise a day tour with Mr Raja, but there just wasn't enough time. We will have to come back to Penang one day and will defintely contact Mr Raja again.
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