Last laksa and durians

For my last supper here I had one last bowl of Siam Laksa, which is as close to heaven as one can get, at least before one develops the taste for the devine durian, which I have done with a vengeance! I even love the smell, and we went over to visit Chandra's nephew and family where they had tupperware containers full of variations of durians from a friend's farm; they were all different in taste and texture, and ALL were heavenly, sweet creaminess on a seed, or as I remembered it from a few years ago, creme brule on a seed! Oh, yum. The other photo is one of their little girls who has a rambutan in her mouth and is about to dig into a piece of durian; SHE gets it!

I am sad to leave my friends but happy to come home to the my very own children, Shadow, the Wissahickon, my wonderful neighbors and good friends. One last image I have added that I have tried to put into the blog several times; I don't know whether it ever got here, but because I am mad for the blue tint, here it is.

A little patriotic dance...

Malaysian administrative building in Butterworth - an appropriate place for my Fourth of July Patriotic Dance routine. Bet you never knew I had one! Book me early for next July 4th .

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Happy Fourth of July from Penang!

The light and shade on this doorway had me rivetted for a good 15 minutes and many variations on this photo. Something is glorious about the bluey overtone on the wall and the way the shadow comes down almost like a curtain.

The camera I had to buy in Kathmandu two years ago after dropping mine in the mud on a night's trekking adventure is broken, and these are the last few photos that bear any resemblance to their subjects. It's sad because the camera has been a good friend, helping me capture the shadows and textures of my travels. Sometimes I wonder if losing it or breaking it are signs that I should be doing other things like writing or painting or sewing.

It is difficult to believe that it is the Fourth of July here but still July 3 in the U.S. Seems like the story of my life - I'm ready for the party, but it isn't until tomorrow! These photos are from the other day as I was walking around Georgetown around the heritage areas; because it isn't usually as sunny outside, the shadows don't compel me as much as they did this day. Today, too, comes with the depth of bright sunlight and darker shade - a glorious day for an early run followed by soft, sweet papaya, yogurt and coffee. DOES life get any better? I will admit that the things I miss most are family, Shadow and friends. IS there anything else?

Georgetown Textures

Tiles in front of one of the many houses parked behind a motorcycle. Ha. And the wonderfully bulbous cupulas and red roofs on this mosque are the Kapitan Mosque in Georgetown. Once I got into Georgetown, I just wandered around, lugging and trying to use my sick, sick camera that can no longer take decent photographs; thank goodness for the Paint program on my computer so that I could adjust the brightness and save some of my efforts!

I love the pots of plants and the things stashed at the front doors of all the houses, some of which had magical images I just had to capture; some were just pulling me with their texture and colors.

And then there was Amelie, a little coffee shop that looked dear but totally out of place.

Ah, Penang...

Yesterday I trekked into the Penang National Park, and my guide first showed me this old dock and the fishing boats that are no longer being made because they catch too many little fishies, as well as all the big ones; there are now only 50 of these boats left, and I rather loved them.

The first little fellow we saw as we trekked up and over the ridges and hills in the forests was this long tailed macaque who reminded me of my father before he died! There is something so gently old but almost delicate about him, his front left foot, pointing out just a touch, as if to show that he hs one dancing fool!

At the end of the trek, we got to the place where they were working to save sea turtles' eggs and little turtles, putting them back into the sea when they were strong enough to go. Sadly, only about 1 in 100 make it...

When we took the boat back along the shore, we saw this big old water monitor lizard, just dipping and diving as one of his friends sprawled out on a rock to sun himself.

Once I got back to land, I received a call from Chandra who came and fetched me, took me to the Spice Garden where Pearly fed me the most heavenly bowl of laksa I have ever tasted, loaded with fish, mints, veggies and yummy, rich, thick, spicy broth.

Ahhhhh, and don't ANYbody try to touch it!

Outta there!

This was across the track from the station in Srimangal, where I couldn't leave fast enough, and I was thrilled when I arrived in crowded, loud Dhaka and over the carpet of humanity, I saw Mr. Hussein's wave