A Travelling Sprout

A Sprout Saunters Around Penang
By Shelley Banks

A recent conversation about an upcoming holiday with someone in the middle of planning a trip reminded me of the time I went to the same destination we were discussing—Penang.

Located in the Straits of Malacca, just off the northwest coast of mainland Malaysia, it’s a destination that from Australia, requires an international flight to Kuala Lumpur, followed by a domestic flight to George Town. In common class, as the Malaysian Airlines check-in desk attendant called it. When it comes to flying, I prefer the term economy class.

Penang has two parts connected by a bridge, Penang Island, where the capital George Town is located and Seberang Perai which is on the Malay Peninsula. It has a population of around 1.74 million and is one of Malaysia’s most densely populated and urbanised states.

Flights over, it was only a 45-minute drive until I checked into the Shangri-La Rasa Sayang, with its two wings, three restaurants, private beach and a trapeze on the front lawn. A room with an ocean view topped off the experience.

After almost 11 hours to get from Brisbane to KL plus the extra hour to fly to Penang, I was happy to spend the rest of that day exploring the resort and availing myself of the pool and beach. Discovering Penang would have to wait until the next day.

When the exploration started, the first point of call was to wander the streets of George Town, in particular, the 2.5 square kilometre area that has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site. It was given this status because according to the listing, it is “a unique architectural and cultural townscape without parallel anywhere in East and Southeast Asia, a product of 500 years of trade and exchange between East and West.” Wandering in this area, I came across Hindu temples and Buddhist pagodas as well as faded Chinese shop fronts, and relics of Malaysia’s colonial past. It was a fantastic melting pot and worth the time needed to stroll through its winding alleys.

While in the world heritage area, I also checked out Little India where I came across Indian-style temples, food and market stalls. It’s only a small area but it’s quite distinct from the rest of the city.

Elsewhere in George Town, I stumbled across a wide variety of street art, featuring amazing murals, sculptures and wall paintings on almost every corner. The art pieces are expressions of everyday life for the people of Penang and it’s a great way to learn about the area’s history, heritage and culture.

And across the city, the juxtaposition between colonial buildings, Chinese houses and skyscrapers only adds to the charm.

The next day I left the resort and headed back into George Town, and hidden in amongst the maze of alleys, I came across Khoo Kongsi (Leong San Tong Khoo Kongsi Clan House & Museum). The house dates back 650 years and belonged to the Khoo Kongsi clan from western China. It’s one of the most important clan houses in Malaysia and the intricate carvings, murals and timberwork is well worth a visit.

From the city to a view of it. I headed up to Penang Hill 833 metres above sea level, via the Penang Hill Funicular Railway. The railway dates back to 1924 and if you’re afraid of heights it’s probably not for you as it’s located on the side of a cliff. But if you’re ok with heights, the sheer ascent through the jungle is spectacular. Even though the railway is one hundred years old, the trains used now, along with the track are modern.

The view from the top of the hill is stunning, providing panoramic views of Penang.

The last stop for the day, which I’m still not sure was a good idea, was Penang’s Snake Temple. Thinking it was just the name of the place, I wasn’t prepared for the real-life vipers inside. Constructed in 1805 to honour a Buddhist monk from many years past, it’s filled with burning incense and a variety of pit vipers, something I didn’t need to be that close to.  Thankfully, I found out only a few moments after entering, that as a safety precaution, the vipers had been de-venomed. Yes, they can still bite you but at least they can’t kill you. In front of me was a sign that warned visitors against picking up the snakes and I couldn’t help but think, is there a need for such a sign? I had no intention of going anywhere near them!

After my close contact with vipers, I needed a beverage, so I headed to the closest street food market for a Tiger beer and a bowl of laksa. Something else I discovered while in Penang is that it’s known as the culinary capital of Malaysia, something I can attest to after several bowls of laksa; following that first one; and char koay teow noodles.

It’s a shame I only had three days in Penang and that the first and last days needed to include travel time. I could have spent more time exploring the island, outside of its capital, and more time getting to know the friendly locals.

Musings

Bad Neighbours
By Shelley Banks

The street I live in is a typical suburban street—houses, green space, some trees, and cars parked beside the footpath. And also, some warring neighbours. I know lots of neighbours have disagreements but two in my street have taken it to a whole new level. They’ve taken each other to court.

It started when the teenage children in one house had their friends over for a party, with the music up way too loud and way too late. Their neighbour went over to ask them to turn it down, which they refused to do. So the neighbour went to their fuse box and turned off their power.

The parents of the teenagers were furious and went straight next door where an argument ensued and the words ‘calling the police’ were bandied about. It only ended with the slamming of a front door.

The next day, the parents, still clearly annoyed, threw a bucket of water over the fence, soaking the neighbour while he was in his yard, something he responded to by turning on his hose and aiming it at the full clothesline belonging to the water throwers.

And so it went on, getting pettier as time went on. Before, eventually, a new tactic was employed—bringing in lawyers.

I don’t know what happened when they went to court but the whole time this was going on, I kept wondering, when did people stop getting along with their neighbours?

When I was a teenager, we jumped fences all the time, wandered into our neighbours’ houses to say hello and pinch whatever baked goods were sitting on the bench.  Apparently, we don’t do that anymore.

Short Stories

The Book Thieves
By Shelley Banks

As the police car headed towards the train station, the occupants were puzzled. A robbery they’d been told. But not the usual type of robbery. And given the description they’d received of the suspects; they’d decided there was no need for lights and sirens.

Pulling into the train station car park, the police officers scanned the crowd until they spotted the three people who matched the description. Three ladies, all with grey hair, one using a walker. All with large handbags.

‘Morning ladies,’ the first officer said. ‘We’ve had a report of a robbery and we’re hoping you could help us with our enquiries.’

The first lady, Mavis, smiled sweetly at them. ‘What could we possibly know about a robbery.’

Her companion, Betty, also with a pleasant smile on her face, added to the dialogue. ‘Do we look like criminals?’

‘Were you anywhere near the Book Haven this morning?’ the second officer asked.

Margaret, the third to make up the group, turned to look at her companions. ‘I don’t remember. Do you?’

Mavis and Betty shook their heads.

The police officers turned to look at each other before the first one spoke.

‘We have witnesses.’

‘And camera footage,’ the second officer chimed in.

‘Maybe it was people who look like us,’ Margaret said, with a shrug of her shoulders.

The policemen turned towards each other, sighed and then one of them replied that it was unlikely.

‘We saw your faces clearly,’ the other added. ‘The cameras also captured each of you putting a book in your handbags and then leaving the shop.’

‘That sounds a bit silly,’ Mavis said. ‘Why would anyone take one book? That doesn’t seem like much of a robbery.’

‘Maybe not,’ the first policeman conjectured. ‘But we still need to check your handbags.’

The three women looked at each other for a moment before Betty spoke.

‘There’s no need to check our handbags. We each have a book. But it’s for a very good reason.’

‘And what would that be?’ the first officer asked.

‘Well, you see,’ Margaret began. ‘With the cost of living the way it is, our pension doesn’t go very far.’

Mavis nodded. ‘That’s right. We barely have enough to buy food and pay our electricity bills.’

Margaret agreed. ‘It’s wrong how the cost of things has risen so much.’

Then Betty chimed in. ‘And we all have beautiful grandchildren that we can’t afford to buy presents for.’

‘And we like to get them things now and then,’ Mavis added.

‘So, we borrowed some books,’ Margaret said, as slowly as she could, dragging each word out before completing the sentence.

‘But the store isn’t a library,’ Officer number two stated, perplexed by their logic.

‘It sort of is,’ Betty replied sheepishly. ‘We were going to bring the books back when our grandchildren had read them.’

‘We’d make sure they took good care of them,’ Mavis declared, almost indignant in her tone.

For a moment, neither officer spoke, then they moved away and talked in hushed tones. When they came back, the first officer spoke.

‘This is what we’ll do. If you promise not to do anything like this again, we’ll go back and pay for the books.’

All three women grinned.

‘That is so kind of you,’ Mavis said.

Betty nodded. ‘Thank you.’

The second officer looked at them. ‘Now, you better be on your way before we change our minds.’

As the women shuffled away, they chatted about how lovely it was to still see kindness from others and how they wished there was more of it.

Something Light

Did We Buy Another Dog
By Shelley Banks

Not that long ago, I was in our backyard hanging out the washing on the clothesline. Our beautiful puppy, Harley, was next to me for the first few minutes before he bounded off.

I thought nothing of it as he was probably just wandering around our yard as he’d done many times before. But as I headed back into the house, I saw him, playing. With another dog. In our yard. Last time I checked, we only owned one dog.

I looked around and couldn’t see any open gates. Or anyone looking for their absent pet. I didn’t want to chase the other dog away, not knowing where it came from, so I let them play.

Eventually, the neighbour came over. They had friends visiting and the dog was theirs. A dog that was always escaping. I still don’t know how the other puppy got in; there are no gaps in our fence, but if nothing else, at least Harley was amused for a while.

A similar thing happened to a friend of mine. Except it was a cat that didn’t belong to her, and it was in her kitchen. Not something she expected to see before she’d even had her morning coffee. But the cat seemed quite content in the kitchen until it eventually got up and wandered back to where it had come from.

As much as I love our dog, I don’t need a second one. And as much as my friend loves her cat, she didn’t want another one either. Luckily, both extra animals were only temporary.

The joys of living in the suburbs.

Books

If you like my short stories I’ve published ten books.