Well, readers, I leave tomorrow for home. Homeward-bound! I can't believe it is already three weeks since I got here, well almost three weeks. It is no cliche', but time really does fly. One minute I was here at the Penang airport, scanning the cars outside for Seng, and next minute, I am getting ready to leave.
The plan is for Loon to come by tomorrow around 10AM. We will probably have a drink or two, before setting out to the airport. We should reach the airport around 11AM, and I have a couple of hours to get my boarding pass, and wait for the aircraft. Seng had informed me that Malaysian Airlines do not start the engines until five minutes before departure, as a cost and fuel saving measure. As a result, the air crafts are very hot (especially for mid-day flights) inside. I intend to wait until the last minute before I board the airplane.
I decided to go downtown for one more time before I leave. Seng has to take Theng2 to a dental appointment in the morning, so I hitched a ride with them to the (Adventists') Hospital. The dental clinic is a separate building inside the hospital compound.
We walked in, and while Theng2 did her things with the receptionist, I sat down to read a newspaper. I was suddenly aware of some commotions. Another patient waiting in the sitting room was at the door, opening the door, and helping a old lady get into the room. The old lady was already being helped by another young lady. She looked out of it, like she did not know what is going on. She could hardly move her legs, and her head was tilted skyward, as if she was in a daze. At some point, when she is supposed to move one leg to the front of the other, she hooked the root onto the other leg, and almost fell down. I jumped up to offer my seat (near to the door), but the entourage bypassed me to the next seat. They propped the lady up in the seat, and within a few minutes, she was taken into one of the examination room. I was thinking, at that age, her dental health is probably the least of her worries.
soon after that, Theng2 was called into another examination room. Seng motioned me to follow, but I declined. I think it is appropriate only for the father to follow, but not the uncle. We don't want the whole family crowding the dentist's room, do we? like Ma and Pa Kettle. Ha ha.
Apparently the hospital's cafeteria (canteen) is famous for their baked goods. Before leaving the hospital, Seng and Theng2 walked over to the main building for the cafeteria. Theng2 picked up many breads and pastries, and Seng bought two bags of oat meals. After that, we dropped Theng2 off at her school, which is quite near, a couple of blocks away, and Seng then drove me down to Komtar to meet Kong Chan.
After an hour's wait, Kong Chan showed up. He has to come down from Ayer Itam, and he complained that the bus was later than usual. I did not mind. I mostly sat in the Dewan hall, and watch people pay their municipal bills.
We walked over to Kek Seng coffee shop, and had a quick mid-morning meal. Kong Chan ordered popiahs, loh baks, and iced kachangs. I ordered a bowl of laksa (which I regret later, because even though it was good, it was just too much food.) I did not take pictures of these dishes, because I probably have too many of these pictures already.
We walked back to the Prangin Mall afterward. Kong Chan said it was just too hot to walk anywhere else under the Sun, and I agree. It was scrotching hot this morning. I was sweating profusely already
At the mall, I tried to look for a DVD of "The Princess Diary." I noticed Theng2 was ready the book, and I thought she might enjoy the movie after she finishes the book. The movie is a few years old, and all the DVD stores no longer carry it, unfortunately. I looked at the 3 in 1 and 4 in 1 DVDs, hoping to find one with the movie included, but to no avail. Ah, well. I had to give up after a while, when Kong Ming arrived to pick us up for lunch.
Lunch was at a Thiu Theo (a Chinese Province) restaurant. Kong Chan ordered Pork Belly soup, Tofu with vegetables, and Plum chicken. I have never had the soup before, but it was very tasty. The pork belly was very well cooked, so it was tender and not chewy. The waiter scooped out three bowls of soup, and served it, then retired discreetly. Very nice serving.
The tofu and chicken came soon afterwards, and the waitress topped our soup bowls, and took away the empty serving bowl. We enjoyed the tofu and the chicken. The chicken is deep fried, but not greasy. It was cut into small serving pieces, and you can optionally dip the chicken pieces into a small dish of plum sauce. That is why it is called "Plum sauce chicken." A very enjoyable lunch.
At night, we went to Sungai Tiram food court. Sui Fun and Peter graciously took time out to join us. We ordered Octopus and Tung Choy (green vegetables), satay chicken, Oyster omelette, Fish noodles, Sar Hor Fun, Hokkien fried noodles, Balachan tofu and Balachan chicken (chicken made with shrimp paste). There were so much food, it filled up the two tables we occupied. I am sorry I didn't bring my camera, but I wish I did now. The Balachan chicken was very good. I wish I had a picture of that.
The fish noodles vendor has been here since the 80's. They used to be very busy, very much in demand. A competitor has since opened across the street, taking away a lot of their business, but they are still very haughty. They have the attitude that they do not need your business, so you are welcomed to leave if you don't like their attitude.
We ordered two bags of noodles to go, for the children's lunch tomorrow. When we received them, they have the soup and noodles in the same bag, instead of separating the noodles and soup. When we went back to complain, and ask them to separate, the woman, who is also the cook, refused. She said "you didn't tell us to separate.", and "the noodles will not overcook in the soup.". Seng insisted, she finally relented, but will only redo one bag. Apparently she has never heard of the saying "the customer is always right." I joked that I will boycott her for at least one year, because I am leaving the next day.
Ronnie came over to join us, just as we stood up to leave. He said he was not hungry anyway. He just ate somewhere else, and only wanted to come by and say goodbye. He is a nice kid.
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