Sail around the world

After breakfast we spend some time in the immigration office to discuss a few open questions with the officers. When finished we start slowly the preparations for Christmas Eve. Enjoy a Happy Christmas Eve with family and friends  

Last night, we enjoyed a wonderful dinner with longtime friends from Switzerland who recently moved back to their home in Penang. They’ve always been incredible hosts, and this time was no exception. A diverse group of friends from various countries across Europe and Asia came together to share delicious food, drinks, stories, and ideas. Hopefully, we won’t have to wait another five years to see them again.   *** Today, we picked up a rental car from the German company SIXT. The process was slow but smooth, and soon we were behind the wheel of a brand-new Honda. Switching from left-hand to right-hand driving always feels a bit strange. Thankfully, it’s an automatic, so there’s no need to worry about shifting gears. However, adjusting to the swapped positions of the windshield wiper and the turn indicator always trips me up. Every time I want to turn right, the wipers swipe once, and when I attempt to turn left, the wipers switch on permanently—much to the frustration of the dr...

Today’s destination is the Clan Jetties in George Town. These historic jetties, built by Chinese immigrants in the late 19th and early 20th centuries who came to Penang in search of economic opportunities, became home to various clans, each of which formed a close-knit community.   Each clan jetty—autonomous and self-contained—served as a residential enclave for laborers, fishermen, and cargo handlers who worked at the bustling port. These communities had their own customs, festivals, and leadership structures. Temples and shrines played a central role in their spiritual life, especially during important Chinese festivals like the Hungry Ghost Festival and Chinese New Year.   We take a Grab car to Yeoh Jetty , situated along the coastline facing the mainland. The car drops us off at the edge of a settlement where rows of wooden houses stand on stilts above the water. The morning sun blazes overhead, and we eagerly search for shade as we navigate the narrow walkway...

Whispers of the Road: The Rickshaw's Tale Vibrant Streets, Endless Dreams Beach Street Fire and Rescue Station established in 1908 Interior decoration The abacus : one of humanity's earliest calculators, a wooden frame strung with beads, embodying the timeless quest to quantify, calculate, and solve. Its origins trace back thousands of years, used by merchants, mathematicians, and students to simplify complex computations. Prayer altars : where earth meets heaven, and silence speaks volumes. Out of vogue in the West, yet still a cornerstone in the East. Seh Tek Tong Cheah Kongsi The Seh Tek Tong Cheah Kongsi is one of the prominent Chinese clan houses in Penang. Established by the Cheah clan, it serves as a cultural, social, and ancestral hub, showcasing the legacy of Chinese immigrants who settled in Penang Nagore Durgha Sheriff 1800 This shrine pays homage to the sacred site in Nagore, Tamil Nadu, India, dedicated to the Sufi saint Hazrat Syed Shahul Hameed Qadir Wali , who l...

Attention readers from Germany: This story is true. No scam!   *** Joon is still recovering from a virus she caught while on the ship. Today, she decided to visit a doctor. Fortunately, there’s a government clinic conveniently located next to our hotel. However, since it’s Friday morning and many people are attending mosque prayers, she has to wait until the afternoon.   In Malaysia, every medical student is required to complete their housemanship (internship) in a government hospital before they are eligible to move to the better-paying private sector.   At the clinic, the doctor conducts a thorough examination, discusses treatment options, and provides the necessary medication. In Malaysia, both government and private doctors are allowed to dispense medication directly to patients. Unlike in Germany, there’s no need to take a prescription to a pharmacy for your medicine.   Here’s the most surprising part: At the end of the consultation, much lik...