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volume 10 12383/5/2006 unlock ancient chinese wisdom top tour highlights pattaya bali the darul ridzuan state feature article top spa destinations in the south pacific chinese acrobatics a display of a display of physical and spiritual magnitude special promotion goa getaway package picture courtesy of copywriter

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01 chvc lifestyle ntnt ch lifestyle ublisher unty gt lftyl ad dtal ulatn ff 6th floor lo a the mn wterrot usiess r no.3 jl tsi the mn esort it 43300 eri keb elor drul hs mlsi tel 603894 11 888 f 6038945 3320 ditorihie aien mokhtar mi ditor ricky yip ditoril assistt vinnie raviraj kelene how otributi writers laura wesley david bates art diretor nelson lee grphi desier susane pang hotorpher wee leong feature article spa destination pg4 10 · you deserve to feel this good · edeii it dulee · lissul urreder spotlight malaysia penang pg11-14 · e istor evisited resort listings internal affilition resorts pg17 20 new affiliation resorts pg21 22 · ei uites li · jotie esort p tt · tt ill esort ptt · uit merh letow esort er member services column pg23 37 · st rootio olid e · upoi rootio mil moets o dise e · mebers rivilees he olid titleet or medil heup · aother mebership heet to weloe the new yer · the jewel ld o god s git to di · outr eihts vtio lub aul geerl meeti liiso oittee · mebership eewl fees · disout rivilees t mn woderld · v.l.4.u · gurteed b hee · mn eurse ewrds roee · meber eerrl hee · meber hti moet · opliet letters ro mebers · meber s eservtio mines news events pg38 53 le o the golde orses vets ihlihts · jo jrt with kris dti · naam s 10th aiversr dier with div ait rrw · lssil tli dier t vllii s tli esturt · luh o ovtive thee rties · diouti peril tte uet · umm dier · auerh it opulr erit ri · a ol visit · hiese arobtis a displ o hsil d priritul mitude news flsh · noble eort ro ee mlsi i sweri the 911 o the ist erthue tred · the 18th geerl oeree o world uddhist h ouil · the 11th aan uit peil leders diloue · erd globl ee foru `ee divideds wr roits health living article pg54 59 · loos e deeivi the porte o elth reei · kroe therph · the ower o kiss · s t troe · ulo aiet hiese wisdo­trditiol hiese mediie leisure pg60 66 · ntures georphi ­ a wrrior est freid · altertive ports ­ uestri portsfor the love the ports · movie u ­ ebisuit · movie u ­ ildo · hiese orosope ­ osi edislistr nuerolo fe hui

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fro the group hie ditor s des ch lifestyle is created with one thing in mind ­ to be a platform where we can showcase our lifestyle product offerings highlight happenings and promotions at our outlets and an a means of communication where we can reach out to you and for you to get to know us a little better we believe that to continue growth improvements we need to keep on innovating new ideas concept and approach into our future plans and projects to offer uncompromising quality of service to satisfy your needs and to surpass your expectations on that note we are introducing new segments in the magazine comprising of light and informational reads from reviews of top spa destinations in the south pacific to movie reviews from healthy approach to `secrets of a blissful relationship we try to offer a wide range of topics of interest for your reading pleasures in this magazine you will also find ways to experience our lifestyle product offerings for free have a great year ahead and we look forward to servicing you at any of our outlets this year best wishes aien mokhtar editorial@countryheights.com.my picture courtesy of ritz carlton bali chvc lifestyle i would like to take this opportunity to wish happy chinese new year to our chinese friends families may 2006 bring an abundant of luck and prosperity from our family to yours 02

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picture courtesy of ritz carlton bali

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top 3 spa destinations in the south pacific

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you deserve to feel let mandara spa at j.w marriott phuket resort spa delight all your senses by laura wesley experience for its patrons many of whom are guests at j.w marriott resort or marriott vacation club international the spa is also open to the public feture artile ­ a destitio w ould you like light medium or hard pressure my masseuse kiriya asks medium i reply my voice betraying the cranky mood i m still in from a long week of work i lay on my back with a towel draped over me from behind my head hands appear forming a triangle before my face i breathe in deeply as the first hint of ylang ylang reaches my nose she continues the massage rubbing oil imbued with essential oils that i had chosen only moments ago tranquility a mixture of vetiver lavender and ylang ylang is one of the six signature scents of the mandara spa at j.w marriott in mai khao thailand this was my choice after carefully examining the description placed in front of each square porcelain bowl on display in the foyer mandara harmony the signature scents are carefully-formulated thailand spice blends of natural oils tranquility each is a carefully-formulated blend of natural oils tranquility was made for me it s recommended for those suffering insomnia stress emotional anxiety and jet lag an international move change of career and new working patterns i was battling all of the above i silently questioned anyone s ability to alleviate my stress i m pleasantly surprised when the scent combined with the warm hands on my head starts to ease the tension in my muscles pressure is applied gently but firmly to my shoulders down each arm thumbs kneading my palm before continuing on to my stomach and legs i gaze upward in-laid with a design crafted from mother of pearl the ceiling is a feast to the eyes after turning over kiriya climbs onto the table leaning her body weight into the two muscles that run the length of my spine next she works her way down to my hamstrings too many downward dog poses in yoga has left my hamstrings tight and stiff but even these relax with time on the hardwood floor in my direct line of sight there is view from the massage bed a large ceramic bowl filled with water and a vibrant pink flower resting peacefully on a leaf picture of the pink flower on the leaf perfectly content a sigh escapes from my lips mandara spa specializes in providing an extraordinary it s the experience of walking in the door having the people behind the desk greet you with a smile the fine intricate details that s mandara emma dunstan the spa s manager tells me the thais are a welcoming and beautiful people and the influence of the thai culture carries over into the spa everywhere i go on the grounds of the resort the staff smile and welcome me with a bow and hands pressed together their warm personalities add to the relaxing guests are met with a smile at mandara spa atmosphere proving to me yet again that one of thailand s richest assets is its people this spa is achieving its objectives creating an atmosphere that appeals to all the senses traditional thai architecture is used throughout the resort and nowhere is this more evident than the spa complete harmony exists between indoor and outdoor spaces engineers have used materials in rich colors of various textures resulting in a simple elegance the spa is comprised of a full-service beauty salon five indoor and five outdoor suites with six more opening in early 2006 each spa suite in the main building features twin massage tables a steam room with two shower nozzles enclosed behind a glass door w.c a double-sized tub and a changing area with lock-box soaps and shampoos in ceramic dispensers and well-placed orchids enhance the simple elegance of the room the the simple elegance of the spa suite warm lighting enters through the glass door leading to an outdoor treatment area with a large four-poster bed draped in white cloth the stone steps leading to it are set in a tropical water garden filled with plants such as papyrus and birds of paradise the tinkling sounds of the water fountain can be heard both inside and out outdoor rooms take full advantage of the exquisite natural surroundings while maximizing privacy exiting the main spa building guests are led down a terracotta-walled path lined with shell-shaped iron lanterns and tropical plants behind each of the massive ornate copper doors is a luxurious room those in use have silk scarves hanging on the handle another indication of the spa s commitment to privacy double cascade showers mix form with function at the back of the well-groomed space in the outdoor rooms two separate glassed-in rooms with terrazzo benches allow guests to admire the tropical garden and back-lit wooden 05 ch lifestyle

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this good feture artile ­ a destitio lattice panels that cover the walls while enjoying the therapeutic effects of an herbal steam bath one room is reserved for men and one for women although they can be booked by a couple for a private treatment since all of the rooms contain two beds many treatments can be shared with a loved one the romantic spa escape package priced at 15,500 baht allows couples to enjoy a suite for four hours treatment begins with a steam bath and then the therapist arrives to perform a floral foot bath and coffee scrub couples are left alone to enjoy an aromatic floral bath before being pampered with an aromatherapy massage and facial refreshments are served located less than 20 minutes drive north of the phuket international airport the mandara spa is the perfect getaway for lovers celebrating their honeymoon or anniversary j.w marriott is very exclusive as it is the only luxury resort on mai khao beach on the massage table kiriya checks in with me periodically to make sure everything is to my liking medium pressure turns out to be exactly what i was hoping for so i state that everything is perfect not only is she friendly and attentive it is clear she has been professionally schooled in thai massage the manager confirms this to me after my treatment each therapist is required to have a certificate in thai massage and is further trained at the spa to the relief of even the shyest of guests professionalism is particularly evident in the conscientious use of draping techniques the temperature is moderated and adjusted until i find it just perfect similar to the outside the room is warm yet not stifling soothing sounds are being piped in another mandara specialty the sound rituals cd can be purchased from the receptionist an hour goes by all too quickly and the treatment comes to an end i am served a refreshing cup of warm lemongrass tea to continue the therapeutic benefits of the massage sitting there in my bathrobe my mind drifts back to the beginning of the treatment when in this same chair my feet had been washed in a square ceramic bowl filled with warm water and rose petals i take a moment to look around the room again its simplistic beauty astounds me an orchid baths in the sunlight on the crisp rolled towels beside the tub attention has been paid to every detail in attention has been the room paid to every detail eager to take this experience home with me i peruse the locally-made mandara spa signature products sweet basil thai bergamot lemongrass and lavender essential oils bath salts and incense can be purchased there are embroidered slippers and robes being offered well-priced at 856 baht net i consider the oil burner set elegantly packaged in a cylindrical tin can one last inhale in the lobby of the spa is met with the smell of lemongrass an essential oil known for its uplifting properties i leave this private paradise for the first time but hopefully not the last.­ lw 06 ch lifestyle picture courtesy of copywriter

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feture artile ­ a destitio w hen you think you have experienced the very best life has to offer along comes the awardwinning angsana spa located right in the heart of kuala lumpur setting the standard for an ultimate spa indulgence fit for a queen angsana spa occupies a sprawling 1,000 square metres of space divided into 12 indoor single therapy rooms two indoor twin bedded rooms four indoor facial single rooms two outdoor spa pavilions and two rainmist rooms while the crush i had on banyan tree spa in phuket still remains on my mind as an indescribable experience i had set expectations since the multiple award-winning banyantree is responsible for the conceptualization and management of this contemporary asian spa brand who is creating a wave of its own in the industry the interior design concept of angsana spa is a more contemporary version of the banyan tree spa while maintaining the philosophy of offering a holistic nonclinical spa which relies heavily on aromatherapy and sense of skilled touch with its debut in dusit laguna phuket in december 1999 the group have expanded its brand to a total of 23 outlets worldwide including kuala lumpur thailand indonesia china india australia egypt and hong kong among others upon coming out of the elevator on the 5th floor i was greeted by the vivid tangerine walls the signature angsana trademark color its interior design and its concept is a fusion of asian moorish seen through the choice of bright colors on the walls moorish timber lined the paths with lime green artfully splashed on the walls joining the therapy rooms thailand s grace and hospitality permeated through the joint walls the warm welcome i received from the receptionist soothed my frayed nerves due to the lack of sleep for the past three weeks since christmas immediately i felt obliged to shift my gear into neutral if only for a couple of hours and enjoy what was in store for me beyond the moorish door as i walked the corridor the smell of incense trailed my steps range of massage oil infused 07 ch lifestyle redefining city indulgence escape to the inner sanctum of angsana spa kuala lumpur

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feture artile ­ a destitio with blends of essential oils complement massage packages offered on the spa menu i stood in front of the dresser and listened to my masseuse explanation of the melody blend with the essential oil of rosemary eucalyptus lavender and turmeric to infuse my skin with the therapeutic properties of the essential oils used to create it a scene from kamasutra came to mind my heart was set on melody for the day to go with the `fusion massage i had chosen earlier a combination of thai and swedish massage techniques it is a match made in heaven between stretches and long strokes other equally pleasing massage oil blends include euphoria blend massage oil to complement the signature massage simply called `angsana massage other aromatherapy blended massage oils include balancing oil invigorating oil with lemongrass essential oil vitality oil and sesame oil the service adheres to the massage techniques and spa etiquette that is synonymous with its innovator s reputably high standards the therapists are skilled and trained at the banyan tree spa academy in phuket thailand and exude gracious asian hospitality when asked what prompted her to choose her profession fon my therapist for the day explained that it gave her an opportunity to relax pondering her answer while my knotted muscles ease with her calculated thumb pressures the massage experience as it turned out not only gave the recipient the relaxing pleasure but also to the therapist giving it the ambience the soothing piano instrumental gently playing in the background and the mixed scent of incense and essential oil wafting through the air all contributing to the success of this environment creation meant to transport patrons to the realm of ultimate indulgence and relaxation the angsana experience is meant to be shared ­ with a loved one the outdoor pavilion was designed with the couple s interest in mind equipped with an outdoor shower and an outdoor jacuzzi it is the ultimate spa lover s retreat within the city in this inner sanctum over-looking kuala lumpur s skyline time is encapsulated within this space escape from the daily routine of an urban lifestyle is conceivable as all other great works of art this one is indeed a masterpiece ­ aien mokhtar reception area displaying a contemporary interior design approach 08 ch lifestyle ibu s secret massage adapted from the traditional balin massage outdoor spa pavilion picture courtesy of ansana spa kuala lumpur

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feture artile ­ a destitio t 09 ch lifestyle blissful surrender but i mustn t tarry for i had an appointment with what promises to be an invigorating experience outside that of my imaginings the ritz-carlton bali thalasso spa once in i happily drank in the architecture that mirrored that of the lobby while the spa delicately made use of wooden furnishings much of it was beautifully carved stone it is simply magnificent how they had made use of these solid objects to create a sense of calmness and security not to say that wood is not pleasing to the eyes and senses but stone is unique and presents a sense of unyielding elegance that coupled with an abundance of living greenery the spa would remind you of the captivating coastal palaces of rome and greece in their heyday another surprise that forced a smile to my face was the facilities the changing room was filled to the brim with he moment i stepped into the grounds of the ritzcarlton bali i was compelled to close my eyes and take a deep slow breathe the lobby area alone was enough to convince me that i had made the right choice in coming here all around me was hard sandy stoned walkways sprinkled with fountains and sculptures with the sound of flowing water creating a merry tune in all directions all this faced the majestically blue indian ocean and as i reopened my eyes i was for a moment transported back to the times of ancient kings peace and tranquillity a touch of grandeur and a deep-rooted feeling of how wonderful life would be if time slowed to a standstill where i could float from tree to tree fountain to fountain gently gazing at and listening to the sound of the sea slowly quietly for eternity anything you could ever need from toner and moisturizer to a little microwave-like device which i was supposed to disinfect my hairbrush with i found that little machine quite intriguing as i imagined all the would be dust mites disintegrating under it s glow not that i expected the brushes to be contaminated in any way it was just a little extra touch that is provided to all guests the little extras are what ritz carlton is renowned for the world over helps remind you that you are among the privileged in experiencing the hospitality that only ritz carlton can deliver i didn t understand the need for it all like the need for moisturizer before i go for a spa session but anyway it was pleasing just to see everything there for me if i chose to need it moving to the spa experience itself i must confess it was captivating my visual senses were propelled to new heights as they drank it all the colours surrounding me for one the use of the colour violet which is incidentally my favourite was everywhere to add to that i had chosen to indulge in one of the spa s signature treatments the aromatic petal massage and the flowers they sprinkled all over was to say the least were most appealing this massage combines the techniques of a swedish massage hawaiian lomi-lomi and balinese strokes the scents that emanated from the petals were similarly glorious to say that the massage was relaxing would be a gross understatement it felt great just to close my eyes and relax but at some point when the temptation was too strong i just indulged myself a quick peek of the surroundings the room looked out towards the spa courtyard and the view as i have come to expect was incredibly calming i was uncertain if keeping my eyes

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feture artile ­ a destitio opened or keeping them closed would give me a more fulfilling experience an hour or so later which seemed to run by all too quickly the treatment was over next up i wanted to experience their famous aquatonic seawater therapy pool thalasso as it is called is a therapy whereby seawater is used as the major element in a treatment i was told that the balinese revered water as holy i had no arguments i love the water and with 700,000,000 litres of warmed indian ocean just sitting in a pool before me i had little choice but to succumb the pool itself includes over a dozen different facilities from geysers to aqua beds and jets to heated bubble baths and relaxation pools if there ever were an aquatic eden this would be it at this moment in time i would have voted to be a fish like the rest of the ritz-carlton much of the décor incorporated the stone structures which i adore the aquatonic pool also allows for a private exercise session with a personal trainer the doctors say exercising in the water is perfect due to the resistance of water and the low impact nature of water based exercise but here had i been offered such a novelty i can safely say i would have declined who would even want to move when you can sit in a 34°c bubble bath unfortunately my two-hour session was not long enough to satisfy and i contemplated on an additional session but decided against it four hours in the water sounded a bit much no matter how much i enjoyed it one last tour around the spa and it came time to bid this wonderful experience a sad farewell i lingered at the lobby one last time savouring the sights and sounds of the ocean and bringing back the notions of grandeur and royal elegance that first struck when i arrived hours before taking a few extra photos to take home with me as cherished keepsakes i hailed a cab thus closing the book on this little adventure hopefully to be reopened and continued in the nearest possible future ­ david bates narrated by lee yih lin let your senses be your guide at the ritz-carlton bali thalasso spa 10 ch lifestyle picture courtesy of ritz carlton bali

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potliht mlsi ­ e 11 ch lifestyle t he pearl of the orient it has been sometime since anyone has referred to penang as such perhaps it s just one of the things that slowly confine themselves to the history books but regardless here i was in penang where i spent the next several days doing the things any self-respecting tourist would do there were plenty of places i wanted to visit fort cornwallis kek lok si temple st george s church penang hill and being a world war ii buff perhaps even the war museum unfortunately the trip did not wind up like something out of discovery travel and adventure being smack in the middle of the monsoon season penang was thoroughly drenched hours on end and when it wasn t pouring like no tomorrow it was drizzling for hours on end my visit to penang couldn t have been timed any worse than this but either way there were places to see and by george i was going to see them a few if not all my guide and i left as soon as the heavy downpour subsided into a harsh drizzle thus leaving my spacious comfortable and homey apartment behind my guide and i set out it was near 4pm when we finally arrived at fort cornwallis i was only just in penang a year before for convocation i had to attend and never did have the opportunity to lay eyes on the fort it was huge not so large as the keeps of europe but this was no small thing the immediate thought that came to my mind was for the alamo only that this structure looked much more menacing with its exposed bricks and cannons flaring in all directions fort cornwallis is like a time capsule once you step into it you experience a change there is a british march being played i was no longer david alan bates copywriter/photographer i was sir david bates esquire all the dreams of glory would then just start streaming in i would have made a good governor i think but anyway it was inspection time and my fort was waiting i made my rounds inspecting the cannons one of which is the famous seri rambai cannon it dwarfs all other cannons in the fort and it is believed that childless women can conceive by placing flowers in the barrel pretty superstitious i must say stuffing flowers in my cannon indeed the old church and magazine still stood and like the entire fort had a very spooky feel about it the church was pitch black inside and the entrance was small enough for a tall hobbit to fit just nicely i didn t go in however it just felt wrong it didn t radiate with the power that many old churches do it was dark and gloomy like death i moved on to the magazine the insides of magazine had been re-enacted to resemble what it must have looked

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potliht mlsi ­ e a step into history the entrance of fort cornwallis like it has mock gunpowder cannon balls random boxes etc basically it was firepower in a box in the courtyard there is a fenced up archaeological dig i estimated that it went a few feet down and that was just the surface of it all what it showed was the remnants of the barracks that once stood it is all covered up in dirt now unlike pompey judging from its depth the walls must have been at least half as high as they are now quite an amazing discovery i must say the holding cells were still in good conditions and they now housed all manner of historical trinkets even a copy of sir francis light s will sunset view over the penang bridge 12 ch lifestyle next up st george s church which is hardly ten minutes away this church has been standing since 1819 and it must have been considered enormous in those times the façade of st george s looked distinctively like a roman temple that only added to its grandeur the church was closed when we arrived but according to a notice board it is still in use and has several masses a day it is on this grounds that a memorial to sir francis light still stands where he is described as in his capacity as governor the settles and natives were greatly attached to him and by his death had to deplore the loss of one who watched st george church was built in 1819 and is still in use today the seri rembai cannon is the largest in the fort and is believed to magical

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potliht mlsi ­ e over their interests and care as a father the memorial plaque nearly brought a tear to my eye to be thought so highly of even after death perhaps on queue with my discovery of the plaque it started raining again even the skies wept at his passing with the onset of a new bout of rain there was no hope to visit penang hill and as it was already past five the war museum would also be closed thankfully my guide had friends working at the eastern and oriental hotel it was established in 1885 and is the first hotel on penang island we could tour the place he said in hindsight that was a spectacular idea i am a real sap when it comes to old english buildings and the eastern architectural splendour even the entrance itself brought a smile to my face it had one of those wooden revolving doors the lobby had also been decked out to resemble a hotel of an era passed its domed ceiling gave off a mild echo led the way to a magnificent set of stairways it had the grandeur of those of debutante balls where a girl just coming of age would glide down them effortlessly and be introduced for the first time to the world curious i sneaked up this stairway after perhaps eight flights i came to a single locked door that was all i still wonder where that door leads our tour was up next and we were led to the prime minister s suite in a word it was glorious as far as possible all the furnishing were wood and the sheer size of it was incredible its living room bedroom and multiple bathrooms were easily the size of a single story house what also added to the ambience was that woody smell which i had whiffed since stepping into the hotel lobby it smelled like fresh wood a tangy smell you get from newly lacquered furniture but none of these which i spied could be that new i asked them about it they seemed pleased that i noticed but all i got was a sorry sir that s a secret the luxurious living room of the prime minister s suit at the eastern oriental hotel well at least that told me that the smell is recreated by the staff and not natural but how they manage this piece of magic is like they say a secret there wasn t really anywhere left to go it was getting late and the rain had only just started to abide how very typical dropped by briefly at chowrasta to buy some delicacies the sweet biscuit like things which i really like there was also this ubber famous cendol stall in an alleyway nearby it s been featured in newspapers and judging from the cue in the rain it really must be good i tried it and liked it but i can t imagine a local purposely lining up that long just for a bowl of it sometimes malaysians get too carried away with the prospects of good food i ll never understand it having filled ourselves with sugar we decided to drop by gurney drive for a stroll along the waterfront this ended up being a rather good idea i never realized there were old english mansions lining the waterfront i think i may have walked the entire stretch and then some just marvelling at the architecture and wondering if the inhabitants are indeed descendants of the high and mighty during the colonial days how must it have been like when the japanese invaded no doubt the rich would be among the first to be herded up all too interesting unfortunately the mansions themselves are pretty inaccessible they look menacing for one and their taller than life gates seem to ward off visitors my last stop in what i would consider a reasonably hectic half-day was bagan a semi pub cum restaurant set in an old english bungalow the locals tell me that it is pretty famous so i decided to give it a go once there it turned out to be rather modern inside with a touch of the old culture some wooden furnishings old styled oval 13 ch lifestyle the eastern oriental hotel is the oldest hotel on penang island

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potliht mlsi ­ e picture frames and a wine closet maintained the old rustic interior look but other than that it was quite modern and judging by many in their twenties frequenting the place i concluded that bagan is not only for old-timers and their smoking pipes one thing i found different about bagan was while it largely sold liquor and was darkly lit it seemed to be suitable to bring a family out for a nice dinner as well the food was satisfying and of reasonable prices the target market i would say is the middle upper class the spaghetti came highly recommended i stayed just long enough to finish a meal and to ask a few questions i have been walking about the entire day and it was already past midnight to boot i found myself beginning to fall asleep fearing the danger of drowning in the spaghetti sauce we decided to call it a day got back to the apartment at about one in the morning so there ended my trip it was time to pack up sleep up and it is back to kl in the morning i have never been to penang solely for leisure and despite the english weather i must say i enjoyed myself thoroughly cheerio ­ david bates 14 ch lifestyle looking out from across the bay penang exhibits a serenity not found in most cities

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