Day 82: Tuesday June 8th 2004. Had had a good night's sleep on the train and woke up to spicy coffee and customs at the border. Although we missed the eclipse of the Sun by Venus whilst on the train, we also missed out Southern Thailand, which was wise on account of the current troubles there.

View from train

Upon arrival in Butterworth we donned our packs for a walk in the heat to the ferry to Penang. The short ferry ride was followed by a taxi ride to Love Lane, where all the backpackers hang out. Most travellers are here simply to renew their Thai visas it seems.

Penang is a real cultural mixing pot, with distinct Indian, Chinese and Malay quarters - India for lunch, Chinese for dinner - sorted! When in the Indian quarter, I felt I could have been in India - street vendors, crumbling Colonial architecture and open sewers. Cool stuff - a real little bonus! Aaron shocked me by actually liking it, although I think that had more to do with the plethora of veggie food than anything else.

Penang temple

Since my infected toe seems to be healing now, I reluctantly agreed to go out drinking with a couple of Welsh lads and a Chinaman in the evening. The Welsh boys have come up from Indonesia from an extended surfing tour, and so filled us in on the best way to get there - ferry to Medan (Indonesia) followed by a cheap internal flight down to Java...

Day 83: Wednesday June 9th 2004. We found a cheap ticket to Medan, and hung around for the day. It's too hot to do anything here! The highlight of the day has to have been the Indian meal that night - Tandoori chicken with loads of different sauces and garnishes - absolutely lubberly.