It's obvious that choosing the room at Bishop Hotel is a big mistake. I'm sure I could have done better. So overnight it's obvious that we were unprepared for the culture shock even though I've been here before. But then twelve years is a long time. Today is all about damage limitation now.
We manage to arrange a coffee at least, but as regarding a normal breakfast, I have work to do. Thankfully help is at hand. Last night I realised there was a food court at the end of the street, but it was closed. This morning I go out to take a look and I'm presently surprised by the selection of food. Tomorrow morning I will be better organised. While this food court closes in the afternoon, I also figure out where to eat in the evening, avoiding the searching around I did last night. I Also manage to attain a map of Penang Island. As the bus station is not far from here, let's see where it takes us for small change.
As we make our way to the bus station, I call again at the food court to introduce Katoon to it. Despite it being not yet lunchtime, we find something to eat now rather than search around later.
For today, we have a rough plan which will take us around the northern coast of Penang Island. At the bus station we need to use bus 101 for Teluk Baheng, but first we need a refresher course on how to use them. Basically the buses run for small change and that's the point. If you don’t have small change then you will waste money as no change is given back. It's a case of planning ahead and getting used to it. Other than that there is a frequent service and you must be ready to board as there is a short window. By going through the learning curve we manage to miss two buses but on the third attempt we're on our way.
The journey is interesting, first negotiating traffic in the sprawling city of Georgetown. It's here away from the historic quarter you find how the modern city works as new residences, shops and food courts appear everywhere confirming that I chose the wrong area for accommodation. Well, I continue to learn. We pass shopping malls and apartment blocks for some distance, but the terrain gets more rugged until we reach Teluk Baheng more or less at the end of the route. There is no obvious reason to come this far only out of curiosity. In fact there is little here; there's just a small bay here and small beach and fishing village around a river estuary.
I should briefly mention the weather which is at odds with Bangkok. It's been cloudy with intermittent rain ever since I've been here. With this being unpredictable and nothing else to keep us here, we head back to town, a journey taking the best part of an hour. I keep my eyes out for anything interesting and realise that the popular sun and sand resort area is at Batu Ferringhi where many hotels, restaurants and other attractions are. I must remember that.
We get off the bus close to where we started then head towards the old fort. It's here I'm told there is a local food court which we find at the western end of the fort. It turns out that it offers amazing value. Now why didn't I find this eaterie yesterday? It's time to retreat to the hotel close by and take a rest.
As things stand, I have learnt a lot today as to how to survive in Georgetown and in Malaysia in general. We can eat very cheaply tomorrow and see even more of the island.

Source: Visit