downtown (Georgetown)

Okay, so this isn't about our first day in Penang, but it's what we did today, and the only one I have pictures of on my computer, and so that's where we'll start!

This morning we headed to Georgetown.  It was a cooler morning, at least at the start, and a perfect day for wandering the old streets.  The street art is super cool.  These three little girls are one of my favorites.

And this scene crafted around an old motorbike.  [Note the flawlessly executed group photo... ha!]

This 'living statue' captured the attention of the little people.  No surprise that John Paul was bold enough to stride right up to the gentleman and have his picture taken.

And these swings, also really fun - they are secured into the wall!

Notice the kids t-shirts!  My cousin Julie's daughter Caroline made these for our five!  so fun!  The kids LOVE them!  This is the first time I've dressed the kids alike for a day like this...  and it definitely has it's perks!  So easy to count these 5 tie dye tshirts!

And it made for a cute photo too :)

Of course, we weren't the only colorful attraction!  Georgetown is a place that assaults all the senses!

[See those goats? Happy New Year and welcome to the year of the goat, huh?]

flowers for sale in Little India

Incense everywhere!

Penang is a mix of ethnic Chinese (Buddhists), Indians (Hindu) and Malay (Muslim).  These young Malay girls were pretty enthralled with Luke.  

And I thought these girls were striking too.

Here's Kate giving a demo called "How to win the Patience Award"

And Uncle Charlie listening to Isaac.  Who never stopped talking.

Stopped for lunch.  A precious row of tie-dye in a booth!

We had a few moments where the natives got restless, but for the most part, they enjoyed the cultural lesson .... or at least remained somewhat interested in their surroundings.

We finished up with a quick stop near Fort Cornwallis and Luke loves to look for boats (Penang is an island, the land in the distance is peninsular Malaysia).

We got home and the kids hit the pool.  We are big big big fans of Uncle Charlie and Aunt Linda's home.... the pool, the backyard, the nearby hiking trails.

More photos and stories to come, who knows when.  This is the first I've bothered to open up the computer since I got here.  But I will be back.