Bayview Beach Resort Penang

Bayview Beach Resort Penang 28th May

Wonders will never cease, Crackers and the Hen have risen and  are down at breakfast before Pierre "The Large One" and Lynette. We are gradually overcoming jet lag.
Breakfast proves interesting to say the least. The Hotel has suddenly had an influx of patrons, we learn that school holidays have started this week end, many families from areas and countries close by and afar, have now taken residence. An Indian couple are holding wedding nuptials at the hotel and many of their guests are taking the opportunity to stay over another large group of people are also meeting here we think they are from a university campus.
Although the breakfast hall is extremely large and probably holds as many as 200 guests, we find it difficult to get a table for 4 we therefore settle for a table for 2 thinking that if Pieter and Lyn turn up we can add a couple of chairs.
We place our occupied sign on the table and head off to the buffet, which on the whole is quite good, not as good as the Avalon Panorama though. It has fruit juices,tea,coffee a large selection of fresh and dried fruits, yogurts and cereals, jams and peanut butter, pancakes and a choice of breads.
The hot food includes cooked on the spot eggs of most descriptions, several types of skinless sausages, stews, curry puffs, rice, baked beans, cheese and prepared meats,also some items I find difficult to describe. All in all a good selection to choose from but because of the local Muslim religion no ham or bacon as we know it, but you can have chicken bacon!!! If you so choose. I have resisted the temptation so far as it looks a little insipid, but will try before We leave.
After making a selection we return through the multitudes of adults and scrambling children to our table to find that in spite of the reserved sign on the table our chairs have been pinched. I find the people here can be quite rude at times.
Pieter and Lyn turn up after a while and we are able to move to a table for 4 and enjoy the rest of our breakfast.
After breakfast we all decide to catch a bus into Georgetown and stroll through a large shopping center similar to Westfield back home, I take the opportunity to get an appraisal on a gold ring I have picked up on our travels for a very good price 6 pounds sterling. At first the girl at the store tells me it's 18 carat gold and that at today's prices they will give me 1100 ringgits ($350 ) for it subject to testing. The four of us are amazed, what luck, but alas after testing it turns out to be 9 carrot and they don't wish to buy, from their attitude I think that 9 carat may even be a bit dubious. The rest of our visit to this shopping center is taken up with browsing the shops, lunch and searching for a leather belt for Pieter and a slip on dress for Val. Val achieved her goal Pieter is still thinking about the possibilities.
The Monaco F1 Grand prix is on tonight so we decide to go to an eating area called Long Beach, which is showing the race on TV, a large number of food stalls sell freshly cooked local foods here, the norm is to get a table then search the stalls for your choice, order and they deliver to your table, you then pay when it is delivered. The choice is wide and varies, some I don't think I would care to try, Val and I had Gharlic Prawns and a Spring roll each, in both cases truly the best we have had before. The Spring Rolls cost 6 ringgits each, about $1.80 Australian. The Gharlic Prawns 28 ringgits a large sizzling plate  (10-12 prawns with vegetables and sauces) approx  $9.00 Australian, and truly delightful. We drink the local Tiger beer, large 750 ml bottles 17 ringgits or $5.00 Australian each. 
During the evening we sat with a couple from England Gerry and Irene who are staying at our hotel, at one stage it rained heavily and being under a metal roof we could not hear one and other speak.
The night ended happily, we being suitably fed, good company and Webber winning the Monaco Grand Prix.
I noted that the university crowd were to have an outside gathering before we left for the restaurant, many dining tables set up on a small soccer pitch, with high quality table cloths and table ware, together with cloth covered chairs. Around the pitch there must have been 50 to 60 Large stainless steel food Warmers etc, also salad bars and more. Alas the thunderous storms we had early while at the restaurant must have put paid to this party as when we returned at 10pm there was not an item left on the pitch. The staff here are very good maybe they were moved to a dry location, I hope so as the downpour would have quenched Mt Etna.

Cheers Crackers the Eagle and his hen.