Penang - Penang Bridge International Marathon

I was ready, all set for the race. My lethargy seemed to disappear after I gulped down a can of Redbull. I guessed I should have taken a few of these instead of going into the cinema, trying to get some sleep.

It was around 2.45 am and the street was crowded with runners getting ready for the half marathon. Some were doing last minute stretching. Some were in trance state, prepping their minds for the race. Some were chatting away while waiting for the launch. Me? I was just psyched to get started.

At precisely 3.00 am, the run began. 21 km is no doubt a daunting task and trying to finish the race within the 3 hours 30 minutes time limit can be quite strenuous for first time runners. I myself was a first time runner and while I didn’t train per se, I did jog at least 2 to 3 times a week and was aiming to finish the race within 2 hours 30 minutes.

The first 9 km or so was an enjoyable run as you began to cover the Penang Bridge. It was rather windy, making the run less taxing. Occasionally, runners would stop for a moment on the bridge to snap a photo or two with the iconic landmark, an impossible task in normal situation considering you are not allowed to stop on the bridge while driving.

The last remaining kilometer before reaching the finish line

However, the effect started to kick in after passing the half mark. More stops had been made to catch my breaths or taking a sip of water. Energy was sipping away with every passing minute. As I was getting closer to the finish line, the kilometers seemed to stretch by itself. The last 3 km was the most frustrating as there were signboards for each accomplished kilometer. When you thought that surely you should have cover a kilometer, there came the sign telling you that, no, you still have 2.5 km more to go.

A sea of greens gathered outside the mall after the race

While I didn’t manage to reach within the 2 hours 30 minutes time frame, I didn’t fare too badly either for I finished the race in 2 hours 43 minutes. A remarkable feat for a first timer, if I may say so myself. I didn’t immediately go back to rest after the race. Instead, I roamed around, watching people taking photos with friends and fellow runners.

My medal

As the day began to start, my friend and I decided to head to our respective places to rest. However, before I leaved Queensbay Mall, I was caught by the police and given a hefty fine for talking on the phone while driving. I totally didn’t see him and even when he waved me to pull over, I was still on the phone, thinking, what the heck is wrong with him. I blamed it all on fatigue for my cluelessness.

Mr Police here gave me a hefty fine, causing my wallet to bleed...

*TO BE CONTINUED*

Hoi An - Main Attractions in Hoi An

Now that you have a glimpse of Hoi An in the previous entry, now let us look at the attractions in this quaint town. It goes without saying that the beautifully preserved colonial buildings are the main draws of Hoi An Ancient Town. Most of these French-inspired structures are given a new lease of life, transforming into either tailor shops, souvenir stalls or restaurants, and to enter one of these requires nothing other to be a potential customer.

Entrance coupon with five tickets at its side

While strolling around this UNESCO World Heritage Site is free, a nominal amount of VND 90,000 (equals to RM 14.00, more or less) is charged per coupon if they want to purchase the coupons to visit some of the historic sites. Each coupon consists of five tickets and each ticket entitles you to enter one historic site grouped together with other similarly themed attractions. In short, one ticket is for one attraction chosen within a group of similar structures.

Here is the lists of attractions in its own groups for you to choose from. Those in bold are the one I had visited.

Landmarks of Hoi An
Japanese Covered Bridge (Chua Cau), at the end of Tran Phu Street
Quan Cong Temple, 24 Tran Phu Street

Symbol of Hoi An, the Japanese Covered Bridge

Museums
Museum of Trade Ceramics, 80 Tran Phu Street
Museum of Folk Culture, 33 Nguyen Thai Hoc Street
Museum of Say Huynh Culture, 149 Bach Dang Street
Hoi An Museum of History and Culture, 7 Nguyen Hue Street

Museum of Trade Ceramics

Old Houses/Clan Houses
Phung Hung House, 4 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street
Quan Thang House, 77 Nguyen Thai Hoc Street
Tan Ky House, 101 Nguyen Thai Hoc Street

The interior of Tan Ky family house

Congregation Halls
Cantonese Assembly Hall (Quang Dong), 176 Tran Phu Street
Hokien (Fujian) Meeting Hall (Phuc Kien), 46 Tran Phu Street
Chinese All-Community Meeting Hall (Trieu Chau), 157 Nguyen Duy Hieu

Hokien Meeting Hall

Hoi An's "Intangible Culture"
Hoi An Handicraft Workshop, 9 Bach Dang Street
Traditional Theatre, 75 Nguyen Thai Hoc Street
Swan Boats, around the main river area

Musical performances at the Hoi An Handicraft Workshop

I'll talk more about the sites I visited in the following posts.

*TO BE CONTINUED*

Hoi An - An Introduction

After Cholon, it's time for me to head back to Saigon Youth Hostel to take my luggage for my 6.00 pm train ride to Danang for my next stop, Hoi An, which is about 30 minute from the city centre of Danang. Located in the Quang Nam province in Central Vietnam, Hoi An Ancient Town is an UNESCO World Heritage Site that everyone should visit when they are in Vietnam.

Once a bustling trading port back in the 15th to 19th century, Hoi An resembles its past life the most by day, where tailors are busy taking measurements for suits and dresses, tourists are flocking from one attractions to another and restaurants are buzzing with activities. However, comes night time, this little town truly becomes alive and magical as its well-preserved colonial buildings, surrounded by colourful bouganvillas, are beautifully lit by paper lanterns. Such a sight to behold.

As for now, enjoy some of the photos I have taken during my stays there.

One of the many tailor shops here in Hoi An

Well-preserved colonial buildings are aplenty...

By the riverside in the afternoon...

One blue mansion Hoa Van Le Nghia Temple in the ancient town

Bountiful bouganvillas by the street

The same river view, by night fall...

Shophouses are lit by lanterns here in the town

The famous Japanese Bridge, the symbol of Hoi An

Early morning of Hoi An where number of tourists is at its lowest

Another couple having their wedding shoot that I stumbled upon...

*TO BE CONTINUED*

Sharing is caring. A word of advice and a piece of information.

It is a tiring, 18-hour train ride, more or less, leaning to the more, from Ho Chi Minh City to Danang train station and the ticket price for the soft seat is VND 706,000 (about RM 110.80). You can find a much cheaper mode of transportation (and faster too) through as train service in Vietnam is not reliable for its punctuality and speediness. Chances are you will arrive much later than originally planned. However, it makes up with beautiful scenery, especially from Danang to Hue. Therefore, if you are rushing for time, avoid taking train.

Ho Chi Minh City - Cholon

Now, back to my Vietnam trip. I'll try to finish it before the new year arrives.

So, after my amazing lunch with The Lunch Lady, I was at a loss as to what to do. I mean, it was about 12 noon and I basically covered all there is to explore within the downtown of Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC). And if you remembered my rather vague itinerary, there is no plan at all on what to do in the afternoon before boarding my train to Danang.

Main bus station in Cholon

I considered going to Cu Chi Tunnel but due to the distance itself and also the time restraint, I have to give this must-visit place a skip. While walking aimlessly around the city, passing by numerous landmarks, I inevitably ended back at Ben Thanh market. This is also the site of the main bus station, and taking it as a sign, I decided to go to Cholon, or Chinatown, to spend my remaining afternoon there. The bus fare is VND 4,000 (about RM 0.60) one way.

Street of Cholon

Street kids posing for camera

Once reached Cholon, I walked to Binh Tay market which is about 5 minute from where the buses are. For those of you who want to shop for souvenirs cheaply in Saigon, there are no better places than Binh Tay market. Unlike the tourist-influenced Ben Thanh market where prices are highly inflated, here at Binh Tay market, you can find souvenirs being sold in wholesales in a much affordable and local-friendly price.

Binh Tay market

Just like Ben Thanh market, you can find almost anything here. From kitschy items like key chains to clothes and accessories, from daily essentials such as vegetables and meats to ready made foods, you name it, chances are you will find it here at a cut-down rate too. In short, Binh Tay market favours comparably against Ben Thanh market, in my opinion.

Lots of choices for you to buy your souvenirs...

While exploring the streets of Cholon, I stumbled upon a beautiful church called the St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church. Vietnam has a lot of captivating churches and I had already seen two of them in downtown Saigon (Notre Dame Cathedral and Tan Dinh Church). Now, add in this St Francis Xavier Church as well. Maybe it is the fact that there are many Christians in the country. Or maybe it is its colonial past. Somehow, their churches are sights to behold.

St. Francis Xavier Church

While admiring the church, I met a Chinese traveler, Jasmine. We decided to go to the Thien Hau Temple, a famous Chinese temple in Cholon. She heard great comments from some travelers on how beautiful it is and all and I'm intrigued by it, so we both ended up heading there together.

Thien Hau Temple

Thien Hau Temple is dedicated to Tian Hau or Mazu, the goddess of the sea. According to Jasmine, she noticed that many temples in Vietnam are worship grounds for Mazu during her exploration around the country. We asked a tour guide (who was bringing a group of Malaysians) about it and he told us that many Chinese Vietnamese came to the country by sea. When they arrived safely in the country, they often gave their thanks to Mazu, building temples dedicated to her.

About 3-ish to 4-ish, I have to head back to my hostel to retrieve my luggages for my ride to Danang and Jasmine wanted to go to the Saigon Zoo. We parted to our separate ways in the bus station, wishing each other a safe trip.

*TO BE CONTINUED*

Brunei & Labuan Island - Overview

When I asked for recommendation on lunch, the lady staff in the Royal Regalia Building glanced at her watch, then shifted her focus to me with a sympathetic look, telling me that all the shops will be closing soon. “But they will open back by 2.00 pm,” she said.

Here is the scenario. It is about 30 minutes before 12.00 pm and the day is Friday. Welcome to Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital of Brunei Darussalam, where most of the shops close during Friday's lunch break for Muslim's Friday prayer. Such move was a call from the Sultan of Brunei himself, an act to uphold to image of Muslim nation.

The street of Bandar around 12.00 noon, deserted and closed shops

Brunei is truly an Islamic country, where road signs and shop names are inclusive of Jawi writing, alcohols are banned in the country, and yes, shops are close during Friday prayer. Even other Muslim countries in the region, Malaysia and Indonesia, are not to that level, which makes Brunei unique in its own way.

Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, in Jawi

From Bandar (which the capital is widely referred to), I continue my journey to Labuan Island, a Malaysian Federal Territory, and the change could not be any different. Where sale of alcohols is not permitted in Brunei, the main appeal of Labuan Island is its duty free status, and yes, beers and liquors are easily accessible and dirt cheap.

It seems to me that the tourism industry of the island takes off on its duty free status. Souvenirs from the island are either alcoholic beverages or imported chocolates, or both. Kitschy items such as postcards and fridge magnets are hard to come by. That is not to say there is nothing to do in Labuan. Well, before 7.00 pm, anyway.

The prices of beers are on par with bottled mineral waters

Labuan, being an island, boasts some of the pristine beaches in the country, and for those who are into diving, the ship wrecks around the island makes it a must-go diving spot. Even if these are of not your interest, you can still drink yourself silly.

Batu Manikar Beach, one of the award-winning beaches in Labuan

I barely spent more than 10 hours in Brunei and most of the hours were on the road. My four day trip, even with the return flight was through Brunei, was focused mainly on Labuan. However, I feel like I did most of the attractions in Bandar. I still need to explore the country to get to know her better, but until then, I'm fine getting acquainted with her.

*TO BE CONTINUED*

Sharing is caring. A word of advice and a piece of information.

To get to Labuan from Brunei, you have to take a ferry from Serasa Ferry Terminal at Muara, about 25 km from Bandar. Public buses go from Bandar to Pekan Muara before transiting to another bus that will take you to the ferry terminal. There are around 6 slots from Brunei to Labuan (and vice versa) and the ferry ride takes an hour plus. The ticket prices are B$ 17.00 from Brunei to Labuan and RM 35.00 from Labuan to Brunei.

I'm Off for Another Trip!

After my last trip to Singapore, I have been home bound for few months and now, finally, I'll be jetting off to another country in Southeast Asia. I'm one step closer to realising my dream of travelling to all the countries in the region with just three more countries to go and those three countries will soon be visited next year!

Until then, see you next Tuesday!