20 Countries 2020: Malaysia and Covid-19

I celebrated my 64th birthday crossing the border from Thailand into Malaysia and in the city of Penang. Even though I was supposed to go on to Singapore and Indonesia, after spending a week in Malaysia, Intrepid Travel suspended all tours from March 16 until April 30, 2020 because of the spread of the Coronavirus.

From the onset of my South East Asia trip in early February, the Coronavirus, a novel virus, had made the news. In late January, the Chinese government had imposed a lockdown in Wuhan, where the virus is said to have made its debut, in an effort to quarantine the outbreak. Little did I know when I got on the plane in Dallas on Feb. 6 and landed the next day in Bangkok, Thailand, that I would be traveling during what would eventually be a world-wide pandemic.

But as I traveled, I could see that the tourism industry was taking a hit because first of all there just were not many people traveling in general and no Chinese travelers in general, which had all been linked to Wuhan, China. Chinese visitors are considered to be the largest number of tourists in South East Asia and their absence was having quite an impact on the economy of the countries I was visiting. I could see the absence of visitors starting in Thailand, more so in Vietnam and by Cambodia, while spending the day walking through the magnificent ancient temples including Angkor Wat, the lack of tourists was undeniably visible. By the time I got to Malaysia, there were few if any tourists and that’s also when the government decided to close it’s borders.

I don’t know if I will be able to complete my goal of 20 countries, that I have never been to, in 2020, but that is honestly the least of my concerns. My new and way more important goal is to stay healthy and isolate myself at home in Dallas, Texas, and pray that the people I love and care about along with people I have met throughout my travels and people throughout the world continue to be healthy during these difficult times.

For now, enjoy my travels through Penang and Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia, the 9th country of my #20countries2020 travels. Views from my room at the Travelodge Georgetown Penang Hotel located on the well-known Macalister Road, a major thoroughfare.

Georgetown area of Penang

Views from my room at the Travelodge Georgetown Penang Hotel located on the well-known Macalister Road, a major thoroughfare.
The Georgetown area of Penang, Malaysia, is a UNESCO World Heritage site considered the first destination of the colonial British in 1786.
In order to check into the hotel, I had to have my temperature taken, which turned out to be 35.50 Celsius, so I’m normal. And, I had to fill out a medical form, definitely something I have never had to do to check into a hotel. (March 15, 2020)

Views from my room at the Travelodge Georgetown Penang Hotel located on the well-known Macalister Road, a major thoroughfare. (March 15, 2020)

My room at the Travelodge Georgetown Penang Hotel located on the well-known Macalister Road, a major thoroughfare. I have really enjoyed my various accommodations during this tour. (March 15, 2020)

No fancy dinner for our first night in Penang, which was fine with me. So we all ate here at the Red Garden, which basically had something for everyone. (March 15, 2020)

Inside the rather empty Red Garden in Penang where our group had dinner. (March 15, 2020)

Then after dinner, we decided to take in a high rise view of Georgetown Penang from the rooftop of this hotel, the Bay View Hotel’s Three-Sixty Bar on the 17th floor. (March 15, 2020)

But before we could get up the 17th floor of the Bay View Hotel’s Three-Sixty Bar in Georgetown Penang, we had to have our temperatures checked. Thankfully, I passed. (March 15, 2020)

Night views of the Georgetown area of Penang from the 17th floor of the Three-Sixty Bar at the Bay View Hotel. (March 15, 2020)

We spent the hot and beautiful day soaking up the sights around Penang and Georgetown, from its Thai and Burmese temples to its street art and its clans of Chinese immigrants that built rival waterfront societies on its wooden jetties.

I would have so enjoyed spending more time in Penang to just take my time and enjoy this very engaging city.

So, here’s my wonderful day in Penang, Malaysia.

Me at Kek Lok Si Temple in Penang, Georgetown, the largest Buddhist temple in Malaysia. The hilltop complex is home to this enormous 99 foot (30.2 meters) bronze statue of Guan Yin, or Kuan Yin, the Goddess of Mercy, inside an octagonal pavilion. Guanyin is the Buddhist bodhisattva associated with compassion and in Buddhism, a bodhisattva is any person who is on the path towards Buddha-hood. (March 16, 2020)

The enormous bronze statue of Kuan Yin or Guan Yin, the Goddess of Mercy, housed inside this beautifully carved octagonal pavilion at the hillside complex of the Kek Lok Si Temple in Penang, Georgetown, the largest Buddhist temple in Malaysia. (March 16, 2020)

A close-up of the enormous bronze statue of Kuan Yin or Guan Yin, the Goddess of Mercy, housed inside this beautifully carved octagonal pavilion at the hillside complex of the Kek Lok Si Temple in Penang, the largest Buddhist temple in Malaysia. (March 16, 2020)

A close-up of the octagonal pavilion’s carved columns housing the enormous bronze statue of Kuan Yin or Guan Yin, the Goddess of Mercy, at the Kek Lok Si Temple in Penang. (March 16, 2020)

A shrine at the Kek Lok Si Temple in Penang, Georgetown, the largest Buddhist temple in Malaysia. (March 16, 2020)

Inside a shrine at the Kek Lok Si Temple in Penang, Georgetown, the largest Buddhist temple in Malaysia. (March 16, 2020)

The garden leading to the shrine at the Kek Lok Si Temple in Penang is lined with 12 Chinese zodiac animal statues: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig; with its own unique characteristics. (March 16, 2020)

I’m standing by the monkey statue, one of 12 Zodiac animal signs of the Chinese Calendar at the Kek Lok Si Temple in Penang. The monkey is my zodiac sign for 1956, the year I was born. I’m actually the Fire Monkey and people born in the years of the monkey have “magnetic personalities, are witty and intelligent. Personality traits like mischievousness, curiosity, and cleverness. (March 16, 2020)

The statues and architecture of the Kek Lok Si Temple in Penang, Georgetown, the largest Buddhist temple in Malaysia. (March 16, 2020)

A close-up of the fine carvings of the Kek Lok Si Temple in Penang, Georgetown, the largest Buddhist temple in Malaysia. (March 16, 2020)

The Dharmikarama Burmese Temple, built in 1805, located in the Georgetown area of Penang, Malaysia, is the only Burmese Buddhist temple outside Myanmar. It was built on land donated by a Buddhist devotee known as Nyonya Betong. The temple stands opposite Wat Chayamangkalaram Temple, with a pair of large stone elephants flanking the front gates. (March 16, 2020)

Inside one of the shrines of the Dhammikarama Burmese Buddhist Temple in Penang, Malaysia. (March 16, 2020)

Me standing by the gilded gold standing Buddha in the main shrine hall of the Dharmikarama Burmese Temple, built in 1805, located in the Georgetown area of Penang, Malaysia. Shoes have to be taken off and hats have to come off of your head while in the shrines of this and other temples. (March 16, 2020)

The Sasana Vamsa Sima Shrine Hall and International Standing Buddhas at the Dhammikarama Burmese Buddhist Temple in Penang, Malaysia. (March 16, 2020)

The Sasana Vamsa Sima Shrine Hall and International Standing Buddhas at the Dhammikarama Burmese Buddhist Temple in Penang. (March 16, 2020)

A close-up of The Sasana Vamsa Sima Shrine Hall and International Standing Buddhas at the Dhammikarama Burmese Buddhist Temple in Penang. (March 16, 2020)

The winged chimeras called Panca Rupa, standing over a globe are the ‘Guardian Protectors of the World’ at the Dharmikarama Burmese Temple in Penang, Malaysia. These mystical creatures are said to be the masters of water, land and air respectively and have the head of a lion, trunk of an elephant, body of a fish, wings of the mystical Garuda, ears and hooves of a horse, and the horns of a deer. (March 16, 2020)

A close-up of the winged chimeras called Panca Rupa, standing over a globe, are considered the ‘Guardian Protectors of the World’ at the Dharmikarama Burmese Temple in the Georgetown area of Penang, Malaysia. These mystical creatures are said to be the masters of water, land and air respectively and have the head of a lion, trunk of an elephant, body of a fish, wings of the mystical Garuda, ears and hooves of a horse, and the horns of a deer. (March 16, 2020)

Penang is famous for its old British Colonial Buildings like the City Hall in Georgetown located by the Esplanade Seawall and dates back to 1903. (March 16, 2020)

The Cenotaph, between City Hall and the Esplanade Seawall in the Georgetown area of Penang, was erected to commemorate fallen allied World War I soldiers. (March 16, 2020)

The popular Esplanade Seawall promenade by the City Hall and Centaph memorial in the Georgetown area of Penang. (March 16, 2020)

The historical core of the Georgetown area of Penang, Malaysia, has been inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2008. Established by Francis Light of the British East India Company in 1786, George Town was the first British settlement in Southeast Asia. It was subjugated by Japan during World War II, before being recaptured by the British at war’s end. Georgetown represents the British era from the end of the 18th century. But, due to the intermingling of the various ethnicities and religions that arrived on its shores, Georgetown acquired a large eclectic assortment of colonial and Asian architectural styles. (March 16, 2020)

The historical core of the Georgetown area was established by Francis Light of the British East India Company in 1786, was the first British settlement in Southeast Asia. It was subjugated by Japan during World War II, before being recaptured by the British at war’s end. Georgetown represents the British era from the end of the 18th century. But, due to the intermingling of the various ethnicities and religions that arrived on its shores, Georgetown acquired a large eclectic assortment of colonial and Asian architectural styles. (March 16, 2020)

The historical core of the Georgetown area was subjugated by Japan during World War II, before being recaptured by the British at war’s end. But, due to the intermingling of the various ethnicities and religions that arrived on its shores, Georgetown acquired a large eclectic assortment of colonial and Asian architectural styles. (March 16, 2020)

The historical core of the Georgetown area represents the British era from the end of the 18th century. But, due to the intermingling of the various ethnicities and religions, it acquired a large eclectic assortment of colonial and Asian architectural styles. (March 16, 2020)

The historical core of the Georgetown area of Penang acquired a large eclectic assortment of colonial and Asian architectural styles. (March 16, 2020)

The historical core of the Georgetown area of Penang was the first British settlement in Southeast Asia. (March 16, 2020)

The historical core of the Georgetown area of Penang, Malaysia, has been inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2008. (March 16, 2020)

The historical core of the Georgetown area of Penang represents the British era from the end of the 18th century. (March 16, 2020)

The historical core of the Georgetown was the first British settlement in Southeast Asia and has an eclectic assortment of colonial and Asian architectural styles. (March 16, 2020)

The absolutely beautiful part of the Georgetown area of Penang, Malaysia, is the street art that adorns the walls and is proliferated throughout the old town area. In the last few years since 2012, Penang Street Art has become a very popular tourist attraction in the old part of the city, so much so that you will often find crowds of people waiting to have their photo taken, like me, in front of the wall paintings. This painting of a boy sitting on an “Old Motorcycle”, is located on Ah Quee Street, just to the North of Armenian Street. (March 16, 2020)

This “Boy on Chair” painting is one of many wonderful street art work in the Georgetown area of Penang. (March 16, 2020)

A close-up of the “Boy on Chair” painting is one of many wonderful street art work in the Georgetown area of Penang, Malaysia. (March 16, 2020)

The street art of the Georgetown area of Penang, Malaysia. (March 16, 2020)

Me on the swing with the art work of a couple of ‘Children on a Swing’ located down a small side street in the Georgetown area of Penang, Malaysia. (March 16, 2020)

I love that a number of the street art in the Georgetown area of Penang, Malaysia, allows spectators like me to be a part of the art. (March 16, 2020)

Along with the art work, I love the “Welded Iron Wall Caricatures” in the Georgetown area of Penang, Malaysia. (March 17, 2020)

An old warehouse down a small side street is this wonderful shop of artists displaying their work for sale in the Georgetown area of Penang, Malaysia. (March 16, 2020)

The exterior of Wat Chaiya Mangkalaram, a Thai temple housing the giant Reclining Buddha statue, was built in 1845 in Penang. (March 16, 2020)

A close-up of the colourful Devas and other mythical creatures on display at the exterior of Wat Chaiya Mangkalaram, a Thai temple housing the giant Reclining Buddha statue, in the Georgetown area of Penang, Malaysia. The temple was built in 1845 by a Thai monk, and has been a location of serious Buddhist devotion since. Many of the most devoted to the temple have had their ashes placed in niches behind the massive Buddha statue. (March 16, 2020)

The Reclining Buddha statue inside the Wat Chaiya Mangkalaram in the Georgetown area of Penang is considered as one of the world’s longest. The statue, named Phra Chaiya Mongkol, was constructed in 1958. Measuring about 108 feet or 33 meters long, it is said to be the third largest of its kind in the world and signifies Buddha’s total detachment from worldly matters during the last days of his life. Famous as Buddha’s final resting pose before his death, besides the lounging Buddha statue you can also find smaller Buddha sculptures in various guises and positions around the temple, as well as those of Thai deities. Unlike monuments to other spiritual figures, the Buddha is not supposed to create feelings of sadness or loss. Instead, the 100-foot-long golden Buddha is meant to inspire, showing all of those who follow in his path the supreme happiness achieved from nirvana. Sprawled across the entire temple, the Buddha is slightly smiling and natural light shimmers off of his gold and white finish. (March 16, 2020)

The Reclining Buddha statue inside the Wat Chaiya Mangkalaram in the Georgetown area of Penang is considered as one of the world’s longest. (March 16, 2020)

Along with the Buddha zodiac and days statues, the Columbarium section, behind the Reclining Buddha, contains niches along both side walls housing the cremated remains of devotees urns at the Wat Chaiya Mangkalaram Thai temple in the Georgetown area of Penang, Malaysia. (March 16, 2020)

A wall of niches in the Columbarium section containing the urns of the cremated devotees under the vibrant, colorful murals inside the Wat Chaiya Mangkalaram in the Georgetown area of Penang, Malaysia. (March 16, 2020)

This posed Buddha inside the Columbarium section of the Wat Chaiya Mangkalaram Thai temple in Penang, represents the “Year of the Monkey,” one of the 12 zodiac animals. The other zodiac animals are: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Naga, Snake, Horse, Goat, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. The Monkey represents the year I was born. And, devotees of the “Year of the Monkey” are said to have wisdom. (March 16, 2020)

Vibrant colorful murals (upper right) depicting Buddha’s life story are painted on the walls behind the Reclining Buddha of the Wat Chaiya Mangkalaram Thai temple in the Georgetown area of Penang, Malaysia. This is also the Columbarium, which houses many niches containing the urns of the cremated devotees (lower right). Additionally, inside the Columbarium (to the left) are the 12 Buddha statues in a variety of poses or postures from standing to sitting represent the 12 Zodiac signs. (March 16, 2020)

Vibrant colorful murals depicting Buddha’s life story are painted on the walls of the Columbarium behind the Reclining Buddha of the Wat Chaiya Mangkalaram Thai temple in the Georgetown area of Penang, Malaysia. (March 16, 2020)

This is the Thursday Buddha statue in the Columbarium section of the Wat Chaiya Mangkalaram and represents the day I was born in March of 1956 and states: “To devotees who worship this Buddha will come true, you will have long live (but I think they actually mean ‘life’).” (March 16, 2020)

The beautiful pink and gold lotus blossom flowers on the floor inside of the Wat Chaiya Mangkalaram Thai temple in the Georgetown area of Penang, Malaysia. (March 16, 2020)

The beautiful yellow and red lotus blossom flowers on the floor inside of the Wat Chaiya Mangkalaram Thai temple in the Georgetown area of Penang, Malaysia. (March 16, 2020)

The beautiful pink lotus blossom flowers on the floor inside of the Wat Chaiya Mangkalaram Thai temple in the Georgetown area of Penang, Malaysia. (March 16, 2020)

We visited the Clan Piers or Clan Jetties at their Floating Village in the Georgetown area of Penang, Malaysia. . This is a complete village on stilts above the water where Chinese clans live. In the 19th century many Chinese immigrants came to Malaysia and banded together based on the area of China they came from to increase their survival chances in a new environment. And because of this rival waterfront clan societies were built along the wooden jetties. (March 16, 2020)

Shops greet tourists along the Clan Jetty village of houses built on stilts in the Georgetown area of Penang, Malaysia. The jetty is comprised of row houses on stilts joined by wooden walkways over the water. (March 16, 2020)

These clan jetties, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Georgetown are of Penang, Malaysia, were first used by the respective Chinese clan members for loading and unloading of goods then a shed was built to provide shelter and rest for those awaiting the arrival of cargo. Soon, the sheds were converted into communal waterfront stilt houses. (March 16, 2020)

Clan Jetty village of houses built on stilts in the Georgetown area of Penang, Malaysia. The 19th century jetty is comprised of row houses on stilts joined by wooden walkways over the water. (March 16, 2020)

Colorful art dots the waterfront stilt houses of the clan jetties, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Georgetown are of Penang, Malaysia, first used by the respective Chinese clan members for loading and unloading of goods then a shed was built to provide shelter and rest for those awaiting the arrival of cargo. Soon, the sheds were converted into communal waterfront stilt houses. (March 16, 2020)

Kuala Lumpur

We made our way to Kuala Lumpur from Penang by a 5-hour public bus ride to basically be on our own because Intrepid Travel suspended tours yesterday on March 16. I am glad I got to see a little of Kuala Lampur even though the city and the country were closing down due to the coronavirus and in part the World Health Organization characterizing Covid-19 outbreak as a pandemic on March 11. For my tour members and myself Kuala Lumpur meant the end of this tour and a scramble to find alternate ways to get back to our respective homes because original airline plans had to be changed. For most of the group, the city/state of Singapore was going to be the end of the tour while in my case, Ubud, Indonesia, would have been the end of mine on April 4.

Once in Kuala Lumpur several of us decided to see as much of the city as we could and then gather for dinner during our last night as a group and a night time view of the city.

We didn’t leave the bus station in Penang until 9:15 am even though the bus was scheduled to leave at 8:30 am and then the driver had the nerve to pull over to get gas for his big double decker bus that turned out to be rather comfortable. And the driver had his seat area all decked out with a little slot for a built in bed. (March 17, 2020)

Views of Kuala Lumpur from my 9th floor room at the Travelodge Hotel in Malaysia. (March 17, 2020)

This is the Kasturi Walk, a pedestrianized walkway by one of Kuala Lumpur’s landmarks, the Central Market. The walkway, opened in 2011, boasts an al fresco ambiance featuring a variety of stalls selling local snacks and souvenirs. The Central Market also called Pasar Seni, was built in 1928, and used to be a simple wet market but in the early 1980s was revamped into a handicrafts outlet. (March 17, 2020)

The Kasturi Walk in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. (March 17, 2020)

The Central Market by the Kasturi Walk in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. (March 17, 2020)

Having fun outside of the Central Market in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, during our last tour day, a tour cut short because Intrepid Travel suspended the tour, which was to end in Singapore. Several of us decided to do what we could to explore Kuala Lumpur on our own.
From left: Lucy, Jo , Jan, Liz, Ruth and me. (March 17, 2020)

The Jalan Petaling Street Market in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. (March 17, 2020)

Inside the Jalan Petaling Street Market in Kuala Lumpur which turned out to be quite a big place where vendors were trying to get people to buy their goods before closing up for the remainder of the month due to the coronavirus and Malaysia closing its border. (March 17, 2020)

A rather optimistic statement written on the outside of a store walkway in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, as the merchants will have to close up their shops to shelter in place and as the country closes its borders to visitors. (March 17, 2020)

The various outdoor eateries along Jalan Alor right outside of our hotel, the Travelodge, in Kuala Lumpur. This was our last group evening together and many of the street restaurants were closing down because Malaysia was not only closing its borders but requiring people to shelter in place due to Covid-19. Needless to say, the people at the restaurants were looking for customers for their last night of business. (March 17, 2020)

The various outdoor eateries along Jalan Alor right outside of our hotel, the Travelodge, in Kuala Lumpur. (March 17, 2020)

Our last Intrepid Travel group dinner at Grandmama’s restaurant in the Pavilion Kuala Lumpur. From left, our Intrepid Travel guide, Natthachai or Buddy, Liz, Jan, Jo, me, Lucy, Lorraine, Rob and Ruth. (March 17, 2020)

After dinner, our tour group took a walk from the Pavilion through this KLCC Park with views of the 88-story Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. (March 17, 2020)

Views of the 88-story Petronas Twin Towers from the 33rd floor of the Traders Hotel KL SkyBar in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. (March 17, 2020

Views of Kuala Lumpur from the 33rd floor of the Traders Hotel KL SkyBar in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. (March 17, 2020)

As Malaysia closes it’s borders, I’m at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport waiting for my turn to get home. My Thailand/Malaysia/Singapore Intrepid Travel tour was suspended in Kuala Lumpur along with all other Intrepid tours until April 30, 2020. For me that meant the next and last portion of this trip, going to Indonesia, was suspended.

A number of flights had been cancelled but my last minute booking of my American Airlines flight was still a go and flights for all my tour group members were also a go even though, like me, they had to book last minute flights home. That one-flight home cost me a little more than $900, which I was more than willing to pay. I tried to get in touch with Qatar Airways to see if I could get my return flight, which would have been from Bali, Indonesia, changed to get me home from Kuala Lumpur but I could never get in touch with anyone. My tour mates all had the same problem so we all ended up buying new airline tickets to get ourselves home.

I flew from Kuala Lumpur to Tokyo and from there to Dallas. Thankfully, all went well, and I arrived back home in Dallas early Thursday morning to self isolate for 14 days. No, I did not have any coronavirus symptoms and other than feeling a wee bit anxious, all went well. Without a doubt, I enjoyed my travels through South East Asia, but there’s truly no place like home.

My #20countries2020 with #intrepidtravel is being suspended until further notice. May we all be well.