Malaysia - Taiping

From Penang to Taiping via a hair-raising 120kmh journey in a banged up old Merc taxi with no seatbelts in the back and no child seats down a busy freeway competing with big trucks.  YES.  But at the end was 3 kor's house, an oasis of calm and I think Luca's favourite place of the whole trip.  He always was happy to go "back to aunty's house", where there were toys and quiet and cool and snacks.  Thank you 3 kor!

Many aunties on this trip - we visit ku ma at her lottery ticket table in town.

Jason and Annick pay respect to mama's paternal grandparents before a yummy Siamese lunch (with lemak laksa 'snack' after') at Uncle Heng and Aunty Sutien's house.

Yet more durians - Annick liked how they were pointy.  She also liked eating them.

4 kor gave Annick two dollies who Luca has named Clara (pink) and Sesame (green).  Annick knows all babies need feeding, so this is what she generally helps them out with.

And Aunty Sally, of course!

You need mangosteens to counteract the durian, although Luca only realised he liked them on our second-last day in Singapore.

Possibly the best thing about Malaysia to Luca (after aunty's house) was the ridiculous number of diggers.  They were EVERYWHERE.

Annick takes a warm weather snooze.

We went to Sepetang for a seafood dinner, but Luca spent most of the evening checking out the fishing boats coming in and out of the marina.

Annick preferred cuddles.

Luca REALLY liked the fishing boats.

And he missed out on this!

We went to visit mama's maternal grandparents too, and Luca and Annick helped keep everything clean with some big big leaves.

At Tua koo and Tua kim's house in the swing - there is a photo of mama probably at the same age in this swing.

Annick drinks freshly squeezed orange juice in the 'rat restaurant' and survives!

Jason takes Annick's leg for a walk around Lake Gardens.

Birthday roti for the birthday boy at his favourite roti joint.

And then birthday dinner thanks to Aunty Sally, plus cake!

Aunty Sally opens up the glory of her jewellery box to the kids.

Annick gets started early.