Yesterday, I left Bukit Lawang at 11:00 am and arrived here in Penang at 11:00 pm. Jimmy was closing up shop but kept the final section of security door ajar. I knocked saying hello! He and Julia responded together, “Larry, is that you?” Ah the comfort of new friends!
Jimmy confirmed I can and should get my 60 day Indonesia visa here. In his words, “Very easy here. Totally F#*k@d up in Kuala Lumpur!” Good to know as now I’ll be able to linger here in a town I like and not have to spend days traveling to KL. Once I was rested this morning, I went to lunch for something other than RICE! Don’t get me wrong, I had some wonderful Curry Rice at Bukit Lawang Inda but rice very day often two or three times a day isn’t my favorite diet. Back to Kapitan, I had a wonderful Indian lunch with masala potato and cauliflower with a fresh roasted Roti bread. Oh My God, what a treat!
Needing to handle some details thanks to being informed by Jimmy, I went to the local photo place for a Indonesia visa application. I’ve got extra passport photo’s with me but they require red background. Without thinking, I headed off in a tank top. They won’t take a photo of a tank top, not allowed. So they put this tiny jacket on me!
I need to have a copy of my flights and had to go to Air Asia to print that for me. I have my flight back to the US and now need to book a ticket to the US or they won’t process my application tomorrow. I’ve tried for a couple hours tonight and am not able to pay for the ticket so will have to wait until the morning and go to the Air Asia office to complete the transaction.
Traveling by local bus, I was able to visit the Temple of the Reclining Buddha and the temple across the street. Of course, since I was in the area, I stopped in to see the Chocolate Boutique. Pretty horrible experience with tons of coffee to taste and a huge variety of chocolate as well. I was experiencing travel dyslexia, forgetting how many zero’s I needed to keep in mind, would up spending far more than I thought and will now have to simply savor my splurge.
Tonight, walking back from dinner, I saw a place called “The Reading Room” adjoining the corner something or other. Gazing into the interior of this upscale looking place, I notice a real live authentic espresso machine. A three group machine by Cimbali so I stood and drooled a few minutes while the “barista” got out a book and tried to figure out how to make a drink??? The manager came over and we started talking. The import their coffee, a blend of Central American, African and Indian beans that have a strong chocolate tone to them.
Tomorrow, after 3:00, their experienced barista will be there so I’ll go back and have an espresso of some sort. Maybe even play with the barista a little bit!
Tomorrow I have a 9:00 appointment with Air Asia to purchase the ticket the internet won’t let me buy. Then I’m off to the embassy (wearing a nice shirt this time for sure), then espresso in the afternoon and then off to the local Chinese doctor with Jimmy at 6:00. What a full day….just joking!
Cheers!