Humidity issues

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Hi Cupert & PK,

Many thanks for feedback.

Reasonably fit since I play competitive squash 2 - 3 times a week (despite the advancing years !). Have previously trekked in Cameron Highlands & Mt Kinabalu.

However regarding Penang, what I am basically interested in are interesting places where the wife & I can do say 2 hour "WALKS" in the mornings or evenings without the heat being too overpowering (what are the best start times ?).

Cheers,

James

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If you want to trek up Penang Hill or do a brisk walk anywhere, best to start at dawn or dusk. Monsoon season is a bit cooler I think.

I find the humidity so wearing whenever I visit Malaysia so I am not the best person to give any kind of advice about trekking. Saying that, I survived walking around Singapore and KL in Nov last year in the heat of the day with a water bottle, hat, sun screen, a face cloth, sun glasses and the occassional nipping into air condition areas. 

Cupert

p/s don't forget the mosquito repellant!

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Hope dawn is not 4 am !!!

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James, don't be such a woose! 

I think it is 6am but there is such a short gap between dawn and sun rise in the tropics. Same as dusk that before you know it, the sun hits you like heat from the oven.  Best to get a treadmill and do brisk exercise in the comfort of your home or at the gym with the air con going full blast. 

Not to put a damper on your penchant for physical exercise, unless you do it in places with little traffic, you are only going to pollute your lungs and clog your pores with carbon particles! 

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Cupert

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Hi Cupert,

Fortunately, I cope with heat/humidity better than most. "On paper", everything stacks up re Penang for us - subject to visiting in early June (1st time in 20 years) & can't remember weather last time.

Hopefully, we can still do good walks pre 9 am & post 6 pm most days The prospect of being constantly confined indoors due to heat/pollution is a little daunting !!

Do you mind if I ask where in OZ you come from & when you intend to settle in Penang ?

Cheers,

James

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Hi James

Awww! the pollution is typically everywhere where there are motor vehicles being driven and industry exists. Sorry if I make you think that it is worse in Penang. 

Once you become acclimatised to the heat and humidity, you wouldn't let it bother you for almost everywhere, the air con is going full blast. Ask the Penangnites, they leave their air condition house, travel in their air con car, work in air con office and, shop in air con shopping centres. 

You know how some people go to the saunas for health reasons............well, you will be living in a natural sauna type condition. Besides, think of all the other benefits, easy going lifestyle, improved standard of living as your retirement pension / super stretches further. If you need to escape the heat, you can always go travelling places which enjoy cooler climate. Travelling is so affordable from Malaysia.

I am from Sydney. As for settling in Penang, I am not sure yet as Mr Cupert is still working. So, it depends on when he decides to retire. Initially, we will do the 3 monthly pilgrimage. The lovely thing about living in Oz is that Penang is just a hop and a skip away. 

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We are not serious walkers by any means but our method is to take an afternoon walk (usually) - we only do about half an hour - then come back and jump in the swimming pool 

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Hope I never get old !

We are not serious walkers by any means but our method is to take an afternoon walk (usually) - we only do about half an hour - then come back and jump in the swimming pool 

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Hope I never get old !

Hmmmm! Ok! I give in and will ask ahm, how old are you? 

Cupert

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Papaya is almost 40 !

How old are you ?

James

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A young trim, taut and terrific 55! 

Papaya, you are getting younger each time we meet here. 

Ok, James, your turn. 

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Ladies first !

We have rapidly advanced from "books" to "weather" to "age" !!!

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Hi James,

For walk - Penang Botanic Garden, Youth Park (aka Municipal Park), Gurney Drive promenade.

For trekking - Penang Hill, Pearl Hill, Beverly Hill (Penang's version in Bukit Jambul), Penang National Park

For cycling - take this route Gurney Drive - Cantonment Road - Macalister Road - Residency Road - Vermont Road - Barrack Road - Tull Road - Residency Road - Sepoy Lines Road - Western Road (Youth Park) - Waterfall Road (Botanic Garden) - Waterfall Road - Gottlieb Road - Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman - Cantonment Road - Gurney Drive.  This route doesn't have heavy traffic especially if you do it during off peak hour and weekend.  You will be rewarded with visual comfort as the ambience of the area is nice and green.  All the roads are lined with dense old trees planted by British more than 100 years ago.

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"On paper", everything stacks up re Penang for us - subject to visiting in early June (1st time in 20 years) & can't remember weather last time.

First time in 20 years?  I hope you will not be another one moaning about changes seen in Penang.   So, my advice would be "Be open and prepared of what you will see in Penang" so that you won't be disappointed with what Penang is now as compared to what it was 20 years ago.  It depends on how you see it.

Regards,
costa

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Thanks Costa  for very useful data !

I have researched Penang extensively in past few weeks & have a reasonable idea what to expect. Frankly, there will need to be good reasons for us NOT to settle here. On balance, I prefer heat to cold !

Cheers,

James