Author Topic: Filling the days (Read 1013 times)

HIDDEN · « **on:** August 11, 2008, 09:27:10 AM »

Hi all
My wife and I holiday in Malaysia for 2-3 weeks every 6months or so and travel by ourselves in a hire car stopping wherever it takes our fancy. I like the more laid back feel of Penang-Ipoh-Kuching etc while my wife likes busy KL but basically we just like Malaysia.
We are seriously considering MM2H.
My question is for those who have genuinely retired to Malaysia. What do you do to fill in the day?
Have you changed your lifestyle to the, rise late, bed early and what ever happens to the rest of the time just happens? Or have some of you got the answer to my one doubt about the "no work" situation.
Any answers / pointers appreciated.

Tom

HIDDEN · « **Reply #1 on:** August 11, 2008, 10:08:33 AM »

RE:Penang
As we are newly retired to Malaysia we may not be the best to answer this. I can say that we have been pretty busy since we arrived. Dealing with issues such as healthcare, driving licences, banks, investments etc, not to mention settling down in our new home seem to take up much of our time. We have always been late to bed and that has not changed, the early rising not so much.

I have lots to do for the future as I intend to be actively involved in Penang Heritage Trust (NGO) , I want to qualify as a heritage guide. I am also helping my son develop his business (as a non paid adviser unfortunately). I think there are many voluntary things that can be done especially medical and of course Penang is a great place if you fancy being a writer.

Once you scratch the surface I think you will find plenty to do

Just a few other things available locally for ladies and gents, Tai Chee, Dancing, Sea fishing , tons of sports , sailing, golf etc etc.

There are direct flights to Phuket, Bangkok, Singapore and maybe some others (not sure) but most foreign destinations go through KL so not a great hub.

Regards

Bob

HIDDEN · « **Reply #2 on:** August 11, 2008, 12:56:05 PM »

Thanks for your reply Bob.
It is just a bid scary with the thought in the back of your mind that boredom could take hold fairly quickly. We are still active but feel we have earned the right to retire at a relatively early age of 53.
We lived in Darwin, Australia, for 18 years so we are accustomed to the weather and after many visits we are happy with the cultural situation in Malaysia.
Just that nagging doubt about not being able to work, but I suppose it is just a mind set and something to "Get over"

Tom

HIDDEN · « **Reply #3 on:** August 11, 2008, 03:06:10 PM »

Hi Tom,

Everyone's needs are different. I was 53 when I retired to Penang almost 2 years ago and I've never felt bored.

I've never been into sports so a lot of the clubs here have no interest for me. I use the condo gym and pool occasionally but that's it.

I think you should develop any hobbies you have. I grow some herbs and other plants on my kitchen balcony as my substitute for gardening. I still read a lot, watch movies, etc but I am currently building a model railway. That should keep me occupied for a long time.

Take an interest in the local scene. I joined Penang Heritage Trust shortly after my arrival and I've been on some interesting site visit. Incidentally nearly all my friends here are locals. I know only two other expats.

I've always enjoyed travelling and I think Penang is a good base for seeing neighbouring countries as well as for visiting other parts of Malaysia. I've got friends in KL, Singapore and Bangkok so I am always planning a trip somewhere. I'll be going back to Europe next month and to Perth (Australia) in January.

I eat out regularly with my friends here but sometimes I cook and invite people over. I enjoy that. Oh, and I don't have a maid. What's the point when I have loads of free time?

Bill

HIDDEN · « **Reply #4 on:** August 11, 2008, 03:15:58 PM »

Hi Bill,

I havent joined PHT yet, I think I need some kind of interview. Have you got any pointers that would be useful?

Looks like we may have some interests in common, cooking and the local scene at least. I love this place to bits and I cant see me ever getting bored.

I'd like to have a look at the railway sometime.

Bob

HIDDEN · « **Reply #5 on:** August 11, 2008, 07:48:45 PM »

Hi Bob,

I can't really offer much help as far as the PHT goes. I picked up a leaflet at the Little Penang Street Market, filled it in, took it along to the PHT office in Church Street and became a member on the spot. I came away with a few newsletters. Since you want to become a heritage guide, it might be best to phone before calling in to the PHT office.

Cooking here is fun. There are some things I can't get that I was used to in the UK (trout, parsnips, rhubarb, gooseberries and broad beans for example) but you have a wonderful range of local fruit and veg to try. My local friends were expecting me to cook them typical British meals but now they know they are more likely to get French or Italian. However I do the full British dinner on Christmas Day.

The model railway is still at an early stage but I'll bear you in mind when I'm ready to show it to others.

I should have mentioned that there isn't much in the way of concerts or plays in Penang but there are occasional things at the Actors Studio in Green Hall and the Dewan Sri Penang. I also keep an eye on what's coming to the Esplanade Theatre in Singapore.

Bill

HIDDEN · « **Reply #6 on:** August 11, 2008, 09:28:40 PM »

Hi tom

Yours thoughts and concerns were me 3 years ago, i was 55 when we took retierment "Wow" how glad i am we took the plunge, our life has been fantastic without a dull moment since the day we gave up work, we become Old age backpackers through India, travelled around Asia, 2 months in Australa and now live in Panang from January. We have joint a local Gym and Penang Golf Centre. We now do the things that we could only dream about when we were working.

Once you decide on the thing you want to do, i hope you get as much plesure out of retierment as we have found

Bruce

HIDDEN · « **Reply #7 on:** August 11, 2008, 11:37:29 PM »

Hi Bill,

I am under orders to provide Christmas dinner for the Chinese half of my family. Not sure how the plum duff will go down in this heat.

Bob

HIDDEN · « **Reply #8 on:** August 12, 2008, 12:36:31 AM »

Give them haggis - how will they know different

On topic - Take the plunge - you can always go back to work if you hate it - But I bet you don't -

Work - retire - die in 5 years - not if I can help it

Work - retire - FUN time

JJ

HIDDEN · « **Reply #9 on:** August 12, 2008, 10:01:30 AM »

Bob,

After turkey and all the trimmings, I find that tiny portions of Christmas pudding and small mince pies are appropriate.

JJ,

Although I am Scottish, I can't stand haggis....or whisky.

All,

Experimenting with food is one very pleasurable way of filling in the days.

Bill

HIDDEN · « **Reply #10 on:** August 14, 2008, 08:32:56 PM »

hi,

I quit employment in 1996, aged 49 years. I'm naturally lazy, and have a doctor's letter to prove this, so it wasn't too great a strain to say goodbye to working hours, deadlines, and actually having to do something that the boss thought was breathtakingly original but was really just so much crap.

I don't miss it. However I decide to spend as much time loafing around as I had "working". I was employed for 28 years (I have deducted the University years as that wasn't anywhere close to work) so I will loaf for 28 years plus 1 day. This takes me to 2024 when I'll think about what to do next.

regards, Scott

PS
If you want to keep busy buy an old steel yacht and re-build it. I've been doing this, very casually, for 8 years and have hardly got anywhere. If it's ever finished, I'll have to re-learn how to sail.

HIDDEN · « **Reply #11 on:** August 15, 2008, 09:15:27 AM »

Thanks everyone for their input.
I now just have to convince "she who must" that it really is a viable alternative to a "normal" life

and with the right attitude it would / could work.
My hobby is car restoration which if the right premise was found I see no reason why I could not carry on with.
I suppose life is what you make of it and you are dead for a long time.

Tom
PS Scot: I hear China is crying out for scrap steel

HIDDEN · « **Reply #12 on:** August 15, 2008, 10:07:06 AM »

Tom,

there are plenty of opportunities for car restoration - in Penang I've seen Morris Minors, MG Midgets, Minis, Hillmans, Standards, and even a few great old Jags, all in unmolested original condition that would make great restoration projects. I'm sure you could find a lock-up garage or small workshop for cheap rent.

John

HIDDEN · « **Reply #13 on:** August 15, 2008, 08:24:18 PM »

If you are interested in car restoration then you should contact Joseph Lee on 0194447299. He is based in Butterworth and has been restoring cars for years. One model that needed completing that he advertised recently was a 1947 Traction Avant. He reckons he knows where virtually every classic car is in Malaysia (possible but unlikely)

HIDDEN · « **Reply #14 on:** August 16, 2008, 08:16:32 PM »

hi,

Car restoration is a great idea. A mate of mine (not on MM2H) was involved with a group of expats doing spare-time Mercedes makeovers. Enjoyable and lucrative.

regards, Scott

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Filling the days