FB: Mansions! Mansions! Mansions!

 Sept 8, 2023

Mansions! Mansions! Mansions! 

The island of Penang has a rich history and many grand mansions,  a few of which have been restored and are open to the public. We had the touristy opportunity to visit three amazing mansions in the historical Georgetown area. We visited the Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion (aka The Blue Mansion), Pinang Peranakan Mansion, and the Georgetown Mansion. All are unique, huge, and are filled with incredible history, displays and stories. I can't do justice with words to convey what each location offers, so I'll try to show you through pictures.

A really cool thing is that here in Malaysia, unlike in the USA, visitors are allowed (even encouraged) to sit at tables, on antique chairs, sofas, etc and even handle some items. They even bullied my sons (Rain and Riot) to sit in the vintage automobile located at the entrance of the Penang Mansion for pictures! Never would happen in the states! They invited me to sit in that vintage auto but my prosthetic leg was too long to fit (one legger problems).

Fans of the movie 'Crazy Rich Asians' will be excited to know the famous Mahjong scene near the end of the movie was filmed in the Blue Mansion. The opening hotel scene was filmed a few blocks away as well (FYI, much of that movie was filmed in Malaysia).

FB: CAR CRAZY RICH ASIANS!

FB  July 25th, 2023

CAR CRAZY RICH ASIANS!

Just a handful of the incredible cars we see where we live (FYI - we live above a high end mall). I'm not sure why there's a need for SUVs that can go 150 mph on crowded Malaysian streets, but at least you look good as all the scooters pass you by! Okay that last picture is of a Perodua Micro Car. Probably can go on an American freeway (I think). Would love to have one back home!

FB: NOT Bruce Springsteen’s THUNDER ROAD!

FB July 23, 2023

NOT Bruce Springsteen’s THUNDER ROAD.

As a car enthusiast living in Malaysia, I have been presented with an entire new world of interesting cars. Some are uber compact, some huge, some fugly and others beautiful. I love watching them all as they crawl through these crowded streets, a virtual river of color and chrome flowing all around me. From these I have picked four that have stood out to me on the pavement. In no particular order:

 Toyota - VELLFIRE.  If the Transformer ‘Optimus Prime’ had a stay-at-home brother-in-law, this is what he would look like. It’s intimidating chrome face staring you down as it stomps down the road toward you. This thing would DOMINATE the USA roadways if given the chance. AUTOBOTS ASSEMBLE!

Hyundai - STARIA. This seems to be the transport they had in mind for the futuristic movie Tron. And just like the movie itself, Hyundai aimed high for the mark and then totally missed. Or maybe not? Could this be the future design for our cars? I can only hope and pray it’s not.

The ORA - GOOD CAT. The name itself had me pulling over to take a good look at a ride which sports an odd feline moniker. Its curvy shape had me imagining a pair of cat’s ears on it, which it seemed would go perfectly with its lines. A desire to drive something named GOOD CAT has grabbed my imagination and I long to try it. I understand there’s a Funky Cat model as well (but I’m holding out for a BAD CAT edition).

BYD – BUILD YOUR DREAMS. Now any car that uses a phrase more commonly found in Deep Thoughts by Jack Handey as its name, must be a winner! It proclaims boldly not so much a name on the back of the car, but more of a credo, a phrase, a mantra, a life goal. With the long name it’s been shortened up from Build Your Dreams to simply BYD. Unfortunately, BYD is too close to BVD for me (and images of men’s undies flapping in the breeze is too strong for me to overcome). I will stay where I am, firmly supported in my dreams of a sweet ride.