The morning is spent packing and organising our checkout. Organisation is not the same as Singapore and everything takes time, there is confusion with the locals about who does what and where things should be paid. This experience has been wonderful and un-contrived though how many people truly seek authenticity when it goes with a great deal of noise, sandflys etc.? I wouldn't have missed this for the world, though part of me yearns for the efficiency of Singapore, the beautiful gardens and the ease of walking and being on the ground - after all Kakapos do not fly so cool temperatures and freedom to walk without tripping is a treat. Penang is truly sensational with the senses being constantly bombarded by smells and sights, street art and curios. You need to be on red alert for holes in the road, lack of footpaths, cars and bikes and motor bikes everywhere. Around every corner there is something to make you think. Like Singapore, Penangs history as trading route and prior colonisation has left a hotch potch of buildings, a mix or religions and an ethnic mix comprising of Indian, Chinese and Expat British. Unlike Singapore they have many natural resources and were world leaders in tin, rubber and palm oil as well as having significant iron ore. Malaysia was a rich country that eventually gained independence from British Colonial rule on 31 August 1963. Singapore obtained independence from Malaysia in 1965 giving Lee Kuan Yew a free hand to build the Singapore of today.
He spent 6 weeks in isolation considering his new nation and the possible problems it faced. He knew he would need strong policies to build the Singapore of today. The policies included population policies where nothing was forced, though societal growth policies were encouraged such as an initial 'Stop at 2' policy. When population started declining and there were unmarried graduate wives Lee then started encouraging Singapore men to marry graduate wives and have more children. Looking at what was best for the society as a whole.
Treating the society as a whole Lee Kuan Yew made English the first language though through schooling made a second language an imperative to ensure the mother-tongues of this multi-cultural society were kept alive.
Anti-corruption policies were put in place with political ministers paid the rates of those at the top of the private sector to ensure ministers were the best talent and to ensure a corruption free government.
With no natural resources economically Lee Kuan Yew focused on manufacturing, banking and the ports. He focused on creating First world infrastructure to attract foreign investment and cleared the way for the new Singapore.
Singapore relied on Malaysia for water and this left it open to Malaysia using water as political leverage with fluctuating prices and control of supply. Singapore is the first nation to use desalinated water as it's prime drinking water supply with two desalination plants as well as some natural resources and recycling of grey water.
Singapore showed me what a firm leader that looks at society as their family, administering 'tough love', can do for a nation. Today Singapore is a united, safe, crime-free and prospering society where cultural diversity is celebrated by all. We have the most to learn from Singapore.
Enough of the politics - we are on the road:-
With the driver arriving early and no time to visit the Clan Jetties we headed for the airport at 11:30 a.m. and spent the last of our ringitts on lunch for the kids before boarding our 2 pm flight for Phuket. Today we were board a small ATR plane with an airline called Firefly. There was a kerfuffle at the gate with the announcer calling - could Mr John Glover come to the gate. It turned out there was a strange noise coming from the checked in luggage. Damn - I thought I didn't have to travel with that damned chicken any more. The chicken had to travel in hand luggage so everyone knew what it was making the strange racket. Ridiculous noisy bird!
Arriving in Phuket there seemed to be no-one here. No-one at the airport (5 minutes through), no-one on the road - where's all the traffic and no-one on the beach - though that is another story. We arrived at our apartment with a fantastic pool and for me - lots of trees in the garden. Where are all the people? That is another story to do with the military government, the drop of the ruble and a singular tourism policy. Ahhh for a good nights sleep after a delicious meal. Toni finally found lots of veges to pop into the children's mouths and I found some exciting new bugs to eat. Good night from Phuket. Tomorrow to explore and for the kids time fo
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