We finally dragged ourselves away from the Perhentian Islands, albeit reluctantly, and hit the road again. We spent a night on the mainland and a day trying, unsuccessfully, to get our Thai visas. We then, after much negotiation with a bus company, managed to get our bikes, trailer and gear onto a night bus to Penang. This to avoid the alternative of having to cycle across the width of the country and, most importantly, over the Cameron Highlands! The bus to Penang dropped us off in Chinatown, Georgetown at 5am, which was an interesting experience to say the least. We hot-footed, or rather pedalled rapidly, out of there and to a hotel around the corner. Chinatown, once visited in daylight, is a wonderful and vibrant place, full of stalls serving the most delicious food.

Our plan from here is to spend a few days pottering around and taking in the sights of Georgetown and Penang island, then bus it to the Cameron Highlands for a day or two, to visit the tea plantations and enjoy a respite from the heat in the relatively cool mountain air. Once back in Penang, we'll get our Thai visas and then cycle northwards toward the Thai border – not missing the opportunity to take a break for a few days on the white sand beaches of Langkawi islands of course!

We'll miss the Perhentians and the cast of characters we met there, but having planned to spend only a few nights there and having spent almost three weeks, we felt that it was about time we made a move.