Relax - Penang's warmth keeps 'em coming

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GEORGE TOWN, MALAYSIA: Many Westerners are heading to Penang to escape the biting winter in Europe.

The warm weather, great hospitality and delicious food are among the factors that keep the tourists coming back for more.

British couple Peter and Maggie Rawsthorne, who are on their sixth visit to Penang, where they are staying at the Eastern and Oriental Hotel, said they felt at home here minus the cold weather.

"We just love lazing around the deck at the poolside while enjoying the sun," Peter said.

Peter, 72, said they only got to sit in their garden at their home in Wiltshire twice this year due to the wet weather.

Maggie, 68, said they only spent RM20 to go round the island, hopping on and off buses while enjoying the beautiful scenery.

Donald George Heywood, 67, and his wife Milly Heywood, 66, from Manchester in Britain, have been coming to Penang for the past 15 years to enjoy the warm weather.

George said they have been celebrating Christmas for many years at the Golden Sands Resort in Batu Ferringhi where they stay during their trips here.

"The hotel staff make us feel very much at home," he said, adding that they had been meeting many other people escaping the winter in Europe on their trips to Penang over the years.

"We enjoy playing golf at the exclusive golf course by the beach. What more can we ask for?" George added.

Penang is also like a second home for Wilma Budke, 82, from Germany.

She has been visiting Penang since 1978, at first with her husband until his death 12 years ago, and then on her own.

"We would get away from the cold weather in Germany and tuck ourselves in the warmth here.

"My husband died 12 years ago and during his last moments I made a promise to him that I would continue to come to Penang for my vacation," said Wilma, who is also staying at the Golden Sands Resort.

She said she spends six months each year on "this beautiful island".

"I wake up at 5.45am daily and swim 2km in the pool, which takes me an hour, after which I take my breakfast and enjoy my garden view. I go to the golf course at 11am daily." she added.

Penang's warmth keeps 'em coming

Tue, Dec 29 2009

Many Westerners are heading to Penang to escape the biting winter in Europe, find out what makes them come back year after year.

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