Been in Penang for 2 months in all now, working on the new rail line from Ipoh to Padang Basar. Cos of me the standards are changing and you shouldn't be seeing the daily failures that were occurring, don't go overboard with the gratitude though haha.

Great place, was only ever going to be a busmans holiday for me though, that's why I've been hitting the piss with everyone else at work, how I've survived I'll never know, it's been emotional.

On the religious side of things, I'm not sure I've been anywhere more tolerant, unless there's something simmering under the surface, but I never expected to hear a moderate Malaysia ad on radio speaking out against extremists, brilliant

In Aus we have shops displaying 'happy holidays' as the 'C' word upsets people of other faiths, in Malaysia they seem to embrace all religions and I found that both refreshing, and embarrassing that we don't seem able to.

To all you lot living here, I can definitely see the attraction, but I've already emmigrated once and my home is Oz now, can't see us moving again

Take it easy all

Steve

What company were you working for.
Trackwork or Overhead power?
Contractor or ?

Oh Steve, doesn't time fly....going back already. What a shame. Have really enjoyed your posts on here. Ah well, you'll just have to come back for holidays some time.

You get the odd one or two here but, yes, generally speaking the intermingling of religions is pretty good and tolerant here. We were at Adventist hospital the other day and a Malay (Muslim) nurse wished us both a merry Christmas with a big smile. It happens.

Can't wait for the new train services next year. I'll be sure to try it next year

Have a Happy Christmas Steve! Funnily enough, this year there seems to be a bit of a back-lash against the North American "Happy Holidays" hogwash.. the Christmas word is all over the place here!
If anyone takes offence, see a psychiatrist!

And a merry Christmas to you all. Out at the roxbury for the next couple of nights I believe, I'll be the one who looks fresh off the golf course in an argile t-shirt if anyone wants a beer

In Japan where it is said "in a poll which stated that most Japanese people are 80 per cent Shinto and 80 per cent Buddhist", any festival seems to be welcome. "Happy Christmas" is plastered everywhere and every shop and mall is playing UK Christmas pop songs. There are Father Christmas outfits, Christmas trees, millions of LED lights in illuminations, and Christmas Cards of all sorts in the shops. It is commercial, but the Japanese do love an excuse to smile, laugh, party, drink and fall over, and the retailers love an opportunity to encourage people to part with money.

Malaysia is a fine example to all in tolerance with regards to religious celebrations. Saying that I can't think of much objection to the C word in Australia.
No other faiths object but as a post religious country many pay scant regard to the religious aspect of Christmas preferring to see it as a family and commercial time.
Nothing at all to do with other faiths.