Exhausted yet fufiling trip

Just came back from Msia yesterday night. Been gone for almost a week. So tired.
Really thankful to God for making this trip a safe and smooth one for us, especially upon hearing that the unfortunate bus accident we saw on our way back to KL from Penang, took away 11 lives. Pray for them for they left us to be with God whilst on their way to St Anne's church for the last day of the celebrations.

Wed:
Left S'pore at 9am and reached KL around 3pm. After checking in, mum and I went to tour around KL's Chinatown where our hotel was nearby. Went to their night bazaar and everyone was selling imitation bags for about 100 ringgit each. Ate a ramily burger and it costs less than Sing $1. How cool is that... and it was yummy!

Thur:
Morning, woke up early to go to Chinatown to eat porridge. The stall served the raw fish and congee separately and we were supposed to mix them up and amazingly, the fish cooked in less than a minute. This congee was the best fish porridge I've ever eaten and I dun even like fish porridge usually!
930am, took the coach to Penang. Arrived at about 3pm and then took a taxi to the hotel. Went to eat Penang laksa at the shopping mall linked to the hotel. The prawn crackers served with it was really addictive that we had to order more. After the meal, it was off to St Anne's church.

Upon reaching, I was really amazed by the vast compounds of the church. It was goodness noes how many times that of Novena church in Singapore. The church was so beautiful with a fountain of St Anne and young Mary in the heart of the compounds, a pure white cathedral with carefully stained glass pictures, the holy water shrine, the gorgeous life-sized stations of the cross around, the angel statues which held the holy water (as if looking after it) for the many devotees when they enter the house of God. The beauty was overwhelming and one could really sense the hard work and the wish to glorify God behind the design of the entire church. Plus the church was situated in front of a hill top, thus adding on the beauty of God's creation (the fluffy clouds, the vast greenery and the Sun which seems to shine on the church only).
We went for the novena mass and after which it was exploring the book store and the small little shops set up in the church's compounds for the 10 day celebrations.
Time to head back to the hotel and we realised there was not a single cab in sight on the roads... We were at a lost and asked the locals and they said that the cab drivers dun drive near this area cuz of the massive jam in front of the church, and advised us to take the bus. Plus, the locals have their own cars, motorcycles hence taxis only catered to the foreigners. Sigh... I was beginning to despair when my aunt said to have faith in God and St Anne that they will guide us safely back to the hotel and miraculously, my aunt saw a cab not long after on the road. The driver was kind and ushered us into his cab! So that's how we gort back safely. Praise the Lord!

Fri:
Went for hotel's breakfast in the morning which wasnt too good with all the smokers smoking while eating. Really learned to appreciate the no smoking signs in S'pore.
After breakfast, it was shopping at the complex linked to the hotel. Strangely, it was so quiet. Almost nobody except for some school kids and probably a few tourists and locals, maybe cuz it's a weekday. Stuff was really cheap but kinda outdated so only bought a pair of slippers, a cookery book, a chinese novel book cuz there wasn't much of a choice, tshirts for my brothers. Ate the penang laksa again. Getting sick of it.
After which at around 5pm, it was off to church. Went earlier to take pics of the place. Realised that the devotees were all really full of respect. While we kneeled and prayed, some of them went down on their whole body and kissed the floor. I was quite touched by their actions. Plus, on our way back, the taxi driver told us that about half the congregation in the church are not Catholics, but they just go in and pray cuz of the amazing miracles that have been performed in the lives of many. Unlike in S'pore where most of the Catholics are expectedly Chinese, there were like about 3/4 Indians at St Anne's church. It was also the first time I saw long, thin candles that were like 1m or taller. Quite intimidating while in the cathedral cuz of all these long candles the people were holding..haha.

Sat:
Woke up early and went to a roadside stall beside the hotel to have breakfast. So many houseflies but surprisingly they din bother us. All of them hung around a particular empty table. Off to more walking around in the mall cuz we din dare to explore further. The places nearby as seen from our hotel room were all really ancient shophouses or houses with rusty zinc roof tops that really look like it was going to give way any minute. Plus the roads were scary. No proper traffic and speeding cars everywhere with loads of pollution. Really thankful for living in S'pore yet again. Went to church and stayed till 10pm for the candle light procession. Meanwhile, my 2 yr old cousin funnily entertained us with her "melodius" voice and cheeky expressions that she must have learnt from the concerts shown on tv.
Heard there were 100 000 pilgrims. Well, the church was that huge that I din really feel the squeeze. Had a long time finding the nice cab driver whose name is Anna cuz his birthday was the same as the feast day of Saint Anne. And he moved his home to near the church cuz he wanted to see her beautiful face each day =) He lost his wife in the Dec tsunami yet he is still so cheerful when he speaks about his dearest family. This was a guy whom God blessed to have so much faith.

Sun:
Left Penang to go back to KL where my aunt had some business to sort out. Saw the overturned bus as it created some jam on the highway. Quite scary as the crane came to lift it out of its overturned state and policemen were everywhere. Din know much till Ade and Bren msged me later that day to ask me if I was ok. Thanks for yr concern. Reached KL around 5pm. Went to the mega emporium near Chinatown. Mum bought a pair of sandals. Really pretty, picked out by me! Heh. After which it was dinner where we had claypot rice, pig trotters in vinegar, rice wine chicken soup and pig stomach soup...yummilicious!

Mon:
Took the LRT and went to KLCC where there was this huge shopping centre. Seems like almost every big shop in Orchard is there. Isetan there was having the Msia Mega Sale so bought some tops. Bought heels from this chic shoe shop. Pretty and affordable. Then it was off to more shopping and trying.
Went back to the hotel in time to go for a great dinner with my aunts and their clients.

Tue:
2pm, happily left for Singapura!
8pm, reached!
Dinner with my dad and mum at Old Airport. Very warm dinner with both of them. Ordered too much and had to force food down my throat but it was a precious dinner out with them.

Anyway, really thanks to those who prayed for my mum and I. And praise the Lord for answering our prayers and making this trip a safe and smooth one. =D