Shanghai'd

Tim and I seem to have a fascination with conquering the places we visit. We discussed this as we were climbing up the jungle track to the top of Penang Hill last weekend in Penang. The track was muddy and packed in by dense tropical growth on both sides. We were passed twice by downhill bikers in full face covering helmets. We saw a millipede that was easily 8 inches long and had a trillion legs. Having been warned about the monkeys, I was glad when we didn't run into any. Anyway, at 890m above sea level, Penang Hill is the highest point in Penang. Reaching the top, we got a stunning view of the east coast of the island, which was densely populated in areas and jungle hills in other, and over to the mainland.

Maybe it is this perspective that drives us UP everywhere we go. Victoria Peak in Hong Kong, the massive Tai 大 in Kyoto, Qi Xing Feng in Taipei, Tongariro Pass in New Zealand, and of course all the passes on the way to Everest Base Camp in Tibet. Not all of them are the highest point around, but they all offer fantastic views and a sense of accomplishment. Heading back down the other side, wind rushing by if you are on a bike or trolley, we feel we left our flag at the top.

Having conquered Penang, we hitched a ride down in the bed of a strange Mitsubishi car-truck. The wind rushed by, and we finally felt we had the perspective to know what this island was all about.