Instead of coming to Malaysia for 3 months, the Cowie's ended up with 6 weeks to spend, although we don't quite know how that happened ! Anyway that gives them limited time to visit places of interest but I'm delighted they've arrived .They started out in KL, visiting many sites and staying in an Air BNB apartment which looked fab, visiting Batu Caves, Petronas Towers, Mosques, Chinatown and lots more before heading to Melacca. I really like Melacca and had great times there with friends although I stayed too long really!Once again, they visited the main sights Sultan's Palace, cruising the canal, Jongklar St before heading to Singapore which they thought was sensational, the Marine Bay Sands area, Chinese New Year celebrations, before heading to Penang, which is the closest place to where I am currently based.Unfortunately I didn't realise it was Chinese New Year and although my journey to Langkawi was fine I couldn't get a ferry to Penang until the next afternoon, which was sooooo frustrating, I've never had any problems before on getting a ferry. Anyway I booked my tickets and stayed the night with Joe and Anita and the yacht club, it would seem everyone was heading home to Penang which has a large Chinese community.It was so lovely to see Laura and Gordon again, I booked into the same guest house to spend a couple of days together and sent them a message on arrival . I'm just a handful is doors away so we met up and headed out to a local Indian for dinner. Lovely restaurant and food but Gordon just not feeling himself and after dinner had to get a taxi back to the hotel. What a shame, I didn't realise how bad he had been feeling since arrival in Penang. Although they've managed to see a lot of what Penang has to offer, time out has been limited with them heading home early in the afternoon and evenings. Shame, it's horrible being sick on holiday! We left him to rest and grabbed a couple to beers for the room so we could sit and catch up, ah it's nice to have some girl talk... my life revolves about men, men and more men at the shipyard, it can be frustrating.Next day we decided to head down to the hospital for a check up and while Gordon went through tests, and was hooked up to a drip for an hour or so for fluids, Laura and I went to Guerny Plaza for a beer and gab. When we went back he certainly had more colour in his cheeks but the tests weren't quite through. I decided to pop off for a haircut, meanwhile they got the results of the checks, Swine Flu of all things ... no wonder he had been feeling terrible.Unfortunately I've lost 2 extra days I thought I would have with them through Chinese New Year which is disappointing but we make do and head out for dinner once more and a wander round Georgetown. Some of the food in Penang is the best in Malaysia and once again the food and company was excellent. New Year gives it a nice feel with lanterns everywhere but it also leaves me with a problem getting off the island in time to make a ferry back to Satun!Not a lot I can do about it. It then took me an overnight in Langkawi via bus, ferry, bus, taxi, ferry to the island, where I met up with Scott and friends, and a ferry the next morning as we returned with Aria's halyards. Grrr... why is it all so complicated sometimes.Sorry Laura and Gordon for not looking ahead to what was going on in Malaysia, it was so lovely seeing you guys but frustrating at the same time. Will hook up somewhere else ;)