Today was a bonus day since we decided to stay in Penang one extra day. We didn’t have anything planned. While we were discussing all the options, I mentioned Golden Sands resort, which has beach access, a big indoor play place, a pool, and a splash pad. Once it came out of my mouth, Millie hung onto it. We didn’t have anything planned better ideas, so that became the plan.

Nick hung back to get his haircut and do his biweekly shave while we set off. She spent an hour inside the “soft play” zone, which is open (for a fee) to outside visitors. Soft play is a term I had never heard of in the states but seems to be used everywhere else. It almost sounds pornographic, but I think it just means “when poles are wrapped in foam to prevent small children from getting concussions”.

After this, we went out to the pool and ordered some lunch. The pool and waterpark are not open for outside guests but I’m a bad girl so we used it all without spending $100 on a guest pass.

Millie befriended some Australian tweens who took her under their wing. She ran around with them, alternating between water slides and doing all sorts of flips in the pool. Her new trick today is a backwards somersault.

Nick came and met us. When she was done swimming we went back to the soft play thing so she could do more sliding and motorcycle racing.

She played here until about 4:45 and was tuckered out. We called a taxi that she had a minor meltdown in before passing out and napping until we arrived at the night market.

We sat in some shade with a beer while she woke up. Millie was hungry, but mostly she wanted to be independent and order food by herself. She walked down the street alone to look at all the carts to decide what to buy. I kept an eye on her but she went far enough that a well-meaning stranger stopped her to ask where her parents were.

She decided on some glutinous rice cakes covered in crushed peanuts and sugar. The old lady in this photo grabbed her and insisted she cut the long line. She paid and proudly brought them back to our table.

I ordered some Char Kway Teow, which are like pad Thai but not sweet. Nothing to write home about, even though that’s exactly what I’m currently doing.

We walked along the street of the night market and stopped at the cart with the longest line. While we were waiting, Nick got a century egg to try. Despite the name, it is not 100 years old. But it is very aged, so much so that it is cured and turns black and smells like ammonia. Not for me.

Millie, who won’t taste many things, took some bites of it and said it was “okay”. Nick ate it all and said it tasted like bleu cheese. I ate none.

When we got to the front of the line of the Michelin cart (who knew?) we let them order for us. We got a bowl of soup, plate of chicken feet, plate of other assorted meats, and rice. All for $6.

It was good, but not amazing. So many people have hyped up Malay food, I feel like I’m missing something. We will continue the search for the best dishes.

On our way back, Millie saw this cartoon and told us “I think I have a crush of this guy.” And then got very embarrassed. After watching so many Studio Ghibli movies and then telling me which of the characters are cute, I think she now has a type. Massive eyes, long hair, and animated.