Greetings from Taiping!

We have had a great experience in the City of Everlasting Peace. On the day of arrival three of our group participated in a Hash Run, which took us through residential neighborhoods where Malay children smiled and waved, then along a single-track paved motorbike path, and finally up a steep slope through dense jungle, where we grabbed skinny vines and trunks to pull ourselves up as we found our footing in slippery clay mud. Did I mention there was a creek crossing? The three of us soaked our shoes and between us found about six leeches around our ankles and lower legs. Not a big deal though - they are relatively painless - and afterward we enjoyed Indian curries and danced to karaoke songs.

The next day we visited Maxwell Hill, which was much cooler and misty compared to the very humid air at the War Memorial. To get there we were split into two groups to ride in a jeep up a very steep and winding, but paved, road. At the Hill we had very little view because of the mist, but we enjoyed the atmosphere, reminiscent of of a foggy day on the Oregon Coast. The facilities we found at Maxwell Hill were built by the British for a residence/retreat from the hotter conditions in the valley below.

On Thanksgiving Day we each separately attended our vocational visits.

Yesterday we visited a mostly-Chinese fishing village. The fresh fish served at lunch was incredible, and we enjoyed views and cooling breezes on a deck overlooking the river, as fishing boats pulled in and out of the dock. In the evening we presented at the Intercity meeting.

It has not escaped our notice the local use of the punctuation "lah" for emphasis at the end of sentences and phrases, sprinkled into conversation similar to the Argentine "che" or the Canadian "eh." Possibly the American equivalent is "you know?"

So we've realized that our time in Taiping went by quickly, lah! Thanks to our hosts Past President Vijay and his wife Suzanne, Past President Varpal and his wife Zabedah, President Sugitha, Past President Shobhana, and Rotarian Fahmy for an excellent itinerary and their generosity and hospitality making us feel at home here.

This morning we depart for Ipoh.