AIDA Southeast Asia 2014 · Page 5

Day 6 / 29 degrees / 1,017 nautical miles / 1,883 km

At 7.30 a.m. sharp we reached Penang, Malaysia.

AIDA docked right at the port terminal of the island's capital, George Town, so we could already look out at the city over breakfast. We had booked the excursion "George Town by trishaw" (PEN05) through AIDA.

At 10.30 a.m. we left the ship, and at the pier locals in traditional costume were waiting to welcome us. A quick walk through the port terminal, and we reached the trishaws that were ready for us. Don't be put off by the note on the ticket saying a person may weigh a maximum of 90 kg. By European standards the trishaws are very narrow, so two people hardly have room. As this is known, extra trishaws are ordered so that some people can use one on their own. Off we went through the streets of George Town, along the narrow lanes and the two-storey shophouses. A whole family lives in these houses: they work downstairs and live upstairs. We reached our first stop after about 25 minutes: the Leong San Tong Khoo Kongsi, an old traditional Chinese clan house. Impressive decorations everywhere you looked. Our English-speaking guide explained everything very well and in detail.

We continued by trishaw through George Town to the Baba Nyonya Museum and a visit to the old captain's house. Then lunch together at the hotel and the trishaw ride back to the ship.

Today there was a little first for me: 30 minutes of Power Plate was on the fitness schedule. You "only" stand on a kind of vibrating plate and tense your muscles, but the exercises are tough. After 30 minutes I was completely drenched in sweat, as the trainer really put me through my paces.

While I was sweating, Petra was enjoying the St Barth Harmony massage. In the evening AIDAaura left George Town again.

Our daily evening routine slowly became a habit:

At 6 p.m. dinner in the market restaurant, then the women always went to the AIDA shop and found something new every day. The men seized the moment and had the first happy hour round in the AIDA Bar.

Afterwards there was the new show "Polaris" in the theatre. The story is about two siblings who love all the seasons except winter. The inhabitants of Polaris are very afraid of the icy heart of winter.