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Miscommunication with a guide I thought I had lined up in Malaysia

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Miscommunication with a guide I thought I had lined up in Malaysia

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Old Aug 2nd, 2012, 10:06 AM
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Miscommunication with a guide I thought I had lined up in Malaysia

Help. I had been corresponding with a guide in Malaysia for quite some time. I recently just wanted to touch bases with him as we leave in less than 2 months. I thought all was set & that he was looking in to accomodations for 2 nights in Penang. I wrote him recently & he took another client for my dates.
We fly into KL on 28th. OUr first week is at The Golden Palm Tree REsort. I have the timeshare picking us up. The next week is at The Palace of Golden Horses. October 5-12th. I wanted to go to Penang for 2 nights and see the area of K|L.
P|lease help-I am not sure what happened in our communication. I was looking forward to this guide
Thank you so much-I know I can count on you
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Old Aug 2nd, 2012, 10:23 AM
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See if the E+O has any special deal for you the nights you are on Penang. . If you don't stay there, at least go to Happy Hour near their pool and enjoy their great prices on drinks and delicious fresh fruit.. etc. The place is gorgeous. They also had a special buffet with wine included one night but we weren't able to go.

We did a great jungle hike up on the northern part of island where we stayed a few nights. hen we spent our last 2 nights at the emblematic E+O. A splurge worth every cent.

http://www.eohotels.com/

Here is my trip report. I hope there is something you can find useful.

http://www.fodors.com/community/asia...and-penang.cfm
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Old Aug 2nd, 2012, 10:25 AM
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There is really no need for a guide for Penang or for KL. Just choose and book your accommodations for Penang - choose a place walking distance from the main shopping/eating area in Goergetown and you can hire a taxi for more distant sites.
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Old Aug 2nd, 2012, 10:27 AM
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We were posting at the same time, but we also loved the E&O. With a mere two nights in Georgetown, you'll want to spend all of your time there.
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Old Aug 2nd, 2012, 10:50 AM
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i'll say it again. if it weren't for your raves about the place, Kathie, I doubt I would have done it but now I can't wait to go back again someday!
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Old Aug 2nd, 2012, 11:00 AM
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Totally agree the E &O is a superb location for Georgetown and well worth at least 2 nights.
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Old Aug 2nd, 2012, 01:16 PM
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The E+O was out of my price range, although I enjoyed afternoon tea there. Entirely agree that a guide is unnecessary for Malaysia - lots of English, and excellent public transport.
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Old Aug 2nd, 2012, 02:03 PM
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The reason I want a guide/driver is my husband & |I are a little older-we are not renting a car & need to get to Penang from our hotel. I don't have an over seas phone so I like to have everything pre arranged. Also this guide I thought I had said he could get us good rates for Penang.
I have E-mailed the hotel in Mines City with no response-or an answer(We are on time share trades.)
If anyone knows a guide PLEASE send his E-mail. I have never gotten a bad reccomondation from Fodors.The guide I thought I had was reccomondation from one of you. His name is Ken-I am so disapointed. Thank you Thank you Thank you anyone!!!
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Old Aug 2nd, 2012, 03:06 PM
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Fly or take a luxury bus to Penang. You can make those arrangemetns once you are in Malaysia. Make your hotel reservations for Penang now. If you feel you must have a guied in Penang, Bob and Karen used a driver/guide there. We mostly walked, but took taxis as needed in Georgetown.
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Old Aug 2nd, 2012, 03:33 PM
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We flew air asia to Penang from KL. Then we got a taxi to the hotel. The next day outside the hotel I asked all the taxis who spoke English and we got a great guy .. you won't have a problem. The people are easy going. The country is simple to do on your own. We, too, are no spring chickens. Asia at first can make you anxious ...until you get there! It really is a breeze to organize things.

You only have two days to organize. You will be in KL so long before Penang that you will definitely be able to get something satisfactory set up if you can't before you go.
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Old Aug 2nd, 2012, 03:49 PM
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If you don't want to fly the long distance buses in Malaysia are very comfortable. And there are trains as well (see http://www.seat61.com/Malaysia.htm). Plenty of taxis to/from airports or stations.

I don't know how old "a little older" is, but I'm mid 60s and travel solo and had no trouble.
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Old Aug 2nd, 2012, 05:56 PM
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Thank you. I will start researching. I have E-mailed Ken to see if he has a guide /friend. Still if anyone who pops in has a referance I'll be happy to hear. My husband is 78 & had 2 surgeries last year & will have carpal tunnel a month before we go.
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Old Aug 2nd, 2012, 08:03 PM
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I just wanted to update you my Fodor friends. There was a special on the E&O. I booked for 2 nights in a Delux Suite with an ocean view-breakfast included for over 1/2 price. I went on Cheapo Air & booked 2 senior plane tickets. I will just do my research & hire taxi's for the sites we want to see. I'm sure our hotel in KL will have day trips or help us with taxi's. I think I was just so caught off guard. I've never had guide do this. Thank you again.
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Old Aug 2nd, 2012, 11:12 PM
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How exciting! You have made a wise choice. You'll love Penang!
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Old Aug 3rd, 2012, 06:12 AM
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You're all set! Have a wonderful time!
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Old Aug 3rd, 2012, 01:42 PM
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i can see no reason at all for a guide in K/L!!
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Old Aug 3rd, 2012, 07:04 PM
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I wrote guide & said if he had another customer for my dates he could have written & ased if I still wanted-just common courtesy. No answer.
I have treid to E-mail the E&O hotel on 2 diffenrent E-mails & it comes back. Does anyone have an E-mail address for them? This is my husbands & my 30th anniversary.
I tried www.e-o-hotel .com that was in the DK guidebook. I also tried [email protected] & that came back Mailer Daimon. Thanks
Alls well that ends well.
We are also staying in Phuket-In fact our guide from N. Thailand is joining us & 4 nights in Singapore for my birthday at the end-A month grand trip
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Old Aug 3rd, 2012, 07:13 PM
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Did you try [email protected]?
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Old Aug 3rd, 2012, 07:14 PM
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I remember having had problems with the email at the E&O. I eventually found a working email address for them, but I no longer have it. You might wait until you are in Malaysia and call them to make special arrangements for your anniversary.
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Old Aug 3rd, 2012, 07:58 PM
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The website lists a Chief Operating Officer under "Management": [email protected]

The web site also lists phone numbers. Rather than waiting you could make an international call. If you use Skype it will cost you all of 2.3 cents/minute.
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