One weekend, we joined a local group of outdoors enthusiasts on a hike up Penang Hill, one of the highest spots on Penang Island.  The hike started getting hot and heavy in the beautiful Penang Botanical Gardens, built up to a climax at the Crag Hotel and rolled off at Flagstaff Hill, the destination of Penang’s famous Swiss-made funicular railway.

The Crag Hotel, pictured above, was built by the British in the 1890s and has lain abandoned since 1977 except for a brief appearance in the film Indochine.  Despite the years of neglect, the buildings and fixtures remain elegant, and the views of Penang Island are excellent.  If I had a million dollars…

Besides the Crag Hotel, the highlight of this hike was the wildlife –

This giant scorpion did not move a millimeter from its position in the middle of the trail during the 10 minutes or so that our group lovingly photographed it. Venomous.

Malaysian blue coral snake. My theory: it was trying to mate with the blue towel. Extremely venomous.

Even though I have small hands and smell like cabbage, that's still a big millipede. Harmless.

I was not a victim in my second encounter with a leech, but I did spot it on my friend's arm. Not venomous, just gross.