One Rolex Watch = Four Starbucks Coffees

     Last week, I(Garth) bought my first Starbucks coffee in Malaysia. This was my second Starbucks Coffee, because our host bought one for me within a few days after we arrived. I was shocked at the price for a large Starbucks coffee. It is even more expensive than in North America. I paid about 10 RM (Malaysian money), which would equal about $3.30 Canadian for a large coffee. (For non-Starbucks drinkers, an equivalent coffee in Abbotsford would cost about $2.30.)  To buy coffee anywhere else around here would cost at most 3 RM (about a $1.00). The coffee at Starbucks tastes the same as in North America.

Yesterday (Friday, September 7th), we went to Batu Ferrenghi for supper. It is the tourist area of Penang with a lot of hotels and some more tourist-y things to do. We decided to go through the night market which is like open air shopping along the sidewalk. One thing I have always wanted to buy was a "Rolex" at the night market - I am sure they are the real thing :). I think the orginal asking price was about 135 RM (about $45), but I was able to talk him down to 40 RM (about $13). I was glad it was still working this morning when I woke up and had the correct date on it.

This is a similar image to what the watch looks like. The date is not magnified on my watch.