Butterworth

Judging by the Malaysians we have met, there is no such thing as retiring here. I'm not sure if it's because there doesn't seem to be quite the range of leisure activities to distract bored seniors as we have here or (more likely) a poorer pension system but it seems normal for people to have a career, or even several careers, after retirement. A lot of people we've met have plans for their next career after 'retirement'.

Rev. Andrew Phang, pictured, used to be a Bishop but now runs a church in Butterworth. A lady we met at the home for the blind retired from being an administrator to lead their braille programme. And so on. Nobody seemed to resent the extra years of work. I suppose if the option of never-ending visits to garden centres was on the table, they might find that a little less fulfilling.  

Today we were in Butterworth, briefly, to hang out with Rev. Andrew and to visit his church, eat some delicious indian food and then head down to Ipoh where we'll be staying for the next couple of days. I took the opportunity to catch up on some episodes of the News Quiz on the journey. Cue much tittering.