The Batu Bar at the Lone Pine Hotel was the gorgeous venue for the most recent IWA/Expat Mingle, and it was certainly the best event yet in terms of both numbers and the diverse range of people who attended. Andy Davison, the CEO of the Expat Group (publishers of Penang International), had travelled up from KL especially for the evening, and the President of the IWA, Sandie Lenton, was also present after travels in America and Russia. The Commander of the Australian Army contingent in Penang, Andrew Treble, was there with his wife, Sarah, as well as about sixty other attendees.
The contemporary yet relaxed ambiance of the Batu Bar was ideal for a mingle, and the swirled ceiling lights called to mind the waves on the nearby beach. Glass walls allowed the beautiful greenery, for which the hotel is known for, to be glimpsed from within, and minglers could choose to sit or stand as they worked the room and got to know all the new faces.
Many people were, as always in Malaysia, drawn to the food, and the spread was definitely the best yet. The Lone Pine had really pushed the boat out, laying on a tantalising buffet that was loaded with scrumptious canapés and light bites including Smoked Salmon Tartare, Beef Crostini, Chicken Karaage, Maki Mono, and a selection of finger sandwiches and sushi, all of which were eagerly snapped up by the crowd. Drinks took the form of red and white wine from The Wine Shop and Tiger beer courtesy of GAB, and the food continued to stream from the kitchen as drinks were poured and the conversations flowed.
This mingle proved to be quite unique in that the attendees hailed from all parts of the Penang expat crowd. It’s easy to forget just how many foreigners live here, either to work or on the MM2H programme, and though many familiar faces were present, it was exciting to see some new ones. Some had only just arrived in Penang a matter of weeks before and business cards were spreading throughout the room as people exchanged personal numbers, emails, and promises to stay in touch.
When attendees finally made their way out into the balmy night well beyond the stated end time, “can’t wait for the next one” was the comment on many lips.
Source: Penang International October-November 2012
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