Thank you for the detailed update/advice and happy ending/beginning!

Penang: seconded. A walking museum.

Again, thanks to each and every one of you for your guidance 🙂 🙂

Thank you all very much. The Canadian group said pretty much the same (1 week to 1 month, more or less).

My takeaway (and again, I could be wrong, somebody please correct me if I am), is that many policies require that YOU PROVE THAT YOU ARE NOT AT FAULT before coverage is paid (

Although I have never heard of a problem insurance case, owning a car may mean incurring a liability risk much greater than in your own country, because maximum coverage is lower and because "fault" is defined differently.

Coverage limits--when I did the research 3 or 4 years ago--were so low I decided not to rent a car. I also read (on the Web, so not sure if true), that there are many legal exceptions to paying on such insurance (for example if the driver is at "fault," with fault defined in broader terms than I would expect). Compulsory car insurance covers just over $14,000 for death ( "Voluntary" car insurance ( can provide bigger payouts (should a rich person be your victim), but makes my head spin around the word "fault."

Shopping at multiple stores at the same time is difficult without a car, but one at a time is easy (returning by Tuk Tuk or taxi in BKK). If you do get a car, you may find it difficult to get Liability Insurance with your desired coverage ceiling.

Always book directly w/hotel or airline. Make sure by email (best) prior to booking that confirmation is immediate upon payment. Check prices through Kayak/Expedia, but never book through them.

Perhaps. Tourist visas generally require prepurchased accomodations, often including the owner's tax number. It may be that you are also required to obtain the tourist visa in your own country. Requirements are not always clear and may differ from consulate to consulate. Penang however, is a very nice place.