Thanks so much for the advice all ... I'm going to do as suggested and fly us up from SIN, then make the decision regarding driving the Penang from there - I really enjoy making my own way in a new place (when the scenery is worth doing so, naturally !) so that I can take my time to see what I want to see ... while I'm asking questions, I have been searching various websites for info on what to do in Malaysia with two teenagers in tow (I've been to SIN before so sort of have that end covered) - anyone got any great suggestions ?