Not only did it rain cats and dogs yesterday ....

Not only did it rain cats and dogs yesterday , it also rained ostriches and giraffes too .

Of course , we can joke about it now , but at that moment it felt as if a tree trunk could fall into our path at any moment .

The weather is getting so ferocious nowadays . Makes driving on the highways especially dangerous .

For those of you who are about to embark on your self drive domestic year end holidays , do your research , look at the water flow on the roads and try to avoid hilly terrains , with winding roads marked by tell tale signs such as mini waterfalls by the hillside  . Let's say the beach is on the cards , line up some fun indoor activities , in case it pours non stop .

If you're caught up in a storm like the one we found ourselves in yesterday , you have 2 options . Sit it out or drive on slowly .

Always , always observe the water level in the river , ditches and drains , even by the highway because certain stretches are more prone to flooding . When that happens , you'll have to quickly assess and do what you have to do .

Once , we turned off a flooded part of the highway, to find ourselves in a worse situation than before . Following our instincts , we followed a four wheel in front of us and escaped unscathed while others drove straight into flood waters .

I cannot imagine what would have happened if we drove straight like everyone else .

Takes years of experience to tell a more experienced driver apart from a clueless one .

This facebook post below , indicates what to expect when you fly into Penang during this kind of  weather . While the dip and horrible turbulence is a normal occurence yesterday was really something else . 

For the non Malaysian traveller heading to Penang , should you discover that all roads leading out from Penang airport , is flooded like last night , my advice , when you arrive , is to see if you can first locate your transfer provider , then call your hotel to hold the room , go get a cuppa and sit it out . There's nothing much you can do when it rains this much .

Other tips :

Avoid waterfalls and streams or harmless lookin shallow brooks ,when there is so much as a dark cloud hovering up in the hills . Water could suddenly come gushing down and sweep you away .

Those left with no choice , please set camp at least one storey high above the river .