As my birthday fell on Saturday this year and after planning my leave for the rest of the year, I decided not to take any leave before my birthday. This ruled out any overseas trip unless it’s SG and while I did initially plan to take the bus to SG and check out the sale, I subsequently changed my mind as I’d be heading there in end-November and I wasn’t keen to visit the island state twice in a year. I finally decided to go to Taiping by ETS train as the buses from KL go to Kamunting and not into the town centre itself. I then dithered if I should take the train on Friday evening and arrive late in the evening and overnight there and finally decided to just take the first train out on Saturday and return the same evening. My mind made up, I bought the ticket online a week prior to travel.
I reached KL Sentral at 06:45 on Saturday morning, 20 July 2019, and was surprised to find signs put up informing that there would be no train from KL Sentral but instead from Tanjung Malim. There was an announcement shortly after to inform passengers that a train had derailed and that we had three options: either to travel from Tanjung Malim, change our travel dates or ask for a refund. Buses were provided to ferry us to Tanjung Malim and after thinking it over, I decided to just stick with my plan.
There was a KTM official who then led us to the waiting buses (at the door of KLIA Ekspres departure) and I boarded the first bus. We left shortly after and I spent the time reading and alternately chatting with the lady next to me. We reached Tanjung Malim station after 50 minutes or so and had to wait a while. There were arriving passengers who had to alight there and board buses to KL and other destinations to the south so we had to wait before we could disembark and make our way to the platform. We then boarded the train and made ourselves comfortable.
The train left Tanjung Malim at exactly 09:00 and we arrived at Taiping station at 10:50, only 12 minutes later than scheduled. I climbed up the stairs to cross over the tracks and exited the station, crossed the road and walked through the Hospital to the town centre. I walked around for a bit then saw a bus stop and after determining it was the right stop for the bus to Kuala Sepetang, I sat to wait for the 11:50 bus. I waited and waited. 12:00 noon came and went and there were buses, just not the bus for Kuala Sepetang. Finally, I left the bus stop feeling disgusted and let down. I walked on, stopping occasionally to take photos (Taiping has quite a few lovely buildings) until I reached the Larut Matang Hawker Centre (food court divided between Muslim and non-Muslim sellers). I had a quick browse before continuing on past the market and the Clock Tower.
I decided to have my lunch at Bismillah Cendol, figuring I could still visit Ansari Cendol if I still needed more cendol fix. The tables were all full but I managed to get a seat after ten minutes. I had cendol with red beans and pasembur. I also ordered some laksa subsequently. Well, I didn’t have much of a berakfast.
Having eaten lunch, I continued walking in the hot sun (I brought my brolly and a hat so it wasn’t all bad) until I reached Taiping Municipal Council, a beautiful white sprawling building. There were some tourist buses parked there so it was definitely a photo spot. After taking some photos, I continued on to Taiping Public Library and then to the Lake Garden. I found a shaded seat and sat down to enjoy the view and read.
I left after 90 minutes and after some ice cream, made my way back to the Hawker Centre. This time, I passed the Tourist Information Centre and dropped by for ten minutes before continuing on. I bought some water at The Store and then had some leng chee kang at the Hawker Centre. I then walked leisurely back to the train station. I passed some stalls selling durian and was sorely tempted; however, it had been a hot day and I hadn’t drank as much as I should so I decided I should steer clear of the durian.
The screen at the train station informed the train would be delayed by 20 minutes so I sat down to wait. I did consider returning to the durian stalls but when I checked with the counter, I was told the train might not be delayed by 20 minutes, I decided to stay put. And it was a good thing too for the train arrived at 18:45. We boarded and the train left shortly after.
We reached Tanjung Malim and the KTM personnel ensured that passengers bound for Gemas, Seremban and Kajang boarded their buses first before boarding those bound for KL Sentral. I had a headache and tried to rest even though the seat was not comfortable and I couldn’t recline it. There was hardly any space between my seat and the seat in front of me and those with longer legs would definitely have a very uncomfortable trip.
We reached KL Sentral at 22:15 and I went to buy some ice cream before my ride arrived. It had been a long hot day but I still made sure I did some exercise and some reading that evening before turning in.
Hopefully I’ll get to reach Kuala Sepetang next time and have a bowl of prawn noodles or two! InsyaAllah.
I reached KL Sentral at 06:45 on Saturday morning, 20 July 2019, and was surprised to find signs put up informing that there would be no train from KL Sentral but instead from Tanjung Malim. There was an announcement shortly after to inform passengers that a train had derailed and that we had three options: either to travel from Tanjung Malim, change our travel dates or ask for a refund. Buses were provided to ferry us to Tanjung Malim and after thinking it over, I decided to just stick with my plan.
There was a KTM official who then led us to the waiting buses (at the door of KLIA Ekspres departure) and I boarded the first bus. We left shortly after and I spent the time reading and alternately chatting with the lady next to me. We reached Tanjung Malim station after 50 minutes or so and had to wait a while. There were arriving passengers who had to alight there and board buses to KL and other destinations to the south so we had to wait before we could disembark and make our way to the platform. We then boarded the train and made ourselves comfortable.
The train left Tanjung Malim at exactly 09:00 and we arrived at Taiping station at 10:50, only 12 minutes later than scheduled. I climbed up the stairs to cross over the tracks and exited the station, crossed the road and walked through the Hospital to the town centre. I walked around for a bit then saw a bus stop and after determining it was the right stop for the bus to Kuala Sepetang, I sat to wait for the 11:50 bus. I waited and waited. 12:00 noon came and went and there were buses, just not the bus for Kuala Sepetang. Finally, I left the bus stop feeling disgusted and let down. I walked on, stopping occasionally to take photos (Taiping has quite a few lovely buildings) until I reached the Larut Matang Hawker Centre (food court divided between Muslim and non-Muslim sellers). I had a quick browse before continuing on past the market and the Clock Tower.
I decided to have my lunch at Bismillah Cendol, figuring I could still visit Ansari Cendol if I still needed more cendol fix. The tables were all full but I managed to get a seat after ten minutes. I had cendol with red beans and pasembur. I also ordered some laksa subsequently. Well, I didn’t have much of a berakfast.
Having eaten lunch, I continued walking in the hot sun (I brought my brolly and a hat so it wasn’t all bad) until I reached Taiping Municipal Council, a beautiful white sprawling building. There were some tourist buses parked there so it was definitely a photo spot. After taking some photos, I continued on to Taiping Public Library and then to the Lake Garden. I found a shaded seat and sat down to enjoy the view and read.
I left after 90 minutes and after some ice cream, made my way back to the Hawker Centre. This time, I passed the Tourist Information Centre and dropped by for ten minutes before continuing on. I bought some water at The Store and then had some leng chee kang at the Hawker Centre. I then walked leisurely back to the train station. I passed some stalls selling durian and was sorely tempted; however, it had been a hot day and I hadn’t drank as much as I should so I decided I should steer clear of the durian.
The screen at the train station informed the train would be delayed by 20 minutes so I sat down to wait. I did consider returning to the durian stalls but when I checked with the counter, I was told the train might not be delayed by 20 minutes, I decided to stay put. And it was a good thing too for the train arrived at 18:45. We boarded and the train left shortly after.
We reached Tanjung Malim and the KTM personnel ensured that passengers bound for Gemas, Seremban and Kajang boarded their buses first before boarding those bound for KL Sentral. I had a headache and tried to rest even though the seat was not comfortable and I couldn’t recline it. There was hardly any space between my seat and the seat in front of me and those with longer legs would definitely have a very uncomfortable trip.
We reached KL Sentral at 22:15 and I went to buy some ice cream before my ride arrived. It had been a long hot day but I still made sure I did some exercise and some reading that evening before turning in.
Hopefully I’ll get to reach Kuala Sepetang next time and have a bowl of prawn noodles or two! InsyaAllah.
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