I have been wanting to meet up with an old mate but when the last plan didn’t go through, I quickly browsed buses to Butterworth (Penang Sentral) and after buying the bus ticket, I proceeded to buy the ETS ticket from Ipoh to KL Sentral (for RM41.00; Butterworth to KL Sentral would cost RM88.00!). I’d only found out about Komuter Utara and could only buy the ticket from Butterworth to Ipoh on the day of travel and not in advance. And I also booked a room at Sunshine House in Georgetown. I could’ve stayed at Berjaya Penang Hotel but it’s in Pulau Tikus.
Friday, 31 May 2024
I made my way from micasa to Hentian Duta but it rained
torrentially on the way. I finally made it to Hentian Duta and waited for the
23:59 Quick Liner Express bus. It showed up 15 minutes later than scheduled and
I quickly stored my bag in the bus luggage area and made my way to my seat.
Saturday, 1 June 2024
Of course I could barely sleep during the trip but I kept
my eyes closed throughout the journey. Good thing I realised when we stopped
outside Penang Sentral. I got up, went down and retrieved my bag and walked
into the building. It was barely 04:30 then. I sat and waited until it was
almost time for morning prayers before making my way to the prayer room.
After prayers, I walked to the ferry terminal. The ticket
cost RM2 and counter accepted non-cash payment only. We boarded about five
minutes before departure and settled down quickly. The ferry left on time and
we reached the island jetty shortly after. We had to wait for the motor
passengers to bike off first before we were let through. The ground looked wet,
it had obviously rained too overnight on the island.
I walked to Sunshine House and was there about fifteen
minutes later. After leaving my bag, I headed for the market at Jalan Kuala
Kangsar for breakfast. I had my usual vegetarian wan ton noodle soup before
checking out the market. I then walked to Aimi Lim Halal Hokkien Mee at the
corner of Jalan Transfer and Jalan Argyll for a bowl of prawn noodles. The place
was packed and I managed to get a table
after some customers left shortly after I arrived, and two others joined me. After
that, I walked to get the CAT bus to Komtar bus terminal.
I wandered around and then spent time (and even shopped!)
at 1st Avenue Mall before walking to Left-handed Char Kuay Teow for
early lunch. I had curry noodles and bought char kuay teow to go.
After lunch, I made my way to Sunshine House to check in.
After performing prayers, I had a nap to make up for the sleepless night. I spent
the rest of the day and evening indoors.
Sunday, 2 June 2024
I woke up early for shower and prayers. I also bought my ticket for the Komuter Utara, it only cost RM12.80. I left at 07:30 (someone’s phone alarm was ringing non-stop for 45 minutes before I left and made me wonder if I should knock on the door) and walked to the jetty for the 08:00 ferry. The stalls leading to the ferry terminal were closed and I was hoping to buy some breakfast there. We left on time but had to wait for the ferry from the 08:30 to depart mainland before we could dock in the berth. I hurried out of the terminal and walked out of Penang Sentral to find breakfast. Alhamdulillah, managed to get nasi lemak and some local dessert from a stall before I headed back for the KTM station. I needed to catch the 09:10 train to Ipoh. Miss that and I’d have to take the 12:10 train. Plus I already bought the 12:02 ETS ticket back to KL Sentral.
We boarded the train about ten minutes before departure. It
being school holidays, the train quickly filled up as we stopped at stations along
the way. The train slowed down as it passed Bukit Merah lakes and it was
beautiful. The train stopped midway at some point for about ten minutes. As a
result, we only arrived in Ipoh at 11:25. I made my way out of the station as quickly
as I could (only two or three turnstiles working!) and walked to Dato’ Sagor
food court but left without buying anything. I returned to the station and
joined the queue to board the ETS.
I read all the way back. I even performed prayers in the
prayer room as it was very near my seat. We reached KL Sentral at 14:35, five minutes
ahead of schedule. Alhamdulillah.
So that’s my annual trip to Georgetown done with for 2024.
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