Have Perut Will Travel...: PEN Day 1 │ AEROLINE KL to Penang: A Long Journey North

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Saturday, 23 December 2023

PEN Day 1 │ AEROLINE KL to Penang: A Long Journey North

We’re Leaving for Penang

After what felt like an eternity since we bought our Aeroline bus tickets, the day finally arrived. We left our condo at 8:00am, and after a slight delay (someone forgot his headphones), we headed down to the lobby.

We hailed a 6 seater Grab to Corus Hotel for RM12.00 (≈ USD3/EUR2) and arrived ten minutes later. With time to spare, we left our luggage at the Aeroline ticketing counter and walked across to our usual breakfast spot beside Wisma MCA.

Thosai, roti canai, and a round of drinks came to RM13.80 (≈ USD/EUR3). Soon after, we headed back to Corus Hotel.

The Longest Ride to Penang

We were allowed to board at 9:15am and departed at 9:35am. The bus entered the DUKE Highway, passed the Segambut Toll ten minutes later, and then the Jalan Duta Toll Plaza five minutes after that — officially on our way north along the North–South Expressway.

But because the Malaysian government declared today and the 26th toll free, traffic began to slow along the Rawang stretch. It didn’t take long before traffic came to a standstill.

Three hours into the journey, we still hadn’t reached Ipoh.

Two hours later… still no Ipoh.

It was becoming clear we would arrive in Penang after nightfall. To make matters worse, a pair of inconsiderate parents allowed their unruly children to run riot inside the bus.

At 3:00pm, the bus made a 15 minute pit stop at the Petronas station in Simpang Pulai before continuing north. Three hours later, we found ourselves crawling along the Parit Buntar stretch — but at least we were finally about to cross into Penang.

We drove across the bridge at 6:45pm, and by the time we arrived at Queensbay Mall, dusk had settled in.

Arriving at Our Penang Home

We disembarked, collected our luggage, and hailed a 6 seater Grab to our Airbnb for RM27.00 (≈ USD6/EUR5). The driver picked us up at 7:30pm, and after a 20 minute ride, we arrived at The Green House, Popus Lane — our home for the next 10 days.

Absolutely famished, we dropped our bags at Unit 8 and walked straight to Nana Tomyam across the street. Too knackered to film, we simply enjoyed our Thai dinner in peace. Another visit — with cameras rolling — will definitely be in order.

After dinner, we returned to The Green House to shower, unpack, and rest. We’ll feature this cosy old abode another day.

What’s Next

Tomorrow, our Penang adventures begin in earnest!