Have Perut Will Travel...: KUL to PEN │ Aeroline • Hutton Central • Red Garden!

You may not copy, reproduce, distribute, publish, display, perform, modify, create derivative works, transmit, or in any way exploit any such content, nor may you distribute any part of this content over any network, including a local area network, sell or offer it for sale. You may not alter or remove any copyright, watermarks, or other notice from copies of the content on this blog. Copying or storing any content is expressly prohibited without prior written permission of the blog owner. For permission to use the content on this blog, please contact harrycath@gmail.com.

Saturday, 29 March 2025

KUL to PEN │ Aeroline • Hutton Central • Red Garden!

George Town Getaway

One week after returning from Bangkok, we were back on the road again. This time, we headed north to the island state often called the “Pearl of the Orient.” With a four day weekend for Id Fitr, we booked Aeroline bus tickets online for RM72.00 (≈ USD16/EUR15) each, departing from Corus Hotel at 9:30am.

Breakfast Before Departure

Brendan had other plans and did not join us, but he dropped us off at Corus Hotel at eight in the morning. Since we had time to spare, we enjoyed breakfast at the hotel’s Dondang Sayang Coffee House. Breakfast cost RM34.80 (≈ USD8/EUR7) per person and helped us start the day calmly.

On the Road to Penang

The bus arrived at 9:15am and finally left at 9:35am after waiting for a few late passengers. Our bus, VDM8816, was scheduled to reach Queensbay Mall in about five hours.

Traffic was light as we passed the Jalan Duta Toll Plaza at 9:50am, which made us hopeful. However, with a government discount on tolls, traffic soon slowed on the North–South Expressway.

Five hours later, we stopped at the Simpang Pulai rest area. After a short break, we continued the journey, realising it might be another long ride. We crossed the Sultan Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah Bridge at 5:35pm and arrived at Queensbay Mall at 6:05pm. The trip took eight and a half hours in total.

From Mall to Hotel

We got off the bus, thanked the crew, collected our bags, and took a quick break inside the mall. We then booked a six seater Grab car. The first two drivers cancelled, but the third picked us up at 6:33pm. The ride to Hutton Central Hotel cost RM22.00 (≈ USD/EUR5) and took about forty five minutes.

By the time we arrived, it was already dusk. We checked in, dropped our bags in our one bedroom apartment, and headed out again.

Dinner in George Town

We walked through nearby streets and made our way to our usual dinner spot, Red Garden Food Paradise. We ordered Thai fried rice and pad khra pow from a Thai stall. Cat also added Vietnamese spring rolls. With drinks included, dinner came to RM79.00 (≈ USD18/ EUR16).

After eating, we stopped at Happy Mart for some snacks before returning to Hutton Central to rest.

With no fixed plans for the next day, we decided to take things as they came. Stay tuned for more from George Town.