Have Perut Will Travel...: KNO Day 5 │ Kualanamu to KLIA • MH861 • Going Home!

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Sunday, 21 June 2026

KNO Day 5 │ Kualanamu to KLIA • MH861 • Going Home!

Early Morning Ride to Kuala Namu

We left Empire Tower before sunrise, the city still quiet as Pak Faisal drove us toward the airport. The sky slowly shifted from deep dawn hues to bright morning blue.

Along the way, paddy fields, small villages and stretches of farmland rolled past our windows. By a quarter past six, the rural calm gave way to the modern lines of Kuala Namu International Airport, already buzzing with early travellers.

A Small Letdown, Then Farewell

We had hoped for a straightforward morning. On our first day, we’d agreed with Pak Faisal on a fixed airport fare of IDR250,000, tolls included. But today he switched on the meter the moment we got in, letting it climb past the agreed price. We quietly shrugged off the disappointment. At the terminal, we paid the final total — IDR281,000 — and he unloaded our yellow submarines before we bade him farewell.

Check In at Aisle B

Inside the terminal, we headed to Aisle B. Malaysia Airlines MH861 opened its counters shortly after, and we checked in our bags. Even with nine boxes of Yen Yen Bika Ambon cakes snugly packed inside, our combined weight sat comfortably under the 75 kilogram allowance.

Security, Immigration & Breakfast

At security, we placed our bags on the belt, removed electronics, walked through the scanner, and were cleared within minutes. Immigration manually stamped us out. After reaching Gate 4, a quick potty break later, off-camera we settled at Wie Tiam Kopi. Cat had an Iced Teh Tarik, I had a Hot Kopi Tarik — IDR86,100 in total. With time to spare, I worked on the laptop while Cat browsed souvenirs.

Souvenirs & Boarding

At 8am, again off-camera we visited Nusantara Gifts and picked up IDR225,000 worth of souvenirs. Gate 4 opened at 8:20am, and as Group 2 passengers, we boarded MH861 at 8:55am.

Pushback, Takeoff & Short Flight

MH861 pushed back at 9:20am and took off at 9:30am. The short morning hop to KLIA was smooth and quiet — the kind of regional flight where the seatbelt sign returns before you finish your drink.

Arrival at KLIA

We touched down at 11:10am MY time and disembarked ten minutes later. After the long corridor and escalator down, MyBorderPass let us breeze through the auto gates. At Carousel J, our yellow submarines were already waiting.

KLIA Express to KL Sentral

We exited the Arrival Hall, rode the elevator to the lowest floor, tapped into the KLIA Express station, and caught the 11:30am train to KL Sentral.

Final Ride Home

Half an hour later, we arrived, rode another elevator up, and with Brendan away in Singapore, booked a 6 seater Grab for MYR19 back home.

Closing the Sumatra Chapter

And just like that, our five day stint in Sumatra came to an end — already stirring plans for a return. Up next, a short visit to the Pearl of the Orient. Stay tuned for more from us!