Back on the Road Again
We’re back — barely fifteen hours after returning from Phuket, and already the next adventure was calling. Brendan was back at work and couldn’t join us, so the dawn drive to Alor Setar would be just the two of us.
Duty Calls Once More
I was up at 4:00am, sorting the last bits of packing. Cat woke an hour later, and by 5:45am we stepped out of our home, yellow submarines in tow, ready for another northern stint.
Rolling Out at Dawn
We loaded our luggage into BiBi and left Menara City One at 6:00am. Kuala Lumpur was quiet, the sky slowly brightening as we slipped out of the city and onto the highway. Trees, small towns, and long stretches of open road carried us north under a rising sun.
A Quiet Pause at Simpang Pulai
At 8:00am, we reached the Petronas station at Simpang Pulai. A half hour break let us stretch, grab snacks, and use the restroom. The station was calm, with only a few travellers around. BiBi got her full tank — and we continued north.
The Long, Easy Stretch North
The road after Simpang Pulai was classic northern highway: long, straight, and peaceful. Clear weather made the drive smooth, with green fields and small towns passing by like slow moving postcards.
Arrival at AKPK Alor Setar
By late morning, we reached AKPK Alor Setar. I headed inside to settle paperwork before reporting for duty tomorrow. Once done, we crossed the street to give BiBi her well earned wash — RM12.00 (≈ USD3/EUR3).
Hotel, Laundry, and Resetting for the Week
We drove to Grand Alora Hotel, our home for the next twelve days. Check in was still hours away, so we left our yellow submarines at the front desk and walked to a nearby laundromat to finish our laundry.
Lunch at Dede Moda
With the machines running, we headed to Dede Moda for lunch:
- Minced Meat & Shrimp Fried Egg with Rice
- Sweet & Sour Fish Fillet with Rice
- Coca Cola with Ice Cream
- Iced Soy Milk
A wholesome RM35.40 (≈ USD9/EUR8) meal. Cat dashed back mid order to move our clothes to the dryer. Laundry total: RM12.00 (≈ USD3/EUR3).
Provisions and Check In
After lunch, Cat collected the laundry while I settled the bill. We picked up provisions at 99 Speedmart for RM28.05 (≈ USD7/EUR6), then returned to Grand Alora to wait in the lobby. At 3:00pm, we checked in, unpacked, showered, and settled in for a quiet afternoon.
Dinner at Lotus’s Mergong
At 7:45pm, we walked across to Lotus’s Mergong. Dinner at the food court was simple and comforting:
- Mee Rojak
- Fried Mihun
- Drinks
All for RM21.30 (≈ USD5/EUR4).
Stocking Up and a Quick Fix
We headed upstairs for more provisions (RM53.90 ≈ USD13/EUR11) before stopping at G Master Gadget, where Cat’s screen protector was replaced for RM54.00 (≈ USD13/EUR11).
Winding Down Before the Big Week Ahead
We walked back to Grand Alora, ready to settle in. There’ll be no filming this week as I spend my days on relief duty at AKPK — work that helps Malaysians regain financial stability through counselling, budgeting guidance, and debt management plans. It’s meaningful, human work, and it fills the days quickly.
And then, the real adventure begins.
Because for the first time ever, we’ll be driving across the border into Thailand. No flights, no buses — just BiBi, the open road, and a brand new northern frontier waiting for us.
Stay tuned — our first border crossing drive is going to be unforgettable!
(Do visit our YouTube Channel Have Perut Will Travel)
📍 Location:
Havironia Music - https://goo.gl/maps/swtNfVmjFK4FgRsf8
Grand Alora Hotel - https://maps.app.goo.gl/qGrn4YxvbCC5C1U28
Dede Moda - https://maps.app.goo.gl/pCsX3yxoNxMGPLnGA
Food Court Lotus's - https://maps.app.goo.gl/hgk9443A21nErM8t8
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