Malaysia Road Trip Part 2 | (¯`·._ CashmerE

Malaysia Road Trip II [ Jul '07 ]

The Fantastic 4 are off for yet another Malaysia Road Trip! The last one can be considered a bad one…since it was our first time. Our time management was pretty bad despite the existence of our itinerary. They call it an ambitious planning… I say it’s not cos it’s only because we lost our way several times. Well, practice makes perfect! For this trip, we did not really cover as many states as we did the last time. We planned to spend more time in each state. Fortunately, nothing bad happens this time around… … For the first time!

29th June 2007

2318hrs - Left from Clementi in our loyal car.
2331hrs - Singapore Immigration. Paid S$3.70
2339hrs – Malaysia Immigration Checkpoint.
2344hrs - Plaza Tol Tanjung Kupang – RM8.40
2354hrs - Plaza Tol Lima Kedai – RM3.10

30th June 2007

0001hrs - Reached a Plaza Tol to take a ticket.
0114hrs - Stopped by Kawasan Rehat Pagoh to pump fuel @ Shell – RM55 for 28.65l We also bought coolant for RM12.50
0127hrs – Journey continues…
0237hrs - We are now at Seremban R&R. I bought myself asam laksa from Anugerah for RM2.42, Jaz bought Nasi Goreng with Sambal Sotong & Quail’s Egg from Belanja for RM4.50, Nad bought Mi Soto for RM2.30 & Yat bought Yong Tau Foo for RM4.50 from Anugerah also. They all tasted good!!!
0344hrs - Continued our journey …
0534hrs - Tapah R&R to pump fuel again @ Petronas – RM60.05 for 31.272l
0542hrs - Journey continues…
0609hrs - Plaza Tol Ipoh Selatan. Kaching! Kaching! RM69.90 gone.
0619hrs - Reached another plaza tol to take a ticket.
0644hrs - Rested again @ Bukit Gantang R&R. This time we just bought 2 bowls of 2 Half-Boiled Eggs, 2 Teh ‘O’, 1 Blackcurrant drink & 1 Coffee. All for RM6.90
0742hrs - Left the place & move on…
0830hrs - Paid RM16.80 at a plaza tol. I did not take note of the name, sorry!
0843hrs - Took another ticket at Plaza Tol Sungei Dua.
0932hrs - Plaza Tol Hutan Kampong – RM13
0945hrs - Stopped by Petronas @ Tunjang. RM52 of petrol.
1110hrs - Reached Gua Kelam. Here, you must pay RM1 for parking fee & RM1 each for entrance. The place is beautiful… nothing much but the limestones (i think) is gorgeous.. This place is great for taking pictures. BUT be careful cos there are bats flying around.. but don’t worry, they are harmless & cute.

Entrance of Gua Kelam

Outside Gua Kelam

Limestone inside Gua Kelam

Inside Gua Kelam

Inside Gua Kelam 2

Inside Gua Kelam 3

1225hrs - Left Gua Kelam & left for Putra Palace @ Kangar, Perlis.
1259hrs - Arrived at Putra Palace.
1405hrs - We took a cab to Padang Besar. Tok Wan was our driver… Oh, he was such a sweet guy.. He’s 70+ years old btw.. Very cute!
1450hrs - Reached Padang Besar Malaysia.
1458hrs - Proceed to Padang Besar, Thailand. RM38 plus tips…cos we like him. He can speak Thai too… AND he promised to pick us up tomorrow… Love-lay!
1503hrs - Reached Padang Besar, Thailand & took a van for THB50 each. The van was so cramped. Oh, that was the most uncomfortable ride ever!!
* I suggest you better not take the van. I personally think that the disco bus is much, much better, comfortable & faster as this van will have multiple stops. But on the brighter side, you will be dropped at the location of your choice, unlike the disco bus.
1513hrs - Left for Hatyai.
1648hrs - Arrived @ Lee Gradens. (Again, yes! We just lurvee this place)
1708hrs - Checked in.. THB1050 (this is cheaper than previous)
1835hrs - We went to Santisuk Market. Hmm…nothing much there but they sells a whole wide variety of DVDs. Movies, Dramas, u name it… They are selling all the seasons in a box also!! You’ll be spoilt for choice.
1928hrs - We ate at Hamid Restaurant, opposite Lee Gardens. Couldn’t recall what we ate… So, I’m afraid I can’t recommend anything here.
2048hrs - Hopped on a tuk-tuk to Market Bazaar (That’s what the driver told us) for THB15 each.
2100hrs - Arrived at the bazaar. The place is huuuge… Shopping haven for ladies! I couldn’t give you the exact name because when we asked the driver, he just said market bazaar. You can try though…
2247hrs - Headed back.
2255hrs - Reached our hotel THB20 each.

1st July 2007

1028hrs - Ate breakfast @ Level 10
1136hrs - Check out of the hotel. But we left our bags at the concierge.. We can’t be bringing our big bags around to shop right ??
1141hrs - Took the tuk-tuk to Kim Yong Plaza Market for THB15 each.
1143hrs - Arrived at the market.
1230hrs - Left to Montri Rd Market.
1330hrs - We are now at Montri. We acted smart by trying to walk but we got lost…We walked the wrong way! So in the end, we took a van for THB15. But we had fun while we were lost. We walked to village area, crossed some train tracks… watched some trains passed by.. It was cool.. but I don’t want to do it again..
1532hrs - Took a tuk-tuk back to the hotel. THB15 each.
1540hrs - Arrived at the hotel. We ate a hearty meal at Swensens. One of it was a fondue! All for THB348 !
1623hrs - Took our bags from the concierge & consulted the hotel for a transfer to Padang Besar.
1640hrs - The hotel gave us a car… It was the new Honda Civic for THB500!! Oh, heavenly! The comfort, the aircon, no hassle of waiting and all….unlike the previous one.
1735hrs - We are now at a van terminal @ Padang Besar, Thailand (Thanon Taksinchaleamkhet). Waiting for Pak Wan’s cab.
1755hrs - Pak Wan arrived & we had a short trip around that area, a Padang Besar Town.
1809hrs - Reached Padang Besar, Thailand.
1815hrs - Padang Besar, Malaysia.
1826hrs - Pak Wan brought us to an Ostrich Farm, where you could feed & touch them. It was located right beside the road, he showed us his house & all..So sweet of him
1837hrs - Headed to Putra Palace.
1905hrs - Arrived at Putra Palace. We gave him RM50. (Like I mentioned before, we just adore him) He gave us his name card & he said to call him before we reach so he could join us in Hatyai & bring us around there. Ain’t it cool?? We mentioned that we might be coming again next year. We’ll see… Oh, and he gave us some munchies just in case we get hungry along the way. I just love him…

The guys with Pak Wan

1950hrs - Move off to Kedah.
2130hrs - Arrived at Star City Hotel.
2140hrs - Checked in. RM158.70 prpn. The hotel is new. So everything inside is very nice & comfy. It was the nicest hotel we have ever stayed in for any of our road trips. After settling in, we ordered dinner via the room service. Nad ate Star City Fried Rice (RM9) – nice! , Yat ate Fried Yin Yong (RM7) nice! , I ate Char Kway Teow (RM7) – quite nice but can be nicer, Jaz ate Fish & Chips (RM10.50) – OK but the helping is too little as there’s only one fish).

2nd July 2007

1239hrs - Checked out.
1246hrs - Move off to Mahathir’s Birth Place.
1256hrs - Arrived at the house but it was closed!! It’s closed on Mondays (We should’ve checked).
1315hrs - Headed to Star Parade, a shopping mall there.
1331hrs - Reached Star Parade. We are killing time, so we shopped for awhile.
1627hrs - Proceed to Pekan Rabu.
1636hrs - Arrived @ Pekan Rabu. It is a few storeys market where you can find some traditional Muslim clothes, scarves, books,etc.. You can also find some crackers, preservatives & cloths.
1754hrs - Move off to Jalan Stadium.
1806hrs - Sat & chilled at one of the stalls at their National Stadium while waiting for the bazaar to be open. We got to know from the people there that it starts from 8pm onwards but the people started to set up at about 7pm. So people, DO NOT come any earlier.
2002hrs - We couldn’t wait any longer so we started to walk there.
2051hrs - After bargaining & buying some things there, we left the place & continued our journey.
2126hrs - Petronas @ Kedah to top up RM40 worth of fuel.
2130hrs - Proceed to Penang.
2139hrs - Plaza Tol to take ticket.
2225hrs - Plaza Tol Sungei Dua – RM11.40
2240hrs - Plaza Tol Penang Bridge – RM7
2305hrs - Reached Continental Hotel. Located right infront of MOMO the club.
2330hrs - Checked in for RM138. OH MY GOD! Words can’t describe how disappointed I am with this room. I just wanna get out of this room! The toilet is gross… PLUS, we have a weird next-door neighbour who will come out out of his room to take a peek once in a while. I strongly do not recommend this hotel but it’ll be okay i guess if you don’t mind. After settling in, we went out to get some supper @ Soup Hameed just across the street.

3rd July 2007

1300hrs - Checked out & proceeded to Gurney Drive.
1333hrs - Reached somewhere along Persiaran Gurney to eat cos we were told that Gurney only opens after 5pm.
1445hrs - Moved off after cam-whoring for awhile.
1508hrs - We are now at Chowrasta. This place is like Little India, where you can find medicated oil, cloths & traditional clothes… * There will be a night market after 7pm @ somewhere along Campbell Street. We didn’t manage to go there cos we were more interested in the Batu Ferringghi Night Market.
1650hrs - Headed to Batu Ferringghi.
1725hrs - Arrived at Bayview Resort, Batu Ferringghi. Parked the car & crossed the street for some munchies… One of the stalls has the most delicious Roti Kirai !! God knows how many we ate that day in one sitting. Nad ate the most…
1945hrs - Headed to the night market.
1950hrs - Arrived at the market. It was a whole long stretch along Batu Ferringghi. Shopping Haven!! I bought myself some bags, souvenirs, games, many things..! But be warned that the things there are quite expensive cos it is a tourist spot after all.
2352hrs - Move off after taking a picture with the Penang Bridge. (This is where I lost my phone!!!!!) Last I checked, nobody got the phone yet cos it wasn’t switched off & nobody answered.. It’ll be hard for anybody to find it cos it’s dark and an open field. *sigh!*

4th July 2007

0008hrs - Petronas Tg. Tokong - RM35.10
0126hrs - Plaza Tol to take a ticket.
0246hrs - Plaza Tol – RM16.80
0254hrs - Plaza Tol again to take a ticket.
0405hrs - Stopped for a rest @ R&R Ulu Bernam & pumped RM60 worth of petrol @ Petronas there.
0512hrs - Journey continues…towards Genting.
0516hrs - Plaza Tol Tg. Malim – RM16.50
0646hrs - Parked at First World Hotel after stopping halfway at the restrooms marking. Safety precautions people! You do not want your vehicle to overheat!! We saw a truck on fire & a few cars stranded on the slope.
0800hrs - Casino!! Zorro, here we come!!!!!!!!!!!!
1410hrs - Went to the lobby to check in. This is the most dreaded moment… Very, very long queues, unbelievable waiting time…. * Take a number first & then you can go anywhere you want. The waiting time is really long.. Take earlier than expected.

5th July 2007

2043hrs - Left towards home. We took the EZ Line… I think it’s faster than whatever route the coach is using. Along the way, you’ll pass Gombak, where a night market selling 2nd hand goods will be held. You can go check it out.
2225hrs - Plaza Tol Gombak – RM5
2314hrs - Stopped @ Petronas Ayer Keroh. RM50
2345hrs - Journey continues…