Penang - Balqis's Birthday & The Train Ride

We are home. The trip to Penang was OK despite its infamous one way streets. The girls had a spectacular time. I tantalised my tongue to the variety delicious local foods & now I'm a kg heavier! Chit! HB? He had to enjoy the workout carrying our only luggage of more than 15kg in weight ;-)

This time around HB suggested to travel by train. I agreed knowing that it would be an amazing experience to the girls & even to their parents.... hehehe! I bought the tickets online for 2 cabins. It was pretty simple & I have to give credits to the customer service staff who were very helpful & patient answering to all my questions via phone. Including...

"Just to confirm, I booked a ticket from Sentral KL to Butterworth. Is Sentral KL, KL Central?"

"Yes, ma'am"

"Does it mean that I do not have to go to the old Railway Station?"

"No, ma'am. We now operate from KL Central."

Imagine, a hundred people like me... Hahaha!

OK, I can't write long. Am hosting a birthday party tomorrow & I have loads to do. Enjoy this pictorial post.

At Putrajaya Central, we were late for 5 minutes hence needed to wait for another half an hour. Even though we did manage to get the ticket, to ship my whole troop will take at least 10 minutes...!

Here is the birthday girl.

Told her to pose but she made this butt slapping pose. Wonder from where she learned that from... Any idea Wardah?

Her T, says it all!

Remember? I wanted to get Balqis a small cake. We found DDonuts.

I distracted Balqis whilst HB lit the candle (which I brought from home!).

We were singing to her the birthday song but Malaysians will be Malaysians, none of the staff joined us. Well, my voice was loud enough to make a dozen.. ;-)

Make a wish!

We made do with this muffin. Something for a change ;-)

Nope, this one is mine. Get your own muffin!

But, who could resist Nadeen?

The time showed quarter to 8pm. On the ticket we were to depart at 8pm. This is something that KTMB needs to improvise. I understand the delay but the system was rather sad. We were at KL Central & I expected at least for a screen monitor like at the airport. But there was none (or did I miss it?). According to the staff, we had to wait at Platform 1 & 2 (which both share the same staircase & elevator) & someone would announce if the train were ready to be boarded.

Picture this crowd.

Imagine how my small girls were to get through those impatient people.

And HB did not look happy... Ooo! Oh!

I did not hear the announcement. But I saw those people reacted to a staff gesture & almost all rushed either towards the staircase or the elevator. We chose to wait. Did I miss the announcement to give the priority to children & elderlies? Hmmm...

Anyhow, the poor system was forgotten once we saw how excited the girls were. Especially knowing that they were putting up the night on a train. Balqis called it the "moving hotel".

Including Nadeen was in a cheerful mood!

It was small but we didn't mind. I was thrilled. Not only the girls' first time, HB's & mine too... hehehe!

Pictures of the small cabin & mind you, this was the First Class. OK laa

The size was approximately 8 X 4... I think.

There was a TV but we were not fortunate enough. The TV was on service. The fan could not oscillate but it was air-conditioned of course.

The top bunk bed

The bottom bunk

The elder girls begged to stay in a cabin. They pleaded & pleaded & pleaded. We gave in... but once Wardah & Balqis were asleep I went to the next cabin with Nadeen & Yasmin. The cabin next door slept soundly! I wonder how did they (HB, Wardah * Balqis) do it? Yasmin & I are both light sleepers so we were awake most of the time...

We were to reach Butterworth at 440am the next morning. Yes, at the wee hour of the morning! How did we manage with the girls? .....

* to be continued