Opening
Malaysians are all so kind; Kuching is very affordable. Penang is so beautiful.
A foreigner boarded a local bus in Penang without change (by law, bus drivers don’t carry changes), a passenger helped out immediately with his small notes.
I asked where the bus lane to the Airport, a local gave me an answer right away. I stood at the stop for a bit confused. The local ran to the lane and told me about more buses I can take.
These are just two small examples. All of them are so honest and helpful.
Day 1
Travel day to Thailand! (180k) – Didn’t sleep quite well with the two guys snore like thunders in the dorm and my top bunk being slightly too warm.
The bus was quite nice and not very full, I sat in the very back row with unlimited leg room. Had some nice chat with a couple from Germany
I had to get another Thai eSIM ($9 – really overkill for like 72hours) due to some stupidity that I erased the old one otherwise i’d be much cheaper to top up.
Checked in to my hotel and relaxed with a Chang
Hotel was $17.62 (500 baht walk in) I booked on Agoda in advance because there were hotels that were fully booked already.
I ordered some take outs. Felt quite tired from the lack of sleep previous night.
Took a nap but ended up feeling a bit sick. Took a walk outside to see the parks.
Didn’t quite walk to the night market. Might have caught a bug somewhere. Maybe it’s from the Chang.
Ended up ordering Isan food and some fruits instead.
Woke up a few times to use the toilets. Not sure if it’s the food or I already sick from the previous night.
Day 2
Dragged my tired body out of bed to catch an AirAsia flight ($37.53) to DMK (Bangkok) to catch my train to Malaysia $28.72
In just under an hour, we arrived at DME (Bangkok)
I needed to take the new Red Line SRT to the Bang Sue central station which just opened late Jan.
It’s only 42B
In just about 40min, we arrived at the newly built train station. It’s still pretty early (3 hours before the my train to Malaysia border departing!), I decided to get a light lunch since I wasn’t sure how the food would work on the train.
Finally boarded my sleeper! $28.72
Shortly after dark, the train attendant came in to set up my bunk
I had bad food from some random vendor selling on the train, that I had to run to toilets like 4 times which deprived me sleep. Oh well.
Day 3
At around 10am, we arrived at the Malaysia border.
We quickly stamped out of Thailand and stamped into Malaysia. Bought my commuter train ticket to Butterworth (12.8RM)
To get to Penang, I needed to also catch the ferry (2RM)
Said goodbye to the lovely Canadian – Malay couple who sat next to my train to Malaysia
Penang here we come!
Checked into my hostel (42RM + 10RM for the towel rental)
Socialized a bit and found a Portuguese to eat dinner with.
Walked around a bit after dinner around Love Lane
Went back to socialize a bit more with a British. He’s funny, he initially told us how he liked Asia more comparing to South America where he just went. After I questioned more clearly everything in SA was amazing!
Day 4
Woke up early. Didn’t sleep much due to the loud motorbike noise at night. Nevertheless, walk day!
First thing was to locate an ATM. Found one in a shopping mall.
Saw a food joint that’s quite popular among locals, decided to have an economy rice (16B – not so economy. hmm)
Food coma from the lunch, then it’s coffee time!
Break!
The shop owner retired from a corporate job and sold everything to own a desert shop (she’s in her only 40s). We chatted the meaning of life that wanting to pursue our own destiny and happiness.
Went to a lovely food museum. (30RM)
Walked to a Jetty to chill a bit.
Finally tried some local desert called Candol before heading back to the hostel
Dinner time, tried some local Chinese food called chow kuey teow
Day 5
Hiking day! Took a bus to near the Penang Hill trailhead (2RM)
In just half an hour, I arrived at the foot of Penang Hill
Not too many food options, got myself a croissant and coffee
I decided to do the Habitat since it’s right by the coffee shop. (48RM)
While the views were nice. I don’t think I got much out of it since the hike offered pretty view to begin with. Certainly not worth the hefty price.
It’s getting quite late (almost 5pm) I started to hike down than taking the train which would have costed me 30RM. I also thought sunset views might be nice
Here’s trail end.
Hopped on a bus to get back to town
A quick rest for dinner
Later on we decided to get drinks.
The guy decided to buy us free drinks, he asked where we were from and used every person’s language to greet us and even Sichuan dialect. What a legend!
Day 6
Chill day in part is I needed time to recover from the hike the day before. I also had to move to a different place to stay due to the hostel being completely booked. I needed a night to rest anyways.
Around midday we decided to go out to try a local desert shop.
I ended up ordering everywhere on the menu
Definitely needed a coffee after the meal ($14.91 for two). The shop was cute will all the murals and books.
Later we met up with the Malaysian / Canadian couple to catch up and then we went to the mall to get dinner.
Day 7
I wanted to see some mansions, the couple decided to treat me for breakfast. Hard to say no to free breakfast especially when they are so nice.
Got a bus (2.70RM) to the airport.
There’s a premium plaza lounge in Penang Airport
In just short of 2 hours, we arrived in Kuching international
Took a grab to the city center for only 14RM (about 8km), what a steal!
My private room was also only 45RM, and there’s a hawker center downstairs!
That’s it for this week!
Expenses
| Week 12 | ||||
| Day | Food&Drink | Lodging | Transportation | Other (tickets/tours etc) |
| 1 | $13.38 | $17.62 | $15.28 | $9.00 |
| 2 | $14.39 | $0.00 | $68.78 | $0.00 |
| 3 | $12.04 | $12.20 | $3.08 | $2.70 |
| 4 | $15.01 | $13.58 | $0.00 | $6.82 |
| 5 | $16.07 | $9.71 | $0.91 | $11.26 |
| 6 | $20.03 | $20.38 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| 7 | $3.02 | $11.55 | $60.36 | $0.00 |
| $93.94 | $85.04 | $148.42 | $29.78 | |
| Total | Grand Total: | $357.18 |