Traveling West Malaysia, part 1 of 3

 

After four days in Penang, we are ready to explore Kuala Lumpur. Instead of flying whcih we did when we came in, let's try the train (another transportation option is bus).

First, we need to take the ferry across the channel to Butterworth to catch the train. Although they do have bridge over, it is some distance away (from south part of the penang island). The ferry takes morocycles and pedestrians, and no cash! Very strange. The ticket counter does not accept cash just to show off their cashless effort.

Bridge between Butterworth and Penang

Inside the Ferry

It's about 15 min to get to the other end. While waiting, I read they have plan to build the tunnel to connect the both ends and have secured the funding. The ferry station on Buttherworth connected to the bus terminal (Butterworh sentral) and train station as well. We could ride the bus to tour the city if we want since the train is more than an hour away. Instead we took our time and shopped around in the building before arrived at the train station. The waiting area is small. There are four platforms. But there is no access to the platforms until the train arrives and ready for boarding. All passenages are jammed  in the waiting areas together with the long lines getting in and out. All need to scan their tickets thru the machine.

ETS Express

The train travels at 142 km per hour with very poor wifi connection onboard. Before Taiping, there are large palm plantations and one tunnel. Then Ipoh (怡保), a city you may have heard in Chinese. In less than 4 hours, it arived at KL railway station. The old station first, and final stop is KL sentral, the new station. We got off at the old station because it is closer to our hotel (~2km).

Kuala Lumpur Railway Station

Right outside, it is KTM Berhad (Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad) or Malaysia Land Train Limited, their land train office.

KTM Berhad

Somehow we couldn't get any Grab at all, so we have to walk. It is not a pedestrian-friendly place I would say, yet we made it. The hotel is right next to the Jalan Alor Food Street. This is where we have dinner.

Fired Ray, 炒規條, lala, and 沙嗲

Malaysia is a Muslim country. Anything with alcohol is taxed nd not cheap. A bottle of beer (above) cost 23RM.

Continue to the next blog where we visited Malacca.