Bangkok - Hatyai - Padang Besar - Bangi by Train, Aug 30 - Sept 1, 2017

An opportunity presented itself for this trip. 

The decision was that I had to present my research study at Sukhotai Thammathirat Open University (STOU) as part of finishing my programme. With that decision, I immediately made a plan to come back by train on the Special Express 31. On our last trip, we failed to get the 1st Class cabin and I was adamant this time. We were lucky that we can do an online booking now and I successfully booked two tickets home. We got Coach 13, Cabin 21-22.

We checked into SK Boutique House Hotel for a night after we left STOU. The hotel is right next to the entrance of the MRT at the opposite side of Hua Lamphong. Very convenience and newly refurbished. The only drawback it is without a lift which is a bit troublesome for somebody like my wife. Apart from that, it is perfect as launching pad for a quick assault on Bangkok if you are coming and going through Hua Lamphong station.   

From STOU our plan was to get a pick up to Don Meung train station in the morning so that we could catch a morning train from there into Bangkok. The night before on the way back in a bus our host hesitated to send us there and suggested that we take the airport link train from the new airport. They were afraid that we would get angry with them or not comfortable, I suppose, taking the train. Being a local train might not be to our expectation. But I assured my colleague that I really wanted to take that train and I knew what kind of a train I will be taking. A crazy train lover like me it is definitely not an issue. 

Don Meung - Hua Lamphong, Bangkok, Aug. 30, 2017, Wednesday

Thus, Wednesday morning at 0700 after we checked out the pick up came and sent us right at the steps of the Don Meung train station. The station is just next to the curb of the main road in front of the airport. The timing was perfect for us as soon as I bought our tickets the train arrived at 0733 (Thai time. In Thailand I will be using Thai time).  It was the Ordinary Train 342. For both of us, the ticket was 10 baht. Approximately 50 cents each. The train was full of office workers going to work. It was just like a Komuter train service that I took for the last 13 years. The major difference is it was the old train. Like the old intercity train in the ’60s in Malaysia.

Nevertheless, it was fun to be on the train. It was really a worker’s train of sort where most taking it to go to work to their respective offices. It was packed when we boarded and no empty seat for us. Only after two stops that my wife go a seat. As usual, I prefer to stand around with my camera looking at opportunities to shoot. The atmosphere was almost the same as any commuter trains taking the city citizens to work. The differences were the people and the train.

Ten minutes after we boarded we arrived at Lak Si Station. A few commuters disembarked and boarded the train. It is almost the same numbers and the train capacity remained the same.

I started to get comfortable and slowly and secretly began shooting people inside the coach. About half of the commuters in the train disembarked at Bang Sue, at 0809, a connecting hub to other trains and services. When the new station there completed it will be even busier and really a connecting hub. The behaviour of the commuters inside the train was almost similar to commuters in Malaysia. You could see those catching a few minutes of lost sleeping time dozing at will. A few readers as well as thinkers that seemed to be thinking something very serious. The younger ones reading and messaging of their smartphones.

At 0819 we arrived at Samsen Station indicating to me that we were not that far off Hua Lamphong. The train slowly approached the city as we had experienced before just after we left the Royal Station. We were made to wait and this time for about 10 minutes until we were signalled to enter Hua Lamphong Station.

It was around 65 minutes journey for us. It was long not because of anything but waiting times to get into Hua Lamphong station. In facts, once we were stopped because a VIP was passing through ha ha ha. Just imagine even the trains were stopped for them.

Immediately when we arrived at the station we disembarked and walked down the MRT station to cross to the other side. I knew we were early to check in so I requested for our luggage to be stored there. With that at 0930 off we went to take the MRT to JJ Mall at Chatuchak. It was a long MRT ride and I managed to get few winks. Once we arrived at Kamphaen Phet we walked into Chatuchak weekend market compound and to our nice surprise we found out there was a flower market going on. Obviously, we could not buy anything even if they were nice. Impossible to take home. Thus we walked towards JJ Mall as we saw the building from the distance. As we walked we discovered JJ Plaza where they sell furniture, arts and household products that we seldom find in Chatuchak weekend market. We explored and walked on with the intention of slowly moving towards JJ Mall.

JJ Mall is a smaller scale Chatuchak in an air-conditioned building. We explored the Mall and spent about 3 hours there. I realised we can get most of what we need there that we normally got from the weekend Chatuchak market. Thus, if you need to buy something you do not have to wait for the weekend just visit JJ Mall and you can buy the same thing. For Muslim like us there are Muslim eateries in the mall. So life could not be any better he he. Another discovery that I made was I found an art gallery that had Thailand arts treasures. I chatted with the artist owner while Sam went around shopping nearby. You only need to visit Chatuchak weekend market once to just to experience it. The best part for Sam was that she found the ‘pinggan ayan’ that she has been looking for all this while. Because of that, we had a nice problem on how to pack them inside our luggage. Sam bought few other items as well and we left via Chatuchak walking across towards Mo Chit BTS station. The walk took a toll on Sam. Our next stop was FBT and Grand Sports outlets at the National Stadium area. I bought two BTS tickets to National Stadium. When we arrived there half an hour later we took a tut-tut that cost us 50 baht to FBT. We stayed there long enough to buy SEA games t-shirts that had been marked down. Our prediction was right when we wanted to buy during the SEA Games itself. Knowing that we will be in Bangkok we predicted the price will depreciate in Bangkok after the game. Grand Sports was a disappointment for me as they did not have anything I would like to have.  So with that, we took another tut-tut back to Hua Lamphong to check-in and rest before we went out to search for the elusive, the best (according to my dear wife) sticky rice mango. 

Once checked in we rest our tired body a little. A few minutes of winks would be enough. 

I rechecked my map and retraced our route that we took the last time we were in Bangkok. I made a realisation and really sure where is the elusive best sticky rice mango would be. With that confidence, we decided an early assault. We took our bath and off we went just before 1800 hrs. Knowing it will be a rush hour on the train especially when we would be making a connection at Siam Centre we braced ourselves with certain possibilities. We went down the MRT station and took the MRT to Silom. At Silom, we changed to the BTS going to the Stadium for us to disembark at Siam Centre. Indeed both the train and the Siam Centre were full of commuters making their own connections. From Siam Centre we had to walk on the walkway all the way back to Central World shopping complex. As we were already refreshed from our rest we walked with a bit of energy.

Once we entered the shopping complex old memories started to flow and I walked with confidence. Within a few minutes, we located the food court which was on the top floor of the complex. The place is managed using an entry and exit card payment system and as we entered, observing us with good intention, the sale person remarked that the place is not halal and suggested an Indian outlet nearby. We said thank you and walked in for the elusive mango sticky rice. That was all what we had there eating slowly while admiring Bangkok city night.

The food court is part of major supermarket outlet that we explored after we had our mango sticky rice. Our normal staple during travels are wholemeal bread, fruits, canned tuna or sardine for our sandwich, and salad. You think this is impossible for you? Well, my a must rice-eating wife managed to adapt beautifully. Very good on your diet plan ha ha ha. Well. we managed to find and bought those for our journey on the train the next day. 

We walked out of the outlet into the belly of the shopping mall. From the top, we could see down below on various floors the normal brand names. My interest perked a bit when I saw Uniqlo and SuperSports, a sports store, next to one another on the next floor down below. Secretly and quietly my wife was thinking about Uniqlo as well ha ha ha. We ended up spending a lot of time and in my case Baht as well. The prices were standardised across all outlets in the region but they have more variations and selected bargains. Bargains that we were always hoping for ha ha ha. A bit of bags being carried out of Uniqlo in the end. I immediately entered the sports store. To my delight and dismay to my wallet, I found what I needed there at bargain prices as well. Another shopping spree for me while Sam sat down waiting.

Since we were not hungry and out of idea what to do on a weekdays night in Bangkok we decided to take the train back to our hotel. On the train mentally I was already walking through the things in my mind as to what we would do the next day for our train journey home. 

Back at the hotel room we finished packing and went to sleep early.

Bangkok - Hatyai, Special Train 31, Cabin 13, Berth 21-22, Aug 31, 2017, Thursday, Merdeka Day on the Train

We woke up as usual and stayed in for a while to rest a bit more. Our train was scheduled to depart at 1445 and we had a bit of time to kill. The plan was to rest a bit and at 0930 to go out to the Silom Shopping Complex to (1) have breakfast, (2) packed someone food from the Indian restaurant there, and (3) buy some fruits and nuts from the supermarket. We did this once there so we very much certain about it and in the process abled to kill some time. 

By 1023 we were walking down to the Hua Lamphong MRT station and caught a train to Silom. It was a breeze for us now taking the MRT and BTS in Bangkok. Once at Silom Shopping Complex, we walked straight to the Mrs Malbir's Indian Restaurant on the LG floor and to our disappointment the place was closed. Looking at the options around us we opted for bread and coffee. Then, slowly we explored the Tops Market for bread and fruits for our journey on the train. Besides bread and fruits, I bought a bowl of salad as well. Yes, I can survive on those and luckily for my wife, there was rice there as well. 

After we have gotten all that we needed we passed a bit of our time walking around the complex. There happened to be a food fair going on and obviously, most of the food was not halal.

We took the MRT back to Hua Lamphong Station and walked up to our room to do our final packing before we checked out. Since our train, Special Express 31 to Hatyai would depart at 1445 we stayed in until noon and checked out. We walked through the MRT station underground towards SRT’s Hua Lamphong Station. Quiet a convenience hotel for us and another one that I can recommend if someone would like to stay near Hua Lamphong Station is Hostel @Hua Lamphong which is next to our hotel. When I checked the Hostel it was new and decent.

Since we got our tickets and knew at which platform our train going to be, what else to do but find a good place to wait and for me to explore the whole station with my camera. Since it was zohor then we alternately said our prayers at the surau located in-between platform 4 and 5. 

After we had said our prayers I decided to lepak and have coffee at the Coffee Canyon. Three reasons actually, the first, was because the place was on the mezzanine floor overlooking the main waiting hall. We not only could observe the going on on the floor but the train schedule mainboard. Secondly because of the Wifi access and to charge our phone. The third was to have coffee while waiting. 

While we were waiting we met Clement Ho, a Malaysian who was taking the train to Nong Khai, to check out the route with the possibility of crossing to Laos. We chatted and I introduced him to Jom Naik Keretapi group. 

At around 1405 I looked at the departure and arrival board and our train was ready to board. We said goodbye to Clement and walked down to the hall to board. We walked slowly as our coach was at the end of the train and on the boarding platform was the nearest to the waiting hall. Once boarded I could never have enough of the nice experience to be on the train. I walked around up and down exploring until the train was really about to depart Bangkok.

At 1445 sharp Special Express 31 departed Hua Lamphong station. For the next three hours, I just could not keep still and kept moving around. Mostly just enjoying the journey looking outside whether from our cabin or at the back of the train where I could access the view of the train movement crossing the country from the back. I felt mesmerised, contented, excited and wanting for more, all at the same time. The feeling rushed through my body developing into an adrenaline rush that I did not wish to stop. We arrived at and departed from Ratchaburi and Nakhon Pathom at 1704 and 1809 respectively indicating we would be travelling into a proper Thailand’s countryside.    

After a while, we decided to walk to the buffet car to sit and enjoy the journey from there. Eating or having coffee was just an excuse for us to walk the train and lepak at the buffet car. I looked at my handphone watch and it was 1717 when we started to walk up to the buffet car. We passed the second class area and there were a lot of empty seats. Also, there were passengers already asked the attendant to pull out their beds. When we reach the buffet car there were about four passengers sitting and we made it six. we ordered coffee and I tried one of the two halal dishes available onboard.

We just sat, talked and most of the time just looking outside nursing and playing around with our own feelings. I was just glad and loved the moment that I refused to move back. At 1743 we arrived at Petchaburi when I saw several locals were just sitting around enjoying the scene at the station. I thought I knew how they felt as I used to do that as well at Pasir Mas station when we live there. Nevertheless, I witnessed the day got darker outside and the cabin became a bit colder for comfort. At around 1840 we walked back to our cabin. Sam decided to say her jama prayers first and I with my camera stood at the back again to watch the day really got dark. 

With the goggle map on, I tracked our movement and watched outside as the train approached the night into the resort city of Hua Hin. at 1841 we completely stopped at the station and since we were at the back I could not see the whole station but seeing it before I knew it was a beautiful station. The train slowly departed Hua Hin 5 minutes later and I captured the departure in video. I waited until we completely left the station and walked inside the cabin. We started to look outside and saw a pasar malam kind of activities. We decided to come back to visit Hua Hin in the future.

I took my ablution and prayed at the lower bunk.

Both of us decided to call it a night early. I locked our cabin and climbed up the top bunk.

I was awake for awhile typing my story and thinking about my research but slowly dozing off with the lullaby of the train rocking and rolling. To some it would be difficult to sleep on the moving train to me it is a pleasure and something that I always long for. Especially with the comfortable bed of this train. 

Hatyai - Padang Besar, Shuttle, Sept 1, 2017, Friday.

I was in a deep sleep and woke up when the train was stopping at a station. I looked at my handphone and it was 0301. I sat down and looked at the information screen at the wall near my leg and the train travel information shown me that we were travelling through Thung Song, Nakhon Si Thammarat. We were 3 hours away to Hatyai. I went back to sleep.

At 0530 the alarm from my handphone went off. I cleared my eyesight and took a peek outside. It was dark, indicating we were travelling within the Southern Thailand country site. I got down from the top bunk gather my toiletries and brushed my teeth at the small basin before I walked out back to the shower room to take a shower. It was a good hot shower that woke the whole of my body up.  The best part was it was like a dancing shower, swaying with the rock and roll of the train travelling south. After 10 minutes I dried myself, took ablution and walked out. Nobody else was really using the facilities that early. Once inside the cabin, Sam vacated her bed for me to say my Suboh on it. Sam was not long in the bathroom. Probably the rock and roll were too much for her he he he.

After we said our prayers we prepared for our arrival. The procedure was quick and easy for us as our experience thought us well. We were already looking out of the window waiting for Hatyai in few minutes. I went to the back to look at the movement of the train in the morning form its tail. Another train ride about to end and another two to be home. Thinking about it that was the longest train ride as a whole just the two of us without the family and friends. It may be training days for a longer one for both of us. We started from Don Mueng station and will end at Bangi. 

I was standing at the back of the train, that became my observation coach for this trip, looking out the train moving fast to the finishing line. It was there that I saw daylight broke in and realised Hatyai was getting really close. We started to approach the station at 0615. Seven minutes later we came to a complete stop and we disembarked to a very early morning Hatyai. Apart from us and the train at the station, the station was really quiet. Once disembarked I walked around to take a few shots of the train and whatever happening around the station.

Before, when we arrived at Hatyai from Bangkok we would straight made a beeline towards the halal restaurant in front of the station but this time we decided to save our empty stomach for Malaysia food at Padang Besar. So we waited for the ticket counter to open to buy our shuttle tickets to Padang Besar. Once opened I approached the counter but once I stated my intent the counter clerk asked me to show our passports. I called out at Sam and asked for her passport. The ticket price to Padang Besar was 50 baht each. No many buying for the first shuttle and probably because it was Friday. 

With the tickets bought it was time to wait to board. Not many activities yet at the station for me to capture so I just sat with Sam at the bench waiting. From the time we disembarked and to board the 0730 shuttle to Padang Besar, we had a good one hour. So the waiting was not that long and enough time, if you want to go out for breakfast or like Pojie and Apiz, take a good bath at the station. Our train was already at the platform and we waited for the engine to be shunted before we boarded.

We boarded the shuttle at 0716 and apart from us, there were few locals in our coach. From their appearance and look I assumed they were crossing to Malaysia to work. The shuttle departed Hatyai at 0730 sharp and off we went into a 45 minutes breezy ride to Malaysia. I just love travelling inside an opened window coach. The breeze coming in blowing against your body carrying old memories being on a train in Malaysia when I grew up. 

At around 0930 (Malaysian time) we approached Padang Besar Malaysia. We disembarked preparing for another long trip back to KL. We went through the immigration process effortlessly and walked up to the waiting level. Both of us naturally pulling heavier luggage now so getting up to the upper level need some efforts. The problem of Padang Besar station there was no escalator or lift. Just a dumb-lift as an afterthought for the elderly. Seriously, KTMB please plan and strategise for the future. Even the toilet need proper repair and management. Please think of the big picture for Malaysia. Padang Besar is one of the entry points for tourist RM for Malaysia but if you have something that is already a turn off for tourists they going to talk and write about it. Malaysia going to lose to other countries. So, please understand that. Workout something so that the facilities always tip-top. I carried our luggage up the two flight stairs and Sam waited for the dumb-lift.

Once at the upper level, we walked into the open cafeteria area and started to break on our Malaysian food forced fasting. Our ETS train will depart at 1255 so we had about 3 hours at Padang Besar. We took time to leisurely eat our food and we had a second helping when our first course was not that palatable to or taste. The thought of going to the bazaar area did cross our minds but in the end, we decided to just stay at the station to relax a bit. Going to the bazaar area could be a rush. So after we had our food I went around to shoot a few frames of the station and locomotives on the platform. 

At 1140 our train arrived at the station indicating to us it will depart as scheduled. I did not wish to have a delay at that point as home is calling he he he. We were boarding the ETS Platinum 9501 that scheduled to arrive at KLS at 1808. We walked down to the platform level to wait and board. Not many people disembarked that morning at Padang Besar just a few and a small family on holiday I guessed. 

We departed Padang Besar on time and the rest of the journey was a non-event for both of us. I spent most of my time sleeping and reading messages in the social media. We did arrive as scheduled and decided to head home straight away. The only thing we realised we arrived on a busy Friday evening. The Komuter train would be packed with commuters. We took the second and the best option - ERL Transit to Putrajaya. We sent a message home and asked Along to pick us up at Putrajaya station. 

We bought our tickets and took the 1830 ERL Transit to Putrajaya from KL Sentral. 

Please go to my FB site for the photos 

https://www.facebook.com/ghazali.fadzil/media_set?set=a.10155803962147246&type=3

https://www.facebook.com/ghazali.fadzil/media_set?set=a.10155803982157246&type=3

Searching For Pok Long, Aug 12-14, 2016

Slow Pok Long is the name of a place in rural Kelantan. Pok Long is obviously a name of a person, normally in Kelantanese dialect, Pok means Pak (Bapak or Father) or Pak Cik (Uncle). Whereas Long is a common name or title for the eldest child in a family such as Along. So Pok Long means an Uncle who is the eldest child in his family. So what about Slow? 

Kelantanese when they learn a new English word will take it seriously and not only use it but tune it to their own colloquial usage. So spoken it became Selow. But why Slow Pok Long. The area is in the state of Kuala Krai and in the old days only easily accessible by train. The place is not only secluded but in high terrain where the train track was built to pass by the hills, through thick jungle and over two hills that require a long viaduct to be built. In the 2014 big flood in Kelantan, Slow Pok Long became popular because a set of train was driven here to be kept safe from the flood. Ok, whenever a train is driven in an area like this there will be a few safety guidelines that the train engineer needs to adhere and one of a must do’s is to drive the train at an almost crawling pace so it became very slow. Thus the word Slow was added to the name and became Slow Pok Long. There are other places named in such a way. One such place is Kg Slow Machang. Officially though Slow Pok Long is Kg Baru Bukit Abu.

So why is this trip to Slow Pok Long for us? 

If you have taken a train in the east coastline between Kuala Lipis to Tumpat or even Gua Musang to Tumpat after Gua Musang you will be travelling within thick jungle through bridges, viaducts and tunnels The most secluded and imposing viaduct is the one at Slow Pok Long. It is even mysterious and inviting if you were passing it in the very early morning when the fog would give it the look and feel of a place where you must experience. A dichotomy of being eerie and comforting at the same time. There are also two tunnels immediately one after another close to the viaduct. Our main objective was to capture the viaduct in its glory in the early morning and to capture it with a train passing through. The bonus for us would be experiencing the rural kampung and the fruits in season, especially durian, there. I got more than I bargained for.

Day 1, Aug 12 (Friday)

Our journey started at the Terminal Bersepadu Selatan (TBS) bus terminal. As usual, I was very early than the others as I arrived way before maghrib. I left Bangi at around 5.18 pm and arrived at TBS 3 minutes to 6 pm. I took the opportunity to shoot the trains as TBS is not only where the Klang Valley main express bus terminal but also a connecting hub for train services - KTMB Komuter, LRT and KLIA Rail Link. I stood on the bridge waiting for the trains and because of its frequency, the LRT came into view first and more frequent. Then, the ERLs came in succession prompting my finger pressing the shutter release button continuously. Actually, at times without taking my eyes off the viewfinder I turned left and right shooting at will. Alternating my shots between the LRT, Komuter and ERL. I did this until I sensed people were watching me and I stopped to continue to walk inside the TBS.

The others started to show up just before maghrib. As usual, we lepak at the mamak restaurant for our dinner and waiting area. There were 6 of us that would be boarding the bus at BTS. Besides myself, they were Hassin, Bazree, Syaiful, Burhan, and Zaidani. According to plan Ameer and Cik Gu Zalief would be boarding the same shuttle that we would be taking at Pasir Mas and Sg Mengkuang respectively. 

By 9 pm all of us done with our solat and dinner. We waited patiently for our boarding call. In the end, we were not patient enough to wait for the call at 9.31pm we walked down to the boarding area to wait.

We did not have to wait that long as at 9.54 pm we boarded our eMutiara double-decker express bus and we departed 5 minutes after. We were seated in the first three rows of the top deck. As I was anticipating lack of sleep and the need to have a good rest before our expedition I planned to sleep throughout the bus journey. Which I did and I only woke up when the bus stopped at Gua Musang rest area. 

Day 2, Aug 13 (Saturday)

I was awakened at 2.29am when the bus parked at the Gua Musang rest area. I went down like the rest not so much to eat or drink but to ease bladder and stretch my legs after sleeping in a sitting position for a few hours. It was a windy early morning in Gua Musang and not as cold as I had anticipated.

After we left the rest area I fell asleep again and I felt I was not sleeping for long when Hassin woke us up saying we will disembark soon. Soon the bust pulled over somewhere and we disembarked at a still air very early morning of Kuala Krai. I looked at my handphone and the watch indicated 4.30 am. Still trying to adjust to the darkness and the street light I walked behind the rest. I was expecting a short walk and primed myself by enjoying the early morning quiet walk in the backyard of Kuala Krai alone at the back. The occasional barking of the dogs seemed very near as we walked deeper and further towards, I presumed, the station. As we were walking I kept on wondering where the hell were we ha ha ha. Actually, we walked slightly more than 30 minutes, slightly more than 1 km, when we reached an area where the guys in front of me were excited and started taking shots at something. When I got close only I could make sense of where we were. We were at the dockyard or depot of Kuala Krai train station and we had approached the station from the opposite direction. Opposite the station that until then I only observed either for the waiting train or the platform of the station.

We were kids with our toys again. If you had seen us you would be shaking your head in disbelieve. We actually at the depot for about half an hour playing around and taking photos. Without my tripod, I had placed my camera where ever stable enough to capture using BULB setting. 

The dark station looked serene and peaceful to me from the depot as if a tired body being left to rest. The powerful effect was due to the only two lights being left switched on at the main lobby of the station. The station has been one of the major stations in the east coastline, just like any other major stations, making it one of the main features of the town. Times has changed this perspective a bit and slowly the stations on the line becoming less important and not attractive anymore to the younger generation. I could not blame them as most stations and train services are not part of their life anymore. It is a fact going from point A to B there are better and faster alternatives. That was why when I looked at the station in the still of the early morning I could not prevent from having the mixed feeling. Joyed being there to witness something that I had not had experience before as well as reliving those that I had.  Sad, as I knew then it was not going to last long. History has witnessed development changes everything that we used to have. I hate to admit that whatever had happened in the west will happen again in the east. 

Slowly we crossed the tracks to climb up to the platform. It was almost 5 am already then. We automatically walked the entire length of the station. That’s what train fans will do at most stations. Especially when the station is dark and quiet. We captured the experience both digitally and within our human memory. Really, except for the early morning sound, the station was very quiet. We found out everything is locked including both the surau and restrooms. A painful moment for us as we badly needed to use the restrooms ha ha ha. We just sat or stand while toying with our feelings.

While we were waiting we heard noises of someone coming to the station and a few minutes later some of the lights were switched on. The ticket counter was opened at 5.30 am but we did not bother to buy our tickets yet, instead, we rushed to the restroom ha ha ha. We bought our tickets and we were among the few doing that early morning. Including us, not more than 10 people catching the train at Kuala Krai. A few minutes after the azan was heard and at the same time, we knew our train will approach the station soon. At 5.47 am we were told our train was waiting for the green light to approach the station. I had decided to say my prayer on the train as I knew I would not be concentrating on the prayer being anxious with the train arriving. However, 4 of us decided to say our Suboh at the surau. In the middle of it at 5.57 am the train, Tumpat - Kuala Lipis Shuttle aka Keretapi Budak Sekolah, approached the station. I am not sure whether those praying kusyuk or not ha ha ha. 

Once onboard suddenly all of us were knocked out by the rocking and rolling. After some of us, including myself, said our Suboh on the train we bonked out. It was like rest and relaxation session in the middle of the battle. Some making two seats as beds and others slumbered sitting down. Ameer who boarded at Pasir Mas showed up at our coach and joined us.

We were in a never, never land when we were jolted by an announcement that we have reached Sg Mengkuang and like robot, all of us rushed up and readied to disembark. Only when Hassin said 'korang nak pergi mana!' we realised the joke. Came on board at Sg Mengkuang was Cikgu Zelief with durian and all ha ha ha. Well, we were back to our sleeping positions ha ha.

A few minutes after we were back in the dreamland the Ticket Conductor (TC) came around to announce that we were approaching Slow Pok Long. The TC knew that we were disembarking there because we were too friendly that we announced to the whole world of our intention. Well, actually the TC knew us the crazy railway fans. After crossing the viaduct the train slowed down even more. At 6.58 am we disembarked at Slow Pok Long.

The arrival at Slow Pok Long was also an event for us. Although no welcoming party nevertheless there was the usual ceremony to mark the historic occasion. Anticipating a great day we thanked the train crew and disembarked at a dark and foggy Slow Pok Long that is now officially named as Kg Baru, Bukit Abu. A few school children boarded after we disembarked. Slow Pok Long is not a station but a halt. A halt for train services is like a small bus stand. That's what it is a train stand a appose to the bus stand. There are many halts in the east coastline.  

All of us did not seem to want to leave the halt yet, we did the thing that was natural to us. Looking through my viewfinder I focused the length of the foggy track as if expecting somebody to walk on the track beyond. Ha ha ha that would be spooky and Dracularist. Everyone was busy capturing the experience and one still wondering 'why the hell am I here' ha ha ha. Of course, it would not be complete without a group photo there. Hassin set up his tripod and we posed with our best smile. As if all the action heroes getting psyched up for the day.

After our photo session, we walked down to the kampung main tarmac road to walk to the viaduct. According to Hassin, it was not far so we primed ourselves to enjoy the kampung while we were walking. The kampung is actually in between two high ranges like in the valley. You just can feel it as you walk as it created a pleasant fall like weather. Thus, walking was so pleasant. The Slow Pok Long train halt and the track were well about 5 storeys above the kampung. So walking down to the kampung main road was a breeze. Immediately my thought was thinking the climb under the midday sun to catch our train later ha ha ha. Immediately down on the opposite of the road were two big kampung houses and in front one of them was a coffee shop. Since it was very early morning there were a few kampung folks having breakfast and talking. On seeing us all of them were wondering what in the world a bunch of outsiders laden with cameras walking down from the halt to their kampung. It would not wrong if they thought that we were wildlife hobbyists or reporters. We gave salam to them, smile and walked on. One of them did ask us and we just said we were taking photos of the train. 

We walked, walked and walked ha ha ha and slowly beginning to crack jokes on Hassin’s early statement that it was not that far. Finally, we arrived under the viaduct and when I looked at my handphone it was 7.45 am. Which meant we had been walking for about 45 minutes ha ha ha. Not a long walk ha ha ha but at least a very nice walk under the canopy of cooling fruit trees of Slow Pok Long. Actually, it was really a good pleasant walk that really had a positive effect on us. I think we had walked slightly less than 2 km.

The sight that greeted us when we arrived at the viaduct made the walking worth it. In fact, it paid off the whole of our journey from KL. We walked admiring it looking up with our shutter release working overtime. What made it even dramatic was the constant fogs blowing in engulfing the viaduct. We just loved it.

We walked under the viaduct and entered a property owned by an agricultural company that in the midst of clearing the hilly farm. Right at the entrance on the left was a small security hut manned by one of the kampung folk. He seemed not the least surprised to see us and just observed us from the door of his hut. He must have known our intention. We approached with our friendly smiles and gave our salam which he accepted with a smile as well. We started to chat him up and very glad that we had a friendly new acquaintance. Inside his hut, we saw a TV set with Astro reception to keep him company at night. At the back of the hut was an outhouse good enough for us to use if necessary.

The first train, a shuttle from Kuala Lipis will cross the viaduct at around 8 am. We scouted the area for our staging points. Obviously individually we cannot have them all. 

We discussed it and collaboratively decided the spot each of us going to be. I let my decision to the very end to discover truly the best spot. In the end, all of them were and I settled for the panorama shot. Since Bazree was shooting video I decided to complement that with stills to frame the entire length of the viaduct. We made the best and started to plan and practise our shots. From our point, we saw two Pinang trees closed to one another that high enough where if you were at the top you can shoot that train level with the viaduct. Bazree and I joked that if only we could climb that two trees ha ha ha. 

Ameer opted an angled shot from below the viaduct at 35 degrees his point was actually up on the diesel tank beside an old earth mover. Cipul chose the angle from the opposite of us. Burhan chose to shoot further back of Cipul that proved to be the best point to capture a travel photo scene. While Zaidani parked himself up on a ridge under a canopy of small brush capturing at 45 degrees angle capturing the train head-on. Cik Gu Zalief chose to be a bit closer to the viaduct. The only person that was unsure and undecided was Hassin. He surveyed and walked at almost every angle but still. In the end, for the first session, he climbed an old tractor parked about 10 metres from Ameer as his point. All of us pretty set and waited for our first train. As they say, the agony is in the planning, testing and the waiting. I did not know how many test shots that I took but more than enough for an album.

The shuttle from Kuala Lipis to Tumpat emerged at 8.22am. I say emerged because from down below our view was blocked by the bushes and trees. We had our informants at various stations along the route updating us on the movement of our train. However, when it was getting nearer we relied on our point men, Burhan and Cipul that had a long view of the viaduct and tracks. Initially it was the sound of the locomotive and Burhan and Cipul would yell to us to get ready and we were ready. In my case eyes looking through the viewfinder with my camera pointing at the ending of the viaduct where the train will emerge. Once it did all shutters went off like we were shooting machine guns. It was a beautiful sound a symphony to our ears. I shot zooming in and out first zooming in to capture the locomotive emerging at the beginning and then slowly zooming out capturing it snaking out bit by bit until I got most of the train across the viaduct. I closed it by following the train slowly disappearing into the hill. 

The real thing happened in just one minute, we shot as planned and any mistakes you just suffered alone looking at the frames again and again. Cursing ourselves in the process. That was what exactly had happened after the train passed. Everyone came down to compare notes. A lot of aaaaaaa missed it and alamaks ha ha ha. Everyone started to review their frames and in the end, we got what we wanted and planned what to do and capture for the next train that was scheduled to arrive at 10 am. 

We gathered under the shade of the hut that had turned into our logistics and war room. We had not had our breakfast then albeit a few bites of biscuits and bread. So we borrowed the motorbike of the good kampung folk that was responsible for the security of the site and sent Ameer away to find us whatever he could get for breakfast. While we chatted with the kampong folk and started to find our own space to be comfortable for a while. While waiting the guys started to assault on the durians that Cik Gu brought along. They started slowly with one. After 15 minutes Ameer came back with a few kueh and several packets of iced milo. With the day getting hotter the iced milos were sucked flat in few minutes. Like a vacuum effect when air is sucked out of an empty plastic bag. The guys continued devouring the rest of the durian. I was just the spectator then, as durian is not my thing anymore. While eating all kind of stories emerged. Somehow all related to train ha ha ha. From the woes of the management of train services to the basic day-to-day running of the trains. Most of us are connected to all aspects of the trains services in Malaysia. Despite setbacks and heartaches, we persevere and still would be on the train at least once a month. If not trains spotting either in the east and southern lines. 

At around 9.45 am we dispersed to our chosen locations. All of us except for Hassin decided to go back to the same shooting points but with different shooting strategy. Hassin moved around to find his spot. He climbed up to the very edge of the track to find a good angle. He was like army commando at work ha ha ha. By this time the day was getting really hot and since Bazree and I were in the open the waiting was a bit challenging. We shifted under a bush shed after a while standing. Only those under the canopy of the trees that were a bit comfortable.

At 10.08 am our point man yelled that Express Timuran was approaching. Both of us scurried from our made shift shed to take our positions. Again, it was the sound of the locomotive that immediately we placed our eyes at the viewfinder. As the sound got louder the more anxious we got and we did not want to miss even a small thing. It was Pulau Pangkor tirelessly pulling the loads and from down below we could see clearly how it has been abused to the fullest for the tasks KTMB set for it. The colours were a painful sight with water stains from the previous flood among other things. Again in less than 1 minute than train passed. Frantically, we captured what we could and the second time we were wiser we thought. But we were not ha ha ha ha. Another series of aaaaaaaaa, mangkukkkkk and other cursing words came out off our mouths. The only thing then we did not have the third opportunity ha ha. We have to live with what we got. With that, we regrouped at the hut. Our train to Dabong would be at 1.15 pm and still we had a few hours to kill. We had an impromptu meeting and the decision was to check out the tunnels. There were two tunnels close to one another nearby. 

To cut the story short, we walked to the tunnels enjoyed the place, took a lot of photos and at around 11.30 am we were backed at the hut. Strategising on how to get back to the halt to wait for our train to Dabong. It was already a hot midday sun and walking the ‘dekat je’ distance to was definitely out of the question. In a desperate time like that our brains worked best. We negotiated with the guard at the hut to use his bike to transport all of us one by one to the halt. I was the first one to be shuttled by Ameer. Ameer dropped me at a waiting hut down below the halt. I made a decision to wait for the others there as it was cooler under the shade and I hate walking up the hill alone. While I was waiting, the owner of the house across the road saw me sitting and came to join to chat. Asking me about why we were there and so on. I shared that his kampung although quite secluded and not easily accessible was beautiful and peaceful. Apart from the viaduct and train we honestly do love the kampung. The next person to be transported and arrived a few minutes later was Cipul. At which point the kampung folk left us and shortly came back with a basket of durian. From the look of them were very tasty durian. He brought along his parang and asked us to help ourselves. Retired from eating durian I left them to Cipul and later others to devour the durian. Cipul kept on urging me to eat and every time, to their amazement, I declined. A quick durian feast went on just before we climbed to the halt. The kampung folk asked us to take the rest with us. We thanked him profusely and walked up carrying the durian. 

Ha ha ha up at the halt another durian feasting took place. Even that we could not finish the durian and decided to give them to the TCs on board later. 

The train, Shuttle 55 arrived and we boarded at 1.15pm. All of us were really tired but because all of us were hungry, not of durian, of proper lunch, we could not go to sleep. About 40 minutes later we arrived at Dabong. We practically jumped out and straight away walked to the warung nearby. Without describing any details we cleaned up the warung ha ha ha. Happily, we ate and told stories of each other experiences at Slow Pok Long. Communities of Practice (CoPs) at its best. All of us from different backgrounds and age but share the same passion on anything about train.

Shuttle 56 was actually Shuttle 55 that we boarded that became shuttle 56 on the return journey back to Tumpat. Thus we were not worried about our train because it was already on the platform that will depart at 2.30 pm. We took our own sweet time at the warung. But the pull of the train on the platform was too strong for us that we abandoned the warung to have another shooting session. We bought our tickets and waited until the station master blew his whistle to board. At 2.30 pm sharp we departed Dabong with the train full of school children going home. Thus we took the shuttle bus sekolah to and fro that day. Now it was the time for us to have a good sleep to Tanah Merah. But we did not go to sleep until we passed Slow Pok Long viaduct. 

We were awake for a few minutes along the journey when Cik Gu Zalief disembarked at Sg Mengkuang Halt.

We arrived at Tanah Merah at 4.42 pm and straight away we crossed the road and walked towards Humaira Hotel. We had taken a room for all of us to clean up and rest before we boarded our bus home at around 10 pm. We rested a bit and at 6 pm we went out walking to check out the Saturday night Pasar Malam nearby. We just enjoyed walking and bought our dinner. The plan was to have a picnic at the Tanah Merah train station. I actually was not sure what to eat and had to go back the length of the Pasar Malam to look again and buy my dinner. The rest of the guys went ahead towards the station. I would join them a bit later. I was really not sure of what I wanted to eat and in the end, I settled for murtabak I think.

When I got to the station I looked around and immediately saw the guys already sitting at the end of the platform under the open sky feasting on whatever they bought. Of course, we knew they would be a shuttle from Gua Musang and Express Rakyat Timuran from Tumpat going to pass through the station. So our feast became really a welcoming party for both the trains. I decided to capture both trains with BULB speed. Without my tripod, I placed my camera at one of the ‘tiangs’ - beams. I did 5 and 10 seconds exposures to capture the effect I wanted. No matter that we had been capturing trains the whole day, once the train approached we were kids again nevertheless.

The main intercity express bus terminal in Tanah Merah was way outside of the town a little bit with the only access for us was to walk. Hassin told us it would be quite a walk and we had to start early so as not to miss our bus. Once we were at the hotel we said our prayers and checked out. Initially, we walked in a big group and after about 20 metres walking we became three groups with Burhan and myself being the last group at the back. I knew it would be far, so I paced myself. I figured as long as one of us already there they will make sure the bus would not leave without us ha ha ha. We chatted as we walked to ease the pain ha ha ha

Indeed, it was almost 2 km walk for us that night. When we arrived we were early and sat to wait for about 1 hour. Burhan was taking a different bus to Kertih while the rest of us to TBS KL. So we searched and waited for both at the bus stand nearby. As scheduled Burhan’s bus arrived earlier. We said goodbye and he boarded. Quite frankly it was a bit sad moment for me to see him leave. A few minutes later our bus arrived and we boarded. We were very tired already before our 2 km walk, so once we were inside the bus we went under almost straight away. I personally did not wake up until we arrived at the rest area at Merapoh at around 1.30 am. We disembarked to empty our bladders. We were not so much for eating and we just lepak waiting for the drivers to finish their food. 

Just before Suboh we arrived at TBS and Hassin woke me up as I was sleeping like a log. I just could not imagine what sort of concerto I produced that night but I am very sure I snored as I was very tired. We parted ways with the rest while Hassin and I went down to the Komuter Station to board our train back to Bangi. At the surau there we said our Suboh. At 6.20am we were already on the platform waiting for our train. Sadly or gladly ended one more adventure for us. Something that I really cherished.

However, the aftermath of the trip took a very bad turn for me as I was rushed to the emergency ward a day after I came home. But then that’s another story for me to share in private ha ha ha

https://www.facebook.com/ghazali.fadzil/media_set?set=a.10157380187207246&type=3

Identifying and Capturing Tacit Knowledge: The Lessons From Klinik Kesihatan

This happened last week. If I were at home my normal routine since my brother-in-law (BIL) is staying with us is to take him to dress his wound at the local Klinik Kesihatan (KK). It has been two months and every time we were at room 13 my BIL was dressed by either a couple of trainees from the local learning institutions and resident hospital assistants. All in all, around 6 of them. In all the occasions I was in the room with them watching and got to understand their work and them better. The way they dressed the wound was almost similar albeit a little bit slower by the trainees. In the room almost always there a senior male supervisor but he was busy with administrative tasks. You cannot miss him. He looks young with his slick haircut like in the ’50s, shining with cream and comb neatly. It was quite long at the back like my hair. Naturally, I could blend and be his soulmate if I wish. He rides a big Kawasaki cruiser to work that he parks just outside the lab. I will name him as Mr Cool here. 

This was the routine for the dressers and they perform what they have learnt and experienced. I thought that was it until last week when we waited for quite sometimes before we were called in. There was no one in the room when we entered. Then, walked in from the other side of the treatment room none other than Mr Cool. He was alone manning the station as well as administering the patients. No wonder we had to wait for quite a bit. We remarked to him asking the obvious, was he alone today? He replied that the rest was somewhere. With that he quietly started to dress the wound, as he peeled off the old bandage of my BIL’s leg he narrated that there was still a lot of blood came through. Once the rest of the bandage came off he waited and did not wipe the blood as what normally the others would have done. He only wiped at the edge of the wound. He did not say anything at first until he realised we were wondering why. He explained that most with the new technique would wipe the old blood clean. However to him, based on his experience the wound, since it was quite a big section of the foot, should be left dried before dressing it back with a new set of bandage. According to him, the dried blood would help for the new skin to form. My BIL was just amazed at what he just said and loudly said why did not the others do that. My thought straight away said that’s a valuable tacit knowledge! A positive deviance right in front of me. More than amazed, I was delighted by the serendipity. What more surprising was went Mr Cool said he had just another few weeks before retiring. We stumbled upon critical tacit knowledge that day that the KK did not have a clue to what they were missing and about to lose. This is unfortunately quite prevalent in organisations in Malaysia. Especially, the government sector. We have lost a lot of valuable tacit knowledge. Even if we were to document (codify) this type of knowledge you probably only would capture about around 30% of it. Worse, less if you just spend time making sure all the grammar make sense and try to synthesise it too much. Lost in translation not far from being the truth. The best way to capture tacit knowledge is to capture it tacitly (personalisation). In other words to retain it within the social network of people or staff of the organisation.

The KK should either ask Mr Cool to really mentor and coach his staff. Develop a program so that he could teach and mentor the trainees. Or even him being assigned apprentices to hang around him for a year or two before his retirement. Having said that we also need to be mindful of the culture in the organisation for the choice of the right intervention for effective tacit knowledge capturing.

KL Sentral - JB Sentral - Butterworth - KL Sentral, April 30 - May 4, 2014

Day 1. Apr 30, 2014 - KL Sentral (2230) - JB Sentral (0618), Senandung Sutera, AFC Premier Class, S4 Seats 8B-C

Both of us arrived early at KL Sentral. Along accompanied Sam and the three of us walked around the new Nu Sentral shopping complex. Tenant wise still work in progress. This trio was planned primarily because I wanted to ride the Express Rakyat from the originating station until the last, which was Butterworth. So we were at the KL Sentral to board Sinaran Malam to JB and a night in JB visiting Sam’s best friend before taking the Express Rakyat the next day.

After dinner and prayers, we went to the KTMB’s VIP waiting lounge on the 3rd Floor. We walked into the lounge together with two ladies that were going down to Singapore. The lounge was quite spacious but nothing much in terms of facilities. Nevertheless comfortable and we took one whole corner to yourself. 

We were about to go down to board at 10.25 pm when an announcement came on air to announce that the train was delayed. Those that wish to cancel their travel could go to counter 2 for their refund or change to another date. Hearing this I said to myself this must be a long delay. Upon enquiry the attendant at the VIP lounge told us the northbound train from Singapore, our train, had just had an accident at Tampin. How bad I asked. ‘ Well. the train had just hit a ‘kerbau’ (water buffalo)’. Ok, I said with a laugh, ‘Langgar kobau rupo eh’ (Negeri Sembilan dialect). The new departure time for us would be 12.30 am.

In the first class waiting lounge 

The rest of the passengers down at the main waiting area decided to make themselves comfortable

Other first-class passengers started to appear to join us in the VIP lounge. At least we had few companies and as they joined us they remarked jokingly about KTMB and the train services.

When it was nearly 12.30 am another announcement was made and this time telling us the new departure time was at 12.50 am. Well, we were late already what another 20 minutes ha ha ha. There were, including both of us, five groups of travellers waiting there. 3 Malay families in which 2 were going home to Singapore and another to JB. Another group, which was not a group at all, was a gentleman, a businessman from the look of him, going home to Singapore. Overhearing their conversation the Malay family going down to JB said that was the first ride for them after so many years and KTMB welcomed them with a delay ha ha ha. The gentleman also replied that he just fancied taking the train instead ha ha ha. The last group was two middle-aged ladies going down to Singapore. I must say happy ladies that used to travel together. I just smiled. 

When we were ready to board we just took the lift in the lounge straight down to Level G where the platform was and when we got there the train was still not there until a few minutes later. We boarded immediately as soon as the train arrived. We departed KL Sentral eventually at 1.04 am. 

I have booked a first class coach with better and bigger seating. I knew I was in trouble when I was not able to sleep. I was wide awake when we reached Seremban for about an hour and a half later. I just knew I need to force myself to sleep but to no avail. I was only successful a while later.

Premier Class Coach

I was awake when we reached Gemas as I felt very cold. I pulled out my sweater from the rucksack and I forgot to take out my sock as well. A few minutes later I managed to sleep again but then the aircon proved to be too much for my feet to handle. I was awake again and could not go back to sleep. With that, I started to walk and did what I would normally do on the train - stand at the door staring outside and do ‘nothing’. As I always say doing nothing is an option in knowledge management. You started to reflect about life and the rhythmic movement and the sound of the train accompanied my reflection. Apt and perfect for me. I did not stay there too long as the day began to show itself slowly. The limitation of intercity trains on the southern route between the two major cities is that they do not have a proper buffet car. No place for people like me to lepak. Thus, I walked back to my seat and pulled out my laptop.

Since the ETA at JB now is at 8.30 am I started to think when we would be saying our suboh. When I walked back to my seat I saw a space in the first class coach that we could use. I told Sam so who was awake already

At 5.52 am we arrived at Kluang Station. Nothing much for me to look at as it was still dark.

The stations along the route emerged after one another as the day got brighter. The lack of sleep made me just wanted to sit and waited for my arrival at JB Sentral. Which we finally did at 8.46 am.

Sam had made an arrangement for her best friend, Ros, to pick us at the station. As we walked down the station Sam called Ros and they were already at the station and finding a place to park. 

Ros and Munirah brought us to their house. Since they met at the station both Sam and Ros could not stop talking so I let them be as they continued talking in the kitchen. At the sofa, I took the nap I needed badly. 

I must have been sleeping for quite some time as when I woke up Ros offered me a brunch of chapatis. I almost swallowed them immediately. It was almost lunchtime and I guessed I was double hungry ha ha ha. We have yet to check in after I gulped the chapatis they sent us to Citrus Hotel. Citrus Hotel was just in front of the JB Sentral and strategic for needs. The hotel became our hotel for our future train adventure staging place from JB. The hotel is not only strategic due to to its accessibility to JB Sentral but also because there is a mamak join with chapati opposite the road and a very good minang dishes outlet on the ground floor during the day. Also, at the backstreet is a medan selera like eating place with a verity of local and Indian food. More or less it is a perfect place for us.

That night after we have rested properly we went down to the back alley to have dinner. In fact, I had a sumptuous dinner of chapatis and lamb soup.

Day 3. May 2, 2014 - JB Sentral (0835) - Butterworth (2200), Express Rakyat, AFC Premier Class, Coach R1, Seats 4B-C

I woke up at 5.30 am and did my usual ritual. Our train, the Express Rakyat was supposed to depart JB Sentral at 8.35 am. so we have ample time for breakfast before we walked to the station.

We checked out of Citrus at 6. 35 am. We were greeted and processed out by a happy and good nature English speaking lady at the counter. In good spirit and anticipating for more good things we walked out of the hotel and crossed the small alleyway to have breakfast at the mamak restaurant.

JB Sentral was fairly new and if it was a southern hub for the train service then it has a few shortcomings. In general the lack of proper facilities to create a welcoming feeling for travellers like us. No charging stations for our mobile phone and most power plug points were switched off. Suck signages that whatever they put seems like an afterthought indicating the failure of design and implementation. The worst was the girls at the customer care centre were clueless. They cannot even answer one question properly. I blame the supervisors and managers for not educating them properly. In information management point of view instead of having information overload, they were actually deprived of information. In knowledge management point of view, there was no proper knowledge acquisition, transfer and sharing among them. The whole building was really old in terms of information and knowledge. Beautiful building but with a lack of brain. 

The saving grace for me was that the morning was really brilliant with the morning sun shining through a clear sky. 

There were not many passengers waiting with us as a normal case in JB. Most of those boarding from JB will normally choose Kempas Baru as their originating station. We were called to board and departed 9.01 am which was almost 30 minutes late as scheduled. we were at Premier Class coach R1 and seats 4B and 4C. Apart from a bigger seat and space, the Premier Class passengers were given a small bottle of mineral water and a piece of big doughnuts. We always joke about the doughnut. 

The train moved out of JB slowly and both of us got into the groove of things. You are really a seasoned train traveller when once on board you will start to pull out your book or laptop and charging your handphone. 

At Kempas Baru I saw the catering crew readied to board and one of them was the very familiar figure for those travelling on the Express Rakyat. With a body-hugging shirt, tight jeans and blond hair he/she was very flamboyant. The boarding crew indicated that soon the ABC (Air-conditioned Buffet Car) will open for business.

At 9.25 am we walked to the buffet car, thank God they have one on this train. Once we sat down we ordered coffee and nasi lemak for RM8. Just the two of us in the buffet car. We sat to eat slowly and enjoyed the view outside. 

Our favourite coach on the train

After a while, a Chinese later walked in and sat next to the counter. Her demeanour was like someone who already a seasoned train traveller as well. She ordered something and looked as if she going to stay there for a while which was later proven to be true. The ticket conductor came in to have a drink and sat at the next table across her and they started to chat. She must have been a regular on the train.

An hour or so a few others started to join us, by this time I have already had my laptop opened.. My thought was flowing but my hand could not really keep up typing but I just let loose and deal with the typing errors later. It has always like that when I am on a train. We decided to go back to our seats before we reached Renggam.

Except for a few empty seats the Premier Coach was almost at full capacity. Although Premier Class but the coach was not really being taken care off properly. Almost everything in a state of disrepair. There was a small family from Singapore at the front of the coach and they trying to work the curtain and it felt. Being Malaysian and a train fan I was so embarrassed. The wife tried to tie the curtain back with whatever she had. At this point, I decided to take a nap. 

We reached a place, a station, that before was like a joke to some of us when we grew up. If you had come from a place that has a name that sounds different or sounds funny you would definitely have a nickname after the place. For examples Tendung, Pintu Gang and Ketil. A lot of my school friends are from Johor and the place and station that I am writing about now is Mengkibol. The first time I saw the name I almost laugh aloud inside the train. Just imagine your nickname is Mengkibol when you joined but over the years eventually, the nickname became sophisticated and shorten to Kibol or just Bol with English like spelling Cibol or Bold. 

Then we arrived at one of the best known and most disembarked stations in the south, Kluang. Not only it is one of the major stations but it also housed the famous Kluang Railcafe. Even if you were not a coffee drinker you had to at least stop there once.

After Kluang were Chamek, Paloh, Segamat and eventually Gemas, the mother hub of intercity train services in Malaysia. Up to late ’80s, Gemas was a major cut and dice hub that splits train from the north, south and east into three new sets that will continue to the three sectors.

After Gemas we just sat looking out until he felt it is another lepak session at the ABC. This time we stayed there until we almost reach KL Sentral. It was at around 4 pm that we reached KL Sentral and we witnessed the change not only the crew but passengers as well. This may not be significant or something to fascinate about but to me, it is a fascinating social phenomenon. The leaving and going, not only the different facial expressions of those arriving and boarding but they scurried from away also differently. Several new travellers boarded to join us to travel up north. Shortly, we were on the move again travelling through a bright evening of KL into the sunset of Perak.  

Just before maghrib we arrived at the one of the best-built train stations in Malaysia. The Ipoh station was designed by Arthur Benison Hubback and was officially opened in 1917. The design of the exterior of the building inspired by the elements of late-Edwardian Baroque architecture (Wikipedia, 2019). However, in 2000s the internal design was, I feel personally,  due to the double tracking and electrification project was raped. I was really disgusted about it whenever I arrive at the station. That day it was no different. If they could do that to Ipoh station what hope do I have that they preserved other old stations. Most are gone forever already. It is our role now to keep the knowledge and history alive among our younger generation through writing and knowledge sharing sessions.

The train did not stop long at the station, just enough time for passengers to disembark and board.

The night crept in as we moved at a constant speed towards Butterworth. We did not really do anything but sat looking at darkness as our minds moved somewhere else. By this time I was most of the time occupying on the empty the single seats next to ours. We were in no mood to do anything but to welcome our arrival at the final station. I was already thinking of the dreaded steps and inclination that Sam had to take to access the ferry terminal. The last time was really horrible for her.

At almost 10.00 pm we arrived at the unfinished new Butterworth station.

Well, it was not Hong Kong or Sydney Harbour, still, I loved the ferry ride across to the Georgetown. At night you would have a beautiful Georgetown skyline.

Once we crossed we straight away took a taxi to Cititel Penang to check in for a night.

Day 4. May 3, 2014 - Butterworth (2228) - KL Sentral (0630), Senandung Langkawi, ASC Superior Class, Coach L7, Seats 8C-D

We woke up to chill Penang morning. Looking out I saw Penang that I saw the first time. What I like most with historical cities like Penang and Melaka is the old historical buildings surrounding the new building like our hotel. Although some are rustic roofs, the different colours and tones are making it historically beautiful. 

Since I booked the room without breakfast we went down across the street to have breakfast at one of the many mamak restaurants there. Breakfast, of course, was chapati for me. Well, not the best chapati in Penang but I was satisfied no less. When I looked around in the restaurant I was blessed to witness the true Malaysians of all races, with a mixture of tourists, having breakfast together. Politics has driven us in the wrong direction but food will always bring us back together.

After breakfast, we went back to our room as it was still too early to walk Georgetown. The plan was to check out, store our luggage at the counter and having a joy walk towards Komtar. 

At around 10.00 am we checked out and left luggage at the hotel. Out at the lobby, we turned right and walked along Penang Street.  We walked along Sam’s Batek House, we didi not stop as Penang is not a place to get batik. Chowrasta, as usual, was bustling self in the early morning. Cendol Pulut, the famous Cendol Teochew and Ais Tingkap, mostly we just passed them and once in a while, I captured the scene. I kept a slow pace so that Sam not only could enjoy the walk but to manage her back problem. 

We did not have a special reason to be at Komtar but just to pass the time walking around in the new shopping complex next to it. We did the same at Komtar and while on the second floor or third serendipity materialised, we found a Perpustakaan Siber Ilmu, a branch of the state library. The other nice surprise was the poster of MyLIB on the wall of the entrance. MyLIB was a product we developed at MDC for Malaysian libraries that we gave to PNM to manage. We went in and because of-of the power of my handphone was running low I decided to stay in for a while to charge it. 

Sam decided to buy something and left me at the Perpustakaan. I picked up a magazine and started reading. I glanced at the users around me, around 20 of them. There was a group of elderly of the city of Penang sitting together reading the newspaper and chatting. A few students doing their homework, studying or searching for something at the online station. Since I have my laptop with me I booted it up to do short writing. 

  

We were back on the street walking after about 2 hours at Komtar. I was really surprised to discover the library and it was really a nice surprise for me. We took a slow walk on the sidewalk back towards Line Clear as that was a must have lunch place for both of us in Penang. By that time it was about lunchtime already and by then Line Clear was sure to be packed with people having lunch.  We walked slowly passing the same shops and eateries we passed before. Only now we walked with one intention in mind - kari kepala ikan ha ha ha ha. I was right, when we reached Line Clear there was already a long line went out until the main pavement of the street. But, I just knew what to do, get seats for two and order nasi hidang. Always the right strategy, once we got our seats I ordered rice for two kari kepala ikan merah, vegetable, papadom, and a cut of beef. We did hot have to wait long and in ten minutes it was chow time. We took our time to enjoy our food.

As we walked out of the alley of the Line Clear it started to rain quite heavily. We have no choice to kill sometimes we walked into Chowrasta shopping area to just browse around. We had done with jeruk, t-shirts and other souvenirs, so we just walked in to really browse the many books at the used book outlets further inside the building. When I grew up used books stores like that was one of my libraries. Especially the one in State PJ.

I started to rain heavily

The rain persisted until late evening that forced us to brave it to walk back to the hotel to collect our luggage as well as say our Maghrib prayers. Due to the rain, the day got darker earlier. We did have time to really clean ourselves but just made do what whatever we could. When we were readied to leave the hotel for the ferry terminal we knew to take the shuttle was out of the question. We hailed a cab at the hotel and it was the right decision as to when we got in the cabby told us part of Georgetown was already flooded. Due to the out drainage and clogging due to the construction Georgetown was prone to flash flood during heavy rain. I was a bit worry that we were going to be able to get to the terminal on time to board our train which was at 10.20 pm. Lucky for us while the rain was still pouring we managed to get to the ferry terminal on time to cross to Butterworth.

Boarding the ferry

We were a bit relaxed when we were on board the ferry. No need to rush as we had ample time for our train. We were to board the Senandung Langkawi back to KL and when I made the booking there were not any more sleepers available for us. Only seats for us for the night trip back home. Both of us were the only persons from the ferry walking down towards the train station. A quiet walk down the ramp to cross to the station. Obviously, both the train station and the ferry terminal were unfinished products of the redevelopment of the area. Disjointed that supposed to be linked.

Our coach for the night

We did not have to wait that long for our train and boarded at 10.28 pm. Our coach was not at full capacity but it was already occupied by a group of holidaymakers that I assumed have been holidaying in Thailand. Once onboard we prepared ourselves for the night and after a whole day walking we were tired enough to sleep soundly at sitting position all the way to KL. That was what I thought. I woke up when we reached Ipoh. In fact, I was so awake that I walked out on the platform to take a few shots of the station.

Ipoh Station at around 2 am.

Arrived at KL Sentral 

The next morning we woke up at KL Sentral and after our Suboh we took the Komuter train back to Bangi.