Traveling is a challenge. We’re just seven days into this adventure and my journal read of several “grumpy” periods already. Learning to travel together is challenging. Navigating the transportation systems is challenging along with not knowing where we’ll be sleeping, what to see, how to get there, where and what to eat and last but not least, paying attention to details.
At the Green Hut hostel, we had toast and tea before heading out to the bus station. Oh my, we find out we’re at the wrong station but it’s not a total waste of time because we purchased our tickets for Kota Bharu, Malaysia. We’ll leave tomorrow morning at 11 am for the 10-hour bus ride to head to the west coast. We go back to our hostel to confirm another night and decide to do a “Hop-On, Hop-Off” bus of KL today. The Orchid Garden was a highlight. Just being away from the city traffic and skyscrapers is relaxing as we take in the beauty of the flowers. This was a “grumpy” period as it is 4:30 before we get anything else to eat. Good to know part of the problem is we’re hungry and after we eat things are much better.
The next morning, we make it to the bus stop and board the air-conditioned bus, so nice. We have assigned seats, I’m near the front of the bus and Andy’s seat is in the back. I sit beside a gentleman that is getting married in three days and he’ll be glad when it is over. He is one of 16 kids in his family and his parents have 35 grandchildren. I wonder if the whole family will be at the wedding?
Now, we’re here one more day – the coast will have to wait!
Martha S Weiss
The first official bus stop for this trip will be in the town of Butterworth about 4 ½ hours away but a half-hour into our journey we stop on the side of the road for a few more people to board. All of a sudden, a lady is standing beside me and she wants my seat. We really can’t talk to each other but someone helps and sure enough, she has a ticket with my seat number but most importantly her ticket has the right date! Good grief, we bought tickets yesterday, for yesterday and Andy and I have to disembark the bus in the middle of nowhere. Traveler-beware. Always, always, always check what you are buying before you leave the ticket counter!
Now, we’re here one more day – the coast will have to wait!
