When Syed and Wawa invited me over to their wedding reception for February 22nd, I was overwhelmed. Syed and Wawa were both my classmates when I was studying in Dungun. They both were nice people. So it would be disappointing to not attend their wedding. Despite having their reception in Tumpat, Kelantan, which is approx. an 11-hour road drive from KL, I was drawing out alternatives to go there. Here were the considerations:
- Road. (An ultimate NO for self-driving) Bus ride instead. Only cost RM45, the CHEAPEST compared to other mode of transportation. But an 11-hour journey sitting position? NOT a good choice. AVERAGE TIME DISTANCE.
- Rail. KTM train. There were choices of 1st Class, 2nd Class and Economy Class; and Berths or Seats ranging from various prices. Berths: RM 14-RM 79. Seats: RM 8. However, you have to bear the 14-hour journey. So its best to take up the Berths, with beds. AVERAGE PRICE but LONGEST TIME DISTANCE.
- Air. I compared Air Asia and MAS only. AirAsia offers a cheaper 2-way price of RM221 compared to MAS, RM344. I also considered 1-way ticket of AirAsia to Kelantan, and back via MAS, and vice versa. And both sum up to RM256 each. MOST EXPENSIVE but SHORTEST TIME DISTANCE.
After careful consideration, I opted for Rail. I took the 2nd class Berth, lower deck for RM48 (KL-Wakaf Bharu). Upper deck is slightly cheaper compared to Lower deck. I once read a blog saying that lower decks were much more comfortable than the upper ones, and slightly larger. So to be safe, I chose the lower deck. Oh by the way, this is my first time in the KTM train after....err, gosh, I can't quite remember. 20 years ago perhaps? And back when I can only say Mama!or Papa!? And I was a solo traveller this time. My other friends had their own stuffs to do, so they couldn't make it.
Anne, my former housemate back in Dungun offered her house for me to overnight in Kota Bharu. Alhamdulillah, so I have no worry to where I am to sleep then. Even Muni, my classmate also offered me her house. Gosh, I'm so blessed to have such friends. Initially, I had this crazy idea to take the train right to Tumpat (where the wedding reception is held), and after the wedding, I'd go back straight to KL. And then I thought, it'd be a waste to not spend time there. So I planned to stay for a few days.
At the KTM station in KL Sentral, I was buying the ticket to Wakaf Bharu. And I was thinking to buy the ticket back to KL too, just in case tickets were unavailable if I waited a few more days. But the inner me said No. It's best to decide once in Kelantan. Besides, I have a lot of days to spend before I start work on March 1st. At least that's what my previous boss told me. Later, I received a call from MATRADE (where I should be reporting duty on March 1st) telling me to report duty on February 25th. And I was like...What?? That means I can't stay long for Kelantan? To recall, no wonder my inner me didn't let me buy the return ticket. Pheww~
KL Sentral. Now boarding.
On board everyone!
Getting into the train to Kelantan, I was really excited. It's like seeing it for the first time! (Well, being inside it for the first time, actually). I got to my bed and it was really neat and comfortable too, provided with pillows and bed sheets that can also be a blanket. Me being extra precaution, brought my own blanket. Unfortunately, my bed was near to the Smoking Area. So every time the doors open, smokes freely get into the berth area and right into my nose and lungs. *koff koff*. And sometimes I intentionally cough so that they realize that somebody is suffering.
The interior.
Subways' Turkey Breast and Chicken Slice + Double Choc Cookie complements the trip.
There's a 'pillowy' shelf to put your stuffs too. Only available in Lower Deck.
I took the night train (there were no choices anyway), so I didn't get to enjoy the view. When I couldn't sleep, I read a book. There was a reading light inside the berth bed, but it wasn't working. So I had to open the curtains a bit to let the lights enter. The journey was a bit wobbly. It's a train ride, what do you expect? And a bit noisy. But having provided a comfortable mattress and pillow, with a cold ambience, I slept soundly. Not to forget to set my alarm, just so I wouldn't miss the sunrise nor the station I was supposed to drop off.
Train schedule. Essential.
Tips. If you're the sort of person who can't stand cold ambience, then bring your own blanket. It's not freezing in there, but enough to make me curl in my blanket. And don't forget to bring along KTM's Train Schedule. You can ask one from the KTM counter. In it, it provides you the time schedule expected to arrive at each station. So each time you wake up in the middle of the journey, you can always look at the time at your watch, and you'd know where you are by referring to the schedule. And if you're dropping off a certain journey, don't forget to set your alarm clock. KTM Intercity trains are not like LRT trains where you can wait for 10 minutes for the next train to arrive. If you miss a station, well...you know what to do.
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Good morning....(wherever I am)
Breakfast with these expensive chocs. RM5.90 for this much?
Was craving, so I had to buy.
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Arriving in Wakaf Bharu, whilst waiting for Anne to arrive, I straight away went to buy the return ticket to KL. Luckily for me, there was only one ticket left. ONE! And so I had no choice but to accept the Upper deck in the berth. Unlucky for me, the bed was again next to the Smoking Area. Sigh~ On the positive side, I get to experience both beds. Soon after, Anne arrived. On our way to her home, we stopped by at a local morning market. It's like a night market, except it's morning. I was telling Anne, "Anne, give me something weird (esp. food), something I can't find in KL or any place else). At home, Anne's aunt had already prepared lunch. So I shared what I bought earlier at the market and enjoyed the Nasi Dagang Kelantan prepared by Anne's aunt. It's my first time eating it, and it was goooood~
Local delights; Kuih-Muih.
Somtham.
Etokk.
Nasi Dagang Kelantan.
At noon, we headed to Tumpat for the wedding reception. Few other classmates were there too; Muni, Eyna, Zaza, Lela and Lokman. After taking group photos with the brides, we bid farewell. Then Muni and Anne was planning to bring me sight-seeing around Tumpat. So we went to three Thai temples. And we were wearing baju kurung. LOL.
Single ladies waiting for their turn to be brides.
The bridal bed or Pelamin.
With the brides.
From left: Lokman, Eyna, Zaza, Muni, me and Anne.
Made this for the brides.
Phothivihan Buddhist Temple
Kok Seraya Buddhist Temple
Wat Mai Suwankiri Temple
After the fun and laughters, and all those photo-shoots, we bid farewell. I hope to see them again during our convocation that is expected to be in May.
The next day, Anne brought me to Restoran Kraftangan in the city for lunch. After lunch, we went to the mini muzium and Art Class room located one floor above the restaurant. Later, we went to Bazar Buluh Kubu. After that, we went back home. Before heading for the KTM station, Anne's aunt prepared me dinner for me to bring into the train, just in case I got hungry inside. Aww, she's so nice. I thanked her for the stay, and we hugged goodbye.
Few minutes of waiting at the Wakaf Bharu station, the train arrived. And I hugged Anne goodbye and thanked her for the stay and city tour.
Few weeks ago, a man fell from the bridge into the river. The rescue was made everyday.
Motorists stop by and became an audience.
This is Anne. My lifesaver. :)
The upper deck's window is half the size of the lower decks' window. Not much of a view to look at.
The hallway
Smoking area.
Squatting toilet. Seating toilet is also available.
Oh, these toilet have no flush, so the 'it' drops straight under. Geddit?
That's why you're not allowed to use the toilet when the train stops at a station.
Arrived KL on Sunday morning (15 hours later). Got home, did my laundry, and ironed my 1-week work clothes. I'd usually prepare my clothes on weekends for the upcoming weekdays, so I wouldn't have to bother ironing my clothes every night. Besides, it's more environmentally-friendly, and power-saving too.
