Amoi rides in the kampungs: Ride of the Champions (August 7 to 11, 2023), Day 1

Championship No 1 - Historic New Ferry Service

Don't play play...today is the 1st day of service for the new fleet of ferries plying between Butterworth and Penang and here we are, partaking in this historical event! @ https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2023/08/939645/new-penang-ferries-begin-operation-today-passengers-give-thumbs-nsttv

The team, having our first dinner together at Golden Corner on Sunday night. Mindy had come by train while Henry had driven Mr Lim and Zoe, all the way from JB. As for Claudine, she had arrived in KL on Saturday morning to join her girlfriends for a reunion before driving down with May the next day.

Leaving Claudine's old kampung house @ 7.20 am

15 minutes later and after May suffered a fall on the way up Drummond Hill, right next to Taman Vista Hill, we arrive at Taiping Gaol. She had trouble changing her gears and lost her balance when she stopped. The bushes literally swallowed her up. later, she learnt she had lost her sunglasses.

Still in 1 piece and totally unaffected by her fall, May is having breakfast here with the gang at Tai Chien coffee shop

After breakfast, we went to the railway station to secure our train tickets for Butterworth. May is pointing to KTM's notice on "bicycle on board" policy. The RM2 charge for bicycles are waived to promote a healthy lifestyle. Meanwhile, foldable bicycles are allowed on all KTM commuters at all times except from Butterworth to Padang Besar. However, there are some time restrictions for full sized bikes during the weekdays.

After buying our train tickets, we did a bit of sightseeing around Taiping. Behind us is the old pedestrian bridge across the old railway station. When the new electrified double tracking system was built to replace the old one, this pedestrian bridge got in the way of the electric cables and had to be removed. The salvaged pieces are reconstructed behind the Taiping post office.

An old locomotive is also placed here

How not to love Taiping? It is so beautiful

District and Land Office @ 1897

On the overhead pedestrian bridge at the railway station

The all new Taiping Railway Station. Meanwhile, the first railway station in Malaysia is dwarfed and left desolate in the same vicinity

Bikes are all folded up

The samseng 75 year old lady

Here comes the train, right on schedule @ 9.47 am. You can download KTMB app to purchase the tickets online. The journey from Taiping to Butterworth costs RM7.50

Our bikes goes to the baggage area

KTM commuter comes with clean and comfortable coaches

Priority seats for senior citizens are in blue upholstery

The train crossing the Prai River. The suspension bridge in the photo is part of the E17, Butterworth Outer Ring Road

The train was on schedule, arriving in Butterworth at 10.51.

Here, we are proceeding towards the ferry terminal. The railway station and ferry terminal are somewhat connected for pedestrians ease but the officers sometimes require you to fold your bike or may try to boot cyclists to use the road instead. We managed to push our bike upon our arrival in Butterworth but on our return route, we had to negotiate and only allowed to use the pedestrian walkway with our bikes folded up.

It's quite a lot of work to get to the ferry terminal. The train tracks are on the ground. We had

to take the lift up to get to the pedestrian walkway. The first walkway as pictured above is part of The Penang Central building, hence it is air-conditioned. At the end of this covered walkway which leads to Penang Central, we then take the connecting open air walkway to the ferry terminal. Then another lift to get to the ground before following the motorcycle queue for the ferry

Photo credit : Google Maps for visuals

Waiting for our ferry.

Bicycles follow the 2 wheeled vehicle queue

The new ferry service is only available to pedestrians and 2 wheelers

IMO9977622 Teluk Kumbar is part of the 4 new state of the art ferries which replaces the old iconic ferries

On board the new ferry with the ramp up and ready for sailing

Thumbs up for a free ride during its first month of service

Always stand nearest to the life ring bouys if you don't know how to swim!

Penang ahead

Penang Bridge

Butterworth

There's a clear segregation between pedestrians and 2 wheeled vehicles

Air-conditioned area

Priority seats

Toilets

Stainless steel latrine! Hopefully the ferry's engine is loud enough to muffle the sounds amplified by the metal bowl !

Pull down seats to rest your tired feet (photo taken on our return journey)

Section for 2 wheelers with a few pull down seats on the right

We got off from Pengkalan Raja Tun Uda and rode along Pengkalan Weld. After our 1st insignificant lunch, we proceeded to Kafe Ping Hooi for yummy lobak and fried kueh tiau @ https://maps.app.goo.gl/uTfKAzdNb4EzDzFz5

Extremely hot afternoon at 1.45 pm. Karpal Singh Drive with Penang Bridge in the background.

On Penang Cycle Lane, right after Fisherman's Wharf and near to Hean Chooi Temple.

We had wanted to follow the cycle lane all the way to Batu Maung but the cycle lane at this section was closed. Traffic on Jalan Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Highway was murderous, so we had to turn back @ https://maps.app.goo.gl/2Zb3zxUibdJ87yZ66