Ipoh, Malaysia – 24-25 July 2022

We pull into Ipoh bus station at 6.06pm on Sunday 24 July. Basically two hours and 35 minutes after leaving Cameron Highlands. I can’t wait to get off!!!

I had changed hotels to be one close to the bus station, saved me going the 20 minutes into the Old Town tonight then back out tomorrow.

It’s a short walk to my hotel. The staff on reception are super friendly and helpful! I’m surprised to have a window in my room….not what I was expecting. A pleasant surprise 😊

I’m given three recommendations for dinner. All within a stones throw of the hotel. I decide to go with Thai.

I have the staff translate the options under Tom Yum. Seafood Tom Yum and a fresh lime juice have been ordered. I was asked if I liked spice….sure thing.

I take one sip of the soup. Delicious!!! The staff are all watching me to see my reaction.

I walk around the block before heading back to the hotel. Day is turning into night so time for me to head to my room.

It takes a few minutes for the a/c to kick in! It’s definitely needed in Ipoh.

Monday 25 July I wake just after 7am. I had previously heard the call to prayer.

I had researched options for breakfast, given a Monday quite a few places were closed. One i did find, and says it’s open, is clearly no longer in operation. Right time to put on a brave face and go into a local place.

As soon as I walk in everyone stops and stares. Well this will be fun!! I’m waved down to the one person that can speak English. Black coffee, no sugar is ordered.

When I sit down I see the menu on the walls. Thank you to Alice I now know what Roti Canai is. One please.

I’m so so thankfully that the coffee has no sugar. Roti Canai and vegetable Dahl is delivered.

I get told off for not eating my Roti Canai when it arrives……I need coffee first.

 

It's soooo good that I have a repeat of the roti canai and black coffee.

There is some serious heat in the sun and it’s not even 10.30am! I can’t wait to get inside the terminal and stand under the massive fan.

I hadn’t been able to locate my bus online last night so am pleased to see it’s listed as a departure this morning. I then have a horrible feeling the bus isn’t going to Penang Island. Checking with the ticket office they assure me the last stop is Penang Island. Phew!

My 16 hours (feels longer) here is coming to an end.

10.56am and the bus is still showing on time, interesting given it hasn’t turned up yet.

Bang on 11am the screen moves to “delayed”. Not sure why they waited to the departure time to say that.

All of a sudden I hear my full name being called. I had been watching the screen so can’t have missed the boarding. At the counter I’m informed there is a problem with the bus and I need to go to counter 5.

At counter 5 they tell me the bus company doesn’t have a valid permit to enter Penang. Ooh my! There have already been 2 buses leave for Penang (in the last 15-20 minutes) so this is annoying. I’m informed the next bus is at 11.45am ooh and I need to pay more. Great…….the next kicker is there are no seats close to the front so this will be interesting. Time to sit under the fan again.

11.43am and I have a horrible feeling I’m about to have a repeat of earlier.

And what do you know, right on the dot of 11.45am they show on the screen the bus is delayed. Excellent…

Finally the bus shows up at 11.52pm, boarding is announced. I’m glad today is my last bus trip, not sure I could deal with this run around again.

At last we push back at 12.13pm. Penang here I come!