Labour Day Outing, KTM Komuter Northern Sector and Penang Sentral

I was reminiscing the good old study days when I took the KTM train back to Kuala Lumpur with the bed coach and all. I really think that the new ETS should just be an additional option, not to fully replace the old train. I've always wanted to bring my kids to experience the life I had before. Sad. Anyway, can you believe I have never try the ETS? The young and adventurous me might have taken the ETS for hundreds of time by now. But taking the ETS back to Kuala Lumpur is not really a good option for us since we would need a car (with safety seats) to go around town when we were there. Hence it's always best that we just drive back home.

The night before Labor day public holiday, I asked husband if he wants to bring the kids to try the KTM Komuter Northern Sector (Komuter Utara) the next day since we did not have anything planned. I knew Balqis would really love a train ride, and I wanted to give it a try too. We've never tried the KTM Komuter Utara. (Like there's so many difference with KL train kan haha). So we decided to bring the kids outing, taking the train to Butterworth and might as well visit the (not so) newly opened Penang Sentral.

There are two options for us to go to Butterworth station.

1. Drive to the KTM station nearby our place about 10 minutes drive and park. Take a train to Bukit Mertajam for transit and change train to Butterworth.
2. Drive to Bukit Mertajam station (about 20-30 minutes drive) and take a single train direct to Butterworth.

Since Bukit Mertajam station to Butterworth is just 2 stops away, we decided to go with option 1 so that we have longer train journey.

But it was so tiring since all the stations did not have escalators, so you have you go up and down the stairs about 2 levels. Yes, there are elevators but with that many people queuing up, might as well take the stairs.

And so, we arrived at Butterworth station! Sat down for a while, taking some breathe. 😅 With kids, you just have so many stops for this and that.

Bilal tengok Balqis macam tak dapat makan, padahal he finished his biscuits already. Isk.

From the station, you can see the Penang Sentral. Penang Sentral is the new hub for all transportation and transits in Butterworth - KTM station, bus station, jetty for ferry and of cos taxis.

This is our first time in Penang Sentral. Been meaning to come and check how it is as I've been hearing the cool stuff they have (like Starbucks lol). But I think I'm going to write another post for it else, it will be too lengthy.

Anyway, some might already know that we have a quite strict no gadget policy for the kids. But for this outing, we let Balqis to use my very old, good handphone that I got from Maxis like 10 years ago to review (dah tak ada nak bagi phone for review lagi ke? 😅), the Nokia N8. It is still working fine, although we are not sure if Symbian software still exist for the phone hahaha.

I've always love taking photograph (hence why my photo is always missing sobs). So I wanted to see if she has the similar passion in capturing photos like me. And I always like to see what kids see through their lens too.

The conditions for her to use the phone:
Use camera only.
If mummy daddy say put aside, must put aside. Or we would take it back.

Definitely her favourite subject to shoot.

"Mummy, belum tangkap gambar makanan Daddy lagi."

Sounds familiar? LOL!

Will try to transfer and share the photos she took later!

While waiting for the food. 

Please don't think that we want our kids to be so pandai that we bring books and pencils ya. We just want them to do whatever things to make them stay put without gadgets. These are only part of what inside the bags.

Check out this post too: Tips for Eating Out with Kids

Had our lunch at the food court with awesome view! And pusing-pusing in the complex a bit. Changed Bilal's diaper, nurse, minum at Big Apple and solat while waiting for the next train schedule.

Tips: Check the timetable to plan your journey so you don't wait long at the train station.

If you need to pray, pray at Penang Sentral before before going to the KTM station. The prayer room (surau) is way comfortable!

Ape ke pelik sangat mummy bongkok macam tu.

And we headed back home. From Butterworth, 2 stops to Bukit Mertajam, change train again to the next station.

Asked Balqis if she had fun taking the train and jalan-jalan. She said she had fun, it was best and added...

"... tapi lain kali Balqis nak naik aeroplane pulak."

Ok bye. Daddy settlekan.

While you are here, enjoy this video too!