Dear Amir: Penang 2009 - Travelling with two

Dear Amir,

Last weekend, we went back to Alor Setar for Pak Ngah's wedding. It was our first trip driving back with both of you. (We didnt bring Sarah along to Endau for the bride's side a week earlier.. and thank God we didnt). The trip back was kinda ok with more stops than usual, hence longer than usual too. We stopped in K.Kangsar for the infamous pau (siap call to book upfront) and the ikan bakar lunch by the kuala. You didnt sleep till after lunch, which is so unlike you who normally fall asleep within 15 mins once we hit the highway. You were babbling all the way, commenting on every single thing you see. When you got tired, you asked for your carseat which we didnt bring to make space for Adik's one instead. Adik on the other hand is so unlike you when you were a baby. She's such a wakeful baby that she only took several short naps throughout the trip. But after K.Kangsar, it rained and you both sleep (you celah my ketiak, sandwiched by pillows) till Alor Setar.

The journey to Penang was smooth, both of you slept well till we board the ferry. It was your third time on Penang ferry ride, but this time you're old enough to understand and were enthusiastic about it, although you didnt really understand that we're on a ferry rather than just watching ferries sail by. On the other hand, it was Adik's maiden ride, and just like you she just doesnt get it and seems irritated by the wind.

Before checking in, we stopped by Hameediya to pack our nasi kandaq lunch. Upon arrival, both of you were ssooooo excited. You were literally running and jumping and shouting about (sorry neighbours!). Adik was squeeling, chuckling and babbling non stop too. We stayed in the whole day, reclaiming our sleep from the past chaotic and hot nites in Alor Setar. Then we went out to tapau dinner from Gurney's drive. I must say, i'm dissapointed with the food there.. halal food lah. Limited choices and tak sedap. I mean, when i'm getting Penang delicacy in Penang's main eating hotspot, i deserve to have high expectationla kan. But nevermind to that, we still managed to stuf our face silly and it's rezeki alright.

Next day pretty much the same thing. Buffet breakfast (which i find more challenging with 2 to handle) then off to the pool, then lazing around in the room (while papa go tapau Nasi Kandaq Line Clear pulak), then Gurney plaza, then tapau dinner. We also managed to have some quiet time that nite with tall coffee in hand since both of you kong-ed early. We left the next day at 1pm, after tiring you out at the pool the whole morning. Journey back was kinda relaxing since both of you sleep most of the time.

All in all I think it was thoroughly enjoyed trip, just the way we planned it to be. The journey was surprisingly manageable, i think thank to you for behaving and undertstanding that Adik needs more of my attention now. It was also liberating for me to know that I am capable of such independance, i mean a trip without maid, or tok ma.. u know. Although we stayed in most of the time (H1N1 alert), I guess we did manage to make the best out of the trip (foodwise and claiming lost sleep). I think it'll be another half yr till we go there again (looking at the previous trips pattern) which is cool since Adik will be 1 then, probably able to toddle along, so that we can go eat nasi kandar in it's hot, curry-smelling ambience.. and oh.. the Penang Rd cendol that we had to give a miss this round.

Nak naik ferry!