Jake and Jack first time flying overseas with own bicycles
After much delibration, we decided bring our own bicycles for this ride across Penang 2nd bridge instead of renting bicycles in Penang. Jack will ride the Brompton Flame Laquer 6 speed, while Jake will ride his Pikes 6 speed Royale.
Jack’s Brompton went into the B&W hard case, and Jake’s Pikes is packed into a Rhino soft bag. We packed some clothes in the Rhino soft bag to pad the bicycle.
Our 2 helmets and other clothes is packed in a duffle bag which will be checked in.
EC dropped us at Changi Airport before heading to work.
Did we just missed Penang Airport?
SQ134 took off on schedule for Penang. After an uneventful 1 hour 20 minutes, we can see Penang Island as we approach. The airplane was making the final descent into Penang Airport, just meters above the runway, when we felt the airplane suddenly apply thrust and flew upwards, aborting the landing! Is this a go-around or wave off ?
This flight is being re-routed to KLIA due to weather. We will have further information when we land…
SQ134 Captain
Weather?! The sky was bright and sunny, and the runway was completely dry. Why was the descend aborted when the plane was just 10 meters from touching the runway?
Everyone on the plane was confused. The stewardess would only say the diversion to KLIA was due to weather.
Jack told Jake upon reaching KLIA, we should quickly grab a meal and keep the receipts for insurance claim. Who knows how long we have to wait in KLIA. If the plane was faulty, we may even have to wait for a replacement aircraft.
Couldn’t disembark at KLIA
Sadly, after touching down at KLIA, we weren’t allowed to disembark. We were given orange juice and some nuts. Stuck in the plane on the tarmac for 2 hours before we departed again for Penang Airport.
This time, we landed safely at Penang Airport without any drama at 3:15pm, 4 hours late.
When we taxied to the aerobridge, there was another SQ plane parked there. This could be SQ136 which departed 3 hours after our plane at 1:09pm and landed in Penang at 2:22pm, one hour earlier than us!
- Aborted Landing : I later learned that the captain of SQ134 could have aborted the landing due to abrupt wind change during descend, and had to abort at the last minute. This is to avert overshoot the runway if he had forced a landing
- 6 Hours Trip Delay Claim : As the delay for this flight was less than 6 hours, my claims for travel delay was rejected by Etiqa. I remember hearing on the radio another travel insurance company allows claims for travel delay of “any” duration
Rush for Haircut
Small but clean room
Our original schedule was to check in U Hotel at 1pm, Then go for lunch in Georgetown, have a cup of coffee in a nice cafe, before our barber appointment at 4pm.
But due to our flight detour to KLIA, we just dropped our bags in the room and quickly took a Grab ride over to Son & Dad Barber Shop as I had made online appointment, and paid a deposit for our haircut.
Jake had a hair cut, while I was able to squeeze in a wet shave and hair cut.
Our Hunt for Briyani
Jack had done some online research for pasar malam in Georgetown. There is a night street food along Kimberly Street. But when we walked to Kimberly Street, there were 2 food vendors and no customers. And today is Friday!
Luckily Jack had asked the barber for dinner recommendations before we left the barbershop. He had recommended Hameediyah Nasir Kandar, which is not far away.
We passed by a Chagee in a nice shophouse. Maybe we will swing back after dinner
There was a queue at Hameediyah Nasir Kandar, and the diners seem mostly local. This is a good sign.
Hameediyah Nasir Kandar
Nasir Kandar is an Indian version of Jake’s favourite Beach Road Scissors Cut Curry Rice. They pour the various curry (4 here) onto plain white rice, and you add meat and other vegetables.
