We live on one of the most quirkiest island in the world, our islanders are nuts, our food out of this world, our buildings are in pink, purple and lime green, our old streets are loud, and our skies dramatic. Why is our airport so boring? It’s a terminal, terminal is death. It’s the looming pending wait or weight of departure or arrival. Our airport does no favour to the rest of the island.

The Day began at 6am. Got my kiddo ready for school and walked the 8 minutes where we crammed our stories, our schedule for the week, a million kisses and a million more I-love-yous. I won’t see him for 2 weeks.

Grabcar booked, 7 minutes extra time to faff around with my furry kids,  2 cats and 5 dogs and investigate the poop lawn. I gave out equal shares of butt scratches and received endless supplies of licks and wags. I will miss you, be good babies and take care of each other.

Am off, My Bentook and me, to reunite with childhood, my best buddy,  I may punch him in the face because I love him so much! No one knows you as well as your childhood friend. There are no boundaries, we don’t care for feelings , we care deeply for each other. We’ve come full circle almost and still grasping the concept of adulthood.

“Backpack or Rollies?” I texted. “We’re in our 40’s. Rollies.” his reply.”

The ride was pleasant, the roads mildly littered with traffic. I like GrabCar it’s my only prefered luxury transport. The conversation lightly touching on politics (tutt-tutting mostly) and oh yes currency!  I was able to reply emails and unburden the tail ends of social media. Download GrabCar app, endorsed by Penang Local.

We passed by Penang Free School one of the oldest schools on Penang island, fun fact : Robert Kuok went here.

“…Once their famous tagline “Now everyone can fly” must be an internal joke and said with a smirk…”

In less than 45 minutes, we reach the airport. Yawn. AirAsia has the potential convenience of web check in. I will never fully trust Air Asia, after canceled and delayed flights , pending refunds which I doubt I’ll get back; I barely made my connection to Zurich last year, and purchased a last minute ticket from their rival , Malindo air. Once their famous tagline “Now everyone can fly” must be an internal joke and said with a smirk amongst them. But they do fly direct to most destinations, grudgingly I bow my head and pray my journey will be smooth.

Webchecked, double checked , changed currency and watched my Ringgo dwindle like monopoly money…I’m going to a country where they refuse the Ringgo, how’s that for travel confidence (*scoffs).

“…This airport really bothered me, I am glad at least for it’s compact size, I’d hate to think of more empty space to stare at…”

All that done, the highlight of Penang International Airport is sitting at Kaffa cafe. They do good coffee here, and literally leave you alone after you pay at the counter. They have WiFi,  cakes, hot food, a comfortable ambiance, and.flat white is RM12++ .

This airport really bothered me, I am glad at least for it’s compact size, I’d hate to think of more empty space to stare at. I have been to smaller airports, less facilitated airports, they are charming , my airport is soulless. PIA doesn’t do any favours for our eclectic island town.

“…I half expected my Bentook lace locks to beep at security. It didn’t FYI. Clever little tingtings…”

International travellers seem to get the better treatment, as compared to domestic. Domestic departure seems to have sacrificed all the trimmings (not by much) the further you go from Malaysia. Once you pass immigration at international

“…even as we were growing up, he was the kind of kid who’d walk down our school corridor chewing on an unlit cigar…”

We didn’t really plan this trip, we chose a country, because religion and nationality won’t allow him to visit my country. It took us seconds to decide the possibility of meeting up. I am secretly in awe of my long time friend, he had this strange habbit of quoting cheesy lines, even as we were growing up, he was the kind of kid who’d walk down our school corridor chewing on an unlit cigar. So where will we go once we meet? I ask, ” ahh..as the Gringos would say ‘let’s play it by ear’ ” says he. I rolled my eyes endearingly.

Several hours more Buddy! till we bump chest, fist, bear hug, air kiss, high five, I don’t actually know what to expect. One more airport, and another to go. Can’t tell you yet…