We first heard of Dr. Asel and Nico's visit when Cheng mentioned that her friend and husband would be coming to Malaysia to attend a conference and that she had suggested that they contact us so that we could take them around.
While we were waiting for details of their stay and itinerary, I got a text from Asel for the first time that they will be going to Penang on Friday and will be staying at Traders Hotel. My wife's first reaction was to reply that we will meet them there. She even said that we should leave early... 6 am was mentioned to avoid jam at Penang bridge. I did not take her seriously.
Friday morning at 7.30am, I got up and saw her in no hurry and just let everything takes its usual course. By the time we were ready to set off, it was almost 9.30am. Just before reaching Bukit Gantang service area, I received a text from Asel, informing us that they could not get bus tickets to Penang because the sales offices were closed, except some dubious looking touts. They had decided to call off the trip to Penang and cancelled their hotel booking! What to do but to turn back. As usual, wife decided that since we are going back to BG, it is better to avoid the crowded expressway by going back Beruas way. We informed Asel that we will see them later in KL. Just imagine, had we gone to Penang early, it would have been worse!
All along we were under the impression they were well prepared for the trip. It was only after discussions that we knew she was in such a hurry to make it for the conference that she did not have time to discuss anything with Cheng, who was equally busy. Hence everything was based on optimism and when everything was expected to work properly... but it was a public holiday because of Deepavali!
With our usual hospitality towards our children's friends, we did not mind at all, turning back from Bukit Gantang and going to KL to meet them at Vistana Hotel. We took them to Petronas Twin Towers, a place I have not driven in myself for a few years. By following the signs, I managed to park it at Level 3, blah, noting down the necessary details for finding the car later. We saw a family apparently looking around for their car. In the lift, when we saw a Malay man and asked for information, he said he was looking for his car too! So we were not alone in our 'country bumpkinness'. I was just paying for avoiding shopping malls all these years. Whenever my friend suggested going to such places, I would tell him I prefer to relax and chat with him at his home.
Despite having confirmed that they did not have lunch, my wife insisted that they visit Central Market before dinner. It was already 7pm. I waited in the car and had a nap to recharge. They spent more than an hour there before we set off to Madam Kwan, near Bangsar Village. A sister-in-law was expecting us for coffee at her home. We left at 12.40 am! But it was a breeze driving them back to Vistana Hotel and back to PJ within half an hour!
No comments:
Post a Comment