Hello friends! Welcome to one of my reports.
Firstly, as usual, sorry for my bad English, and also bad quality of the photos as I took all of them by my cellphone.
Here are parts of the journey:
August 20th, 2018: Jakarta (CGK) to Kuala Lumpur (KUL) by KLM Boeing 777-300ER (click here)
August 21st, 2018: Kuala Lumpur to Penang overland
August 21st, 2018: Penang (PEN) to Medan (KNO) by Indonesia AirAsia Airbus A320 (you are here)
August 24th, 2018: Medan (KNO) to Jakarta (CGK) by Batik Air Airbus A320 (click here)
AUGUST 21st, 2018
After about 6 hours bus trip from Kuala Lumpur, I arrived at Butterworth, an industrial town located in mainland Asia (Malay Peninsula) facing the Penang Island. Here I hop the ferry crossing the strait to Penang Island, or more exactly Georgetown area, Penang's administrative and business center.
Sights from the ferry, including Penang Bridge, one of Penang's icons, connecting Penang Island and the mainland.
Having breakfast at a local restaurant serving "Nasi Kandar", one of Penang's must-try food which is the Indian-style rice dish mainly sold by "Mamak" or Muslim Indians.
After breakfast, I walked to the nearby Chowrasta Market. Daily items, foods, clothes, and others are sold here.
Komtar, one of Penang's landmark. It had been Malaysia's tallest building before the arrival of taller buildings in KL, especially Petronas Twin Towers.
Komtar's ground level contains Rapid Penang bus station, from where I would leave for the airport. The Rapid Penang bus is the cheapest, but also the most time-consuming, transport option to Penang International Airport. It costs MYR 2.70 to reach the airport. Very cheap, compared to the KLIA - Kuala Lumpur buses which cost MYR 11.00-12.00. You must pay the exact fare, no changes are given. As a city bus, it will stop at all bus stops along the route.
Arriving at the airport after 40 minutes bus journey.
I had been not in Penang International Airport since 2011, when me and my family had a short vacation from Medan to Penang. The airport is probably one of main air gateways to Malaysia. Recently Qatar Airways operated routes from/to Doha, making access from Europe and Middle East to this airport easier.
Flight schedule.
Check-in counters.
As an LCC, AirAsia only provided self-check-in computers. No staffs at check-in counters, but helpers were still available to help people working with the computers.
My boarding pass.
Time to enter the airside, and I was surprised by the long queue for immigration checks.
I spent probably 30 minutes in the immigration queue. Luckily there was still an hour before scheduled departure. I tried to explore the airport, but the airport's layout made me unable to take photos of sights outside the window.
Cathay Dragon preparing for departure back to Hong Kong.
Indonesia AirAsia (QZ), with registration code PK-AXV, painted in special livery, would bring me to Medan.
Boarding started.
Cathay Dragon seen from the aerobridge.
Entering the plane, greeted by young cabin crews.
LCC typical, ads dominating the cabin.
As I sat on the aisle side, I couldn't take pictures of window sights, especially while take-off. But as about 50% of the seats were vacant, I moved to an empty window-side seat after take-off.
We departed at 12.45 p.m. (UTC+8) The take-off process was smooth, and the sky was very clear. No turbulences happened.
After seat-belt lamp was turned off, I checked the lavatory as usual.
Also items inside the seatpocket.
"Santan" (Malay / Indonesian: "coconut milk) inflight meals menu. "Pak Naser's Nasi Lemak" and "Uncle Chin's Chicken Rice" have been AirAsia's signature dishes for long time.
"Travel 360" magazine, Indonesian version (in Indonesian language).
"Travel 360" magazine, Malaysian version (in English).
I also tried the "Rokki", an IFE system accessed through Wi-fi. "PK-AXV" was the 1st (and only???) QZ's aircraft installed with "Rokki", while the system had been available in all Malaysian AirAsia (AK) fleet.
If an announcement was made, the web browser turned like this.
The flight was short. Only 45 minutes in the air, we had been called to prepare for landing.
Entering Sumatra Island.
Touching Kuala Namu International Airport, Medan, at 12.45 p.m. (UTC+7).
Parked beside a 737-900ER of Lion Air.
Time to leave the plane.
Final shots of the plane's exterior. What a beautiful livery.
The immigration queue here was very short and the process was quick.
Baggage carousel.
Arrival area.
Train station, from where you can take trains to Medan city center. But the price was too expensive for me (IDR 90,000-100,000).
Express buses are far cheaper (IDR 20,000-30,000) than the train, so this was the way I reach my destination.
Finally, click the spoiler below to see my activities in North Sumatra:
One of must-try foods in Medan: Babi Panggang Karo (Karonese roasted pork) served with sauce made from pig's blood.
Taking intercity bus to Siantar, North Sumatra's 2nd-largest city, located about 150 km from Medan.
Going through Medan-Tebing Tinggi tollroad, one of newest tollroad in Indonesia, connecting Medan, the airport, and Tebing Tinggi city. Palm trees were dominating the sights.
Siantar, a memorable city for our family, where my mother was born, my father spent his high school times, and my late grandpa's grave is located.
Pasar Horas (Horas Market), Siantar's central market. "Horas" is actually Bataknese greetings, but it also can be meant as "safe" or "good condition".
Kok Tong, a legendary "kopi tiam" (Chinese coffee shop) in Siantar.
Fried kway teow as my lunch, with its "sambal".
From Siantar, I continued my journey to Balige by this economy-class van.
Passing through Lake Toba, the largest lake in Indonesia and Southeast Asia.
Mutiara Balige Hotel, one of newest hotel in Balige available for visitors. Unexpensive price but good service. Also located at the main road of Balige. Recommended.
St. Joseph Catholic Church, Balige, located close to the hotel. A beautiful church. Just behind this church is my ancestors' tomb.
Pantai Bulbul (Bulbul Beach), a beautiful beach on Lake Toba, located at northern side of Balige.
Parapat, a tourist center facing Lake Toba, located between Siantar and Balige. This small town is also the gateway to Samosir Island on the heart of Lake Toba.
I took a domestic flight out of PEN back in 2014 and had noted in my flight report that the terminal was very plane spotter friendly - I could take pictures from jsut behind the windows. Maybe the arrangement of the international section is different; sorry for you.
Thanks for the story of this flight, and for the bonus on Medan / Lake Toba which have been on my looong to visit list for many years !
I've read your report, and yes, the domestic terminal seems better for photography.
Please visit our hometown in Lake Toba, we will pleasantly welcome you.
Thanks for your comment.