My little misadventure in the Pearl of the Orient

I am beginning to believe that I have a dual personality. One is my "easy going, anything goes" personality and the other, my corporate persona! Before my recent adventure in Penang, I would have strenuously protested to any accusations of having a corporate persona whatsoever. But, the truth stared me in the eye whilst I was there ...

Last weekend, we had an event in Seberang Jaya. Due to the recent spate of travelling, I was tired of driving and took the flight to Penang instead. We left the airport at almost 7.00 pm. The taxi driver warned me that a trailer broke down at the bridge earlier at about 5.15 pm but he expected that the roads would have cleared by then. Unfortunately, he was so wrong! The wonderful road system in Malaysia is such that any breakdowns/ accidents would cause a massive jam in the vicinity which would take hours to disperse!

In any case, we decided to take the ferry across instead. So off to the ferry terminal we went ... and lo and behold! we got stuck in a long queue as everyone else had the same thought of avoiding the jam at the bridge.

One wonders why these people do not turn back and rest at home after witnessing such a massive jam. I would have done so if I am a Penangite! Unfortunately, I had no choice!

At that point, the taxi driver was hinting at me to get down the cab and get on the ferry as a passenger. I was extremely resistant to that thought due to 3 reasons:
1. I have already paid RM60.00 to be taken there.
2. I had 2 pieces of luggage and it would be a hassle.
3. I was a little wary as I am unfamiliar with the place. It was night, I was alone, and I wasn't sure if it was safe.

However, in hindsight, it was a very sound plan as I would have reached my destination much earlier.

In any case, I just kept quiet and waited. As the minutes dragged on, the taxi driver became more and more restless. He once again tried to convince me to take the ferry on my own. I remained adamant!

Finally, just as it was our turn to go up the ramp onto the ferry, the taxi broke down! The taxi driver tried to start the engine but to no avail. (Call me suspicious, but I think he was acting that part out.) In any case, I could hardly call his bluff!

Reluctantly, I got off the cab but managed to get back RM20.00 from the driver since he did not take me to my destination. Each step forward I walked in dread. I quickly called my sales staff to inform them that I was taking alternate transport to the place (just in case I get kidnapped or robbed).

I got on to the ferry and realised that there were many folks using the ferry to cross as well. As the ferry chugged along the Straits of Penang, my earlier trepidation slowly left me. My entire demeanour relaxed.

With the wind blowing in my hair, the far-off city lights blinking along the horizon and the noisy din on the ferry, I felt almost like a holiday-maker on one of my backpacking trips. It was then that I realised that this little adventure was no different from any of my numerous backpacking adventures overseas. In fact, I faced more dangers of the unknown when we were in Tanzania and South Africa! This little misadveture should have been a piece of cake for the likes of me. In fact, it was a piece of cake for me. I ended up at my destination by 9+pm with none the worse for wear.

Strange isn't it how our minds play tricks on us when we don on different personas ...