An epic last day of the year for an epic crossing. Somehow I have a feeling it will still be as dark when I get home tonight.
Engine oil check, brakes check, coolant check, tyres check, drinking water check, biscuits check …… some how I feel there is no breakfast or lunch today…..back-up drivers???? On the way….
Projects like this only comes rarely….the last being the Malay Folk Stories. This is harder as it is further.
GPO KL
Security was still dozing on the cold concrete bench. Another 2 were making their rounds opening shutter doors. Time is of the essence today.
Simpang Ampat
Finally at Simpang Ampat Post Office.
Finally first cancellation.
At this point WAZE showed us a round about way to get back into the highway, make a turn back and then enter from Exit 106 again! I over-ride WAZE for my co-driver and drive back the same way until we were misled by WAZE through a short-cut into a fishing village and an estate road full of potholes. Never knew cancellation hunting can be so exciting huh? So city and fringe of the city dwellers, WAZE is not that accurate until you contribute with the right information (my last epic adventure to Melaka, WAZE could not find the Melaka GPO!).
Second Penang Bridge
Okay found the bridge again! The Epic Crossing Begins. Yes, this is the first time all 3 of us are crossing the Sultan Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah Bridge!
Does this look familiar? Quick, check the stamp, did we chop on the right stamp????
The drive was smooth and more scenic than the first Penang Bridge. Drive through yourself and make the comparison.
Batu Maung
The crossing was successfully made!
Batu Maung Post Office! It is just around the southern end of the island off the bridge.
Two down….one more to go. Can we make it? Follow me.
GPO Penang
Finally we are here!
With no place to park, we took turns to look after the car while two by two we went in to chop!
Finally…..Mission Accomplished.
We decided to head back on same bridge to get back to Ipoh for dinner.
Here is the start of the long drive home. Feeling happy and my friends who joined for the first time felt that FDCs have never been more exciting!
My thanks to RC and V for their support in this project ….. oh and WAZE which I managed to prove to my 2 friends that WAZE is not good enough when travelling out of city zones. About 19 hours of back to back journey and one dinner!
I finally reached home at about 30 minutes before new year! Yes it was pitch dark when I stepped into the house – just as I expected when I started out.
Happy New Year 2015 to all readers!
Updated 01 January 2015:
It was too tiring for me to continue last year. So I had to resume this year. Here are my stocks. Invariably my cost structure will be higher due to the longer journey. Anyway if you find it fair, the list is below. As usual I separated the good ones. Anything less than acceptable (in my books) is listed separately at a reduced price. As per the usual practice Batch 1 is for my regulars who usually buy in the early stages. Latter batches will be more expensive.
Not so perfect covers at reduced prices:
Format 3: Batu Maung cancellation just touched to perforation area. If you like this type why not take advantange of the slightly lower price.
Format 4: Batu Maung not so clear but decent. <sold out>
Empty Second Penang Bridge Folder:
With Simpang Ampat, Batu Maung and Pulau Pinang on the empty folder and free poster.
Centenary of the Battle of Penang in World War 1 commemorative postmark:
No cover was issued for this postmark. I do not want to cut and paste an image from internet to make a private cover as it infringes on other’s copyright (as if we can ever learn from that). I did find a decent stamp to match the occasion.
Not so perfect cancellations:
WYSE 2014 participant countries:
Just arrived – items from UK and HK who did not attend the WYSE 2014 but issued something for this event. If you are a casual collector and buy only a set or two, it will be cheaper than ordering overseas.
A really gorgeous (about A4 size) self adhesive personalized/generic stamp sheet from UK: http://www.ebay.com.my/itm/UK-GB-WYSE-World-Youth-Stamp-Exhibition-Malaysia-2014-Sheetlet-MNH-/261717836260?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_207&hash=item3cef9941e4
An overprint from HK: http://www.ebay.com.my/itm/Malaysia-2014-WYSE-World-Youth-Stamp-Exhibition-Hong-Kong-2015-MS-overprint-MNH-/361169884773?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_207&hash=item5417671665
sky52200
p.s.: If you are keen to join one of these cover expeditions (when the next epic FDC is released) and visit post offices that you would not have otherwise gone to or travel off the beaten track, drop me a note. Breakfast and Lunch not provided – not because I am stingy but there is usually no time to eat 🙂
p.p.s,: Did you know that on 14 September 2015 (this year), the first Penang Bridge is 30 Years young? Definitely someone will bring out the old cover and “chop” again! Fortunately it is a MONDAY!
myfdc 
aiseh… should drop me a mail for yam cha session when u come to penang ma..
🙂 we did not even have time to eat until dinner at about 08:00 pm in Ipoh. Contact you next time.
sky52200