Driving Experiences in Dili

Timor Leste is a newly independent country and Dili is the capital city. Experience the driving and road condition along the coastal road of Dili.

Perfect Landing

Landing from Twin Otter, a photo by wanhashim on Flickr.

Thanks to the pilots for such a perfect landing. View of Kuching Airport runways from the Twin Otter cockpit.

KLIA and KLIA2

KLIA and KLIA2, a photo by wanhashim on Flickr.

The KLIA2 is getting to take its shape. Soon there will be a third runway completed to complement the existing two runways at the KLIA.

As compared with the existing Low Cost Carrier Terminal (LCCT), the KLIA2 will be better integrated with KLIA in term of passengers movement. Hopefully, passengers arriving at KLIA2 will easily transferred to the KLIA terminal.

I also wish that the low cost airline that will operate at the KLIA2 will allow the check-in baggage to be transferred to the KLIA terminal so that it will be easier for passengers to transfer to their respective airlines at the KLIA.

Don't Forget to Use Ferry Services While in Penang

Ferry services is still one of an essential mode of transport in Penang. The ferry services connect the main land (Butterworth) and the Penang Island (Georgetown). Majority of commuters prefer to use ferry services since it is very efficient and also very frequent. Next time you visit Penang, you can try the ferry services.

All of the ferries are still in a very good operating condition ensuring commuters of a safe travel.

The ferry is capable of handling all mode of transport i.e. passenger cars, motorcycles and pedestrians, 

The following picture shows the extensive pedestrian pathway leading to the ferry. The pathway separate the opposite direction using physical barriers. Traveling by ferry from the island to the main land is free whereas a nominal fee is charged for the other direction. For pedestrian, the fee is RM1.20 for adults and RM0.60 for children.

The ferry terminal is integrated with other public transportation facilities. A dedicated Penang Rapid Bus terminals are provided on both sides of the ferry terminals for passengers to travel to other destinations. Taxi services are also available at the terminals.

There are about three ferries operating at any one time in order to provide very short waiting time for users.  Picture below shows on e of the ferries approaching the ferry terminal while another ferry is approaching the opposite terminal.  

Pedestrian is only allowed to use the upper deck of the ferry. As shown below, there are ample spaces given for the convenient of the pedestrian. While on the ferry, the pedestrians can go to the lower deck using a staircase. 

View of ferry terminal on the main land. As shown below, there are two ferries at the terminal. Once one ferry arrives, the other ferry will depart the terminal giving a very convenient travelling option to commuters.

One of the ferries which is about to depart the terminal since our ferry is approaching the terminal.

At the terminal, specially constructed ramp enable vehicles and pedestrian to safely enter and exit the ferry.

Pedestrian path is separated from the path for vehicles.

Another view of the upper deck of the ferry.

Vehicles are queueing up to enter the ferry.

AES at work along North-South Highway

AES at work along North-South Highway, a photo by wanhashim on Flickr.

While passing through a stretch of the North-South Expressway, I saw an AES enforcement system in the process of capturing a picture of a vehicle speeding over the stipulated speed limit.

The following were observed while the AES system unleasehed its power to enforce the speed limit:

1. The system fired a very bright light upon the speeding vehicle even during a very sunny day. You can imagine what happen when the system is firing its bright light in the darkness of the night. It might cause temporary blindness to road user.

2. The speeding vehicle was traveling on the inner most lane and after knowing the AES had snap the picture, the vehicle slows down. I am sure that the image of his vehicle had been captured by the AES. At the same time, another vehicle traveling at a lower speed on the outer lane suddenly stop his or her vehicle upon realising that the AES system had releasing the bright light. The driver's was taken by surprise and got confused causing him to suddenly stop his vehicle in the middle of the highway. His reaction could cause major accident since the trailing vehicle could easily rear ended his vehicle.

3. In the above situation, hopefully the AES system will capture the actual speeding vehicle i.e. the vehicle on the inner most lane and not the vehicle which is travelling at a very slow speed on the outer lane. There is no way of verifying this situation until the driver of the vehicles get the summon letter.

4. The stretch of highway is going downhill and almost all vehicles were traveling at a very slow speed to avoid the speed trap. The slow speed caused localised traffic jam on the stretch of the highway.

Thus, there are vehicles which will automatically observed the stipulated speed limit at the presence of the AES system. Also, there are unfamiliar drivers whose action could cause secondary accidents due to the system.