Getting across the causeway on Friday evenings was seriously mission impossible. Lesson #1: Don't fly from JHB at night. Luckily, the flight was delayed by a good 4 hours. Blessing in disguise. If you need a place to sleep at Senai Airport, try the sofa chairs at Bistro Cafe which is located just outside the Arrival Hall. That is if you don't mind people staring at you, dishevelled and rushing to board the plane. Lesson #2: Never book the last flight of the day, especially budget carriers.

The most annoying thing about touching down during unearthly hours is the exorbitant taxi fare with midnight charge. Lesson #3: Pick flights that arrive at your destination when the city is awake. It was 3.30AM and we couldn't find anyone going to the city (to carpool) so we decided to wait for the first bus in the morning. Best part about sleeping at MacDonalds? You get to eat MacDonald breakfast the moment you open your eyes at 5AM. We got on the first bus to Georgetown at 6AM and finally reached our guesthouse at 7AM.

What a start in Penang!