When Andrew Lim boarded the inaugural Ekspres Mutiara bus from Singapore to Kota Bharu, he wasn't just taking a journey, he was fulfilling his grandmother's dream.
His Popo had often spoken of Kelantan's vibrant markets, the aroma of spices wafting through the morning air, and the gentle lilt of the local dialect that she had left behind fifty years ago.
"The last time I visited home," her grandmother had told him, “it took three different buses and an entire day." Now, Andrew sat comfortably in the modern express bus, his grandmother's handwritten list of must-visit places tucked safely in his bag.
As the bus cruised along the highway, Andrew chatted with Uncle Nik, a fabric merchant who regularly traveled between the two cities.
"You know Andrew," Uncle Nik said, his eyes twinkling, "your grandmother is right about the markets. Wait until you taste the fresh nasi kerabu in the morning—the blue rice with herbs that only Kelantan knows how to make perfectly."
The journey passed quickly, filled with stories from other passengers. Students returning home, businessmen with briefcases full of opportunities, and tourists eager to explore. Each had their own reason for traveling, yet all shared in the excitement of this new connection between two worlds.
As the bus pulled into Kota Bharu terminal nearby AEON Mall, Andrew checked his phone. A message from his grandmother popped up,
"Did you arrive safely?"
He smiled, typing back not just a confirmation of his arrival, but a promise to bring back a piece of home, their home, that was now just a bus ride away.
"This wasn't just a journey's end, it was a beginning"
Ekspres Mutiara had done more than launch a new service; it had bridged generations, reunited families, and opened new possibilities. As Andrew stepped off the bus, the morning sun warming his face, he knew this wasn't just a journey's end—it was a beginning.