Surprise# 1
Quickly pack and stuff the final batch of things into my luggage; shut all the windows and switch off all the power sockets. Saying “Goodbye. I would be back next weekend.” to my housemate; I then jump on a cab.
Arriving here earlier than any other flight’s check-in schedules in the past. The last time I was here in Changi airport, was two years ago (ever since Covid-19’s travel ban started, to be precise). But, for the locals, airport terminals are also a place to visit, for shopping or having a meal.
(Hmm…) Rather quiet and empty for such a well-known for its hospitality airport to be in current state. However, it gives visitors a refreshing atmosphere instead as it is not as packed as before.
Those days, groups of people including travellers and foreign-tourists would gather here waiting for their turns to hop on the flight for their long-waited vacations. Significant reduction in the level of human noise. No cheers and laughter. No kids running around. All of a sudden, can’t deny that this place looks even more spacious.
Bring out all the paperwork that I have printed, as a proof to show that I have fulfilled all those tedious requirements for Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) flights. The floor crew attends to my check-in needs. (Wow, not as much lengthy checks as I thought it would be.) It is efficiently quick. Within ten minutes, I am already heading toward the immigration counter.
This time, my passport can’t go through the automated-gate at immigration; have to go through counter instead. Luckily, the queue is short. Else, I would have to spend at least half an hour queueing up and getting my passport stamped by immigration officer.
Surprise# 2
Gate C20… It is on the left side. Strolling along the duty-free shops on the way to the gate. Many shops are still closed and not operating. Fragrance shop only displays 2/3 of their product ranges. Still, no testing allowed to lower the risk of spreading Covid-19 virus from one to hundreds. As a traveller, this feels a little off. The mood to go for one final round of shopping didn’t happen. The layer cake with prunes is no longer on the shelves. Types of flavours and choices have reduced, due to low stock turnover during this travel ban situation. (Oh… It is closed.) The GST-absorbed shop that sells handbag is closed. My plan to get one handbag before departure has to be cancelled. Some disappointments hit me. It is what it is; can’t ask for more. I continue marching to the C20 gate.
People in ‘doctor’s operation robe’, i.e. the medical disposable protecting clothing, is here and there. Some travellers even letting their child to put on fully-covered protection jacket and headwear. A boy even complains that he feels suffocated with the plastic face mask and his jacket hoodie on.
Time to board the plane; I walk towards my seat. (Great! No one will be seating next to me.) It is purposely left empty in order to maintain the ‘one-meter distancing’ requirements. No more bumping elbow with passenger on the seat next to me. At least something good about this VTL flight. How relaxing this is.
Switch on the mini-TV in front of me, choose a horror movie that I still haven’t had a chance to watch while waiting for my ordered meals to be served next. Enjoy the views of those cotton-look cumulonimbus clouds from the window. Most of the time, I look up to see ‘you’ – clouds, and trying to guess what shape you look like. Now, at the same height as ‘you’, your indescribable shapes are just magnificent! White and fluffy as cotton candy.
Light refreshments were served by air stewardess. Really ‘light’ to fit its definition, just a mini pack of salted peanuts and a sealed-cup of orange juice. Ten mins later, stewardess comes to collect the trash.
(Hmm…? When are they going to serve me that free in-flight meal that I have selected when I bought the tickets?)
Until the flight landed in Kuala Lumpur International Airport, I still didn’t see that in-flight meal coming. Same things happened on my connection flight as well. Maybe airline has swapped the free meals to that mini pack of peanuts during this COVID-19 outbreak period; but why airline’s website still letting passengers to select their preferred meals then? Again, I was disappointed by the misleading information; I expect to get the package that was printed on my ticket but in reality, that didn’t happen. I shouldn’t expect my selected in-flight meals on my return flight as well.
Surprise# 3
Forty-minutes flight lands at KLIA. Upon arrival, all incoming passengers have to go through another Pre-departure test (PCR) before they are allowed to go to the immigration counter and collect their checked-in luggage(s).
Three hours to wait for the test results. If one is in a hurry, can always pay more money to get the express service; the express test results will be delivered within an hour. I feel bored and think of ways to kill time. I go to grab some sandwiches from the one and only food stall at this PCR test-waiting area. Finish the quick bite. Thirst for coffee. I walk to the also ‘the one and only’ coffee kiosk machine and click on cappuccino. I entered my credit card pin but the machine keeps prompting me error messages. I let the next person to buy first and I try it one more time. Still fail. (What’s wrong? Is it because I seldom use my Malaysia credit card, for about two years? Couldn’t be…) I walk back to my seat. Ten minutes passed; I go to that coffee kiosk machine again. This time, it works. (Hooray!) With a hot cappuccino in my hand, I enjoy it slowly at my seat; wait for the test result that would come through via email.
Three hours to go. Find a seat with charger port, for my 40% battery level mobile phone. Heard some familiar slang among the passengers. Yes, the typical local slang for those who are from the same state where I was borne, i.e. my hometown. Strange to say, when our local community happens to be or meet in foreign land, not many will show their friendliness or hospitality towards their hometown community. Many emits arrogant vibes towards their own hometown community, as if ‘I am way better and successful than anyone of you’. Why? I could never understand why. If one can show their gratitude to have the chance to meet with their tribes in foreign country, a single smile, a simple ‘hi’ would lighten everyone’s heart. So far, those that I came across, none of them even initiated eye contact; what’s more to hear a ‘hi’ or ‘hello’ from them?
Email ringtone comes my way. Yes, the result is finally here. Time to go to immigration counter. Again, due to VTL flights, I am not allowed to use automated-gate. Joining the long queue with others. At a time like this, the need to calm our emotions is important. If one can’t control their emotions, anger can easily trigger and annoying complaints will start to lash out at his or her surroundings.
Surprise# 4
“Thank you.” Alright, passport-check passed at the Malaysia custom counter. Next, get my checked-in luggage before going to domestic check-in. I stroll around those conveyor belts; none. (Where is my luggage?!? Don’t tell me it was taken away by someone else.) Worry-ward like me can’t help but thinking negatively in a situation like this. What to expect? Theft is everywhere, and anyone can just grab and go. They can drag along others’ luggage if they want to. There’s actually no one, no floor crew monitor and control-check on the luggage. Colourful luggage are just put in a row next to the conveyor belt. That’s it.
I walk towards the air stewardess of the airline I boarded just now and ask her where could my luggage be placed. Her floor crew colleague comes over and takes a look at my luggage ticket. “It should be already be on your next flight to Penang.” He says. “Are you sure? I don’t have to collect it here and then re-check in later on?” I want a confirmation as this was not what the floor crew at Changi airport told me. “Yes. You can go to Domestic check-in at level 5” He continues. “Thank you.” I can put my racing heart back into my body. (Can you please don’t shock me like this?)
So, it was a miscommunication about luggage handling between two groups of floor crews based at different countries. No big deal; as long as my luggage is not lost, I’m good. Relief from my negative thoughts; but tiredness floods me next. I need to sit down and grab some drink while waiting for another few hours until the next flight home.
Surprise# 5
My next connecting flight by right would depart at 10 pm; but few days ago, I have received an email informing that the flight has been rescheduled to 11:45 pm. (Oh my goodness…) The spacious KLIA airport is also rather quiet. I ordered a cup of tea. “We would close at 8 p.m.” That’s what the waitress answered me when I asked what time they would close for the day. (8 p.m., so early, for an international airport.) Many check-in lanes and counters are closed. Lights off. The whole airport is covered with yellow dim-lights. Many shops are closed as well; about half of them. Feel lonelier when traveling alone at late hours. (Never mind, why not just check-in and wait inside the boarding gates.)
Gate B6; only one lady is sitting near that section. “Lonely, I’m Mr. lonely~” Akon’s song starts playing in my head. Put down my hand-carry luggage. Make a phone call home and have a short chat with my parents. My father will come and fetch me around 00:30 a.m. midnight. “Watch out for your belongings and careful with strangers that approaching you.” My mother reminds me to stay alert. “Nobody is here, Ma. Only one auntie is sitting here with me. Super quiet. All shops close at eight.” I said. “What? Close at eight? So early?” She was surprised, like I did. In my hometown, we have many 24-hour shops and roadside food stalls. For one to close at 8 pm, is very rare.
“Pa, drive safe later on, yeah. See you soon!” I remind my father. Guess, I would do the driving on the way home then. He might be tired to have to stay up so late and still driving for an-hour journey to the airport.
How do I feel about taking this VTL flight? Some efficiency in taking measurements to reduce virus spread but inevitably some disappointments along with tiredness. About one and a half hour direct-flight from Singapore to Penang in good old days, now occupies almost my one whole day. News about opening more VTL flights was announced few days ago, of which VTL direct flights to Penang will be one of them. I can’t tap on this benefit as this announcement will only take place in later weeks whereas my annual leaves will be forfeited by then. Let’s don’t think about things that can’t be undone. No value-added in that.
Connected onto free Wi-Fi, I listen to songs and relax myself as much as I could. I really need a break. I even rushed a report and emailed it to my colleagues before my departure to Changi airport this morning. Luckily, my superior approved my leaves application and be my back-up during my out-of-office days. This was just a wishful thinking on this naive me. Bubble bursts when I reported back to work after this trip; I came to realize that my works were piled up on my desk and she hasn’t back-up to handle any of them. During this trip, I do know that I still need to login and check my emails during my leaves as many things are within my scope to attend to. Just do it. Being in finance department, sometimes we don’t have much freedom but rather tied-up by multiple deadlines.
Half-time break.
Do you know that you’ve just finished reading 5 chapters?
That’s almost 2,000+ words! Good job!
Have a little stretching on your neck or go grab your coffee. More surprises after these. Hope you enjoy your reading.
Surprise# 6
“Gu Gu!” A loud and familiar voice comes my way. (Haha… That’s my niece.) Gu Gu means aunt (i.e. father’s sister) in Mandarin. This loud calling from her wakes me up from my emotionless robotic action, from boarding that midnight flight and all the way through until exiting from the arrival immigration check. I smile broadly. She runs towards me and gives me a bear hug. I give her a kiss on her chubby cheek. Frankly, I miss doing this to her. (Finally, I’m home!) After two years away from home when it is just a short-distance trip, yet travel ban rules stop us from flying across country. Seeing my parents with my very own eyes, they became much older compared to two years ago. Video calls don’t give such visual impact than face-to-face meet-up. “Pa.” I give my father a hug. “Feeling tired? Let’s go home.” He says. “I’d drive.” I say. “You sure?” “Yes. I miss driving, Pa.” I emphasize. “Haha… Alright. Just drive carefully.” We are going home. My home sweet home.
Tiring journey and hassle procedures have all being flushed away by those smiling faces from my family. If anyone asks me is it worth going through such hassles, I would say “That’s fine. We won’t get to see the empty airports pretty soon.” It would go back to the crowded airport terminals, with travellers coming from or departing to any part of the world.
Just when I thought that’s all the disappointments that I would have to face, I received email notification about the return flight schedule change. (What?!? 11 a.m. flight becomes 6:25am! That means I have to wake up at 3:30 a.m. and depart to airport at 4 a.m.! Oh my goodness. Are you kidding me? Can you please stop?)
Surprise# 7
Two days before the return flight departure, I need to get a certified test. I did that per VTL flight requirements. Follow the instructions and the test result finally gets uploaded to the designated mobile apps.
I try to get on bed early that evening but failed. I only fall asleep at 1 a.m., and get up at 3 a.m. preparing for departure to airport. It’s Sunday, my little brother offers to take the hassle of sending me to airport instead of my father. I wake him up after I have done with shower.
Pitch black sky, quiet street. We depart to the airport, drive for about 40mins (if no traffic). Only a few people at the airport, waiting for custom officers to open the checkpoints gates. (Yawning…) Tired and sleepy. Board the flight and it lands safely at KLIA. (7:30 a.m., so early. Where to go?) I go to the airline counter and ask if I could use the lounge. Too bad, they only allow for business class passengers to use it. Sometimes, we can’t do much even when we are willing to pay a little extra for it. (Great…)
I look around the airport to see what I could do or hang around. (Oh! There’s a hotel on the airport directory board. Yes! But should I go rest first then eat my brunch or I eat now and sleep all the way till noon time?) I chose the latter. I have mixed vegetables rice at the food court at level 2.
Breakfast is done; next, jump onto the pick-up car sent from the hotel. (Woo~ Feeling good!) No window, no ceiling, with wind directly blows onto my face and hair when the car is moving forward. First time boarding such pick-up car. It was just a 3-minute drive, I arrived at the hotel. It is just one block away from the airport and a link way is built in between. Few hundreds were spent for that 5-hour room. No complaints as I really need a nap now. Lock the door, put down my bags, set alarm clock on my mobile phone; crawl onto the bed and sleep like nobody’s business.
Alarm clock rings. Feel a little refresh. Never underestimate a short nap during the day. I use the bathtub and enjoy a hot (or lukewarm) bath. Shoo away some tiredness in my body. Fully refreshed, afterwards.
Surprise# 8
I head over to the same food court for lunch. Knowing that there won’t be any in-flight meal for me, it is better to grab my proper meal beforehand. During this hour, it is quite pack here. I waited half an hour just to get the Halal-Chicken Rice set. I order a cup of green tea latte after that heavy meal; just to kill time. Still a few more hours to go for me to be ready at the boarding gate.
Alright, it’s about time to check in after my lunch. (Hmm? How come so many foreigners boarding this flight to Singapore?) This flight has so many passengers! It took longer time to get into the waiting gate as many of them didn’t have the complete document needed. I see now, this flight is taking passengers from 6 different airlines! Was it due to cost savings to those airlines? Maybe they can’t cover the cost to fly just a few passengers per day.
Board the flight. This time, no more empty-seat between travellers. All seats are fully occupied. (Singapore to KLIA versus KLIA to Singapore VTL-flight arrangement has such a huge different? Sigh… It is what it is.) I have 2 packets of peanuts in my bag as I don’t feel like eating them. Watch the in-flight movie, and pilot makes announcement that we are ready for landing.
Surprise# 9
Finally, back to Singapore, it is now about 8 p.m. Again, my passport was not allowed to use at the auto gate. Custom officer says that some of my passport info was not updated correctly; causing it can’t be detected successfully by the machine. (I see.) He checks on the complete document I handed to him. I wait for his green light to leave for luggage collection.
“You are required to serve the 8 days stay home notice (SHN); this is the printout that you need to read and comply with.” My face turns black as I am pissed off now. “I bought VTL return flight tickets, why do I still need to serve SHN?” I speak at monotone, trying hard to control my temper. “The information we received from this airline is that this is a Non-VTL flight.” “But I bought VTL return flight tickets.” I stand on my fact. “You need to see correctly when you buy the ticket.” He says. I dig from my bag those e-ticket and ticket receipts that I printed, to show those proof to the officer. But, I end up speechless. Nowhere on the document has ‘VTL’ or ‘Non-VTL’ word printed or mentioned, at all. The airline still not updating their ticketing system to reflect such changes during this period. Now, I have no proof. I have no choice but to accept both the printout and verbal reminder on non-VTL requirements from him; I leave the counter with massive disappointments.
(Let’s grab the body lotion before heading home…) Only the retail shop located at this airport terminal still have the stock. A young lady walks up to me and blocks my way to the retail shops zone. “All travellers have to head to your designated quarantine place by taxi. You can’t go to any retail shops.” (This is the bad day of my life… I guess my facial expression must be in terrible-look now.) I drag my luggage towards taxi stands with emotions boiling up inside me.
Silence. No music plays in my mind, no monkey mind talking as well. Going home in quiet mode, all the way. All the riddles are solved. Why there were so many foreigners on this flight? Why aren’t there any safety distancing between seats in the flight? Why custom officer takes so long to check those documents? Did I really buy a Non-VTL ticket for KLIA-Singapore flight? Did I choose the ticket wrongly? I can never have the black and white proof for that. (Jeez…) My mind is in a mess now.
Surprise# 10
Read the instructions printout from that custom officer, there’s another test that I have to take on day 6; and I am only allowed to go there by taxi. What could have been worst? All these are at my own expense. And I have to spend more on food delivery during the SHN and being spot-checked by custom staff my whereabouts via video calls. Feel like as if I am a criminal or one that serves community service. This might be how all those dormitory foreign workers have felt and faced when strict requirements imposed on their whereabout in early Covid-lockdown phase.
All the ‘what-if’ scenarios play in my mind now. I wouldn’t have to spend all those extra costs if that KLIA to Singapore flight was a VTL-flight. If I wanted a non-VTL flight in the first place, I would have more flights option, no need to waste such long hours at KLIA and spend that pricy 5-hour hotel room. (No more VTL or non-VTL flight for me. I have had enough of it.)
When I went for the PCR at the designated centre on day 6, the part time nurse attended to me asked if I am feeling okay? “Yes, I have done all the tests, just that the flight I took declared as a non-VTL flight that I have to be SHN.” I say. “Sorry to hear that, but I have heard many similar cases like yours now. You’re not the only one.” She shared some reality news with me. (Oh my, so this kind of chaotic airlines arrangement also affecting many travellers. What a mess.) I am done with the test; hope to be ‘free’ from SHN in one more day.
To all the travellers out there, if you are not in a hurry to travel now, how about just wait for a bit more. When the VTL requirements and those hassle tests are lifted, you won’t have to go through all the disappointments that I had just experienced. It is not worth the time and money. To me, this is really not worth it. You could have better spend your money on those value-added stuff; you could have better option in spending your valuable time with your loved ones or on things that bring you happiness. Even if you just spend it on some quality sleep, you also benefiting from it. Choose wisely; you surely can!
Surprise# 11
Despite all the surprises that could be literally called as ‘disappointments’ for many, when I sit back and think of it again in later days, I do get some benefits from this ‘VTL-journey’.
o Unexpected changes or circumstances might come anytime, in our daily life. I have to bring myself to quickly adapt to the change(s) and make necessary tweaks onto my plans. Else, all the efforts that I made thus far will all be wasted. One good example for one that couldn’t pick up the pace and make adequate changes would be that airline. Their ticketing system is still the ‘good-old-days’ settings and their website has yet to reflect the current services they are providing; bring much inconvenience to their passengers.
o Discernments on situation is another thing that I have learned. Knowing who am I dealing with at that particular moment or on a particular subject matter, shouldn’t be taken lightly. I need to quickly consider the possible outcomes of each decision before putting it into action; in order to reduce as much losses or negative impacts on me. If I were still naively arguing with the custom officer about my VTL-ticket, then the high chances of me being exiled from Singapore my entire life could be a likely outcome. If I challenge the lounge receptionist over the counter, I would have just wasted the time that I could enjoyed from a nap. They are merely following the policy and procedures in carrying out their duties, not that they have the authority to say ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ to my request.
o The remote control is in my hand, i.e. the ‘remote control’ that controls my emotions. Most people would know this well, how good it is to be the one in-charge of the TV’s remote control at home. We can pick the channels or programs we want to watch. We don’t have to follow the soap dramas that we find bored, but nothing much we can do about it should the remote control is not in our hands. Feeling angry and keep complaining would only worsen the situation and ruin my mood for the rest of the day. I am a fast-tempered person; I can surely tell if my anger has been ignited by someone or something. What I need to do is to quickly calm myself down or at least divert my focus to another thing that would make me feel good. When I say to myself “that’s fine” or “not a big deal”, I can really stabilize my mood to a certain level; and to my surprise, my footsteps somehow feel lighten thereafter. When I’m in a demotivated stage, my footsteps feel heavy and each step I landed my foot, is dragging… not walking. Enjoy the 5-hour hotel stay, indulge into that thick yet fragrance green tea latte, listen to the non-stop song playlist and even sing along with it. Oh, so peaceful. Is this the so-called “Live in the present”?
This was the last surprise yet the blessings in disguised for me. Thank you for the precious lessons.
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