My department has merged with two other units and we decided to have a retreat in Langkawi as our last hurrah. We finally agreed on 13 to 15 October 2023.
I had to wait a long time for the blinking bus on Friday the
13th. Then I discovered I left my eye drops behind and had to detour
to buy it. When I looked at my watch and calculated, I realised I was cutting it
close. I hurried to Ampang Park MRT station and rode the train to Putrajaya. I bought
the KLIA Transit return ticket but as it looked I wouldn’t reach the station in
time to catch the 12:22 train, I booked Maxim Car. I reached Putrajaya MRT station
at 12:25 and ran down from the platform and out. The car was waiting and the
driver asked my ETD. I told him 13:30. He said he would try to speed. I thanked
him and settled down, reciting selawat all the way.
We reached the airport and I glanced at the car clock, it
read 12:55. I jumped out, thank ed the driver and ran to the bag drop counter. I
was told the bag drop had closed but I could take my bag to the gate. At the
security check, they debated if I could allowed in until I produced the text
message informing flight had been delayed. I had taken off my jewellery and watch
in the car to speed the bag screening process. I ran to gate A5, stopping en
route to fill up my water bottle. I arrived at the gate at 13:05 huffing and panting.
Whoa! I’d never run so fast in my life before. Ten minutes from when I got down
from the car with the various stops all the way to gate is a record, man. But the
flight was further delayed to 13:40. I groaned, I could’ve performed prayers.
We finally took off at almost 14:00 and landed at LGK an hour
later. I didn’t need to wait for my bag so I waited for my friend before going
out to join three other friends who flew Batik Air. There was another wait for
the operator of rented cars and feeling fed up and impatient, I went to perform
prayers. Came out and the operator had only just arrived so we followed him out
to the cars.
We drove out finally and went in search of a pump station to
fill up. Then we headed for Laksa Ikan Sekoq for our late lunch. It took close
to thirty minutes to get our food. Never again!
We split up, one car headed for the resort and my car
returned to the airport to pick up another friend who was only arriving at
17:00. After depositing our bags, we took a walk along the beach before going
to the main road to find dinner. Three of them decided to drive to Kuah and I finally
agreed with great reluctance to go. After chocolate shopping, we stopped at a
random restaurant for dinner. Dinner was again disappointing.
On Saturday, I woke up early for morning shower and prayers.
I joined a group heading to Kilim and we left just after 07:10. We stopped at Nasi
Dagang Mak Minah for an overpriced breakfast (RM10 for a plate of nasi dagang!)
before continuing on to the Kilim jetty. We arrived too early as we had to wait
for the tour operator to show up at 09:00. It was a clear bright morning. We
boarded the boat and took off for Bat Cave. We spent about 20 minutes there
before continuing on to Crocodile Cave. The boat driver showed his skill in manouevering
the boat in the tight space. He informed
that a boat had the misfortune of being trapped there for six hours when the
high tide hit. We continued on and stopped at two spots for those who wanted to
swim and snorkel. We were at the Kilim Geoforest Park sign when the dark clouds
started gathering above us. The last stop was at the floating restaurant where
we saw various fish being kept. It started raining then so I hurried back to
the boat. Alas, the rain came pounding down relentlessly and it wasn’t long
before we were all soaked to the bone. Seeing as we were all already wet like rats,
the boat driver sped up for the jetty. I really didn’t know which part of me
was still dry then.
We returned back to the resort (it was sunny and hot!) and I stripped off my wet clothes, hung them at the balcony and took a shower. After prayers, my roommate and I went out to find lunch. We had an overpriced lunch before returning to the resort, stopping en route to buy more chocolates. I took a nap and woke up at 17:30.
I decided to stay in until evening prayers even though dinner
was scheduled for 19:00. It started raining after dusk and continued on. The
dinner venue was moved from by the sea to indoors. I finally ventured out after
20:15 because the rain didn’t show any signs of letting up. After dinner, we returned
to our room to pack and rest.
I woke up after 03:00 when my roommate got up to use the
bathroom and couldn’t sleep thereafter. Finally got up at 05:15 and showered
before performing prayers. It was still drizzling, I think it rained all night.
I finished my thick book and went for breakfast. I was having
stomach upset (probably from dinner) so had to be careful what I ate. We left
before 09:00, returned the room cards and drove to the airport. After meeting
the rent car operator, we dropped off our bags and went in. There was no delay
this time and we landed at KLIA at 12:15. I missed the earlier train as my bag
came out too late so had to take the next KLIA Transit train.
