The 1st crazy trip ever. Darah muda mungkin, though I’m not
that young already. What happened was, it was not even a week after my trip to
Krabi was over, I had a very strong urge to meet Honey G. maybe their
‘pop-special’ theme (all 3 of them sang English songs) the week before had huge
impact on me. I went to school on Monday, got the news that there’ll be extra
day-off the next week. Said to myself “then all left is for Honey G to have
schedule this weekend”. I was so nervous while waiting for their weekly vlive
that Tuesday, to ask them question. And whaddayaknow, they DO have schedule
arranged that weekend. Soon as the vlive ended, I checked for flight tickets
and bought it immediately.
The price? Let say I’ll have to say no to many of my
buying-thing-urge later on. The ticket I acquired was not easy to be done,
since it was a third-party purchase. On Wednesday, I had the empty feeling the
whole day because I haven’t received my booking confirmation eventhough my
money had been deducted from my account. I supposed to fly on Friday you know.
Not receiving confirmation just 2 days before was nerve-wrecking. I keep
calling the company, and failed to get through. Least I could do, I stop
worrying during Asar prayer, pray more to Allah, and trust Him more. Just as I
finish praying, I got the email confirmation for my flight. That means I can
focus on settling my works before I can fly. Accommodation? You’ll know about
it soon. I only had Thursday to do everything.
After work on Friday,
I didn’t immediately go to airport. I had to buy stuffs, which waste me more
time on road than it supposed to. Departure schedule 5.40pm, 3.00pm I was still
at home. It was insane. Around 4pm I think, I boarded the train to KLIA, and
finally caught my breath. Alhamdulillah again, Allah helped me through my
journey. I read my email in train, and noticed that my flight being delayed,
almost 1 hour and half. Which also mean my transit time got shortened
(originally it should be 4 hours). I had time to chat with Aya, get pocket
wifi, and listened to arirang radio, which I told Sam and Paul I did crazy
thing and on my way to Seoul soon. That day was last day Paul as Friday
corner’s guest, before he change to Tuesday’s slot. Paul supposed to have an
event called Have A Nice Day (HAND) on that Saturday too (to be honest I
actually started to get tempted because of Paul, but the ticket to the event
was sold out).
After that I walked to the check-in counter, there’s no
single person checking-in, which was 1st for me. The whole line was empty. Then
I walked slowly to the staff, present my printed document and showed it to him.
A handsome-looking staff greeted me so friendly and taking his sweet time
checking my info. Asked me few questions like: travelling alone? Studying?
(me:no, meeting friends). He was kind of amused seeing the small me alone
travelling for a short trip to meet friend, at Seoul. I would be quite amazed
too, if it were me. I was quite anxious because it was my 1st time taking the
flight (Cathay Pacific+Dragon), unfamiliar and new.
I double-checked with him
if it’s ok that my name lost a –space- in between where it should be. That took
another 10minutes for him to check with the upper-level staff. But I think he’s
just having fun talking to me lol (he smiled happily all the time) and keep
saying don’t worry about the error. He suggest to me to bring inside the bag
that I want to check-in, but it was too heavy and burdensome to me, so I
insisted on checking in (30kg free luggage ok, should utilized it!). he said
ok, he’ll put ‘fragile’ tag on in. Received the boarding pass and instructions,
off I went to departure gate.
I think this was the 1st time that I depart from KLIA
international gate. Took the shuttle train and while doing so, I still can’t
believe I was on my way to Seoul. It felt surreal. I was/am a mad girl. When I
reached the other side, I had to go through another luggage-check at the
flight-gate. I searched for my sit and few people smiled to me. Nice. I love
people smiling at me. While seating, I was scanning the area, see where I can
pray since I haven’t yet to perform it. I stand up again and wandering a bit
before a staff greeted me if he can help me with anything. “hmm I was wondering
if I can pray at the empty area here?” he told me that there’s actually a prayer
room upstairs, and he said I should make it quick because the boarding time is
near.
All the staffs there are so friendly, even funnily made mistake about the
term they use (de-boarding?) since before, they already scanned me in. so I
performed my prayer and funny thing, I just realized at that time, that my bag
containing the morning nasi lemak has been scanned so many times LOL I just
don’t have time to eat the nasi lemak and just remember to throw it away.
I still can remember vividly my 1st flight to HongKong.
Mainly because Cathay Pasific flight is SO COMFORTABLE. The seat is so
comfortable, they even give you pillow. But I was too hungry. I only ate
biscuits/bread that whole day. I thought my gastric kind of attacked me. But
then the flight attendances were busy giving foods to certain people and I
could catch that they served the vegetarian/special request 1st. the flight
attendance that is in-charge for my row is cute, much like a chinese idol. And
the way they speak immediately reminds me of Juztin Lan haha! So when it’s time
to serve our food, this conversation happened:
the cute guy ask me: do you want fish or chicken?
Me: is the food halal?
Him: No. (menusuk kalbu sebab direct je dia jawab)
Me: ok then…fish is ok I think. Fish, please.
I totally forgot about food, and honestly don’t even know
because I booked with 3rd party and I didn’t even checked my booking info about
meal. Since I fear that my gastric would be worst, i ate the food slowly,
making sure I didn’t eat any kind of meat. The fish fillet was delicious (but I
never know, I was too hungry) the set has salad and ham(I didn’t dare eat any
of the salad, and of course ham). But ice cream OMG haagen-dazs ok. I never eat
one before, and I was eating it the 1st time in my life, in a PLANE. Haha! Pure
happiness.
My flight consist of many school-kids, that i suspect also on trip
because of the extended weekend. They looked like that weren't their 1st time.
I tried to watch movie on the flight, but no sounds come out. They provided
earphones but i can't find the hole to put it. So i examine the kids and
finally figured out the hole is on the hand-rest. I thought i can finally enjoy
my movie (Fantastic Beast & Where to Find Them), when i heard jazz music
instead. I plugin at the hand rest of person besides me! HAHAHA.
She was an
auntie with very short hair but I never talked to her. I watched the movie
until the end, managed to sleep a bit (in the middle of watching La La Land) before
I woke up again, looking at the window and I cried. It was so beautiful,
mesmerizing sight of Hong Kong sea at night. With the lights from many boats,
kind of hazy, it reminds me of a scene from anime Spirited Away. My tears
automatically came out since it was so beautiful.
Around 11.30pm, I reached Hong Kong Airport. I walked fast
because I don’t want to stuck between the school kids. I was a bit worried when
I saw the staff checking the temperature of random people (I was a bit
feverish) but it was nothing. I walked according to the transit sign, and
there’s another immigration check-point. The staff took a water bottle from me,
and also did body-check. Wow that’s a strict one. It managed to detect a
crumpled baht note in my pants’ pocket. I thought Thailand’s immigration is
strict, HK is more strict than that.
HK airport is HUGE! It got more than 500 gates for flight.
Mine was at 400 something. 401? I searched beforehand about the prayer room and
the prayer room is not far from my gate, 420 I think. It’s actually a prayer
room for all religion, but it does have a pipe to perform ablution. When I was
about to perform my prayer, a couple from Indonesia I think, enter the room.
Also another man, also a muslim to perform his prayer. I left the prayer room
with smile, not really in mood to talk. I stayed near my gate and charged my
phone at the charging point. They have A LOT of charging area and computer you
can use to access internet. Very handy.
Since my flight was delayed, i stayed at HK airport for only
an hour or so. I chat with Aya and also try to search where to stay at night
for 2nd night. Guess what? I didn’t book any accomodation for this trip. So I
was searching for 24-hours café that I can stay, that is convenient to me. I
decided to just write any guest-house address near the café for the travel-card
that they will give in flight later. I didn’t manage to search many info since
my 1am flight already ready for boarding. I bid goodbye to Aya and board the
Cathay Dragon flight. I almost jumped in joy since the flight provided us with
pillow and blanket and it was so comfortable I don’t even remember who sat next
to me before I slept very tight.
I reached Incheon Airport at 6.15am. there were not many
people at immigration. I took my bag and walked out, and charged my phone
again. At this time I searched for place to go (I didn’t even have any
destination!) I was planning for park, Seoul Grand Park to be exact, but it’s
kind of too far from my center of activities. I decided to go to Yeouido Park.
And hell it was so cold~ the announcement on plane said it was 4 degree C but I
thought it was because it’s morning. But it was REALLY cold, I already wear 3
layers. Honestly, I didn’t prepare for the weather at all. I think I started to
move around at 7am and reached Yeouido around 8am.
I remember crossing the
street on Saturday morning to the park, there’s already quite a lot of people
walking around. The park is also starting to filled with people because
apparently they have Bull-Race Run sorts of. Like a marathon. The dj’s voice
has filled the park and people were ready to start the race few minutes after I
was there. I didn’t join them and just taking my time strolling around the park
and chat with Aya, also tried the periscope that we planned to do when it’s
Honey G busking time.
I only smile at few persons and talk none. There is an
ahjussi who smiled back at me, a videographer who looked like a Japanese person
to me, few couples that I avoided and a fun hide-and-seek group consists of
many girls and ahjumma and few ahjussi. I keep laughing at the trees because
the word ‘pokok togel’ keep pooping in my head haha! I didn’t rent the bicycle
eventhough I planned it earlier, since the route was closed for the run. I’m
still amazed at the fact that the park is in between many concrete buildings
and roads. Park in the city, it is.
Around 12pm, I continued to my next destination: Coex Mall.
I’ve never been there before, so I can’t imagine what it looks like. The clumsy
me had to walk around back and forth to buy mineral water since I need the
bottle for wudhu’, when the fact is, there IS a toilet just behind the prayer
room *slap forehead*. The COEX Mall is a huge one, and the prayer room is
located at the conference wing side of the building. A bit hidden if you aren’t
paying attention enough to the area. The prayer room doesn’t has the wudhu’
area and you have to go to toilet for that, but the lowered sink helped a lot,
and you won’t spilled many water. (I ended up buying mineral water at the
vending machine because I can’t find convenient store lol).
The prayer room doesn’t has telekung when I was there, but
it has scarf and Quran. I used all the plug to charge phone, camera and pocket
wifi I have. I also used the time to take a nap since I don’t feel quite well.
I stayed until about 3pm before moving again to DDP.
It was my 1st time to DDP too. At that time, Seoul Fashion
Week was still going on. I saw lots of people dressing up, also many people who
tried to get glimpse of artists. I planned to go straight to the park behind it
but it was raining. Cold~~~!!! There is a group of artist on the stage outside
but I can’t make out who they are. I moved closer but the rain doesn’t allow me
to move further than the covered area. That time I witness the crazy fangirls
again. It’s been long since I joined any kpop event, it kinda surprised me
haha. They tried to take selca with the artist and poor him has to try too,
eventhough it looks suffocating and hard, much more in the middle of handling
umbrella on one hand.
There’s even a line for free coffee (a LONG line though), so
tempted since it was cold and free stuff, but the line was too long, I walked
to the other side since the rain has stopped. Saw the rose LED which doesn’t
light up during day, and I walked further. THEN I saw JW Marriott Hotel, the
hotel where Honey G event supposed to happen. I went there and asked a very
professional-looking man if I was at the right place of the event (showed him
Honey G insta post) and he said yes. I lined up to buy the ticket (20,000won if
I remember right) and keep the tag with me. I took detour to the Cheong Gye
Cheon river ,Ogansugyo part since I long to see one since my February trip. I took
few photos there and appreciating the clean river before moving to the venue
again. (I went to 7E too, to buy banana uyu and cookies. The staff there smile
all the time to me, and the girl who bought stuff before me, waited until I’m
done before taking the straw she forgot. So polite)
I used the underground tunnel since I tried to search for
toilet to wear my skirt, but the funny thing was, I took a long~~~ route to the
toilet to find it too small for me to change, end up not changing. Then the
tunnel connected to the hotel, so I came out at the hotel lobby. I asked the
receptionist guy (there are 2 cute guys lol) about the toilet. The noob me
doesn’t even know how to close the door, and I think I might push the helped
button for disabled person (sorry!). It was too awkward for me to go in front so
I used the middle door of lobby to the venue outside (also used by the hotel
chef) to go out (I cut many lines of stall) and immediately scanned the place
for a place to sit.
I saw one near the stage and finally can put down all my
bags. I adjusted my position, chat with Aya and tried to calm myself down. At
my right sides were 2 girls with their glass, at my left side, a guy I didn’t
look properly, but he’s a bit far from me. There is a round table in front of
me, and no chair. We sat on the rock bench. At that time video call Aya for a
bit but the venue was too loud I cut it short. Start on periscope (live
broadcast) and I didn’t even realized Honey G was already there before Aya goes
crazy commenting on periscope.
They did soundcheck and sang few lines. After
that I waved to them. Giyong was the 1st to notice me and told the members.
They all looking at my area. I waved my gift bag to them, and their manager
walked to me to take it. Honey G started the busking at exactly 5pm, and it
goes for half an hour. Their live were sooooooo good. And the talk in between,
was just the same as I watch them on broadcast. Honey G is the same on and off
camera.
However, at the middle part, the wind goes strong and I was shaking so
much. Luckily my camera doesn’t shake so much and the recording went quite
well. After they ended their busking, they went to the side of the stage. Aya
and another friend urged me to talk to them. I tried to take selca with Jaehyun
in it far back, Jaehyun noticed and called me to come nearer to their side. He
asked his manager if that’s ok and manager allowed it. So I went to Honey G.
few fans followed me and I gave them the chance to take photo first, while I
stand besides manager the whole time, still recording honeyG on my camera. I
asked manager about Honey G’s new song but manager is also not sure. I was the
last to take picture and manager helped me in doing so.
I talked with honey G for about 5 minutes, with only me as a
fan there (Giyong is the one basically doing all the talk, and he’s the one
actively asking me questions). Jaehyun was excited but he doesn’t know what to
talk, eventhough he stands just besides me. We talked and laughed (even the
manager joined the conversation) and honey G ended it with handshake and sudden
hug (by Giyong). We bow at each other and I was restraining myself from
spazzing of happiness there.
fancams of Honey G:
fancams of Honey G:
(Intro+Baboya)
(cover song: Beautiful-Goblin OST)
(Honey G-Don't Wannabe Your Friend)
So I have to get out from the venue 1st, checking
if I have everything with me, and packed my bag. I was taken hold though, by
someone (event manager?) to check if I have the ticket (maybe she thought I
broke-in the venue to meet Honey G) and I lift my arm a bit to show the ticket
tag. She was quite startled and asked her people why I wasn’t given a glass. I
said “it’s okay, I don’t…drink”. I quickly move passed row of people and out
from the venue, straight to the riverside. I calm myself down, made up my mind
to head to itaewon to pray and eat. Masa ni dah menggeletar gila sejuk.
At the subway still spazzing with Aya on periscope since
it’s only 2 of us. I don’t remember why I dig out my bag at that time, but I
did and it was hard to find what I was searching for. After that I took train
to itaewon (wrong side of train at 1st, and too packed like sardine. After 4
stations can only get out) Eventhough that’s the only 2nd time I was there, I
kind of remember the way to masjid and follow my gut feeling.
It was a tough
climb since I had already walked a lot that day. I grit my teeth through the
cold and took wudhu and perform prayer. I was trying to take a nap when a girl
(Arabic girl maybe) tap my shoulder and asked me where’s the toilet. I told her
the way but not sure if she can find it, since toilet area and wudhu area are
quite apart from each other. I charged my phone abit, before going out again. I
tried to search for Eid restaurant but it’s already closed at that time. I
followed my line of memory again to find Muree, and saw it’s still open. I
order the food, trying not to be too tamak since I was very hungry. I tried to
eat slowly since I fear I would vomit if I eat too fast with empty stomach.
Couple of minutes passed before the staff asked me to pay 1st since he already
want to closed the account for the day. I pay and speed up my meal and head out
again.
It was very chilly outside. I head to subway again and went
to hongik station. I tried to followed the instruction to the café on map but
it’s not near as I imagine. I already walked about 10 minutes before I give up
and just choose any 24-hours café there. I settled in at Kings Bean Coffee, it
was a 2-storey café but I didn’t feel like going up. I choose a table nearest
to the door since that’s the 1st table that I spot the plug. It was around
11.30pm at that time.
I put down all my stuff and went to order. I ordered a
cup of lemon tea. The staff there doesn’t really pay attention to me and
replied to me in boring tone. Luckily my Korean worked well and able to process
what he said at that time. It took a while for me to get my tea eventhough I’m
the only 1 ordering but I don’t mind since I got plenty of time to kill.
The lemon tea was so strong I was surprised at 1st. but it
doesn’t last me long since I was very tired and sleepy. I reviewed my fancam a
bit but that also didn’t wake me up properly. I stand again to take a magazine
and flip VERY slowly. I end up sleeping on the magazine. 2nd time I woke up, I
realized the staff has changed (to a more handsome one too lol the previous one
looked too serious) and the playlist song has become more upbeat. The group of
students (4 or 5) in front of me are still up (bunch of boys too), they
sometimes go out and never come back for quite some times (almost half an hour)
leaving all things behind, including their laptop, on the table. I envy Seoul.
If in Malaysia, sure by the time you come back, half of your stuff not there.
About the café, it’s quite nice, coffee not so expensive (4,000won per cup)
since I guess they target the students, and also they have xiumin’s birthday
support banner there haha! But the café isn’t warm as I expected it to be. It was
so cold! Hence my not-so-good sleep. I was so tempted to ask the staff boy to
borrow his sweater since I realized he doesn’t even wear it, showing off his
muscle maybe? LOL
At around 4am, I decided to go out since it’s already subuh
and I can’t stand sitting down anymore, It was too cold for me not moving. I went
out from café, and it was deadly chilly outside, even more that before. I was
shaking while almost running. Nothing I do can stop me from shaking violently. At
last I zikir a lot and hope it will warm my body somehow, and it DID! I went
down to subway to see if I can pray there, but I end up seeing lots of people
sleeping on the bench, covered with blankets and newspaper (I didn’t realized
at 1st that those were PEOPLE). So I don’t want them to suddenly eye-ing me
praying like solat jenazah or something, I decided not to pray there.
Few thing
I realized 1)there’s a lot of people actually sleeping on subway 2)subway isn’t
really warm during time like this 3)some foreigners still partying out at this
time and wandering in and out of subway 4)weekends, there are many people
taking the 1st train, maybe because they didn’t managed to catch the last
train, or drink too much. Train starts really early, around 5am?
So I went out from subway and found a place besides the
closed Honda store to pray. I laid out my unused towel, didn’t take off my
shoes (because too cold) and pray my subuh prayer. After that I went down to
take train to Seoul Grand Park. I went to toilet 1st and burrrr it was so cold
to even wash my face. I took my time to enjoy the nature and Seoul Grand Park
was so calming.
By 9am I already circle the huge park and took many photos. It was
cold, bernafas pun berasap, and I thought I saw 1 degree C while I was at
subway station. I saw vending machine and tried the coffee for the 1st time. I
FELL IN LOVE WITH VENDING MACHINE’S COFFEE. It was so delicious and warm and
cheap. Only 400won.
Then I head to Ehwa Uni since it’s a place I always wanted
to go. On my way, I bought a bag of nut-bread, with real nut in it. Delicious! I
walked to Ehwa and met a fellow Malaysian there. One of them talked to me while
we’re looking at the uni map board. We talked a bit of where we are from (me
Selangor etc I don’t remember the detail) she asked me if I’m alone and I said
yes. She was shocked and I told her it was actually crazy haha! She went back
to her group and told her friends about me being alone and brave etc. I continued
walking around and use my skills to take photo by myself. AND it was still very
cold.
After Ehwa, I went to Myeongdong to buy a staff kakNina told
me to get. I was confused as always. (before that I tried to search for money changer.
I found one ahjumma with a small stall not far from myeongdong). I tried to
talked using Korean with the red-shirt volunteer but she gave up and use English
with me haha! Not really easy to find the store, my legs already hurt. After I found
the stuff at level 5 of the store, I head to KTO since it has prayer room in
it. The few girl staffs laughed at me when I show ‘3’ to them when she said the
prayer room is at level 2. I realized my mistake and rolled my eyes. Girls, I understand
you ok, just a bit slow. Not so nice to laugh and not telling the mistake to
me. I prayed zohor with Asar and sit with my legs stretch out at the lobby of
KTO. I was playing around with the hologram too. I sat there for almost an hour
since my legs hurt too much to move.
Then I went out of KTO, I saw many foodtrucks and people
gathering around. It’s Deokkabi Night Market (sebakwi?) happening along the
cheonggyecheon stream there (jonggak station). They have nice music, games to
play and lots of food offered (though none that I was brave to try). I participated
in writing message on card and hang it on board. I wrote about Honey G there
hehe. I also went to YP Bookstore on my way, since I missed looking around at
the stationaries. I bought few stuffs and also having peeked at a group idol
doing fansign at the bookstore. I didn’t recognized them (later Aya told me it
was Romeo).
Next I went to Namdaemun to buy face-mask (my target). I went
to buy chopstick and spoon 1st. I talked with the ahjussi in Korean. He was so
friendly and replied me back with Korean too. I bought one for Aya and for
myself. Then I found a store which sell the face mask in bundle. The ahjussi
was so persuasive I had to buy from him lol. I bought 80packs of face mask lol
and ahjussi gave me extra. He asked me if I want to get anything else
(eye-patch? Lol obviously I had panda eyes from lack of sleep). I also end up
buying a backpack since the bag I had with me already almost-destroyed (tali
putus). I had one for 10,000won and still using it until now. I can’t feel my
legs after that. I decided to go straight to airport after that.
By 8.30pm, I was already at airport. My next challenge: I was
hungry. But I didn’t have enough energy to search for the halal restaurant, the
only thing I had in mind was my maggi. The quest to search for hot water was
also funny. I tried to take hot water from food court, but I didn’t know how to
handle the machine, and it ended up with cold water. I tried the water fountain
but the water was too cold. 3rd time, I tried to ask hot water from the café but
she doesn’t allowed me, so I order lemon water instead. I got the hot lemon
water, go upstairs and pour it into my maggi cup, and add the curry powder.
THAT WAS A VERY SOUR CURRY MAGGI I HAVE EVER HAD. I thought maggi curry won’t
be beaten by anything, but apparently not by the lemon water in Seoul. I just
pray I didn’t get diarrhea from it. I ate it outside, at the bus station in front
of the airport, and I didn’t care if people looking at me, since I was very
hungry.
I supposed to pray after that (9pm) but imagining the water
will be too cold, I dragged it. I stayed infront of the tv screen while
charging and chat with Aya (again people just leave their device unattended). I
asked Aya, was airport always been this noisy when it’s already 11pm, then I realized
it’s because they played General Soo Shin’s movie on tv (lots of shouting from
war) lol. I finally went to toilet for wuduk and pray near a lift at 2nd level.
After that I search for vacant chairs and lay down. Ahead of me was a skinny
girl whom I never see her face, and on my toes an ahjumma who tried to find
comfortable position. I set my alarm so I won’t missed subuh, and pray a lot that
I can wake up since I was dead tired. I didn’t sleep well, woke up many times,
once I found there’s a guy sleeping on chair infront of me (looked like
Chinese) but I didn’t bother much and continue trying to sleep. I woke up still
feeling dead tired at around 4.30am. I dragged not wanting to get up, but
eventually get up before I missed subuh. I went to pray and next I realized,
the counter has opened.
I was the 1st to drop my bag and feeling so light. I went in
the departure area and had my coffee. Can’t wait for my flight (8am) since I know
it will be very comfortable with pillow and all. On my plane to hongkong, there’s
a breakfast but I only ate half of it since I think it has ham? After we
reached HK, the ahjumma besides me said HK is hot (of course it’s hot compared
to Seoul). It took a while before the door opened, I heard few ahjumma
whispering if I’m from Indonesia. I suddenly replied to them “I’m from Malaysia”
in Korean. They went from whispering to talkative ahjumma. I just smiled at
them. Must be ahjumma on trip.
Luckily HK airport didn’t do the temperature check. i went
for immigration and got my water bottle snatched again (nooooo it’s a nice
bottle) and went inside for my next flight. It was short wait, I spent my ½ an hour
in toilet vomiting though (nothing came out since I didn’t eat). My next flight
was also a comfortable one. Next to me was a chinese Malaysian who was a
vegetarian. She asked me if it was hard for me to eat at Seoul (since she know
about having to eat halal food even though I never told her). I said not as
hard as few years ago. She was nice to talk to, but not really a talkative
person. So I watched a Japanese movie on the flight (My Tomorrow, Your
Yesterday). The movie was SO brilliant, though it had me weeping at the end.
I continued with another movie next (don’t remember what
movie) and ended up sleeping through it. I reached KLIA around 5.30pm, took
train to putrajaya and drove myself back. End of crazy Spring trip. In this
trip I learn a lot to depend to Allah and confident in Him to take care of me.
