The 1st fight of 2024 - the start
The
return of Dragoncat to the Great one’s embrace had alter our plan during
January.
I
had decided to join Ving and Xian for the trip returning to Bolehland during
mid of January. My joining would lift the burden of travelling for them.
We
had to settled with the flight departing up north as the double A flight
departing from K city was fully booked.
I
had booked an afternoon flight so that we could travel up north with the HSR
early in the morning.
The
journey preceded with a night shift in the ward; K had agreed to cover for me
in the ward for 2hours so that I could leave by 6am.
I
reached home and picked up Ving and Xian by 7and headed toward HSR station. We
managed to park the car at the train station which situated next to the HSR
station. The parking fee is 3 times cheaper than the HSR station parking. It
was a simple journey as I had trailed down this route few months ago with Yun
to Bangkok for an IDPA shooting event.
We
reached TPE airport by 10+ and I was shocked when I saw the big screen at the
departure hall. The MH367 would be delayed to 9pm. I scanned over my phone and
found that an email was sent to my mailbox at 4am informing the delay and I had
ignored it. While 3 of us was discussing where should we spend the 7 hours, the
counter had however opened as scheduled allowing us to check in our luggage.
The counter staff had also announced that they would arrange a hotel for us to
rest while waiting for the departure. It was not the best news of the day
though. We had checked in our baggage and headed for our lunch. I had to called
up the car rental company informing my delay and rental company had however to
me that they would be closing by 10pm and I could only pick up my car the next
day. I instantly cancelled the booking but however I received another mail from
HAWK stating that my booking for a BRV was approved and asking if I wish to
proceed with the booking. I called up HAWK and told them my situation and they
told me that they had tracked my flight and would wait for me with a surcharge.
Definitely the best news of the day under such hazard situation. After our
lunch, we had gathered back to the MH counter and were directed to a coach. We
were ferried to the Hotel Orchard Park nearby the airport. A voucher of 500 for
each person was provided for dinner. The hotel was 4 stars grade with great bed
and facility. We take a good nap and awaking up by 5pm. The flight was however delayed
again till 9:40pm when we arrived at the airport by 7pm. It was supposed to be relaxing
path but the airport was packed. We were urged to hurry to the security check point
and it took us 2 hours to complete the task. It was 9pm when we reached the gate
just before last call of the flight was announced.
We
had used the vouchers to buy cakes/gifts instead of buying any lunch/dinner.
The
flight took off at 10:30pm with our empty stomach.
I
swept through what I gathered from the net and found that the MH366 was delayed
due to unknown reason. The original flight from Jeddah to KL had reached KL 3pm
and its next flight under the flight MH366 was scheduled the next day at 9:20am.
It did not take off though.
The
red eye flight was uneventful and we reached KL by 5+am. The airport was emptied
and the connecting train to the satellite building was still out of service(it
had been more than 1 year and it would take 3 years for a replacement)
I
picked up the BRV and headed to my in law’ house. The early morning drive was smooth
and the feeling of driving to work from Klang to Tg Malim early in the morning
had stormed me again. It sucks really driving a underpower car with poor maneuverability
(yeh, I am spoiled by Fefe after all those years).
It
was the first time I had met such delayed of flight; however MAS had provided
an excellent service to arrange hotel for us to rest. If we had been flying with
AA, we would be on our own during the delay.
HAWK
rent a car was another great service provider; they were the only rental
company who provide BRV. BRV is a great car even though with its poor control
and noisy engine setting; it’s spacious luggage and 7 seaters capability was definitely
a plus for traveler.
It
was not an easy start but it was smooth thereafter…
Source:
The 1st fight of 2024 - the start
