THE LONGEST JOURNEY TO GO BACK HOME

Part 2 of quarantine diary.

In case you miss it, Part 1 of quarantine diary.

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We had to make a waiting list as the flight only scheduled once in 2 weeks and also because the students' quota for each region (Medan, Aceh, Padang) varies from time to time. I'm on the 2nd batch waiting list as I made the decision to go back home a little bit late.

The flight from Malaysia to Medan is in the evening. The earliest flight from Padang to Medan was in the afternoon. If we took it, we would never reach there on time as we had to consider delays and technical issues. So we had to take an evening flight and stay for 1 night.

The only available flight to Malaysia from Medan was Malaysia Airlines. No physical distancing practiced in the flight at that time. It was a pleasant flight.

"To Malaysian, welcome home."

Alhamdulillah arrived in Malaysia after an hour.

As soon as we exit the gate there were immigration and police officers everywhere.

"Dik, pakai mask."

"Dik, jarak lagi, jarak lagi"

It was veryyy heartwarming to hear these from a Malaysian hahaha. Well at that particular time, we all agreed that it was a sensitive phase for Malaysia.

There was a lot of queuing that had to be done to maintain the physical distance.

1st: to go down the escalator; 30 minutes

2nd: body temperature checks

If someone's temperature is not normal, they took them to a separate waiting area. These people would go to the hospital.

3rd: fill in the traveling form & health screening form; 30 minutes queue and 5 minutes filling in

We had to fill in about flight number, departure location, time, symptoms, etc. Lucky that our friend (who had traveled on the 1st batch) advice us to bring our own pen.

4th: health screening; 30 minutes

Basically where the health workers ask you for more details from the health screening form. If anyone has any symptoms, they went to the 'to hospital' waiting area.

5th: immigration check; 1 hour

6th: to go to the toilet (for those who not going then no need la)

7th: filling in MKN form and kinda-LoU to quarantine

8th: waiting for the bus; 1.5 hours

We were sooo hungry. We felt so relieved because we knew thought that this is the final part.

1 bus can only occupy 20 people because of physical distancing. So they called out 20 people (based on the form that we filled in) at one time to get to the bus. When my name finally being called, now I know why it took so long to wait for the bus.

Before getting to the bus, we had to take our luggage first and gather back in line according to the groups given. Then, we went out and they sanitized us and our bags. Of course, this took a lot of time as everyone's luggage is different by quantity and size.

I was on the fifth bus. We had to wait until all the seven buses occupied. Another waiting moment hahaha. But it's okay because I get to rest on a comfy seat ^_^ they gave us some refreshments to isi perut.

After all of the buses were occupied, the police officers start their motor engine and here we go! It was so cool! Being escort all the way from KLIA2 to Melaka! In the middle of the night! imagine all the blue lights flashing and the sound of their alarms blaring. Definitely a one in a million experience.

The journey to Melaka took around 1.5 hours. Arrived Melaka and welcome to another queue! haha

As I was on the fifth bus, we had to wait for the earlier one to get into their room first. It took another 1.5 hours of waiting on the bus.

The JPAMs and RELAs took our baggage out from the bus while we were queuing to take a photo. Honestly, till now, I don't know the purpose of the photo being taken. We had to show both our passport and IC. Received our room number (yup, only number. no room card). Received our well-packaged dinner (literally supper). 1 elevator can only fit 5 people. I waited around 10 minutes. Then finally, FINALLY! THE ROOM! It was around 12am.

The first thing that I did? Search for the wifi password!

Video call my family. Call my friends (just to see each other room like there's no tomorrow haha). Eat. Shower. Settled down around 2am.

Cont...