Earlier in 2015 we did not plan for any holiday apart from the quick SG date. I'm not quite sure why.. but we did entertain some thoughts to come visit my husband, who had some work there starting September.
Months go by and we were too busy with our work. When he wasn't travelling, i was. Then it came to the part we were both travelling. That, and we spent few days in Johor for Raya was good enough for us.
He surprised us with tickets, causing me to move my schedule and made few trips to Immigration to renew our passports. I said few, because we had to come twice just to settle Raihanna's passport alone. Sheesh.
Anyway, being a mom, naturally i was very worried about flying alone with a toddler. What to carry, what to bring, what NOT to bring.. i spent (limited) free time i could find to seek for tips from other moms online.
Well, let's cut to the chase -- yes, everything that could go wrong DID go wrong. Mostly, anyway. But this is not to say i regret or hated the flying solo part.. this is the tired mom part in me who couldn't wait to land in Incheon. I had been up early that day but i was working half day. That's really non-negotiable though, because i did finish up my annual leave.
What i shouldn't do was to watch Star Wars right after --- should have taken a nap. But hey, OSCAR ISAAC!!
Coming back to the post, this is my first post and i hope i'll have the time to have 4-5 posts for this trip. To start off, our adventure began 10.00 pm Friday night. Just after my family waved goodbye, there was I, carrying Raihanna with a bagpack and shoulder bag.
Yes, that is one thing i will never ever do. I did it because my dad told me to, and it was one thing i wished i could throw away from KLIA. That shoulder bag had baby carrier and Coco Crunch. Long story.
Once we got to the gate, my toddler's water bottle was almost empty. Yet she's most energized. I had red eyes :D i sang songs and played with her with hopes i'll tire her out.
Who am i kidding?
The flight took off between 30-45 minutes later than scheduled. Yes, it felt like an hour or maybe two. I was not the biggest fan of anything Korean that moment. I felt like getting off and go back to my bed and sleep.
Once it took off i could smile and breathe in easier. By that time i had given everything my toddler asked (milk, biscuits, water, magazines) as i know she's sleepy. But she's so used to sleep in the dark and obviously bigger space so that's where the fuss begins.
Well, i can't exactly splurge on Business seats and she had outgrown bassinets..
I nursed her patiently while citing zikir and selawat. When she slept i think i had tears in my eyes. But i quickly gained composure and slept as well. Throughout the flight to Seoul i did not enjoy the entertainment as I shut my eye so tight. Every few hours i woke up and see we were nowhere near landing.
My daughter slept on my lap and across her seat. I wished the seats were bigger but i hope she understood our constraints haha. I think it's also worthwhile to mention how thankful i am that husband bought us MAS tickets, because AA's bigger boarding area would be the cause of my tears, really.
Once it was announced we'd land shortly my daughter woke up pretty much refreshed. It was around 6-7 degrees that day, Saturday morning. As we exited the plane i could feel my smiles getting bigger. It wasn't until i felt my daughter pants were already wet.
Yes, naturally i did not bring a spare because i was so sure she's wearing normal sized diaper. Ofcourse i wasn't informed she wasn't.
Steady, steady smile now..
We got through their customs and immigration declaration smoothly alhamdulillah. My eyes and facial composure absolutely looked like i had jetted from Mauritannia or other 18 hour flight, very much unlike other families excited finally arriving in Korea, land of Kimchi.
Just to refresh my mind, i had one huge luggage with me, a daughter, a bagpack AND a shoulder bag. No one in my family has had to travel with that much, and i will make damn sure I will never go through such amount. EVER.
Before i forget, there are two forms given in the plane. Naturally, i got the Korean version one. The steward asked me if i could read in Korean, right AFTER i asked him for the English copy.
Would i ask if i knew?
It was a health declaration form, and thankfully Immigration officers did not ask for that. I was so scared because I did not see the English copy in the tables nearby. Later on, after unloading my bag off the carousel, i saw the forms. Syukur ya Allah.
Malay girls were so excited seeing my toddler laughing about, had no idea she had wet her pants HAHA.
Once we got to the arrival area, of course there's another surprise waiting:
My husband didn't show up.
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