The day I played amongst the clouds, and walked on land above it.. - Part 2

I have at least 5 blog drafts that I've not revisited to complete. This blog, I am determined to complete all three installations of them.

Time passed by as quickly as it could and before long, it was (T-1) to departure day. I've advised my boss quite well ahead of time of my endeavour so he's ready when I told him that I'll be leaving the office for 4 days. Our office ni kecik la sangat. Manpower is so very limited and although we are a dependable duo, having two heads doing work is better than just one. With one head away in the clouds (literally!), the one that remains will have to handle the load. We weren't sure of the telephone reception where we're headed (I might not be able to follow you..) and kept our fingers crossed.
It didn't help either that there was a huge blunder the day before departure due to a misquote of a client's air ticket, a mistake I realised after payment has been deposited. Better too late than sorry, I had to make clarification as well as rectification on the situation.
The night before departure was spent packing up on items that I think I should bring including post-climb items such as extra t-shirts and pants, socks, ding dongs, yeah, the works. I was made to sleep (by mummy.. haha..) early although they were happily watching tv in the room. Have to, since flight departs at 0730 which means that we'd have to be at the airport by 0600.
I just couldn't sleep. I was tossing around and even before my alarm was triggered at 0400, I was already awake. Got up, showered and packed my toiletteries (which was just the Eumora bar), got dressed and went down. Texted Jabir to inform him that I was ready and waited at the front door. It's a weird thing, travelling alone, even at my age. It's not like I've never been to airports on my own- heck, I worked at 3 different international airports! - but travelling is another thing. I remembered to salam with my parents the night before so I left in the morning with an open heart, at peace should anything happen.
Jabir arrived about 0505 and we headed straight for KL-CAT. Upon arrival, waited for Ayun to arrive before we bought train tickets. We wanted to check-in at KL-CAT but we had less than 2 hours before departure and had luggage to check-in as well so decided to do it at KLIA. Paid the ticket, took the train and off we went to KLIA. On the train, Ayun managed to check with the other guys on their whereabouts. 2 of us flew AirAsia that morning and another 2 were flying MAS on the same flight but travelling seperately.
Arrived at KLIA, checked-in and went for an early bf at KFC. Nothing to shout about la their breakfast meals. Met Itik and Idi after breakfast and after a short ciggie break, went in. On that flight were Itik, Idi, Ayun, Jabir and I. Already in KK and spending the night at Hyatt were Izzat and Own. Also in KK but not in Hyatt was Pelat. On AA were Capoi, Mantat and Farouk.

We boarded the flight in good time. Had a short stroll pass the policeman and the scanners without much problem. I've always made a practice of emptying my pockets whenever I arrive at those scanners ever since I worked at the airport. It's better to get it right the first time than to have to queue again, something I learnt in Dubai. Dubai police aren't as forgiving as Malaysian ones although they do lighten up once they knew I was Malaysian.

Racist. Haha..

We're kinda the later few to arrive at the boarding gate since the hall and the aerobridge was already empty by the time we got there. Put both phones out of reception, scanned my boarding pass and boarded the plane. The flight to KK wasn't that full but there weren't that many seats free to move around. The three of us, Jabir, Ayun and I sat together while Idi sat with Itik, by the emergency exit. To Itik's disappointment, he couldn't recline his seat. Apa la, kerusi rosak pulak he thought, to only realise that it's a sort of safety mechanism they have at emergency exits. Ye la, kalau orang kat emergency exit dok seronok tido sampai tak sedar apa-apa, sapa la pulak nak bukak pintu tu kalau ada emergency?

The cabin crew served us our meals about 45 minutes into the flight and throughout the meal, we had lots of references towards Mantat. Ayun gave his piece of something, Jabir a little something else and I snapped pictures of the bountiful goods that was complimentary on MAS. Since we were travelling well above cloud level, there's not much to be seen apart from fluffy clouds and the horizon.

The flight started on its descent 30minutes before due time and that was when I saw land once more, in the shape of capes and shores and deltas brown with mud. Took snaps here and there with the phone (I chose not to bring the camera, one less gadget to take care of). After a short while, I started to make out the shape of Kinabalu on the horizon and at that instant, my focus changed from the ground to the mountain. It was magnificient with clouds looming above it and greenery covering its feet.

In my awe looking at Kinabalu, I didn't realise that we were fast approaching the tarmac and all of a sudden (and yes, it was quite a jerk, that landing), we were on the ground, braking on the runway, zooming past AirAsia's terminal towards the main terminal building.