OUR FIRST TRIP BY PLANE

Today is the second day of the Chinese New Year. The Chinese believe that the Year of the Tiger symbolises something good. To me, its the effort and the spirit to carry on that counts. Think positive towards everything.  Then, whatever will be, will be. Finally, we have to accept what is fated for us by ALLAH.

Although four of my five children are back home for the holidays, we have not planned to go anywhere. Unlike when having long holidays, my hubby and I will plan for the family to go somewhere. Just to reward ourselves after a whole year of hard work... Fathi missed home so much that she wanted to spend her time at home most of the time. I bet Nadiah envied her a lot when I mentioned this...

One of the most unforgettable trip that we had was to Singapore in 1994. For the children and me, that was our first journey by plane. We were staying in KL at that time. As the Airport Security Officer, my hubby would always go for official visits to almost all the major airports in Malaysia. My four beautiful girls would always ask me where their father was. I would show them the map of Malaysia and pointed to the place that their father went.
One day, my hubby brought all of us to the Photo Saloon. After having our photos taken, we went to the Immigration Office nearby Subang Airport to have our Collective Travel Document done. Our children were very excited when my hubby told them that we would be going to Singapore on an airplane! Although it was only a journey of  about forty-five minutes from Subang Airport to Changi Airport on China Airlines, we felt on top of the world at that particular moment...
Back home, we started making preparations. Everybody except Aisyah and me would have to pack her own clothes and necessities for a three-days-two-nights stay in Singapore into a small backpack. Not forgetting to tag their names on the bags. No hand luggage for them. Simply because my hubby would prefer to handle my four kids during the journey rather than the bags...

Aisyah, who was still a baby at that time whined all throughout the journey. Everybody, including the passengers tried to console her, but she refused to stop. Finally when the air stewardess gave her a packet of biscuits, she  cooled down. Oh my! We were so busy handling our luggage and the children that we forgot we have missed our lunch! Thousand apologies...

My family with Atok Anis and her daughter-in-law.

In Singapore, we spent the nights at my hubby's grandaunt's place in Woodlands. We spent a whole day at Sentosa Island. We visited the Zoo, Aquarium, Amusement Park and even a ride on a cable car to Mount Faber, too. Not forgetting our journey to Orchard Road, the shopping paradise of Singapore, on a Mass Rapid Transport (MRT). We really enjoyed ourselves, despite Aisyah who would start to whine whenever she's hungry. Actually, Aisyah did not take powdered milk. She was on Mother's milk 100% until the age of 5! So, by hook or by crook, I have to breastfeed her whenever she needed her supply...

Fathiah, Huda, Nadiah and Aisyah.

Finally, we were ready to fly back home. That morning, Tok Anis served us Bread with Kacang Pol for breakfast. It was very delicious. Our flight back was not as hectic as before. No whines from Aisyah and no chuckles from Huda, Nadiah and Fathiah. Just because the kids just dozed off during the journey as they were so tired and full...

Our children and me at Changi Airport.

I could see my hubby smiling with satisfaction. At last, he managed to let me and the children get the chance of a life time. A journey by plane. At least, for that moment...

Until today, I am sure my four beautiful girls would still cherished their first experience in a flight, overseas!!!