The necessary arrangements were made for the kids; they didn't have to go student care just in case Daddy Lim couldn't pick them on time. I bet, for that, they were happy that Mummy was away. The different stakeholders, from adults to kids to school were informed of what had to be done when mummy was gone; protocol 101 kicked in. All set.
On Monday morning, I forgot that it was peak hours and there was a mega storm brewing. The taxi took longer than usual to reach the airport. For a while, I was worried that I would miss the flight. Just when I boarded the cab, the radio was playing and the DJs were talking about their most scary airline mishap. Why like that?! I don't want to hear. Maybe it was a good thing that it rained so hard that I could hardly hear a thing.
I arrived on time and my waiting time was well-utilised; I bought and started reading a book, bought souvenirs for the Vietnam colleagues and bought the much needed sun block from the DFS. I arrived at the gate only to find that boarding was delayed bcos of some cabin repairs. What? Sound scary already.
It wasn't too bad to travel without kids; I get to watch a K movie and eat in peace. Getting all ready to enjoy my solo flight.
I do hate the turbulences though. The pilot already pre-warned about them and the take-off was so rough. The plane was literally jerking and I wonder if the howling storm had anything to do with it. I was so glad that I was taking SQ; their pilot should be well trained, right? Turbulences hit quite frequently during the flight too and it was a rough landing. I had to say a thanksgiving pray upon landing. So scary.
Then the immigration took a long time. I don't remember such a big crowd during my last visit last year. I thought it would be better after immigration only to find long Qs to get out of the airport. All bags had to be scanned and there was a massive human and luggage jam. I don't know why they were doing that; nobody was stopped and everybody got passed after throwing their bags into the x-ray machine.
Of course the nightmare doesn't end there. There were massive people outside the airport, as if some korean stars were visiting Vietnam. There was barely much space to walk to get to the taxi stand. I was so tempted to wave, smile and pause for pictures as if I was some kpop stars. Lol.
The usual empty taxi stand was filled with people getting taxis in a haphazard way. I so badly hoped that I could speak Vietnamese. Then it donned on me that it is almost CNY, which probably explained the crowd. I must be one of the few crazy people who come to Vietnam for work when it is so near to CNY.
I waited for a long time and there wasn't a system to get a cab. There was no Q, the staff were busy dispatching the cabs to the waiting area but it was up to the passengers to get their cabs. The only saving grace was the steady flow of cabs. I finally got a cab after I made up my mind that I would hop into one even if it meant that I had to cat fight somebody. Fortunately there was no need to show my claws. See, hair still neat.
Time was very well utilised this trip. I only managed to leave the office at 7pm Vietnam time followed by dinner with the colleagues. Day 2 started at 7.30am. Woohoo!
My flight was at 7.50pm yday. My Vietnam colleagues were so worried that the road and airport would be crowded and arranged for me to leave the office at 3.30pm. The drive to the airport took about 1 hour and the taxi never once went faster than 40km/hr. Daddy Lim would be screaming if he had been driving. Lol.
The airport was surprisingly empty. The taxi driver told me that the Vietnameses were heading more for the domestic airport, which explained the jam and empty international airport.
It was a long wait at the airport and I so wanted to be on the flight asap; to be on the way home. The return flight was smoother than the departure flight. Again, I got to enjoy a movie and a nice and much needed dinner. I was hungry.
I arrived home at almost midnight. This morning, it was a mad rush to get the kids ready for school. I hoped I packed what they needed. Otherwise, too bad. Zaky didn't learn his spelling bcos he doesn't know where was the list. We got spelling done in 5 mins on the way to the school bus.
I am tired. Yawn.
Mummy Lim
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