UK Trip 2015 - The Journey

The journey began with a pleasant flight to Heathrow Airport from KLIA via MH001, our national carrier. I was being served with utmost politeness by a steward called Fadzil (I think so). I must say that MAS has given priority to its' Muslim flyers by offering a space for prayer. Sitting at the tail end was an advantage for me since it is easier to access to the designated area without having to go through other people's seats.

So, it was Heathrow, London in particular is an alien land to me. Having to sort out things on your own was not fun but I was glad that I had managed to do so, although once a while I had gotten lost. Upon arrival at Heathrow Airport, I made myself familiar with the place and headed for the local sim card counter. They had problem fitting the sim card into my basic handphone but Thank God I had my smartphone with me, and so the new sim card went in there instead.

I followed the instruction given by the host on which tube to take and where to stop. The place is Turnpike Lane. It is the few last stops to the end of the line. It was quite a long ride but it has been a new unforgettable experience for me and I had enjoyed it. The only thing that I hated was to have to carry my 25 kg suitcase up the steps since the station did not have any elevators or escalators.

Turnpike Lane  is amazingly gorgeous although I have to look for the Mini Cab place high and low until I finally found it after searching for almost 10 minutes. It cost me 5P to the host's house, which is just 10-15 minutes away by foot, depending on how fast you walk. We went to the wrong house at first, and finally got the right address at 90 Downhills Way.

 

My host is a Chinese lady, Yongyi whom have quite limited English proficiency. The room was not ready when I arrived since the other guest has just  checked out. So, I waited at the room downstairs since there is no lounge to sit around. Kitchen was not clean though, not so pleasant sight to see. Yongyi was then busy running around cleaning the place and I had managed to chat with her a bit although with much difficulty. I was a bit shocked when she said she is suffering from cancer and that she is receiving her treatment accordingly. Then only I realised, that may be one of the reasons she may need to earn that extra dough for living by renting rooms in the house to strangers.

So, when I finally got the room, the adventure had begun. I had to carry my 25 kg luggage up the 18 steps staircase which nearly killed me but Yongyi was nice enough to help.

Stairs that nearly killed me

Room was nice, just to fit a little gal with a big bag. It was not so spacious but I still had some space to move about. What I love about it is that it has its' own window that oversees the road and the houses fronting our house. Beautiful sight to watch, with lines of trees and plants along the road.

My little room

The view from the window

We only have one bathroom to share amongst all occupants, so, no long showers are allowed. And being Malaysian, a dry toilet is difficult to achieve but I had managed it well. So, I got ready for Zuhur prayers and Jama' Asar too before leaving for the city to hunt for tickets to Sheffield.

I braved myself in the cold down the street not knowing which way to take to the Undergound station. So I had taken the wrong turn but a man was kind enough to tell me that I was in the wrong direction. And so I walked through the other side of the road, trying to remember exactly what the man had told me - go straight and you will see a green house with a big bird and there will be some allotments there too, and go all the way straight and you will see the station. I was trying to figure out what is the green house and the big bird is all about and was so amazed to actually see the house he had meant - the side of the house was painted green with a mural of a big bird on it. Awesome and I love it so much.

So I walked and I walked, admiring every single view that I see since it is new to me. Murals were seen along the walls to the station, very nicely done. Some black kids were seen playing at the side of the road. This area is a black area but they were all nice people who only mind their own businesses. And finally I had reached the station after that confusing walk I had.

 

I was not sure which train to take to Victoria Station and just like before, a nice man at the station (a Singh guy) had helped me sorted out where I should stop and change the trains etc. So, I took the train to St Pancreas and bought the train ticket to Sheffield that had cost me GBR 40P and then based on the map that I have, I walked down to Victoria Station. It was quite a walk away and I had decided train will be a better option to travel to and from Sheffield than by a coach.

It was already late and I had decided to make my way back to Turnpike Lane. So, I took the train back home and with a growling stomach, I walked down to a Halal Kebab Store. I ordered a big kebab serving and had ended up having to pack half it which then I had it as my breakfast the next morning. Performed both Maghrib and Isya' prayers before hitting the sack since I am to  tour London the next day, on my last day.

To be continued

Sabah Earthquake 050615

It has been a while since the worst ever quake had hit us, particularly in Sabah. And it has been almost 15 days that some of the features of Mont Kinabalu had been deformed. Although there were many lives taken away during the tragedy, I am thankful that many of them were saved and yes, my Mountain Guides or Malim Gunung namely Rowdy and Nickles were also safe. And Rowdy Junik, one of our MG was one of those who had rescued the climbers who were trapped at the mountain peak and Laban Rata.

It was nearly 3 years ago when I was at the peak, admiring the amazing creation of Allah s.w.t. One of the wonders of the world to me, amongst the many other wonders of the world that I have witnessed. The climb in the future would not be the same as what I have gone through before. The excitement would not be there anymore. There will be fear and extreme cautious to be undertaken by all. There would not be anymore comfort of not taking any food or drinks up to the peak as you would not know if you would be able to have your breakfast at Laban Rata since you would not know if you can descend. One thing for sure is that the Donkey Ears would not look the same anymore.

The Muslims always believe that things happen for a reason and the disaster could be a result of the disrespect and indecent acts by some visitors at the mountain top a few days before the quake. But whatever is the reason, I strongly believe no matter how advanced you are and whatever beliefs you hold, respecting each other's custom and culture is vital. If you have committed a sin, just apologise for the behaviour and offer to rectify the situation, even if you cannot bring the deads back to live.

Mount Kinabalu would always be part of my life since it was where I had proven to the world if you put that extra effort in your life, you will succeed no matter how ugly is the route. It has given me that self confidence that I had never had before. It has taught me that beautiful things are always located somewhere which is not easily accessed and that hard work is necessary to obtain them.

To all the MGs, you are always our superheroes, better than the imaginary Superman or Batman. Thank you for taking care of our heritage and making us proud of your unselfish acts. God blesses you all and protects Malaysia from any harm and destruction. Ameen