Assalam...
Alhamdulillah.....All Praises To Allah...
All I can say is that: All Went Well and Everybody Had A Blast! Thank you Allah for making it an overall a smooth journey :)
It started with the day we fly off, which was on 20th July 2015 at 9.30am with Qatar Airways via Doha (KUL/DOH/LHR).
We woke our kids as early as 4am and was ready to go by 5am. My kids were not grumpy as we already briefed them the night before that we are going for a long aeroplane ride to meet their Mamasya. Ofcause they were very excited and so do my husband and I! Hehehehehehe. As mentioned before, it would be my 4th time to the UK and first to my husband and kids - and yet the excitement was there. The treatment this time is so so so much different as the accompany members were different :)
Anyway, our pick-up from both houses was excellent - on time AND service (please PM if you would like to know more on the transfer). All went as planned until we reached KLIA 1.....unloading our luggages, my mom came over and asked, "do you bring your stroller?..... zazzzzz!!!! I forgot our STROLLER!!!! Huhhhhh!!!!!! My mom were laughing and said "K.Sue also forgot her's". Oh my..... Immediately I decided to just grab one whenever we can later. There - solved and ready for the next challenge - when the 'power' combine - my kids (team KJG) met up with my brothers' kids (team KRMT)!
As expected, the kids of both teams were very excited to see each other and you may guess AND immagine how the fieast was like :D . Well it was expected and well taken care off - manageable stress level :)
The check-in, immigration, scanning, riding train were very smooth. Here comes the waiting time for boarding. With no playing with the escellators, the kids were ok at first, but 10 mins later they started to entertained themselves...my 3rd child (Uppi) started a genius way of entertaining himself using escallator - hold on to the escallator's belt with one hand, sit on the metal cover and let the belt do the sliding along the metal cover :D Suddently, all kids were in line :D Entertaining...but just not the place... I prayed for the gate to open soon.....
At last we were boarding. The nervous feeling on the long-haul rides for my kids about to start :) Apparently the kids were at their places - busy exploring the gadgets - what a life saver!!! As usual, my kids were excited during the take-off and we went along with their excitement.
To my surprise, my kids were well behaved during the flight! Alhamdulillah!!!!
We reached Doha a bit late and have to rush to the next plane for Heathrow, London - in 20 miniutes! With hand luggage AND the small kids, again, you can immagine the chaos!!! My hubby said, "it feels like we are on the Amazing Race!" and it is very true!!!! We managed to board our flight to LHR with beautiful greetings from the Qatar Airways cabin crew :) We settled down and the kids continue to behave on the flight.... fuhhhh.....Alhamdulillah!!!!
7 hours later, we safely reached London, United Kingdom. Alhamdulillah!!!!
The temperature were unexpected and we quickly adapt to it.
What we could not believe is that the very very very long queue at their immigration, and no special line for family traveling with small kids and senior citizen!!! I was surprise because I was not aware of such treatment the first 3 times I went to this country - mainly because 1st time I traveled alone; 2nd time via Manchester and 3rd time on business trip (business class, with priority card).
Anyway, we queued and passed the immigration 1 hour after that. By this time, the kids were restless and started to be grumpy... hohohohohoho!!! Me and my husband kept ourselves calm and collected - attain to the kids' needs and continue....
We grab our luggage and off we go to search for my sister!!! and easily spotted her waiting for us :)
Our transport for Coventry also is ready - a 40 seaters bus! The kids were excited again for riding the bus - just us 18 pax.
We reached Ina's place at about 8.30pm and the kids did not believe us that it is night already (coz the sun is still there). I immediately foresee the late night stays up for the kids...oh my... what time will they be in bed?! After late dinner, all went to sleep and ready for our UK invasion.
We woke up the next day start our journey :)
Went to Manchester, Liverpool, Nottingham via Lake District, Warwick, Oxford, London and many more...
The overall "summer" temperature during our visit were 5 to 16 degrees! Very unexpected as I was so ready for the shorts and sleeveless clothing for my kids!!! End up have to buy more appropriate clothing for them - it's ok cause I love to shop!!! :D
It was a very tiring but worthy holiday. We start our days early, and finishes late everyday.
We managed to stick up to 85% of our itinerary which was unbelievable for me. I was impressed with the kids because they were so energetic and up to whatever 'adventure' lined for us throughout the journey.
I could not write the whole of our journey here because it was sooooo much things to tell and too many memories a long the way :)
I just hope that all especially the kids will appreciate what been given to them and instill in their life journey for a better person.
I will write more on this journey when the needs are there and when time permits.
Above all, thank you so much to my parents to help make all these a reality :)
*next stop? :D
Love & Respect;
mama
