Hello bloggers,
Never in my life I've joined a treasure hunt. I've always seen people going around doing it & thought it will be fun. So when the opportunity arises, I was aching to go but where would I find my team mates???
In a call centre where I worked before, I'm always known as the serious type. I do not waste my time chitchatting while I work simply because we have call targets to reach. So, in other words, I do not have many friends.
I've been quite close to this girl, Nana who treats me like a big sister. She would always wanted me to reserve a spot for her when I come to work early, which will be everyday. She will sit next to me and we do small talk when we have the time to. I liked the way she worked. She's intelligent but lack of opportunity.
So one fine day, we went into an elevator where the treasure hunt poster is hung.
NANA: K.Z let's join this! We will have so much fun just travelling to Penang.
K.Z: But who will want to go with us?
Mind you, when Nana became my close friend, she was looked down upon by the others for befriending a weirdo like me. But she doesn't care about that either. Bless you my dear!
NANA: We can ask.... to join us. But how about our off days? Will that be on the day? Schedule is not out yet.
K.Z: We'll go & get the form and apply for our off days to be on that day or swap the days.
But I never did went & collect the form. The conversation died there. There was so much to consider. For me, with my financial situation & car condition for long travel, it will not be possible.
The next day, Nana came to me...
NANA: K.Z, please fill up this form. We want you to be the driver.
K.Z: Huh? Who else is going?
NANA: Fara wants to go, and we are asking Kak Ang Ang to join us.
I almost fell off my chair rolling with laughter. This can't be happening. Fara & Ang Ang (BTW her real name is Anne but we call her Ang Ang because she likes to sing the Doremon song)wants to join in?
K.Z: Okay, I'll fill this up & you get the rest to fill up as well. We need to send this tomorrow if you girls are serious about it. And Ang Ang is not working today, how are you going to get her signature?
NANA: Leave it to me.
The next day, Nana passed the completed form to me. But instead of Ang Ang, it was Yaya. Nana told me Ang Ang has something else on that day and unable to join us.
I was concerned but yet excited. Concerned because I will be the driver for all these young girls, their life is in my hand, and my car???? Huh! I need to find a better car for the journey.
So the search for a car began. I would usually ask my dad to borrow his car for such journey. Unfortunately, the car's air-cond broke down & he has no means to fix it before the journey. My mom was in Australia at the time and I couldn't ask her.
While I searched for a car, Nana fell sick. She was on MC for a few days before the event. Now, I need to search for another teammate as back up if Nana couldn't make it. I coaxed my sister to standby. She was quite excited to go but finally Nana got the okay from her doctor to join & we also managed to resolve the off day issue by taking our annual leave.
The final hurdle was the car and when my mom came back, my sis told her about the event. Although she grumbled, my kind mother let me use her car...PHEW!!! (I'm sure it is a huge thing for her to do as she has a long standing phobia of me driving her car.. but that story is for another day)
And so we are off!!
Briefing Day..
I went to the briefing on my own. The rest of the team was on off day and Nana was still on MC.
Event Day...
Flag off: 7.38am
The journey was eventful. 27 questions, 6 pictures & 4 items to be solved for the treasure hunt. We spend so much time figuring out the 1st few questions, we were behind time. By noon, we reached Ipoh & everyone was hungry. Thank you to Yaya and her family, we had lunch at Yaya's family restaurant, Restoran Cili Hijau in Ipoh. Special dish for the day.. NASI AMBENG!!! (Yummy!)
In the end, we got so off from the scheduled timing, we decided to just enjoy the journey. Stopping by at questions spot, just to see if we can answer any of the questions in the quickest time possible. Finally, when we reached Juru Shell Station (which is the end point) we managed to reach on time - no late penalty, completed all the questions & solved all the picture but missing 1 item. (Honestly, we forgot about searching for the item till late) and mom.. if there is any police summons for speeding on that day, please forgive me. LOL!
The hotel
We were given rooms at Hydro Hotel, Batu Feringghi. Quite a nice place, but since I've been there years before and not much change has happened since then, I decided to abstain from exploring and catch some zzzz before dinner.
The Dinner...
The dinner was supposed to be retro style. Lesson learnt from previous themed dinner party, I decided not to spend money on following the theme & just wear what was collecting dust in my wardrobe.
The sad part is, this was the most boring dinner I have ever attended. Food was lousy, I hardly ate. The other girls left early out of boredom, they went out to the beach. I was too tired to join them after 8 hours of driving, I decided to stay back & wait for the results. At the end, we got 11 questions correct.. Not bad for 1st timers (Consoling myself only.. I hate losing actually). After dinner, I went back to the room and slept. (Yaya, sorry for the snoring! Ahaks!) I received a call from my aunt offering an interview for transcribing position. So I was to rush back to K.L as soon as possible the next day.
The breakfastWoke up hungry like hell. Showered & pack all my belongings, I headed to the Coffee House. The display was abundant and I was spoilt for choice. And here I was...
1) Mushroom Omelette. 2) French Toast with Baked Beans and Bacon. 3) Toasted Croissant & Multigrain bread with cream cheese & butter. 4) Teo Chow Porridge. 5) Apple juice & coffee
He he he he....
And Yaya's jaws drop. (Although she did not mentioned anything.. so nice of her, surely she was surprised that I can eat so much) LOL!
The journey back...
We stop by at UITM Penang to meet with Nana's sister. She was badly homesick and I wanted to see Bella, but she was out for field work. Then I thought I saw someone I know at the field in front of the college. So I called his number. Sure enough, I saw him answered his phone. It was my sis's ex. Called him over & chatted for a while. It has been quite some time since I last saw him and he looked thin. He mentioned that he has been busy lately and drop a few kilograms. Hmmm...
Fara went back to Kulim with her family. Our earlier plan was supposed to have lunch at her place. But since I was rushing & Fara have no intention to go back to K.L with us, we parted our ways at UITM.
The whole trip will not be complete without any mishaps.. with me as the driver. (Sorry again mom). Somehow, I forgot to refuel the car and did not see that the fuel gauge was blinking. And for the 1st time in my driving life, we were stranded in the middle of the highway without fuel .... Arrgh!!! (and I was supposed to be rushing back for the appointment)
The worst part was I used my MyKad as T&G and there was no emergency number on it. :'( We tried to restart the car, managed a few kilometers and walla! Lady luck is smiling on me. We manage to reach the SOS phone booth. Called in for help and help came close to half an hour later in form of 2 reserved police & a tow truck.
Seeing all ladies in the car, the guys were extra nice to us. They towed us to the nearest exit, Kuala Kangsar. Bought petrol & help us to fill the car. And we went on our way. Chasing a group of Ferraris (or trying to)
Stopping in Ipoh again for lunch at Cili Hijau.. but this time my son came to meet us there. How I missed him so much!!! He took the trouble to rent a car just to have an hour or two with me. :'( Just want to hug him, but do not want make him embarrassed. I had to be contented just by laying my head on his shoulder for a short time and felt him kissed the top of my head. My heart stopped for a moment with eyes brimming with tears. I'm blessed with his love ... and my heart sang a happy tune all the way to K.L.
So, that is the story... I'll cherish till the rest of my life. Unfortunately, Yaya lost her camera and Nana's pictures was accidentally deleted for her smart card. Else, there will be more interesting pictures. Now, since I am no longer with Symphony, this will be the memory of my lifetime.
Thank you Nana, Yaya and Fara for making my life a little more interesting. Hope you girls will have a happy life and remember me.
Ciou!
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