Saturday, the 30th of October.
I checked out of the big house and moved back to Batu Ferringhi and the apartment that had kindly been arranged for me by one of my ex staff. I also snuck back into the hotel to weigh my suitcases at the loading bay, as I was concerned about the cost of excess luggage. My ex purchasing manager arranged for someone to meet me and I achieved my goal in no time. Having weighed my bags I thought it might be a better idea to send two of them via FedEx instead of taking them on the plane. This turned out to be a huge mistake*, but that’s another story altogether.
Back at the apartment, I had a pass key which I thought was for the boom gate at security, but it didn’t work. I managed to persuade the security guard to let me in. After parking the car in a corner of the underground car park, I made my way to the elevators. Once again, the pass key didn’t work. It turned out there was only one elevator, the fireman’s lift, that functioned when I used the magnetic card. I spent the next couple of days playing a game, outsmarting the call system to get the right elevator to come to my floor. I didn’t discover the reason for the card not working until a couple of days later.
Arriving at the apartment, which was situated on the 18th floor, after an initial hiccup with keys and locks, I was able to get in. It was small but comfortable and it had everything that I needed. It had a great view out over the sea as well. I knew the area already so it was easy for me to get supplies for the next few days. I even bought a bottle of wine and a couple of beers, ready to kick back for a day or two.
It was now Sunday morning and I was feeling great. My certificate of entry had been approved on Friday, I had my flight tickets and accommodation, all that I needed to do was get the RT-PCR covid test and collect the necessary fit to fly letter. I went down early to the car park to check on the car as I needed to go out a bit later.
I discovered it had been wheel clamped. Apparently I was parked illegally.
My best mate, and golf partner, Clive.
A quick trip to the security office, a polite conversation and a few jokes with security, followed by an RM50.- release fee and the car was free. Security also told me where I could park, the hours that visitors were allowed and generally what else I could and couldn’t do. I thanked them profusely.
I spent the next couple of days driving the car in and out during visitors hours and was able to park opposite the main gate security post out of hours, so they would keep an eye on it. All good.
I went and had my PCR test and collected the fit to fly letter later that morning. In the afternoon I went to say goodbye to my close friends Clive and Dheng, with whom I played golf almost every Sunday. They snuck me into their gated community by hiding me under a blanket on the back seat as we drove through security. LOL. I had lunch and drinks at their place. It was really great to spend the afternoon with them.
Monday morning.
I received another message from my ex Director of HR saying the owning company didn’t want me coming back into the hotel to pick up my paperwork (seemingly, my unscheduled appearance in the office the week before didn’t go down well…) and that one of the staff could drop it off to me on their way home. I politely declined the offer and said that I would make other arrangements, but thank you very much anyway.
I called my ex-PA yet again and organised everything with her as I didn’t want there to be any last minute glitches. She assisted me with all the requirements, confirmations, verifications and printing. I arranged to meet her at the bus stop right in front of the hotel, later that morning. We went through and cross checked everything one last time and it was all in order.
After lunch, I set off with my extra suitcases to the FedEx agent who advised me to use TNT which was cheaper. Sure, how many days to Phuket? Only four or five? Great. Paperwork completed, bags deposited. All my ducks in a row. (I thought)
Monday afternoon back at the apartment – no running water.
Monday evening I saw a notice in the elevator with a long list of tenants who were in arrears with their payments. I casually glanced down the list and then noticed the apartment number that I was staying in – with a huge amount of dues outstanding. Back at the apartment still no water for showers or anything like that, but luckily just enough in the pipes to cover essentials. There were two toilets with full cisterns as well.
Azmi Dahlan. Thanks mate, for everything.
Tuesday morning and time to go. Still no water. I reasoned the building management had cut off the supply and cancelled the access card when they discovered, probably through security, that there was someone living in the apartment. I had a flannel-wash, put on lots of deodorant and set off for the airport.
Azmi called and said he would meet me at the arrivals area. I got there on time and sure enough he and Jo, his girlfriend, the actual owner of the car, were there to meet me. That was a huge help. We went to the check in area and waited for the counter to open. There were only a few people on the flight so check in was easy. I had my 15 pieces of paper, forms, doc’s and all manner of requirements. All good.
Until it wasn’t.
The check in counter staff hadn’t received the latest updates regarding COE, quarantine requirements and mandatory length of stay. I didn’t panic and tried to find all the emails and things I had that would clarify the new regulations. I was polite, they were cheery, but there was still a bit of back and forth. Eventually a supervisor came over and said it was all good, they had just received the new regulations.
Almost there. A couple of photos with Azmi, the expression of huge thanks to both he and Jo, and I was off to the immigration counter.
Never felt so good being on a plane.
I had a polite chat with the duty officer, who seemed happy to be able to talk to someone, got my passport stamped and then that was it. I was finally standing in the international departures terminal ready to fly down to Singapore and on to Phuket.
Then it all caught up with me. The accumulation of stress, the pressure, the depression, the anxiety of the past few weeks, all the disappointments and then finally the relief of getting through. I almost burst into tears.
Luckily there was only a handful of people in the hall and they were nowhere near me to see.
The rest of the trip to Phuket via Singapore was relatively uneventful, though a special mention goes to both Singapore airport and Phuket airport health authorities for their professional and well managed handling of all passengers, vaccinated or otherwise.
By 7pm local time I was safely tucked into my quarantine suite at the Laguna Holiday Club Phuket Resort, glad to put the events of the past three months well behind me, and ready to start my new adventure.
After a gloomy few weeks, the sun was indeed shining again.
*(NOTE: my box consigned with TNT took the long road via Thai customs and didn’t arrive for five weeks, and not before I had sent an extraordinary amount of paperwork, emails and fees to get it cleared.)
