Assalamualaikum.
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| just before the first hiccup haha |
This year i was given the responsibility as Year 5 Class Teacher, so among the things i must manage is Year 5 School Trip.
We (other Y5 class teachers) discussed and listed out few possible places to visit. We contacted many travel agencies too and our top most concern is the fees, which will also be the concern of parents.
After various changes, turun naik ofis, discussion with HEM and redo of paperworks, we all agreed on Last World of Tambun, which i had been in 2017. We managed to track down the same agency we had before and i found Pn Watie. I requested for the quotation and agreed at RM195 fees for 80 students.
That is the lowest fare we could find and then started drafting our budget.
It was a long process and what not. With the insufficient funds, it make things harder. We pulled it through anyhow. Misscomunication was unavoidable. When it comes to financial things, we need around RM1500. I told the other teachers, we'll make it. I tried hard to stay calm and positive and smile. The truth is i dont really mind what the parents said when we requested sponsors from them, be cool. But when the other teachers made a fuss about it, aduhh i told them rilex and just do what we need to do.
Two days before the trip, we received a letter from Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) disbursing RM2K for the trip. Alhamdulillah. Due to the tight schedule, i didnt manage to process the letter before and promised the staff, we'll submit the bank statement later.
Alhamdulillah on the morning of 9th November, we gathered at school compound all ready to Perak. The Right Time Travel provided us with two staffs @ tour guides which make things easier.
11.30 am: RTC Tanjung Pulai
Our first stop for lunch, change clothes and pray Solat Jamak Takdim. We arrived earlier than expected, about one and a half hour before Zuhr so i told the kids to finish their lunch, change clothes and get ready for prayer when the adzan calls. Teachers distributed the lunch packs we brought from school - Nasi Ayam Kicap.
1.40 pm: Lost World of Tambun
Since this is my second time here, at least i knew what to expect. We took group photos beforehand before entering. Here, the first hiccup appeared. We were told only jersey clothes are allowed in and cottons etc are prohobited whilst most of the girls wear cotton shirts. I was like, what?? Being me, i tried to negotiate with the boss there and still, we cant. 15 minutes gone and i told the kids no worries, they can still get inside. The only viable solution is to buy the jersey shirt in the shop. The problem is they dont have spare money and i am responsible for that. I thank Allah for the sponsor from TNB. I paid with debit card first for a total of RM500++. They gave us 20% max discounts for the shirts. I communicate with Fath (tour guide) and told him this is clearly not our fault and the agency must be responsible. I told him, pls tell Pn Watie i requested for some reimbursement, at least RM100.
We went inside and played all sort of things other than the water park. It rained heavily for 30 minutes before it subsided and we continued playing. By 7 pm, we gathered again to check in the hotel.
8.30 pm: Impiana Hotel
We checked in and dinner were distributed (Nasi Goreng Ayam). The hotel was just okay. It was an old hotel. The teachers' room was quite small compared to the students though. I requested for the same hotel in 2017 but the travel agent said the price has increased and do not suit our budget. Its okay. The breakfast did not have many choices too.
10.00 am: Muzium Ipoh
This is also my second time here. They renovate the museum last two year and this year got to see what they have at the upper floor. Okay, not bad.
11.30 am: Kellies Castle
Okay. This is my first time here and i was thrilled. One common thing every people said about this place - haunted. It was a really awesome place, far better than the museum we went. I loved the history of that place. Really. I wanted to read the info there for the second round when i realised it was empty. All the kids already went down.
Kellies Castle was named after the owner, William Kellie Smith; a Scottish. He build the mansion as a gift for his wife. They had two kids; Anthony and Helen. His business in tin mining and rubber flourished in Perak. He passed away in Lisbon, Portugal on his short trip there. After his passing, his wife decided to move back to Scotland with their two kids. It is told that Helen was the one who came to Malaysia and retold the story of her father and providing photos which were available in the castle. It is a ruined and unfinished mansion and during the construction, few unfortunate things took place like the struck of Spanish flu, which led to the death of many construction workers. In the castle, the visitors could see the planned rooms and designated places like Ruang Lif. William was supposed to transport the first ever lift to Tanah Melayu before his unduly death in Lisbon.
Then, we stopped by that RTC again for prayers and lunch before we headed back to Gombak. We arrived at 10 pm i think. I was relieved Allah made it easy for us. Alhamdulillah.
I was also glad Fath (the tour guide) was so helpful and their service was tip top.
Alhamdulillah 'ala kulli hal.
The photos :)
Love,
Ustazah Anis :)
