Adventure in Malay Land (Part 1)

At first, Andreas and I thought the National Jamming 2016 was just solely a round trip from Surabaya to Pekanbaru, but the destiny turned out to be different. About 2 weeks before D-day, when we were checking the flight ticket, we found a promo one to Kuala Lumpur. By comparing the ticket price difference, it turned out that Surabaya-Pekanbaru (transit via Jakarta) was more expensive around Rp 100.000-200.000 (±US$ 7-15) than Surabaya-Kuala Lumpur (transit via Singapore) + Kuala Lumpur-Pekanbaru. Based on this fact, of course without hesitation we chose the Kuala Lumpur route.

Finally the long-awaited day had come. On Wednesday, August 3^rd 2016, we’d already prepared our stuff since 5.00 AM in the morning, then soon after that continued to Juanda airport. Although we had to wait long enough because arrived too early, but better that than late.

Around 1.40 PM Singapore time, the plane had just landed at Changi airport. Once we set foot in Singapore, there was a huge excitement within ourselves. We didn’t expect visiting this country again since the last LCG in January, but finally we did. Although just only one day, but it was an amazing experience.

Then from the airport, Andreas and I headed to Bedok Maze by MRT. We had a plan to meet Wellington and Stanley there for training together. Up to late afternoon, the four of us jammed and explored the maze as pleased as we wanted. I could say that this was a “revenge” time, because in the last LCG, when we just jammed for a while in the same place, the police dispersed us by the reason of disturbing public order.

From Bedok jamming, guided by Stanley, Andreas and I stopped by to Bugis area for a-little-bit-souvenir-shopping and also looking for dinner, meanwhile Wellington return to his home first. And after being around in Bugis, we continued to Kraken Gym, an indoor parkour arena which being used in the last LCG. There were also Aaron Martin, Phillip, Wellington (that came after), and other Parkour Singapore friends beside the three of us. We did some jamming and flip training there for the next few hours.

Finally before midnight, the others had left the gym, and there were only Andreas and I who still remained. Honestly, we still wanted to train more, but when we remembered we had to go to Kuala Lumpur in the next morning, we decided to take a rest for the sake of saving energy when in Malaysia.

It was still 6.00 AM in the morning, but we immediately woke up, took a shower, and got ready to Changi airport as soon as possible. There was enthusiastic and curious feeling inside us, because in a few hours we would be in Kuala Lumpur for the first time. Although our flight was delayed for ±30 minutes, but it didn’t reduce our happiness in this trip.

Around 12.00 PM, the plane finally landed in Kuala Lumpur. Then from the airport we took a RM 11 bus to KL City Centre. We’d been waited by Jordan and Solahudin there, the two Parkour Malaysia practitioners who guided us during in KL. First, the four of us looked for a lunch in Chinatown at Petaling Street, then we continued to Petronas Twin Towers by MRT. When I stood up in front of the building, I felt like the dream came true. If thus far I only watched the twin towers from TV, magazines, internet, and my friends posting on social media; finally I could witness it directly with my own eyes. What an unforgettable memory in my life.

After being around in Petronas, we walked straight to KLCC park which wasn’t really far from the back of the buildings. There were many interesting obstacles in this park that could be used for parkour training. And then, here we go.. we jammed there until the late afternoon.

The next trip continued to Jumpstreet Trampoline Park in Petaling Jaya area. Although we didn’t have time for trying the trampoline, but at least Andreas and I could be acquainted with some of Jordan friends who worked there as the instructors. We also offered them Avolution shirts, and thankfully some of the shirts were sold on that day.

When sunset came; Jordan, Solahudin, Andreas, and I decided to explore the rooftop of SSTWO Mall, the abandoned building which wasn’t really far from Jumpstreet. Before starting the rooftop mission, we had to make sure that there was no security guard. With only mobile phones flashlight for our lighting, together we walked up the emergency stairs. And finally when we reached the top, we took a short rest while enjoying the view of KL buildings at night.

Around 9.00 PM, the four of us went back to Jumpstreet again for picking up our backpacks. After that, together with Jordan’s friends, we looked for a cheap dinner, so we chose to stop by at random street food. The atmosphere around the food booth wasn’t really different from Indonesia, as well as the food, it was relatively the same.

There is a beginning, there is an end. Finally we had to say goodbye to each other after the dinner time. Jordan, Solahudin, Andreas, and I were driven by Samantha’s car to the nearest MRT station. Except Jordan, the three of us dropped in there, then continued to KL City Centre. This was the time where Andreas and I had to split with Solahudin. Later, we took a bus ride from City Centre to KLIA 2.

Because our plane to Pekanbaru departed in the next morning, we decided to sleep at the airport that night. Even though it’s far from a good sleep, but at least we could recover our strength in the next few hours. We shouldn’t be sick despite our exhausted bodies, because in the next 3 days there would be another great adventure in Pekanbaru..

to be continued...