Kansai International Airport

Stare In Amazement: Air Busan BX 123 from Osaka (KIX) to Busan (PUS)

17 May 202215 May 2022travelingpersecond

Air Busan BX 123 flight path (sumber: https://flightaware.com/).

Air Busan is the 16th airline out of 28 different airlines I’ve tasted. This Low Cost Carrier (LCC) which come from “Ginseng Country” has a main hub at Gimhae International Airport. It wasn’t my intention to visit Busan, but because of the cheap ticket price offered by Air Busan, it was what made me decided to stop by in Busan before reaching my main destination, which was Seoul, the capital city of South Korea.

I myself got this cheap ticket seven months before departure at a price of less than 69.750 Won.

This was my story of riding an airline with three branding colors, white-blue-yellow…

—-****—-

“Sorry, sir….We don’t receive coins”, the KIX Currency Exchange clerk exclaimed with a smile.

“Oh, Okay…It’s no problem”, I pulled back my coins while waiting for the results of exchanging banknotes.

He nimbly pressed a few buttons on calculator then showed me a numbers in the LCD.

“Yes, Sir….”, I quickly agreed.

Successfully exchanging Yen for USD, now my mission was to spending coins to buy whatever supplies I could use for lunch, if necessary until dinner…. Was it bad?, That was a my way to saving budget.

I managed to find a FamilyMart in a hallway, entered it, hunted for onigiri and candies, paid it with my coins at cashie and saved it in my backpack. I never underestimate candy, two candies can meet 10% of the calories of an adult’s meal, that means it can hold your stomach for a while until you find a cheap food stall. This time I didn’t mince words by walking around the airport, my time was short, I decided to immediately go to check-in counter to exchange e-tickets with boarding pass. The main standard of airlines for passengers who will cross different countries is to check visas and return tickets from the destination country. But didn’t worry, my visa was perfectly attached to my passport and an Air Asia e-ticket to return from South Korea had also been ordered.

“Can you speak English, Sir,” a female check-in counter lightly asked.

“Yes, sure Ms. I Can”

“Do you want to sit in the emergency exit row?” she asked.

“Oh, yes, with pleasure”, I happily answered, when you are paying cheaper but get a row of seats which is more spacious, that is your prize.

“Ok, thank you Sir”

“You are welcome”.

I quickly got my boarding pass. Heading to immigration counter, I handed over my passport as soon as it arrived. The stage of leaving a country is what I like the most, because it’s fast and without questioning. Of course immigration officers will be happy and is helped if their country guests are disciplined to leave their country on time. After getting a departure stamp in my passport, I immediately headed to the gate to wait for Air Busan, which was about to arrive, maybe even ready. Arriving on time, indeed, the Airbus was standing proudly on the apron preparing to load all its passangers.

Well, given a coupon of 10,000 Won for gambling….Hahaha.

Towards half past eleven, boarding calls filled the airport ceiling, the queue line began to open and several ground staff started lining up at the gate to do final checking for each passenger. I steadily walked through it, showed my boarding pass and passport, then was allowed to board the plane. I walked through the aerobridge and was greeted by two flight attendants with typical faces of “Ginseng Country”.

“Annyeonghasimnika”, one of them smiled with a slight bow, asked for a boarding pass, briefly checked and then asked me to find a seat.

“Gamsahamnida”, ahhh, only a few Korean words I understand. I started looking for my seat.

I sat in the aisle seat in emergency exit row. Shortly after that three columns of seats were filled, a flight attendant came to say hello. The flight attendant explained in Korean about the regulations in emergency exit row, after knowing that the two passengers next to me were Korean nationals. After explaining to both of them, then that flight attendant explained again, this time in English, it was clear for me. While explaining that, we both looked at each other. Because of the ignorance of my heart, I never listened to the rules she said, instead I focused more on enjoying the beauty of her pure white Korean face. I understood, she felt that she was being watched by me, so she occasionally explained the rules with a smile, she got even more clumsy when I responded her with a smile while keeping my eyes on her eyes….I was really naughty.

After half an hour of completing boarding process, the aerobridge finally started to be pulled from plane door, flight attendants started to tightly close the door, passengers began to wear seat belts, the plane began to leave the apron while exhibiting flight safety demonstrations by several cabin crew. The demo ended when the plane was already on the runway and ready to take off from Kansai International Airport.

“Flight attendants, please prepare for take off”, were last words from flight captain who broken the silence in cabin.

The plane did a brake release, the engine rotated with full power, and finally airborne went smoothly, the plane quickly drove from Osaka. I was quite impressed with this plane because this was the first time I could see the plane’s presence in a earth map at an LCD.

When it was time to serve in-flight meal, I prefered to put an packaged food and drink in a folding bag. “Just make lunch,” I muttered to myself. I prefered to carefully read the inflight magazine to find information that might be useful for my adventures in South Korea.

Here it was…. A replacement for my lunch menu.

I didn’t realize that I had flown for 1 hour 30 minutes and the pilot gave an announcement to passengers that the plane was preparing to landing at Gimhae International Airport and informed the weather conditions in Busan which were sunny. Shortly after the announcement was completed, the cabin crew immediately checked every side of cabin and passengers to ensure a safe landing. Finally the plane smoothly landed in runway. How happy I was when I arrived in South Korea for the first time

Hmmm….I couldn’t wait to explore Busan. I still couldn’t stop my smile at my face.

I still didn’t expect that inside the airport terminal building, something serious would happen to me.

Welcome Busan….Welcome South Korea.

Alternatives for airline tickets from Osaka to Busan can be found in 12Go or the following link: https://12go.asia/?z=3283832

JR Kansai Airport Rapid Service: Shin-imamiya Station to Kansai Airport Station

15 May 20229 May 2022travelingpersecond

The first eight days of the new year, still tightly binding both eyes. Revenge for my frozen body last night during the New Year’s Eve celebration at Dōtonbori Canal by the warmth of Hotel Kaga blanket was something I considered draw. But in the end, only a thing was able to force my eyes not to close anymore, i.e Air Busan BX 123 flight at exactly 11:00 am, because as usual, for international flights, four hours before flight time I will start my journey to the airport.

Almost seven o’clock, I jumped up, grabbed a hotel’s white towel, bathroom amenities and immediately headed out of the room to shared bathroom at the end of corridor. Hotel Kaga’s bathroom is quite spacious for a backpacker. In the form of a two-part space, i.e a partition with glass and a sink and a bath capsule with a warm shower. Long time under a warm shower is my bad habit, because warm water is very effective in expelling fatigued leg muscles which is my main asset in every trip….Yup, especially if it’s not for walking tens of kilometers throughout the adventure.

After taking a shower, I nonchalantly crossed hotel corridor only wrapped in a towel and flip-flops. Making some passing hotel guests look surprised. “Ah, I only met once with them…. Let it go,” I thought, starting to be fun.

In the room I immediately cleaned up, put on a t-shirt with a black long john, cotton trousers to keep my body temperature, a pair of boots and started packing all my things into a blue Eiger 45L backpack which I borrowed from a friend at work (too bad, just borrow a backpack) .

I went down to the lobby using elevator and immediately handed over my room key at reception desk.

“Thank you for staying at our hotel. Have a nice trip, Sir”, a receptionist who was still the same, on duty from last night, smiled as she handed me the deposit money.

“You’re welcome. Very happy to stay at Hotel Kaga …. A good hotel”, I casually answered. “See you, Sir”.

“See you”, he waved his hand and was still smiling.

I headed back down street towards Shin-imamiya Station, the station I first landed on when I entered downtown. That’s the only station closest to my hotel and Nankai-Kuko Line train which goes to Kansai International Airport (KIX).

The five meter wide alleys began to wriggle, leaving the remnants of last night’s New Year celebrations. I quickly walked through several alleys without enjoying the atmosphere, I’ve passed it a few times though. Taking a copy to Abiko-suji Avenue, I arrived at Shin-imamiya Station within five minutes of leaving the hotel.

Entering the station gate, my eyes immediately looking for ticketing vending machine. I got it easily. A ticket worth 1,060 Yen was finally in my hands and I immediately docked at e JR Kansai Airport Rapid Service platform.

The airport service train arrived on time, I entered one of its carriages and shortly after sitting down, the train sped away. I returned to enjoying the trip again like when I first took the same train when I arrived in Osaka. The first sight that be presented was the atmosphere of a densely built urban area in Nishinari, Sumiyoshi and Suminoe City Districts. After crossing Yamoto River, the atmosphere changed to an area of agricultural land in Kishiwada and Izumisano areas. Then the train crossed the ocean in Osaka Bay after a bit of climbing an overpass in Rinku Town. After crossing sea bridge along five kilometers, the train arrived at Kansai-Airport Station.

As soon as the train stopped at platform, I immediately jumped out of the carriage to departure hall of Kansai International Airport, the winner of Skytrax’s Best Low Cost Airline Terminal in the World.

One of the first destinations upon arrival at the airport….Yes, money changer.

Channel No 63 Hotel Kaga

11 May 20229 May 2022travelingpersecond

That night was New Year’s Eve. This was the first time I would enjoy New Year abroad, Osaka to be exact. Inevitably I had intended to enjoy how lively Osaka night was on New Year’s Eve Countdown.

But it was only 5 p.m when I finished very late lunch menu. I left a home-based restaurant whcih stood in an alley in America-mura, after enjoying its chicken ramen.

Now I have a intention which I must fulfill….Yupz, SLEEP.

I couldn’t hide my drowsines after only sleeping at Kansai International Airport for four hours all night. I myself didn’t want to attend New Year’s countdown without fresh face that night.

“See you America-mura”, I jokingly thought as I stepped out of an alley and began to step at Mido-suji Avenue towards Shinsaibashi Station. It was almost six-thirty in the afternoon when I started boarding Osaka Metro to Dobutsuen-mae Station on Midosuji Line.

From Dobutsuen-mae Station, I continued on walking along Saka-suji Avenue to reach the inn. I slowly entered Haginochaya area and soon arrived at Hotel Kaga.

“Hello, Mr. Donny. So afternoon you arrive”, male receptionist with glasses lightly greeted me then stood up from his chair and swiftly took my blue backpack.

“Yes, Sir. Osaka is very interesting, so I will regret it if I come back to hotel too early”, I caught backpack he handed me.

“I think I should sleep to prepare myself for New Year’s Eve tonight”

“Yes, that’s a great idea, Sir”.

I asked permission to immediately entering the room after he gave me a key. I already paid the hotel fare that morning when I left my backpack. I took a quick step towards lift whose doors were already open because someone was using it, then slid up to third floor. As soon as I arrived at the room, I immediately hung up my winter jacket, took off my boots, lowered my backpack, pulled the folding mattress and threw myself onto the mattress.

A single room I booked a month before departure.

Zzzzz……..Zzzzz…..Zzzzz….I quickly drifted off to sleep because of my tired body and sleepy eyes.

It was a little past nine-thirty when I automatically woke up. That’s how I am, if there is an intention to wake up at a certain hour then without even turning on the alarm then I will wake up automatically at that hour. I rarely miss, maybe this is a remnant of my childhood habit when I often got up long before dawn to study. #discipline

I still felt lazy to get out of bed and continued to be comfortable with warm room. Keep imagining how uncomfortable it would be to travel outside where the temperature was almost zero degrees Celsius. I grabbed the TV remote beside me, I just realized that before I went to sleep I had turned on the TV. Practically the TV was watching me when I sleep, not me watching it.

Want to watch Japanese TV shows….Beware with its surprise!

Of course I didn’t know what was being said on every Japanese television show. All I know was a reality show about romance, quizzes with prizes or guessing some cases and events on the evening news. I continued to explore further until channel numbered above 40. Several sporting events as well as flora and fauna began to appear. Now the channel was at 60. I kep exploring….

61….62….

I was suddenly shocked when I entered CHANNEL NO. 63. How not, it is an uncensored adult film channel. My God, what was this…..I would try to skip it, moved on to the next channel. Not long ago moved, for some reason this hand was always curious to press the shortcut to CHANNEL NO. 63, then tried to resist and switching to another channel again. Gosh….Then switch again to CHANNEL NO. 63…..The “Black-White” battle seemed fierce in my mind. Until finally didn’t feel the time was showing nine o’clock.

It was about time I went to New Year’s celebrations with Osakans and other tourists out there. I had read the announcements at many stations that afternoon that Osaka Metro’s operating hours would be extended well past the early hours of the morning. That was good news and I didn’t have to break into my pocket to find a taxi when I got back.

I put my boots back on and put my two jackets on to fight the cold. Remember when I accidentally drank alcohol at Narita International Airport?. Yups, that alcoholic drink was still there and only one drink less at that time. I put it in my winter jacket pocket and I used it as a precaution. I have to be prepared if temperature outside got too extreme in the middle of night….WHO KNOWS?….But hopefully I won’t have to drink it again until my adventure in Osaka was over.

Overnight at Kansai International Airport (KIX)

29 April 202223 April 2022travelingpersecond

Arriving at Kansai International Airport (KIX), Osaka.

I descended Peach Aviation with flight number MM6320 via manual ladder. Then I was taken using Narita apron shuttle bus to Terminal 2 building. Finally, I arrived in Osaka and stepped onto airport which had won “The Best Low Cost Airline Terminal in the World” in Skytrax version.

Since this was a domestic flight, of course I didn’t need to be busy dealing with immigration. I stepped on the floor of Terminal 2 building on exactly midnight. I think it would be better if I immediately looked for a place to close my eyes for next five hours. I also felt very tired because from the morning when I checked out until the afternoon I walked around Tokyo carrying a 6 kg backpack. The expensive transportation costs didn’t allow me to put my backpack in hotel first when exploring Tokyo. Because of course it costed a lot of money to just go back and forth to hotel just for taking a backpack in hotel when you want to leave Tokyo. As a result, I had to carry my backpack wherever my feet went until I arrived in Osaka.

My instincts were very quick to find the best seat, I was now in an area on west side of Terminal 2 building which was quite. Four chairs without armrests made the perfect treat for that evening. Not thinking long, I immediately acquired one of them, made my backpack as a pillow and I quickly fell asleep on it.

Zzzzzz…..The remain, I didn’t know what was going on around.

—-****—-

Greekkk…..praakkk…..Buughhh…..Kraackkk.

I gasped and suddenly woke up. Sitting with a headache, I saw clearly a group of tall and beautiful Chinese girls were already sitting in front of me. Two of them noticed me who was in a disheveled condition, then smiled. It was impossible for me to continue sleeping in front of them. Looked like they just landed and out of nowhere.

The clock needle was still perched at number four. That means I’ve slept even four hours. I drank the remaining mineral water. And in an instant, that girls were busy with their respective devices.

I immediately took out my toiletries pack and put my thick jacket into my backpack. I immediately went to the toilet. Entering the airport toilet in the morning was a strategy to enjoy clean toilets because usually the cleaning service just finished cleaning it and no one had used it yet.

Sure enough, I was the first to enter the toilet that morning. Extraordinarily clean, regarding to the cleanliness of public facilities in Japan, no need to ask, they are the experts. That morning, for real, for the first time I used a toilet with a full of button control panel . I put my backpack on clean toilet floor and started my morning activities in it. I guessed, I was too long because of the preoccupation with trying to operate all kinds of button next to the toilet. I pressed no less than ten types of button, from the flushing/sound button to the warm seat button. Not hard, almost 40 minutes I mastered the toilet.

Oh, Donny….All the way to Japan just to try the toilet….Damn

After brushing my teeth in front of the sink. I started to prepare myself to head to the city. I immediately looked for the whereabouts of train station. Following an instructions, I was directed to a free shuttle bus to transfer to Terminal 1, because train to downtown was there.

I boarded to free shuttle bus. Traveling a distance of about 2 km and less than ten minutes I arrived at Terminal 1 at exactly six in the morning. I started hunting for train tickets.

“Which train must I take to get the cheapest price to Shin-Imamiya Station, Ms?”, I asked to female clerk sitting at ticket sales desk.

“JR Kansai Airport Rapid for 1,060 Yen, Sir”

“Okay, I take that”

Not long after, JR Kansai Airport Rapid Train arrived. I immediately entered one of its carriages which was dominantly silver with a blue color, then sat on one of its single seats. Less than five minutes, the train departed. That’s how Japanese trains awere, never late and always on time.

15 minutes later…..

I was so surprised that its carriage passed through a giant iron bridge which straddled the sea. All my life, I just found out that Kansai International Airport (KIX) is located in the middle of the sea, 5 Km from the nearest mainland in Osaka city. Wasn’t this a wonderful experience?……

Peach Aviation MM6320 from Tokyo to Osaka: 15th Airline

27 April 202223 April 2022travelingpersecond

My departure time for East Asia Tour Volume-2 was only a day away. There was still one stage of my itinerary which was still scattered and unfinished, i.e the deadlock of my transfer mechanism from Tokyo to Osaka. Three months ago, I wasted a cheap bus ticket from Tokyo to Osaka for 5,700 Yen just because I kept thinking and looking for other options. Some time later when the weekend came, the price of bus fare increased to 9,700 Yen. While the Shinkansen ticket price reached 14,000 Yen.

It mean that apart from the bus, the Shinkansen was also impossible for me to choose. The bullet train was too expensive for my pocket. Inevitably, I have to go back to rummaging through information about Japanese transportation.

I started tracking how many commercial airlines which Land of Rising Sun owned. Previously, I had booked one of their airlines to move from Kaohsiung (Taiwan) to Tokyo, that airline was Vanilla Air. But this airline in fact set a fairly expensive price for Tokyo to Osaka route, around 10,130 Yen.

From my persistence in exploring cyberspace, my mouse touch found another LCC (Low Cost Carrier) airline belonging to Japan, namely Peach Aviation. The airline’s attributes rely on a combination of orange and pink colors, forming a pale orange color known as peach. I started looking for a route. Finally I found Tokyo-Osaka route for 7,150 Yen, a slightly cheaper price than taking the bus, Shinkansen or Vanilla Air.

—-****—-

Preparing for take-off with Peach Aviation MM6320.

The incident of delay and accidentally drinking alcohol became a bad memory before I left Tokyo. However, I started to smile when my flight number was mentioned in airport announcement. I started queuing in line. I began to imagine the beauty of Osaka Castle in every second of my queue. Until I arrived, my boarding pass and passport were checked by a female ground staff who was very young.

“I’m sorry, this is not your flight. Your flight will be depart 30 minutes later”.

“Are you sure?”, I half asked.

“Yes, sir. This flight is MM320 and your flight is MM6320, almost similar”.

“Oh God, I’m sorry. This is my wrong”, I slapped my forehead while trying to hide my embarrassment.

I stepped back from the queue and sat in one of empty rows of seats that had been left by prospective passengers to enter the plane. I was still watching the queue until the last person entered the plane. Now I was back waiting….

30 minutes later…..

Unmistakably, this was my flight, I made sure flight number information on the LCD screen was correct, then I matched it with the same number in my boarding pass….Yup, this was MM6320. I immediately entered the queue. Then at the queue gate, I gave my boarding pass and passport to be checked by one of ground staff. Finally, I was allowed to enter the plane.

The cabin dominance with a peach color made the room so cheerful, slightly reducing my fatigue in struggling with delays. Every cabin crew was so quick to help passengers put their luggage into luggage compartment. Several times, a flight attendant didn’t hesitate to take off her shoes and stood into a chair edge to push some large luggage and tidy it up in luggage compartment.

After preparation, Peach Aviation MM6320 began to crawl towards runway accompanied by a demonstration of flight safety procedures by cabin crew. Moments later the flight captain asked for permission to take off. Shortly after, the Airbus A320-100 sped away from Narita International Airport from Terminal 1.

The sky in Tokyo seemed to be clear that night. I didn’t feel any turbulence during 1 hour 35 minute flight. Osaka is Japan’s third largest city, 500 km in west of Tokyo. Throughout flight, most passengers prefered to close their eyes, but I still turned on the reading light because I was interested in the abundance of tourism information which contained in Peach Aviation’s inflight magazine. I took pictures one by one of that tourist information sheets, I needed it while in Osaka. Apparently my activity was noticed by a flight attendant from behind. Even at one time she came to me.

“Do you still reading, Sir?” .

“Yes, Ms. I need some information from this magazine”.

“Oh ok, Sir. It doesn’t matter. I just make sure”.

She smiled and sat back in her flight attendant’s seat at back. Even after that, I made sure that throughout the flight I never turned off the reading light. On 23:53 hours, flight captain started talking into his microphone to simply announce that the plane would soon be landing at Kansai International Airport Terminal 2. All passengers rushed up, got ready and tidied up every seat. The cabin crew continued to check back and forth according to safety procedures for landing process.

I still didn’t know about actual conditions down there because I was sitting in aisle seat. I was able to feel when the plane began to lower and occasionally rocked to stabilize its position. Until finally the smooth pounding of plane’s wheels informed me that Peach Aviation had touched the runway of Kansai International Airport, in Terminal 2 to be exact.

There was no welcoming aerobridge, all passengers must descend the stairs and be picked up by Narita apron shuttle bus to the terminal building.

Arriving at Kansai International Airport Terminal 2 on midnight.

That night, I decided to spend the night at Kansai International Airport Terminal 2 and would leave for downtown on the next day.

Alternatives for airline tickets from Tokyo to Osaka can be found on 12Go or the following link: https://12go.asia/?z=3283832

Bersitatap Kagum: Air Busan BX 123 dari Osaka (KIX) ke Busan (PUS)

1 February 202111 February 2021travelingpersecond

<—-Kisah Sebelumnya

Jalur penerbangan Air Busan BX 123 (sumber: https://flightaware.com/).

Air Busan adalah maskapai ke-16 dari 28 maskapai berbeda yang pernah kucicipi. Low Cost Carrier (LCC) dari Negeri Ginseng ini memiliki main hub di Gimhae International Airport. Bukan niatan mengunjungi Busan, tetapi karena harga tiket murah yang ditawarkan Air Busan lah yang membuatku memutuskan untuk singgah di Busan sebelum mencapai tujuan utama, yaitu Seoul, ibu kota Korea Selatan.

Aku sendiri mendapatkan tiket murah ini tujuh bulan sebelum keberangkatan dengan harga tak sampai Rp. 800.000.

Inilah kisahku menunggang maskapai dengan tiga warna branding, putih-biru-kuning…

—-****—-

“Sorry, Sir….We don’t receive coin”, petugas KIX Currency Exchange berseru dengan senyum.

“Oh, Okay…It’s no problem”, aku menarik kembali uang koin sembari menunggu hasil penukaran uang kertas.

Dia dengan gesit memencet beberapa tombol kalkulator kemudian menunjukkan angka di LCDnya kepadaku.

“Yes, Sir….”, aku mengiyakan cepat.

Sukses menukar Yen dengan USD, kini misiku adalah menghabiskan uang koin untuk membeli bekal apapun yang bisa kujadikan sebagai makan siang, kalau perlu hingga makan malam….Parah kan?, bagaimana caraku berhemat.

Aku berhasil menemukan FamilyMart di sebuah selasar, memasukinya, berburu onigiri dan permen, menyudahinya dengan uang koin di kasir lalu membenamkannya dalam-dalam di backpack. Aku tak pernah meremehkan permen, dua butir permen bisa memenuhi 10% kalori seporsi makan orang dewasa, itu berarti bisa menahan lapar perut beberapa saat hingga menemukan warung makan yang murah. Kali ini aku tak berbasa-basi dengan berkeliling bandara, waktuku sempit, kuputuskan segera menuju konter check-in untuk bertukar e-ticket dengan boarding pass. Standar utama maskapai terhadap penumpang yang akan melintas negara berbeda adalah mengecek visa serta return ticket dari negara yang dituju. Tapi tak perlu khawatir, visaku sudah menempel sempurna di passport dan e-ticket Air Asia untuk pulang dari Korea Selatan juga telah kupesan.

“Can you speak English, Sir”, petugas wanita konter check-in bertanya ringan.

“Yes, sure Ms. I can”

“Do you want to sit in emergency exit row?”, dia meminta.

“Oh, yes, with pleasure”, aku menjawabnya dengan gembira, kapan lagi bayar murah tapi dapat deretan kursi yang lebih lega.

“Ok, thank you Sir”

“You are welcome”.

Boarding pass dengan cepat kudapat. Menuju konter imigrasi, aku menyerahkan passport begitu tiba. Tahapan keluar dari sebuah negara adalah hal yang paling kusuka, karena cepat dan tanpa interogasi. Tentu petugas imigrasi akan senang dan terbantu jika tamu negaranya berdisiplin untuk keluar negaranya tepat waktu. Setelah mendapatkan stempel departure di passport, aku segera menuju gate untuk menunggu Air Busan yang sebentar lagi akan datang bahkan mungkin telah bersiap. Tiba tepat waktu, benar adanya, pesawat Airbus itu telah berdiri gagah di apron bersiap memasukkan segenap muatan.

Nah, dikasih kupun 10.000 Won buat berjudi….”Judiii….Teeeeet….Menjanjikan Kemenangan”.

Menjelang pukul setengah sebelas, panggilan boarding memenuhi langit-langit bandara, Jalur antrian mulai dibuka dan beberapa ground staff mulai berbaris di gate untuk melakukan final checking kepada setiap penumpang. Aku melewatinya dengan mantap, menunjukkan boarding pass dan passport, kemudian diizinkan menuju ke pesawat. Aku merangsek melalui aerobridge lalu disambut dua pramugari berwajah khas Negeri Ginseng.

“Annyeonghasimnika”, salah satu dari mereka bersalam senyum dengan sedikit membungkuk, meminta boarding pass, mengecek sebentar lalu mempersilahkanku mencari tempat duduk.

“Gamsahamnida”, ahhh, hanya sedikit kosakata Korea yang kufaham. Aku mulai mencari bangku.

Aku duduk di aisle seat pada emergency exit row. Tak lama setelah tiga kolom bangku terisi, seorang pramugari datang menyapa. Pramugari itu menjelaskan dalam Bahsa Korea tentang peraturan di emergency exit row, maklum dua penumpang di sebelahku asli berkebangsaan Korea. Usai menjelaskan ke mereka berdua, kemudian pramugari itu kembali menjelaskan, kali ini dalam Bahasa Inggris, jelas itu untukku. Saat menjelaskan itu, kita berdua saling bersitatap. Sebab kejahilan hatiku saja, aku tak pernah mendengarkan peraturan yang diucapkannya, justru aku lebih fokus menikmati keayuan khas wajah Koreanya yang putih bersih. Aku faham, dia merasa kuperhatikan sehingga dia sesekali menjelaskan peraturan itu dengan senyum, dia semakin keki ketika aku membalasnya dengan seyuman dengan tetap bersitatap muka….Parah habis ya guwe.

Setengah jam menyelesaikan boarding process, akhirnya juluran aerobridge mulai ditarik dari pintu pesawat, pramugari mulai menutup pintu rapat-rapat, penumpang mulai mengenakan sabuk pengaman, pesawat mulai meninggalkan apron sembari memamerkan demo keselamatan penerbangan oleh beberapa awak kabin. Demo itu usai ketika pesawat sudah di runaway dan bersiap take-off meninggalkan Kansai International Airport.

“Flight attendants, please prepare for take off”, begitu kata terakhir dari kapten penerbangan yang memecah sunyi ruangan di kabin.

Pesawat itupun melakukan brake release, mesin berotasi dengan tenaga penuh, dan akhirnya airborne berlangsung dengan mulus, pesawat melaju dengan cepat meninggalkan Osaka. Aku cukup terkesima dengan pesawat ini karena inilah pertama kalinya bisa melihat keberadaan pesawat di atas peta bumi dalam sebidang LCD….Guwe kampungan emang.

Ketika tiba waktunya menyajikan in-flight meal, aku lebih memilih memasukkan makanan dan minuman kemasan itu ke dalam folding bag. “Buat makan siang saja lah”, gumamku dalam hati. Aku lebih memilih membaca dengan seksama inflight magazine untuk mencari informasi yang mungkin aja berguna untuk petualanganku di Korea Selatan.

Tak terasa aku telah terbang selama 1 jam 30 menit dan pilot memberikan pengumunan kepada penumpang bahwa pesawat bersiap mendarat di Gimhae International Airport serta menginformasikan kondisi cuaca di Busan yang cerah. Tak berselang lama setelah pengumuman selesai, awak kabin segera memeriksa setiap sisi kabin dan penumpang untuk memastikan pendaratan berlangsung aman. Akhirnya pesawat mendarat mulus di landas pacu. Betapa bahagianya aku ketika untuk pertama kalinya tiba di Korea Selatan

Hmmhh….Aku sudah tak sabar mengeksplorasi Busan. Aku masih saja tak mampu membendung semburat senyum di wajah.

Aku masih saja tak menduga bahwa di dalam bangunan terminal bandara nanti, akan ada insiden serius yang menimpaku.

Selamat Datang Busan….Selamat Datang Korea Selatan.

Alternatif untuk tiket pesawat dari Osaka ke Busan bisa dicari di 12Go atau link berikut: https://12go.asia/?z=3283832

Kisah Selanjutnya—->

JR Kansai Airport Rapid Service: Stasiun Shin-imamiya ke Kansai Airport Station

28 January 20211 February 2021travelingpersecond

<—-Kisah Sebelumnya

Lelapan hari pertama tahun baru, masih membalut erat kedua mata. Membalas dendam kebekuan badan tadi malam saat perayaan malam pergantian tahun di Dōtonbori Canal dengan kehangatan selimut Hotel Kaga menjadi sesuatu yang kuanggap impas. Namun akhirnya, hanya satu hal yang mampu memaksa mata untuk tak lagi terpejam, yaitu penerbangan Air Busan BX 123 tepat pukul 11:00, karena seperti biasa, untuk penerbangan internasional, empat jam sebelum waktu terbang aku akan memulai perjalanan menuju bandara.

Hampir pukul tujuh, aku melompat bangun, menyambar handuk putih milik hotel, bathroom amenities dan segera beranjak keluar kamar menuju shared bathroom di ujung lorong. Kamar mandi Hotel Kaga cukuplah luas untuk ukuran backpacker. Berwujud ruang dua sekat, yaitu sekat dengan kaca dan wastafel serta kapsul mandi dengan shower air hangat. Berlama-lama di bawah shower air hangat adalah kebiasaan burukku, karena air hangat sangat efektif mengusir keletihan otot kaki yang merupakan aset utamaku dalam setiap perjalanan….Yups, apalagi kalau bukan untuk berjalan berpuluh-puluh kilometer sepanjang petualangan.

Usai mandi, aku dengan cueknya melintasi koridor hotel hanya dengan berbalut handuk dan sandal jepit. Menjadikan beberapa tamu hotel yang lewat melihat heran. “Ah, ketemu cuma sekali ini….Biarin saja”, batinku mulai iseng.

Di dalam kamar aku segera berbenah, memakai t-shirt berangkap long john hitam, celana panjang katun penyimpan suhu tubuh, sepasang sepatu boots dan mulai mengepak semua barang ke dalam backpack Eiger 45L berwarna biru yang kupinjam dari teman sekantor (parah, backpack aja pinjem).

Aku turun ke lobby menggunakan lift dan segera menyerahkan kunci kamar di meja resepsinonis.

“Thank you for staying at our hotel. Have a nice trip, Sir”, resepsionis yang masih sama, bertugas dari semalam, melempar senyum sembari menyerahkan uang deposit padaku.

“You’re welcome. Very happy to stay at Hotel Kaga …. A good hotel“, Aku menjawab sekenanya. “See you, Sir“”.

“See you”, dia melambaikan tangan dan masih tersenyum.

Aku kembali turun ke jalanan menuju Stasiun Shin-imamiya, stasiun yang menjadi tempat hinggap pertama kali ketika aku memasuki pusat kota Osaka. Hanya stasiun itulah yang terdekat dari hotel dan dilewati kereta Nankai-Kuko Line menuju Kansai International Airport (KIX).

Gang-gang selebar lima meter mulai bergeliat, menyisakan sisa peryaan tahun baru semalam. Aku menyusur beberapa gang dengan cepat tanpa menikmati suasana, toh aku sudah beberapa kali melewatnya. Mengambil tembusan ke Abiko-suji Avenue, aku tiba di Stasiun Shin-imamiya dalam lima menit semenjak meninggalkan hotel.

Memasuki gerbang stasiun, mataku langsung menyisir keberadaan ticketing vending machine. Aku mendapatkannya dengan mudah. Tiket senilai 1.060 Yen (Rp. 145.000) akhirnya berada dalam genggaman dan aku segera merapat ke plafform JR Kansai Airport Rapid Service.

Kereta layanan bandara itu tiba tepat waktu, aku memasuki salah satu gerbongnya dan tak lama setela terduduk, kereta itu melaju. Aku kembali menikmati ulang perjalanan seperti saat pertama menumpang kereta yang sama setiba di Osaka. Pemandangan pertama yang tersaji adalah suasana daerah urban padat bangunan di Distrik Kota Nishinari, Sumiyoshi dan Suminoe. Setalah melintas Yamoto River suasana berganti menjadi daerah lahan pertanian di daerah Kishiwada dan Izumisano. Kemudian kereta melintas lautan di Osaka Bay setelah sedikit mendaki jalur layang di Rinku Town. Setelah melintas jembatan laut sepanjang lima kilometer maka kereta tiba di Kansai-Airport Station.

Begitu kereta merapat di platform, aku segera melompat keluar gerbong menuju departure hall Kansai International Airport, si pemenang Best Low Cost Airline Terminal in the World versi Skytrax.

Satu tujuan pertama setiba di bandara….Yes, money changer.

Kisah Selanjutnya—->

Channel No 63 Hotel Kaga

20 January 20218 May 2021travelingpersecond

<—-Kisah Sebelumya

Malam nanti adalah malam tahun baru. Ini pertama kalinya aku akan menikmati pergantian tahun di luar negeri, Osaka tepatnya. Tak pelak aku telah meniatkan untuk menikmati bagaimana meriahnya malam Osaka saat New Year’s Eve Countdown.

Tapi ini baru pukul 17:00 ketika aku menyudahi menu makan siang yang sangat terlambat. Aku meninggalkan restoran rumahan yang berdiri pada sebuah gang di Amerikamura, setelah menikmati sajian chicken ramennya.

Kini aku punya satu niatan yang harus kutunaikan….Yupz, TIDUR.

Aku tak bisa menyembunyikan lunglai badan setelah semalaman hanya tertidur di Kansai International Airport selama empat jam. Aku sendiri tak mau menghadiri hitung mundur Tahun Baru dalam keadaan tak segar nanti malam.

“Sampai jumpa Amerikamura”, batinku berseloroh ketika menapak keluar dari sebuah gang dan mulai menyisir Mido-suji Avenue menuju Stasiun Shinsaibashi. Hampir setengah enam sore ketika aku mulai menaiki gerbong Osaka Metro menuju Stasiun Dobutsuen-mae melalui Midosuji Line.

Dari Stasiun Dobutsuen-mae, aku melanjutkan dengan berjalan kaki menyusuri Saka-suji Avenue untuk mencapai penginapan. Aku perlahan memasuki daerah Haginochaya dan tak lama kemudian tiba di Hotel Kaga.

“Hello, Mr. Donny. So afternoon you arrive”, resepsionis laki-laki berkacamata itu menyapaku ringan lalu berdiri dari kursinya dan sigap mengambil backpack biruku.

“Yes, Sir. Osaka is very interesting, so I will regret it if I come back to hotel too early”, aku menangkap backpack yang dia sodorkan.

“I think I should sleep to prepare myself for New Year’s Eve tonight”

“Yes, that’s a great idea, Sir”.

Aku meminta izin untuk segera memasuki kamar setelah dia memberikan kunci. Aku sudah membayar biaya penginapan tadi pagi saat menitipkan backpack. Kuayunkan langkah dengan cepat mengejar lift yang pintunya sudah terbuka karena ada orang yang menggunakannya, kemudian meluncur ke lantai tiga. Begitu tiba di kamar, aku segera menggantung winter jacket, melepas sepatu boots, menurunkan backpack, menarik kasur lipat dan menghempaskan tubuh ke atas kasur.

Kamar tunggal yang kupesan sebulan sebelum keberangkatan.

Kamar seharga 1.800 Yen (Rp. 256.000) per malam.

Zzzzz……..Zzzzz…..Zzzzz….Dengan cepat aku terlelap saking lelah badan dan mengantuknya mata.

Lewat sedikit dari jam setengah sembilan malam ketika aku otomatis terbangun. Seperti itulah aku, jika ada niatan bangun pada jam tertentu maka tanpa menyalakan alarm pun maka aku akan terbangun dengan sendirinya pada jam yang dimaksud. Jarang sekali meleset, mungkin ini sisa kebiasaanku di waktu kecil ketika sering bangun jauh sebelum shubuh untuk belajar. #sokdisiplin

Aku masih merasa malas untuk beranjak dari kasur dan terus ternyamankan dengan hangat ruang kamar. Terus membayangkan begitu tak nyamannya jika bepergian di luar sana yang suhunya hampir menginjak nol derajat Celcius. Kusambar remote TV di sampingku, aku baru sadar kalau sebelum tidur tadi aku telah menyalakan TV. Praktis TV lah yang menontonku di saat tidur, bukan aku yang menontonnya.

Mau nonton acara TV Jepang….Waspadalah….Waspadalah!

Tentu aku tak tahu apa yang diperbincangkan pada setiap acara Televisi Jepang. Yang kutahu itu hanya reality show tentang percintaan, kuis berhadiah atau menebak-nebak beberapa kasus dan kejadian dalam acara berita malam. Aku terus menjelajah lebih jauh hingga ke channel bernomor di atas 40. Beberapa acara olahraga serta flora dan fauna mulai hadir. Kini channel menginjak angka 60. Aku terus menjelajah….

61….62….

Tiba-tiba aku terperanjat ketika memasuki CHANNEL NO. 63. Bagaimana tidak, itu adalah channel film dewasa tanpa sensor. Wuannnjiiirrrr, apalagi ini…..Aku mencoba untuk melewatkannya saja, berpindah ke channel berikutnya. Belum juga lama berpindah, entah kenapa tangan ini selalu penasaran memencet pintas ke CHANNEL NO. 63, lalu mencoba melawan berpindah ke channel lain lagi. Geblek….Kemudian berpindah lagi ke CHANNEL NO. 63…..Pertempuran “Hitam-Putih” tampak sengit di benakku. Hingga akhirnya tak terasa waktu sudah menunjukkan pukul sembilan.

Sudah saatnya aku pergi ke perayaan Tahun Baru bersama warga Osaka dan turis lainnya di luar sana. Aku telah membaca pengumuman di banyak stasiun siang tadi bahwa jam operasional Osaka Metro akan diperpanjang hingga lewat dini hari. Itu berita yang menggembirakan dan membuatku tak perlu membobol kantong untuk mencari taksi saat pulang nanti.

Kupakai kembali sepatu boots dan kukenakan kedua jaketku untuk melawan dingin. Masih ingat ketika aku tak sengaja menenggak alkohol di Narita International Airport?. Yups, minuman beralkohol itu masih ada dan hanya berkurang satu tenggakan saja kala itu. Aku memasukkan ke kantong winter jacket dan kufungsikan sebagai langkah antisipasi. Aku harus bersiap apabila suhu diluar nanti menjadi terlalu ekstrim di tengah malam….WHO KNOWS?….Tapi mudah-mudahan saja aku tak perlu menenggaknya lagi hingga petualangan di Osaka berakhir.

Kisah Selanjutnya—->

Bermalam di Kansai International Airport (KIX)

25 December 20205 January 2021travelingpersecond

<—-Kisah Sebelumnya

Tiba di Kansai International Airport (KIX), Osaka.

Aku menuruni Peach Aviation bernomor terbang MM6320 melalui tangga manual. Kemudian dibawa menggunakan Narita apron shuttle bus menuju bangunan Terminal 2. Akhirnya, aku tiba di Osaka dan menapaki bandara yang pernah memenangi Best Low Cost Airline Terminal in the World versi Skytrax.

Karena ini adalah penerbangan domestik tentu aku tak perlu sibuk berurusan dengan pihak imigrasi. Aku menginjak lantai bangunan Terminal 2 tepat tengah malam. Kiranya akan lebih baik jika aku segera mencari tempat peraduan untuk memejamkan mata sejenak hingga 5 jam ke depan. Aku juga sudah merasa sangat letih karena sedari pagi saat check-out hingga sore berkeliling Tokyo dengan memanggul backpack seberat 6 Kg. Biaya transportasi yang mahal tak memungkinkanku untuk menaruh backpack di dormitory dahulu. Karena sudah barang tentu membutuhkan biaya yang tak sedikit untuk sekedar bolak-balik ke dormitory hanya untuk kegiatan remeh temeh, yaitu mengambil backpack saat ingin meninggalkan Tokyo. Alhasil, aku harus memanggul backpack kemanapun kaki melangkah higga aku tiba di Osaka.

Instingku sangat cepat untuk menemukan tempat tidur terbaik, aku kini berada di sebuah area di sisi barat bangunan Terminal 2 yang cukup tenang. Empat bangku gandeng tanpa sandaran lengan menjadi hadiah sempurna malam itu. Tak berfikir panjang, aku segera mengakuisisi salah satunya, menjadikan backpack sebagai bantal dan dengan cepat aku terlelap diatasnya.

Zzzzzz…..Selebihnya aku tak tahu apa yang terjadi di sekitar.

—-****—-

Greekkk…..praakkk…..Buughhh…..Kraackkk.

Aku tergelegap dan tersontak bangun. Dalam duduk dengan kepala pening, aku melihat jelas rombongan gadis-gadis tinggi cantik asal Tiongkok sudah duduk di depanku. Dua diantaranya memperhatikanku yang sedang dalam kondisi kusut, kemudian melempar senyum. Sudah tak mungkin aku melanjutkan tidur di depan mereka. Sepertinya mereka baru saja mendarat dan entah dari mana.

Jarum jam masih bertengger di angka empat. Berarti aku sudah terlelap genap empat jam. Aku menenggak air mineral tersisa. Dan dalam sekejap gadis-gadis itu sudah sibuk dengan gawainya masing-masing.

Kukeluarkan segera toiletries pack dan kumasukkan jaket tebalku ke dalam backpack. Aku segera beranjak menuju ke toilet. Masuk ke toilet bandara saat pagi adalah strategi untuk menikmati toilet bersih karena biasanya cleaning service baru usai membersihkannya dan belum ada yang menggunakan.

Benar saja, akulah orang pertama yang memasuki toilet pagi itu. Luar biasa bersih, perihal kebersihan fasilitas umum di Jepang, tidak usah ditanya, mereka jagonya. Pagi itu, sungguh nyata, untuk pertama kalinya aku menggunakan toilet dengan control panel penuh tombol. Aku menaruh backpack di lantai toilet yang bersih dan memulai aktivitas pagi di dalamya. Sepertinya aku kelamaan karena keasyikan mencoba mengoperasikan semua jenis tombol di sebelah kloset toilet. Tak kurang dari sepuluh jenis tombol aku memencet-mencetnya, mulai dari tombol penyamar suara (flushing/sound button) hingga penghangat kloset (warm seat button). Tak kerasa, hampir 40 menit aku menguasai toilet itu.

Oalah, Donny….Jauh-jauh ke Jepang cuman buat nyobain toilet….Kasihan……

Menggunakan free shuttle bus menuju Terminal 1.

Usai menggosok gigi di depan wastafel. Aku mulai mempersiapkan diri untuk menuju kota. Aku segera mencari keberadaan stasiun kereta. Mengikuti petunjuk yang ada aku diarahkan pada sebuah free shuttle bus untuk berpindah ke Terminal 1, karena kereta ke tengah kota berada disana.

Aku menaiki free shuttle bus itu. Menempuh jarak sekitar 2 km dan tak sampai sepuluh menit aku tiba di Terminal 1 tepat pukul enam pagi. Aku mulai berburu tiket kereta.

“Which train must I take to get the cheapest price to Shin-Imamiya Station, Ms?”, aku bertanya kepada petugas wanita yang duduk di bagian penjualan tiket.

“JR Kansai Airport Rapid for 1.060 Yen (Rp. 145.000), Sir”

“Okay, I take that”

Tak lama kemudian, JR Kansai Airport Rapid Train itu tiba. Aku segera memasuki salah satu gerbongnnya yang dominan silver dengan kelir biru, kemudian duduk di salah satu bangku tunggalnya. Tak sampai lima menit, kereta itu berangkat. Begitulah kereta Jepang, tak pernah telat dan selalu tepat waktu.

15 menit kemudian…..

Begitu terkejutnya diriku karena kereta itu melewati jembatan besi raksasa yang gagah mengangkangi laut. Seumur hidup, aku baru tahu kalau Kansai Internatioanl Airport (KIX) berlokasi di tengah laut, berjarak 5 Km dari daratan terdekat di kota Osaka. Bukankah ini pengalaman yang luar biasa?……

Kisah Selanjutnya—->

Peach Aviation MM6320 dari Tokyo ke Osaka: Maskapai ke-15

21 December 20205 January 2021travelingpersecond

<—-Kisah Sebelumnya

Waktu keberangkatanku menuju tur Asia Timur Jilid-2 tinggal sehari lagi. Masih ada satu tahapan itinerary yang masih tercecer dan belum tuntas, yaitu buntunya mekanisme perpindahanku dari Tokyo ke Osaka. Tiga bulan lalu, aku telah menyia-nyiakan tiket bus murah dari Tokyo ke Osaka seharga 5.700 Yen (Rp. 775.000) hanya karena terus berfikir dan banyak mencari pilihan lain. Beberapa waktu kemudian Saat akhir pekan tiba, harga tariff bus itu meningkat hingga 9.700 Yen (1,2 juta). Sedangkan harga tiket Shinkansen mencapai 14.000 Yen (Rp. 1,9 Juta).

Berarti selain bus, Shinkansen juga tak mungkin kupilih. Kereta peluru itu terlalu mahal untuk ukuran kantongku. Mau tak mau, aku harus kembali mengobrak-abrik informasi tentang transportasi Jepang.

Aku mulai melacak perihal seberapa banyak maskapai komersial yang dimiliki oleh Negeri Matahari Terbit. Sebelumnya, aku sudah memesan salah satu maskapai mereka untuk berpindah dari Kaohsiung (Taiwan) ke Tokyo, maskapai itu adalah Vanilla Air. Tetapi maskapai ini nyatanya mematok harga lumayan mahal untuk rute Tokyo ke Osaka, berkisar 10.130 Yen (Rp. 1,4 juta).

Dari persistensiku menjelajah dunia maya, sentuhan mouseku menemukan satu maskapai LCC (Low Cost Carrier) lain milik Jepang, yaitu Peach Aviation. Atrbut maskapai ini mengandalkan perpaduan warna orange dan pink, membentuk warna jingga pucat atau dikenal dengan nama peach. Aku mulai mencari rute. Akhirnya aku menemukan rute Tokyo-Osaka seharga 7.150 Yen (Rp. 970.000), harga yang sedikit lebih hemat daripada menggunakan bus, Shinkansen atau Vanilla Air.

—-****—-

Bersiap take-off bersama Peach Aviation MM6320.

Insiden delay dan tenggakan alkohol secara tak sengaja memang menjadi memori tak mengenakkan sebelum aku meninggalkan Tokyo. Tetapi, aku mulai sumringah ketika nomor penerbanganku disebut dalam pengumuman bandara. Aku mulai mengantri dalam barisan. Mulai terbayang keindahan Osaka Castle dalam setiap detik antrianku. Hingga tiba, boarding pass dan pasporku diperiksa oleh ground staff wanita yang masih sangat muda dan berbadan mungil.

“I’m sorry, this is not your flight. Your flight will be depart 30 minutes later”.

“Are you sure?”, jawabku separuh bertanya.

“Yes, Sir. This flight is MM320 and your flight is MM6320, almost similar”.

“Oh God, I’m sorry. This is my wrong”, aku menepok jidat sambil berusaha menyembunyikan rasa malu.

Aku kembali mundur dari antrian dan duduk di salah satu deretan kursi kosong yang sudah ditinggalkan para calon penumpang untuk memasuki pesawat. Aku masih saja mengamati antrian itu hingga orang terakhir memasuki pesawat. Kini aku kembali menunggu….

30 menit kemudian…..

Tak salah lagi, inilah penerbanganku, aku pastikan informasi nomor penerbangan di layar LCD baik-baik, lalu kucocokkan dengan nomor yang sama di boarding pass….Yup, benar ini MM6320. Aku segera memasuki antrian. Lalu di gerbang antrian, aku memberikan bording pass dan paspor untuk diperiksa oleh salah satu ground staff. Akhirnya, aku diizinkan untuk memasuki pesawat.

Dominasi kabin dengan warna peach menjadikan ruangan itu begitu ceria, sedikit mengurangi penatku dalam berjibaku menghadapi delay. Setiap awak kabin begitu sigap membantu penumpang memasukkan barang bawaan ke kompartemen bagasi. Beberapa kali, seorang pramugari tak ragu melepas sepatunya dan menaiki kursi untuk mendorong beberapa bagasi besar dan merapikan letaknya di kompartemen bagasi.

Seusai persiapan, Peach Aviation MM6320 mulai merayap menuju runway diiringi demonstrasi prosedur keamanan penerbangan oleh awak kabin. Beberapa saat kemudian Kapten Penerbangan meminta izin untuk melakukan take-off. Tak lama setelahnya, Airbus A320-100 itu melaju sekencang-kencangnya meninggalkan Narita International Airport dari Terminal 1.

Langit Tokyo sepertinya cerah malam itu. Aku tak merasakan turbulensi apapun selama 1 jam 35 menit penerbangan. Osaka adalah kota terbesar ketiga Jepang yang berjarak 500km di sebelah barat Tokyo. Sepanjang penerbangan sebagian besar penumpang lebih memilih memejamkan mata, tetapi aku tetap saja menyalakan lampu baca karena tertarik dengan banyaknya informasi pariwisata yang tertuang dalam inflight magazine Peach Aviation. Aku memotret satu demi satu lembar informasi pariwisata yang kubutuhkan selama di Osaka nanti. Rupanya aktivitasku itu diperhatikan oleh seorang pramugari dari belakang. Bahkan pada suatu waktu dia datang menghampiriku.

“Do you still reading, Sir?” .

“Yes, Ms. I need some information from this magazine”.

“Oh Ok, Sir. It doesn’t matter. I just make sure”.

Dia tersenyum dan kembali menduduki bangku pramugarinya di belakang. Bahkan setelahnya, kupastikan bahwa sepanjang penerbangan aku tak pernah memadamkan lampu baca itu. Pukul 23: 53, Kapten penerbangan mulai bicara dengan microphonenya untuk sekedar mengumumkan bahwa pesawat akan segera mendarat di Kansai International Airport Terminal 2. Semua penumpang bergegas bangun, bersiap diri dan merapikan setiap tempat duduknya. Para awak kabin terus mondar-mandir memeriksa sesuai prosedur keamanan untuk proses landing.

Aku masih tak menahu perihal kondisi sesungguhnya di bawah sana karena aku duduk di aisle seat. Aku mampu merasakan ketika pesawat mulai merendah dan sesekali bergoyang untuk menstabilkan posisi. Hingga akhirnya hentakan halus roda pesawat memberitahukanku bahwa Peach Aviation sudah menyentuh runway Kansai International Airport, di Terminal 2 tepatnya.

Tidak ada aerobridge yang menyambut, semua penumpang harus menuruni tangga dan dijemput oleh Narita apron shuttle bus menuju bangunan terminal.

Tiba di Kansai International Airport Terminal 2 tepat tengah malam.

Malam itu, aku memtuskan untuk bermalam di Kansai International Airport Terminal 2 dan akan berangkat menuju ke tengah kota di keesokan hari.

Alternatif untuk tiket pesawat dari Tokyo ke Osaka bisa dicari di 12Go atau link berikut: https://12go.asia/?z=3283832

Kisah Selanjutnya—->