Terminal 3 Ultimate

The Middle East Aroma in Terminal 3 Ultimate Soekarno Hatta International Airport

14 July 202216 July 2022travelingpersecond

DAMRI Bus Terminal Kampung Rambutan – Soekarno Hatta International Airport.

Saturday afternoon was very sunny. The impatience that had enveloped my heart since morning had already collapsed. A faint smile continued to hang in the corners of my lips after I got off city transportation and stepped onto DAMRI shelter, which was part of JA Connexion’s mode of transportation.

On 15:30 hours, after confirming that the fleet in front me was the fastest bus which would depart to Soekarno Hatta International Airport, I jumped into it through its front door and sat behind the driver in left seat coloumn.

After all the passengers entered, an officer of Kampung Rambutan Terminal entered and withdrew a retribution of a thousand Rupiah to all passengers. “How come the retribution isn’t just included in the ticket price,” I asked myself.

Shortly after, the bus departed….Slowly speeding out of terminal, briefly passing through a side of toll road and then entering the toll gate a few meters ahead.

At the beginning of journey in toll road, the congestion began to be felt, but I wasn’t really worried about that situation because I was on 4 hours 20 minutes before my flight. I also enjoyed the 50 km journey very comfortably.

An hour and a few minutes, I arrived at the drop off zone of Terminal 3 Ultimate Soekarno Hatta International Airport. Through Departure Hall Gate 3, I started looking for Malaysia Airline MH 724 flight status.

The flight number which had not been listed in the Flight Information Display System (FIDS), made me dare to ask a female officer at the information center desk and finally I got information that check-in desk C would be used to process administration of Malaysia Airlines flight MH 724.

Waiting seats at Departure Hall Terminal 3 Ultimate

Knowing this information, I decided to wait in the nearest seat with check-in desk C. While waiting for the check-in desk to open, I was stunned by the busyness of a pair of tour guides who were busy organizing their group, which I didn’t know where would they go? The two of them gathered the group and loudly conducted a briefing so that their voices could be heard by anyone around the corner waiting for Terminal 3 Ultimate.

An hour of waiting, finally the check-in desk opened and I immediately queued at C24 queue column to get my boarding pass to Kuala Lumpur. That time Kuala Lumpur would only be a stopover, because I would explore Kuala Terengganu, a city located 450 km north of Kuala Lumpur.

Kuala Terengganu would be the fifth city in Malaysia which I would enjoy after Kuala Lumpur, Johor Bahru, Ipoh and Penang….. Ahhhh, that afternoon I couldn’t wait to arrive in Kuala Terengganu.

A visit to Kuala Terengganu was the intention which emerged after I met Mariya, a solo-traveler from Malaysia in Seoul. The charm of Kuala Terengganu told by Mariya had hypnotized my subconscious to visit it. It took three years to realize that dream.

But again, Kuala Terengganu was also not the only destination in my trip that time, because my target points were certainly in places which were further away, i.e countries in the Middle East region.

Back to Terminal 3 Ultimate…..

Now I was heading to the immigration counter to hunt for a departure stamp. In front of immigration area, I tried to complete immigration check process through immigration autogate but there was an officer who held me back and forbade me to pass through that route. I was directed to the immigration counter with an officer ready to check. Facing an immigration officer, I handed over my passport and boarding pass.

Immigration staff: “Return ticket, Sir?”

Me: “Here, Sir”, I handed over a print out of Philippine Airlines flight ticket with Doha-Jakarta route and transit in Manila.

Immigration staff: “Alone, Sir?. On what occasion?”

Me: “Solo-Backpacking, Sir”

The immigration staff was finally busy researching page by page details on my passport.

Immigration staff: “Where will you go, Sir?”

Me: “Kuala Terengganu-Kochi-Dubai-Oman-Bahrain-Qatar, Sir”

Immigration staff: “May I see the visas, Sir?”, his face was still cold and serious.

Me: “Just a minute, Sir”, I opened my zipper bag and took out India Visa, United Arab Emirates Visa, Oman Visa and Bahrain Visa, “Here, Sir”

The immigration staff checked that visas I was given one by one.

Immigration staff: “Ok. Be careful, Sir.”

I came out of the immigration counter with a sigh of relief and immediately put all my documents back in zipper bag. Now I would head to Terminal 3 Existing to prepare to fly with Malaysia Airlines.

Next Story—->

Aroma Timur Tengah di Terminal 3 Ultimate Soekarno Hatta International Airport

29 June 20214 July 2021travelingpersecond

Bus DAMRI Terminal Kampung Rambutan – Soekarno Hatta International Airport

Sabtu sore itu sangat cerah. Ketidaksabaran yang menyelimuti hati sedari pagi runtuh sudah. Semburat tipis senyuman terus menggantung di ujung bibir usai aku turun dari angkutan kota dan menapaki shelter DAMRI yang merupakan moda transportasi bagian dari JA Connexion.

Menjelang pukul 15:30, usai memastikan armada di hadapan adalah bus yang akan berangkat tercepat ke Soekarno Hatta International Airport, aku melompat masuk ke dalamnya melalui pintu depan dan duduk di belakang pengemudi sisi kiri.

Setelah semua penumpang masuk, seorang petugas Terminal Kampung Rambutan masuk dan menarik uang retribusi sebesar seribu rupiah kepada para penumpang. “Kok retribusi ngga dimasukkan ke dalam harga tiket saja”, aku bertanya dalam hati.

Tak lama kemudian, bus pun berangkat….Perlahan melaju keluar dari terminal, sebentar saja melalui sisi tol dan kemudian memasuki gerbang tol beberapa meter di depan.

Di permulaan perjalanan dalam tol, kepadatan mulai terasa, tetapi aku tak begitu mengkhawatirkan keadaan karena aku berangkat 4 jam 20 menit sebelum penerbangan. Aku pun menikmati perjalanan sejauh 50 km itu dengan sangat nyaman.

Satu jam lebih beberapa menit, aku tiba drop off zone Terminal 3 Ultimate Soekarno Hatta International Airport. Melaui Departure Hall Gate 3, aku mulai mencari status penerbangan Malaysia Airline MH 724.

Nomor penerbangan yang belum tertera di Flight Information Display System (FIDS), membuatku berani bertanya kepada seorang petugas wanita di information centre desk dan akhirnya aku mendapatkan informasi bahwa check-in desk C akan digunakan untuk mengurus administrasi penerbangan Malaysia Airlines MH 724.

Kursi tunggu di Departure Hall Terminal 3 Ultimate

Mengetahui informasi itu, maka kuputuskan untuk menunggu di bangku terdekat dengan check-in desk C. Selama menunggu check-in desk dibuka, aku tertegun pada kesibukan sepasang tour guide yang sibuk mengatur rombongannya yang entah akan menuju kemana?. Mereka berdua mengumpulkan rombongan dan dengan lantang melakukan briefing sehingga suara mereka bisa didengar oleh siapapun di sekitar pojok tunggu Terminal 3 Ultimate.

Satu jam menunggu, akhirnya check-in desk dibuka dan aku segera mengantri di kolom antrian C24 untuk mendapatkan boarding pass menuju Kuala Lumpur. Kali ini Kuala Lumpur hanya akan menjadi persinggahan, karena aku akan mengeksplore Kuala Terengganu, sebuah kota yang terletak 450 km di utara Kuala Lumpur.

Kuala Terengganu akan menjadi kota di Malaysia kelima yang akan kunikmati setelah Kuala Lumpur, Johor Bahru, Ipoh dan Penang…..Ahhhh, sore itu aku tak sabar ingin segera tiba di Kuala Terengganu.

Melawat ke Kuala Terengganu adalah niatan yang muncul usai aku bertemu dengan Mariya, seorang solo-traveler asal Malaysia di Seoul. Pesona Kuala Terengganu yang diceritakan oleh Mariya telah menghipnotis alam bawah sadarku untuk mengunjunginya. Butuh waktu tiga tahun untuk mewujudkan mimpi itu.

Tapi sekali lagi, Kuala Terengganu juga bukan menjadi satu-satunya tujuan dalam perjalananku kali ini, karena titik sasarku tentu berada di tempat-tempat yang lebih jauh, yaitu negara-negara di kawasan Timur Tengah.

Kembali ke Terminal 3 Ultimate…..

Kini aku menuju ke konter imigrasi untuk berburu departure stamp. Di depan area imigrasi, aku berusaha menyelesaikan proses pemeriksaan imigrasi melalui autogate immigration tetapi ada seorang petugas yang menahan langkah dan melarangku melewati jalur itu. Aku diarahkan menuju ke konter imigrasi dengan petugas yang siap memeriksa. Menghadap seorang petugas imigrasi, aku menyerahkan passport dan boarding pass.

Staff imigrasi: “Tiket pulang, Mas?”

Aku: “Ini, Pak”, aku menyerahkan print out tiket penerbangan Philippine Airlines dengan rute Doha-Jakarta dan transit di Manila

Staff imigrasi: “Sendirian, mas?. Dalam rangka apa?”

Aku: “Solo-Backpacking, Pak”

Staff imigrasi itu akhirnya sibuk meneliti dengan detail halaman demi halaman pada pasporku.

Staff imigrasi: “Mampir kemana saja, Mas?”

Aku: “Kuala Terengganu-Kochi-Dubai-Oman-Bahrain-Qatar, Pak”

Staff imigrasi: “Boleh lihat visanya, Mas?”, wajahnya masih saja dingin dan serius.

Aku: “Sebentar, Pak”, aku membuka zipper bag dan mengeluarkan Visa India, Visa Uni Emirat Arab, Visa Oman dan Visa Bahrain, “Ini, Pak”

Staff imigrasi itu memeriksa satu persatu visa yang kuberikan.

Staff imigrasi: “Ok. Hati-hati, Mas”.

Aku keluar dari konter imigrasi dengan nafas lega dan segera memasukkan segenap file ke zipper bag kembali. Kini aku akan menuju ke Terminal 3 Existing untuk mempersiapkan diri terbang bersama Malaysia Airlines.

Kisah Selanjutnya—->

Anyer, KLIA2 Arrival Hall and Malaysian Immigration

10 January 202024 December 2019travelingpersecond

Hi Guys….This is a classic story when I start my passion as a backpacker.

Starting from this article, then I will pour my old adventures in dissecting neighboring country….Yesss, Malaysia.

Malaysia is the closest country which is often used as the easiest and most economical place to start a passion as a backpacker. In addition to offering cheap living costs and close to my country (Indonesia), Malaysia is also known for being friendly with its transportation system. So, Malaysia can train you to become a beginner level backpacker.

Malaysia itself became third country which I visited after Singapore and Thailand in the early phases of my journey to become a backpacker.

—-****—-

Office outing in Anyer just held on first night. My anxiety worsened when employee award event didn’t ended yet. 23:00 hours was almost over, as a new employee, I ventured myself to ask for permission to early go home to Jakarta…..I didn’t packing yet, guys.

Permission was finally approved without an easy steps. Not thinking long, I hurriedly and deeply stepped my car’s pedals. I was speeding in Jakarta-Serang toll road in early morning which began to dew.

—-****—-

Imperfectly parking “The Silver” in garage, I rushed and jumped into my room to pack all my supplies into a 25-liter backpack.

My time wasn’t enough anymore to catch DAMRI bus on “Kampung Rambutan bus terminal to SHIA” route, making me to pushed again “The Silver” pedals towards Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (SHIA). It made me had to spend USD 18.8 for paying parking fee at airport for 4 days-3 nights.

—-****—-

Jakarta-Kuala Lumpur return ticket which costs USD 44.8 which I got through Air Asia promo program since 8 months before departured were finally saved from lateness threat which haunted me since first minute of returning from Anyer.

I couldn’t wait to fly to Melayu Land soon after “The Red Airline” was seen landing on Terminal 3, Soekarno-Hatta International Airport runway.

The old Terminal 3 (when Terminal 3 Ultimate wasn’t built yet).

Not waiting long, me and other passengers were picked up by Air Asia airport coach to location of plane parking lot.

QZ 202 which would fly at 6:25 hours with travel time of 1 hour 50 minutes.

At that time, it was my second flight with Air Asia (in 2014). Whereas my first flight with Air Asia took Jakarta-Bangkok regular route in 2013.

—-****—-

Yuhuuuu….First landing in Mahathir Muhammad’s land.

My landing on KLIA2 (Kuala Lumpur International Airport Terminal 2) runway was greeted with flight attendant voice in Malay language. First time I directly heard Malay language. Amazed.

My heart beated fast because it was my first time for solo traveling. “Ouch, how is it?….Crazy, I abroad alone….How? if do somethings happen to me?“. I muttered when I set foot in aerobridge.

KLIA2 which operated in 2014, replaced LCCT (*Low Cost Carrier Terminal*) function.

Learning to be a beginner backpacker made me always carry around drink bottle to be refilled….very long time ago.

Water station which made me glad….Free water

Female toilet, nursing room and disabled toilet in arrival hall.

Departure flight information at KLIA2 is also available in arrival hall corridor.

In fact, I felt that I wasn’t ready to go to immigration counter because of extreme fear. Scary stories very disturbed me i.e strictness of Malaysian immigration officers for first time new comer. And the bad news was….This was my first time entering Malaysia.

Come on….Enter the immigration counter….No matter about what would happen.

Being behind the yellow line of immigration queues made my heart beated fast….Because I would enter a slot at immigration counter soon. My appearance which didn’t support….My jacket which had faded in its color because I often weared it and used for go around Jakarta as a salesman, non-original mountain sandals which weren’t so bonafide and small backpack which wasn’t convincing.

Immigration staff: “Where are you going?“, I was little afraid.

Me: “Just sightseeing in Kuala Lumpur, Sir“.

Immigration Staff: “Where are your destinations?“

Me: “Batu Caves, Petronas Twin Tower, Bukit Bintang and Genting, Sir“.

Immigration Staff: “Can you show your return ticket?“

Me: Put down my backpack, opened it and looked for it, “This is my Air Asia return ticket on November 18, 2014 at 09:50 hours“.

Immigration Staff: “How about your hotel reservation?“

Me: “I haven’t booked a hotel, Sir” I began to strain.

Immigration Staff: “How come, there isn’t hotel reservation, where do you want to stay?“, His face was very fierce.

Me: “I got this reference hotel, Sir (while showing a hotel name card which I got from my boss who often travel to Kuala Lumpur)”. But actually I will not stay at that hotel.

Immigration Staff: “In next journey, you must have a hotel reservation, this time I was allow you to enter“. I was still looking nervous while he wrote my return date under free visa stamp on my passport. A sign that he suspected me.

But on my next visitation, every immigration officer who I passed never wrote my return date on passport. I have been able to freely enter in all around Malaysia until now.

Look at my appearance, really suspicious as a tourist.

Continue to follow my story about Malaysia in following articles.

Anyer, Arrival Hall KLIA 2 dan Imigrasi Malaysia

23 November 201924 January 2021travelingpersecond

Hi Gaesss…..Ini adalah kisah klasik tempoe doele ketika aku memulai karir sebagai seorang backpacker.

Bermula dari artikel ini, selanjutnya aku akan menuangkan petualangan lawasku dalam membedah negeri jiran….Yesss, Malaysia.

Malaysia adalah negara terdekat yang sering dijadikan tempat latihan termudah dan terhemat untuk mengawali karir sebagai backpacker. Selain menawarkan biaya hidup yang murah dan dekat dengan tanah air, Malaysia juga terkenal ramah dengan sistem transportasinya. Jadi, Malaysia bisa melatihmu menjadi backpacker level beginner.

Malaysia sendiri menjadi negara ketiga yang kukunjungi setelah Singapura dan Thailand pada masa-masa awal perjalananku menjadi seorang backpacker.

—-****—-

Outing kantor di Anyer baru beranjak di malam pertama. Kegelisahanku semakin menjadi-jadi ketika acara penghargaan karyawan tak kunjung selesai. Pukul 23:00 hampir terlewat, sebagai karyawan baru, aku terlihat tak tahu diri ketika memberanikan diri untuk meminta izin pulang ke Jakarta lebih awal…..Guwe kan belum packing, gaes.

Izin pun akhirnya disetujui dengan alur yang tak mudah. Tak berfikir panjang, aku bergegas menginjak gas Avanzaku dalam-dalam. Aku membelah panjangnya tol Jakarta-Serang di dini hari yang mulai berembun.

—-****—-

Memarkirkan “Si Silver” dengan tak sempurna di garasi, aku bergegas dan melompat ke kamar untuk mengepak semua perbekalanku ke dalam backpack berukuran 25 liter.

Waktu yang tak cukup lagi untuk berburu DAMRI Kampung Rambutan-SHIA, membuatku kembali menginjak gas “Si Silver” menuju Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (SHIA). Hal ini membuatku harus mengeluarkan Rp. 255.000 untuk membayar parkir inap di bandara itu selama 4 hari 3 malam.

—-****—-

Tiket pp Jakarta-Kuala Lumpur seharga Rp. 606.000 yang kudapat melalui program promo Air Asia pada 8 bulan sebelum keberangkatan akhirnya terselamatkan dari ancaman keterlambatan yang menghantuiku semenjak menit pertama kepulangan dari Anyer.

Aku tak sabar untuk segera terbang menuju Tanah Melayu itu begitu maskapai merah terlihat landing di runway Terminal 3 Soekarno-Hatta International Airport..

Terminal 3 yang lama (saat terminal 3 Ultimate belum dibangun).

Tak menunggu lama, aku dan penumpang lainnya dijemput oleh Air Asia airport coach menuju lokasi pesawat parkir.

QZ 202 yang akan mengudara pada pukul 06:25 dengan waktu tempuh 1 jam 50 menit.

Kala itu merupakan penerbangan kali keduaku bersama Air Asia (tahun 2014). Sedangkan penerbangan pertamaku bersama Air Asia mengambil rute reguler Jakarta-Bangkok pada 2013.

—-****—-

Yuhuuuu….Pendaratan perdana di negeri Mahathir Muhammad.

Pendaratanku di runway KLIA2 (Kuala Lumpur International Airport Terminal 2) disambut dengan suara pramugari berbahasa Melayu. Pertama kalinya aku mendengar Bahasa Melayu secara langsung. Terkesima dan takjub.

Hati berdetak kencang karena ini pertama kalinya aku ber-solo traveling. “Aduh, bagaimana ini?….Gile, guwe sendirian di negara orang….Ntar kalau ada apa-apa gimana ya?”. Gumamku ketika menginjakkan kaki di aerobridge.

KLIA2 yang beroperasi pada tahun 2014 menggantikan fungsi LCCT (Low Cost Carrier Terminal).

Belajar menjadi backpacker pemula menjadikanku membawa kesana kemari botol minuman untuk selalu diisi ulang….Jadoel banget diriku waktu itu.

Water station yang membuatku girang bukan main….Ndesoooo.

Toilet wanita, *nursing room* dan *disabled toilet* di *arrival hall*.

Informasi *Departure Flight* di KLIA2 pun tersedia di koridor awal *arrival hall*.

Sebetulnya aku merasa belum siap untuk menuju konter imigrasi karena ketakutan yang luar biasa. Selalu terngiang cerita tentang ketatnya para petugas imigrasi Malaysia bagi para pendatang perdana. Dan kabar buruknya….Ini pertama kalinya aku masuk Malaysia.

Yuk lah….Masuk konter imigrasi….Apa yang terjadi ya terjadilah.

Berada di belakang garis kuning antrian imigrasi membuat jantungku berdetak kencang…Karena sesaat lagi aku akan memasuki satu slot di konter imigrasi. Penampilan yang tak mendukung….Jaket yang sudah sedikit memudar warnanya karena sering kupakai berkeliling Jakarta sebagai salesman, sandal gunung jepit KW yang tak begitu bonafit dan tas punggung kecil yang tak meyakinkan.

Staff imigrasi: “Kemana hendak pergi?”, mukanya ngeri beud.

Aku: “Hanya jalan-jalan Pak di Kuala Lumpur”.

Staff Imigrasi: “Di manakah destinasi?”

Aku:”Batu Caves, Petronas Twin Tower, Bukit Bintang dan Genting, Pak”.

Staff Imigrasi: “Cobe adakah anda menunjuk tiket balik?”.

Aku: Menurunkan backpack, membuka dan mencarinya, “Ini pak tiket pulang saya pakai Air Asia tanggal 18 Nov 2014 jam 09:50”.

Staff Imigrasi: “Di manakah tempahan hotel?”.

Aku: “Saya belum pesan hotel pak”, mulai tegang.

Staff Imigrasi: “Bagaimana tak ade tempahan hotel, di mana anda mahu tinggal?”, mukanya judes banget.

Aku: “Saya mendapatkan referensi hotel ini pak (sambil menunjukkan sebuah kartu nama hotel yang kudapat dari bosku yang sering rekreasi ke Kuala Lumpur)”. Tapi sebetulnya aku tak akan menginap di hotel itu.

Staff Imigrasi: “Masa depan mesti ada tempahan hotel, kali ini saya dibenarkan masuk”. Masih terlihat senewen sambil menuliskan tanggal kepulanganku di bawah stempel free visa di pasporku. Pertanda bahwa dia mencurigai aku.

Tetapi pada kunjungan-kunjunganku berikutnya, setiap petugas imigrasi yang kulewati tidak pernah menuliskan tanggal kepulanganku di passport. Aku sudah bisa melenggang bebas di seantero Malaysia hingga kini.

Lihat penampakanku, sungguh mencurigakan sebagai seorang wisatawan.

Ikuti terus kisahku tentang Malaysia di artikel-artikel berikutnya.

Kisah Selanjutnya—->