BY LILIANA SHERYN
KUCHING: For the Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration, Muslims living far away from their families have either return home (balik kampung) early or are still preparing their trip, which can be challenging and tiring depending on the distance involved.
A convenient and affordable option, even for those who own cars, is travelling by bus.
Nurul Adani Arni, 20, a student studying here plans to go back to her hometown, Kampung Bungin in Spaoh.
“We are celebrating in my hometown. So, other than the second day of Raya, as we will be having an open house, we are going to visit our relatives.
“For this year we plan to spend some days at Kuching and celebrate Eid with distant relatives,” she said.
Nurul Adani estimates that the bus journey from Kuching to her hometown will take around three to four hours.
“I prefer Bus Asia if I were to take the bus because their bus is comfortable in my opinion.
“I consider things such as their rating, bus condition and services provided by the bus company because I would like to prioritise my safety and comfort,” she added.
While the prices of bus tickets can vary she looks out for discounts, especially during festive seasons like Hari Raya.
“This year will be my first time going back to my hometown by bus,” she said.
During the journey, Nurul Adani likes to listen to podcasts and music besides taking a nap to make the time passes faster.
“Three to four hours is quite a long journey,” she added.
Despite the challenges of travelling by bus, Nurul Adani is looking forward to celebrating Eid al-Fitr with her family and relatives.
“The thing I look forward to the most during this year’s Hari Raya would be open houses!
“I cannot wait to taste a variety of foods, especially Kek Lapis,” she said.
This year marks Nurul Adani’s second year of studying at Institut Pendidikan Guru Kampus (IPGK) Batu Lintang, Kuching.
She prefers taking the bus instead of carpooling because it allows her to adjust her schedule according to her timetable and avoid feeling guilty if she needs to cancel her plans at the last minute.
For Nurul Adani, travelling by bus is the best way to travel home, offering a comfortable and affordable option for this special time of year.
Faridah, 67, who is originally from Pontianak, East Kalimantan, Indonesia, has chosen to travel back to her hometown by bus due to the unavailability of flights.
She had been living in Kuala Lumpur since 1995 but has not returned to Pontianak for three years since the COVID-19 pandemic began.
“This is my first time going back to Pontianak by bus. I used to always fly there, but now there are no more flights available,” Faridah said.
She travelled with her daughter, taking a flight from Kuala Lumpur to Kuching and then continuing the journey by bus.
The bus journey takes about seven to eight hours, and the ticket costs RM110 per person for a more premium and comfortable seat. Faridah is willing to pay that price for the comfort, considering the long journey.
Many Malaysians have opted to travel by bus due to the pandemic and the reduced number of flights. The bus companies have taken measures to ensure the safety and comfort of their passengers during long journeys.
“I hope the situation will improve soon, and flights to Pontianak will resume, but for now, I’m glad to have the option of travelling by bus,” Faridah said.
Aina Amirah, a 23-year-old student from Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), is excited to go back to her hometown in Betong for the first time by bus. With her final semester coming to an end, Aina is taking advantage of the opportunity to bring some friends along to celebrate Hari Raya with her family.
In the past, Aina’s parents would pick her up from UNIMAS but this time, she opted for a bus ride to accommodate her friends.
“This is my first time taking a bus to go back to my hometown in Betong,” she said.
The journey from Kuching to Betong usually takes about four to five hours, but Aina is hopeful that it might take less time due to the improved road conditions and the presence of a highway.
“The road is better now and there’s a highway (Pan Borneo Highway), so it might take less than four hours,” she added.
Aina and her friends are excited to experience the bus ride and are looking forward to celebrate Hari Raya with Aina’s family in Betong
