Raya Travel: A Mom's Guide to the ETS

Hi,

Imagine me, dramatically sighing as I look at the calendar: "Oh, Ramadan, you're leaving us so soon?" It feels like just yesterday I was  figuring out the sahur snooze-button strategy. Now, poof! Gone. Ramadan's waving goodbye in just a few days. Honestly, I'm kind of getting used to this whole "no daytime munchies" thing. It's almost...efficient? Like, suddenly I have all this extra time! Though, the moment Raya hits, I'm going to be face-planting into a mountain of kuih raya. But, after that initial sugar rush, I'm promising myself a slow, gentle return to the land of moderation. I'm not a big-meal monster, but those sneaky snacks? They're my kryptonite. 😋

Anyway, this year we are going to spend our first day of Hari Raya in Jasin. And as always, our trusty steed is the ETS train. It's like our annual Raya chariot – speedy, reliable, and comfy enough to make you forget you're on a train. This is like, our third year running, so we're practically ETS royalty. But you gotta snag those tickets way ahead of time, because Raya seats vanish faster than free cookies at a party. Grab those tickets the moment they drop, or face the wrath of sold-out seats. You know, the good ones – forward-facing, toilet-adjacent, and low-traffic. It's a strategic operation!

Tasek Gelugor station: our gateway to a straight shot to Melaka.

The journey will take us more than six hours to Batang Melaka, one stop before Gemas, the final station. That's a long haul, so Operation: Keep the Kids Entertained is in full swing. They're packing their literary favorites – comics, storybooks, and whatnots. Plus, their favorite toys are coming along for the ride in their mini-backpacks. They know the secret code: boredom equals nap time. It's a survival skill they've honed to perfection. Smart cookies.

In her train-bound kingdom, the laws are simple: read, nap, feast. And repeat.

Ultraman's on duty. Keeps watch while the boy dreams. Remove them? Never. 

And let's not forget the onboard buka puasa! Forget fancy restaurants; we're breaking our fast on the rails, baby! I'm packing a picnic of food delights – think easy-to-eat, mess-free, all-in-one-container wonders. Plus, there's the onboard cafe for post-picnic treats, but only after they've eaten Mom's food. Rules are rules, and Mom's gotta keep her sanity, you know? Hehe.

So, please, send us all the good vibes, positive energy, and maybe a few extra snacks (for me, shhh! 😉). I'm hoping for a smooth, drama-free journey, filled with fun, delicious food, and maybe even a few train-induced naps. And fingers crossed, I'll have a whole treasure of Raya stories to share later!

See you again!