Journey to Khartoum via Dubai

I can't help but to take a picture of this notice placed at a money changer's glass pane.

"Please satisfy yourself before leaving the counter, thank you, come again."

I knew what it meant, which is to count your money before you leave their place otherwise they won't entertain any claims of lesser amount given to you.

Won't name the place of this money changer. Next time if you discover it, you let me know.




Left my house at 9.40pm and arrived at the KLIA around 10.30pm and was shocked to see this crowd at the airport. Never before. Thought something went wrong somewhere.

Even the queue at the Emirates Airlines was equally bad. For this round, I get to have the Business class seat as I have upgraded it with my Skywards points. Thank you Emirates.

After checking in, I went straight to the dedicated Emirates Lounge, for my supper? dinner? whatever it is, I'm going to eat till time to board my plane. This lounge was located at the satellite building and meant for Emirates passengers only.

It has a number of tables for diners and leather chairs for people intending to have a short nap. Its food range was not extensive but enough for diners to have a good meal. The staff within the lounge were working non-stop. Clearing tables and ensuring the lounge was clean at all times.

The lounge provided a number of computer workstations for people to update their Facebook and Blogs ...... hehe.

Dinner was long gone and now for my next meal. Can't wait to try their spicy tomato soup, fried prawns, skewed beef, curry chicken and a bit of white rice. I can't do without white rice. Gossett champagne - not that nice ..... not to my taste (as if I drink lots of champagne before this).










Next, I took the small dishes of stuffed salmon, germany potatoes and turkey salad (bottom).










Just can't resist the sweet temptation of the sago with gula melaka and sweetened milk ......... slurp.















My plane was scheduled to depart at 12.30am and after watching the safety aspect of the airplane, I screened through their entertainment booklet to choose my movie.

Decided to watch The X-Files movie and Mamma Mia!

Yeah, I'm so far back in terms of watching movies. No time at all on normal days.







Of course, during this moment, they will serve drinks and titbits. I saw Moet & Chandon champagne on their list and since I knew its one of the most expensive, why not this time. Noticed that they opened up the bottle just for me.

While sipping the champagne and munching the peanuts, I enjoyed the movies.

About one hour plus into the flight, they served sandwiches. I took a bit ............... one of each is a bit lah.





There was this (clockwise) strawberry fruit tart, roast chicken breast placed on french loaf, a tiny chocolate cake, grilled vegetables on wholemeal bread and a camembert cheese with cream cheese rosette on brown bread.

About four hours into the flight, I was served breakfast? Was it? When you fly over different time zones, you'll be wondering which meal. As long there is food placed in front of me, I know what to do. There was croissant bread (don't know how to describe but it was very tasty not bland like a bread). Bread was unlimited and it came in various types. It came with fresh fruits, a yoghurt, cup of fresh orange juice and a tiny weeny honey in glass container.

I ordered the poached egg meal and it was really feeling, comes with german big sausage, potatoes with cheese at the base. Too much fat? Don't normally eat like this. I had been eating non-stop since dinner time at home and this was the fourth meal within twelve hours.
Tags: Emirates Lounge, Emirates Airlines, KLIA, Gossett, Moet & Chandon, Champagne

On The Way to Sudan

* Latest
Can only say that I'm full again ............ need to go to the boarding gate now for my 1500hrs flight to Khartoum of Sudan, another 34 minutes for departure. A possible 10 minutes walk to the boarding gate.
Adios!

------------------------------

Updating at the KLIA Emirates Lounge and just heard that I have been called to go board my Emirates plane. The gate is 5 minutes from this lounge.

Very full now ......... and in the plane, will be eating all the way to Dubai (transit).

Got the Al Sondos Suite by Le Meridien as my transit hotel. It's an all suite hotel, really high class.

See whether I can update again in the Dubai Emirates Lounge about 15 hours later.

Cheers!

Cheapest Airline Started Operations

The cheapest airline has started its operations. Malaysians will enjoy the cuisine served in the airline that will make you feel at home.The airline's name? Kerala Airways ................ a guaranteed low cost carrier Tags: United Kerala Airlines, UK, Airlines, Travel, Kerala, Kerala Airways, Low Cost Carrier

Selected as AMBP Travel Ambassador

Was invited by Star newspaper to attend an event for the launching ceremony of a travel tool (domestic travel) administered by Mayflower ACME Tours Sdn Bhd ("Mayflower"). This travel tool, found in AllMalaysia.info and Mayflower's websites, shall make your holiday planning much easier. The travel tool will assist in booking flight tickets, accommodations, cars and tour packages.

In this travel tool, it will publish write-ups by bloggers on various local holiday destinations so that travellers will know what to expect. What bloggers? These bloggers are known as Travel Ambassadors.

I was selected by Star's All Malaysian Bloggers Project ("AMBP") after applying to become one of their Travel Ambassadors. AMBP has selected forty bloggers out of two hundred plus applicants. Thanks to Star for selecting me. Now I get to blog for a publication as well. Who told me that blogging was a waste of time? It's payback time now.

For a start, we were given Mayflower's Privilege Card, two vouchers for 2 days/1 night hotel stay at Terengganu and Sabah beaches respectively and limo transfers to/fro KLIA.

Michael Aeria, COO Multimedia, Star Publication gave an opening speech, followed by Mayflower's GM, Chin Ten Hoy.

Michael said one sentence which I will remember - we (Star) view bloggers as our partners, not as rivals! Solid statement coming from a mainstream media.
Datuk Rashid Khan, the commercial director of Malaysia Airlines was there too to grace the event. Michael, Chin and Rashid were actually putting their hands onto a button visualised on the white screen to imitate pressing a button to start a video clip.

Got to know some bloggers in the process. From left - Quachee, Thomas Yap, Soon Seng, Hurley, Teckiee and Samantha Poh.
We were treated to a buffet dinner and the same group of us sat at the cafe chit chatting till 9pm. What a start! We even got the AMBP Editor, Michael Fredericks, to sit with us talking about the Travel Ambassador programme. Got to know Tammy who was seated beside the editor.





We are excited about the programme. We will be getting all fully-paid holidays to local destinations at the expense of Star/Mayflower where in turn, we shall do a write-up on our travel experience.

It won't be restricted to travels alone but we will be invited to festival events, cultural events and food promotions too. All this in return for write-ups. What's so hard about it? It's all fun.

Reading: Holiday planning made easy - Star
Tags: AMBP, All Malaysia Bloggers Project, Travel Ambassador, Event, Star, Mayflower, Mayflower ACME Tours Sdn Bhd, Travel

My Journey Back to Home Ground

Left Khartoum on Sunday night after a long delay at the airport. My Emirates Airlines plane was supposed to depart at 7.20pm (local time) but the wonderful plane landed just before that and passengers were only alighting from the airplane at 7.20pm.

In such case, I would expect a forty minutes wait for the plane to be cleaned. At 8.05pm, we were boarding our plane but were seated in it till 8.45pm before the captain announced that we will be on our way. My my.

Arrived at Dubai around 1am plus. The colourful wall that you can see here is actually the outer design of a bus. It has not opened its doors yet at that point of time.













Our plane stopped about five minutes away from the main terminal. Peak timing during midnight at Dubai airport.

The plane from Khartoum was packed and this scenario in the bus was just like a public bus. Went straight to the transfer desk to obtain my boarding pass for my connecting flight at 10.20am. That's how crazy it was. Me and my two other colleagues were amongst the first to be at the counter and we were the last to leave the counter. That was way past 2am.

Arrived at Millenium Airport Hotel to be checked in and only managed to drop dead on bed at 3am. By 7.45am, we woke to go over to the airport.

The Dubai city scenery seen from my bedroom. Not facing the city centre where there are lots of towering buildings.

The buildings (two storeys) right in front of me is the Dubai International School which comprise several blocks. Owing to the huge expats found in Dubai, such international schools are really huge.

That's the Dubai Metro railway, under construction to meet the congestive traffic throughout Dubai city.

At 10.20am, it's time for my flight back to home sweet home. The control tower located on the right hand side of the picture.

Human traffic jam while entering the plane. It was a Boeing 777 model.










They were still pumping fuel into my airplane while I was boarding it.















Seated besides me was a beautiful four year old girl (I think) from the Middle Eastern region. I was seated at the aisle seat while she was at my right and her parents were on her right. The mother who was beside her couldn't care less about her. She was poking the TV screen on the seat in front of her.

She was totally excited with that flight. Moving here and there. Kicked my leg unknowingly. I couldn't stand it any longer. When it came to meal time, I threw some sleeping pills into her food without her parent's knowledge.

She knocked out for the rest of the flight. Peace at last!

My beautiful Kuala Lumpur International Airport building. It was just a pretty sight.
Tags: Khartoum, Emirates Airlines, Dubai, Dubai Airports, Millenium Airport Hotel, Dubai International School, Dubai Metro, Boeing 777, Middle East, Kuala Lumpur International Airport

Where Is The Police Speed Trap?

A friend who was on her way back to Sabak Bernam in Selangor, her hometown, stopped by a fruit stall to get some fruits. Just as her other family members were buying the fruits, she this policeman sitting inside the fruit stall which was by the roadside.

If were caught speeding in Sabak Bernam, I'm sure it was this policeman who was smart in camouflaging himself. My friend initially thought it was another stall worker sitting down there attending to some menial work ........... hahaTags: Police Speed Trap, Sabak Bernam, Selangor, Fruit Stall

Flew With Emirates Airlines to Sudan

Walked straight to the Emirates Business Class Lounge to relax. Upon entering, there was a man complaining that the lounge was too full and he wanted to go to the other lounge at the other end of the airport.

When I went in, it looks ok to me. Maybe his favourite sitting area was full. He walked away anyway.
This is the dessert counter which I saw first ..... slurp!!! Must take main course first. Didn't take any photos at the main dishes' counters as the food were covered and you have to lift the cover one by one in order to take the food.

I had Iranian chicken cooking style, zerach rice and beef stew. Need to replenish my body due to fever since Sunday. Continued with pasta covered fully with tomato paste .......... fantastic.

The can drinks are for you to take, no limit. Three coffee maker machines are available to quench the travellers' thirst.














Noticed this Apollinaris bottled water where it's known as the Queen of Table Waters.

Tried it and its like Perrier water, with carbonated taste. Don't really like it. Yeah, it's expensive but that doesn't mean it's nice to everyone. That's the reason why they still serve the common mineral water (with the blue cap).









Those who likes hard liquors will laugh at this spot. It's free! How come no Anglia Shandy? Please consider people like me also.

Took one of this Cornish Clotted Cream of Rodda's. Don't know what was it but it was put besides the various form of breads. Assumed it was related to butter.

Having tasted it, could attest that it has almost similar taste like butter. Why go for butter when you can try other stuff.

Will I be corny after consuming it? Better not! Sudan is a strict muslim nation.
Boarded the plane at 2.10pm, half an hour before my plane departs. The plane was supposed to depart at 2.40pm according to schedule but it didn't. Reason given by the captain was they were looking for passengers that have checked-in but have not boarded.

Looks like Emirates Airlines were not serious with their publicised statement where they will unload your bags from the airplane if you hadn't board the plane 15 minutes before departure.

How long did we wait for this invisible passengers? Solid one hour for them to locate the passengers and then decided to remove their checked-in luggage bags (16 pieces as announced). Why did Emirates Airlines took 45 minutes to make this decision? Were these missing passengers some kind of 'big shots' that have different kind of treatments?
Spacious seatings, meant for my size of course. I have told my friends before that I was born for luxury. Owing to my height, I would feel more comfortable in big saloon cars or business class seatings in airplanes. Body built for it ..... hehe





They served you with welcoming drinks upon you coming to your seat. Champagne, orange juice and apple juice were offered.














Given this a copy each of the meal's menu and wine list.











As the plane took off, we were served with assorted nuts and I ordered tomato juice and orange juice to flush down those tiny weeny bits of nuts stucked in between the teeth.













This was the appetiser. Seafood something that came with fresh fruits, garlic bread and a normal soft bread.
Then the mouth watering beef tenderloin with mashed potatoe and fresh vegies. The brown sauce that comes with it was excellent taste.
Everything ends with dessert. Chocolate mousse cake with a cup of tea. Mama mia!

Thank God for the quick recovery. Otherwise would have missed those wonderful food.
Tags: Emirates Airlines, Dubai, Dubai Airports, Emirates Business Class Lounge, Apollinaris, Rodda's, Chocolate Mousse Cake, Seafood Appetiser

Arriving at the Dubai Airport

The roads leading to the departure hall of the Dubai Airports were jammed up with cars. Moving but slow. Traffic police tried their best in controlling the traffic there.
There was a major highway construction just right in front of the airport and barricading certain part of the road doesn't help the situation. Saw the sign 'Obayashi' at the side of the under construction highway. Should be the highway's main contractor.

Checked-in through the First/Business Class hall. Even though you were not travelling in either class but you have a Skywards Silver, you would be permitted to use this check-in area.

Mine was Business Class this time after exchanging my Skywards' points for it.
Saw David Beckham's Motorola advertisement for their latest Motorola Razr models.










The really long walk again back to the terminal building which houses all departure gates.

Didn't really walk much but let the travelator did its job. A good five minutes stroll.
At last, arriving at the Sheikh Rashid Terminal.

The showcase of jewelleries.

If you buy raffles tickets at the Dubai International Airport, you could stand a chance to win this Jaguar XK8 150 Coupe. Only 1,000 of such tickets, at 500 Dirhams each, are being sold.
If you don't have 500 Dirhams then you could opt for this legendary motorcycle, Harley Davidson Road King Classic, that may cost you US$17,999 in the open market . For this, raffles tickets are being sold at 100 Dirhams each.



This is the place where I normally shop for my perfumes, ordered by friends, relatives and family members.









To my shocking discovery, there was this P9521 Porsche Design mobile phone. This model would have cost you 6,800 Dirhams (US$2,000).













The Electrical section was packed with shoppers (passengers of course) too.
The payment counters were attending to customers who bought various stuff at the food & tobacco section.









They put a lot of efforts to decorate and beautify the airport.
Tags: Dubai, Dubai Airports, Skywards, David Beckham, Motorola Razr, Mobile Phone, P9521 Porsche Design, Jaguar XK8, Harley Davidson Road King Classic, Obayashi