day one of about 40 of them to be spent in the northern hemisphere
a 6am flight out of sydney so a 4am check-in hence a 3am get-up
this after a previous night of minimal sleep with the need to cram
a 14 hour flight surely with some opportunity for some zzzz-ing
nope - too much on offer on this flight on this amazing aircraft
finally a trip on an A380 operated by favourite airline emirates
it's b-i-g - a wide cabin and a very tall ceiling height (times 2)
state-of-the-art back-of-the-seat entertainment system
and a couple of new extra on board creature comforts
240v to the seat so the laptop can stay up and running
and wireless so there's no chance to enjoy the blackout
though in this case a minor issue getting online was welcome
flying has always been an opportunity to get some downtime
which has it's advantages so the glitch is not such a bad thing
good films, good service, good company = very good flight
dubai airport is big, spotless, very functional and efficient
into the taxi and first impressions are this is going to be fun
the hyatt regency politely tried the up-sell but politely declinedit's b-i-g - a wide cabin and a very tall ceiling height (times 2)
state-of-the-art back-of-the-seat entertainment system
and a couple of new extra on board creature comforts
240v to the seat so the laptop can stay up and running
and wireless so there's no chance to enjoy the blackout
though in this case a minor issue getting online was welcome
flying has always been an opportunity to get some downtime
which has it's advantages so the glitch is not such a bad thing
good films, good service, good company = very good flight
dubai airport is big, spotless, very functional and efficient
into the taxi and first impressions are this is going to be fun
all good so far and one of the trip highlights planned for this evening
off to the burj al-arab we go - iconic sail-shaped hotel beyond the beach
walking up to it with all the sense of excitement and anticipation expected
we have a booking for the 27th floor skyview bar but before that - wow
the no-expense-spared decor/architecture done so tastefully
you know you are in a special and totally unique place
ditto with the skyview bar and our window-side table
looking back over the glimmering city nightline
knocking back the sky-high (priced) cocktails
pinching myself about the where and how
and that surreal feeling of the longest day
a380 and burj al-arab - tick and tick
day one done and dusted promisingly
very happy, very lucky, very grateful...
