Airports Visited

Airbourne 2009- Eastbourne

2009-08-20T08:39:00.000-07:00

Hi all,

It was an unforgettable day....last weekend(15th Aug) we went to Eastbourne for an airshow, it was great to be there. Now I have never visited one so I konw I am going to be escatic about it. But neverthless the performance was excellent, the variety, the coordination, the compilation all was very interesting and satisfying.

There was all sorts of fighter planes and it was fun to watch them do the different manuevers. It started with just one aircraft F-86 Sabre, which was followed by P51 Mustang and Hurricane.

It was like watching some historic war time movie when they flew the Bomber plane with two Hurricanes side by side. I loved it...

Then came the Typhoon. It gave me shivers watching it fly so close to ground and so fast. And what a range of speed from very steady slow speed to supersonic blast. I was just stunned to see that machine flying past us...what if the pilot misses.

I was thrilled to see wing walking live, there was one particular stunt when both aircrafts were flying in a formation one on top of other upside down and the girls were trying to hold the hands, amazing sight. There were so many moments in the whole show when you get goose bumps and shivers watching them performing.

The best of all was though Red Arrows, that was very beautifully executed even after one missing aircraft which was not able to attend. The formations were just stunning no words. I just left my camera aside and was busy watching them, still was able to take this one!!! Best timing for a shot on just normal digital camera. I would go once again...but next time better equipped.

Once that was over you keep thinking that could be end of the show and nothing can top it, but wait!!! They brought in F-16, that was a sight to watch, with orange and black color that was undoubtedly the most unusaul and beautiful aircraft of all. The best stunt of all was though free fall, wish I could have filmed that.

And yes there was one more after that!! I did not say F-16 was last!!! The Blades were as good as Red Arrows, just four aircraft and still it kept the audience guessing and no one left until that was over. The display was not as magnificient as Red Arrows but surely same dare devilery and level of stunts were amazing!! All in all the day was good....and beyond my expectations.

Dubai Terminal 3

2009-07-26T12:47:00.000-07:00

Hi all, This post has been due for quite long time. I have visited Dubai Airport, Terminal 3 in transfer to my flight to Mumbai in Dec 2008. It had opened very recently and was a very pleasant experience. I know there is nothing to crib about the airport. It was a very good experience.

The walk from the gate to the security check was long but very interesting as there was not many flights landing at that time and the terminal was empty at that particular moment. There was a little confusion for the way out as there was signage but I was more interested in the architecture and spatial arrangement.

The first thing to notice was the murals on glass, some interesting motifs, and all famous landmarks told me that I am in Dubai and nowhere else!!. The toilet was quite a long walk away or I was not able to spot the nearest. The toilet was very clean, infact the whole airport was very clean.

The next thing I was impressed by was the lighting on the ceiling near the entrance, it gave me a sense of movement. The white color filled the space and made it looked like it was floating.

We only had one inconvenience and that was my wife had to even remove the visible jewellery to pass through the security and metal detector, which I think is nuisance. The curved facade was in glass was covering the queue of security and I am sure it would be fun to stand there in day time. It was good to see a glass elevator, but that is kind of becoming norm at all new airports and I think we need to design something more interesting or different perhaps!!

The shopping experience was good but the prices were no different from high street shops in UK. The vairety and avaibility was average. I would have expected something more local. I am doubtful about the price of the gold too, I don't think it was cheap.

The best surprise was the lanscaped atruim at the end of shopping street. It will definitely give the airport a very distinct flavour and relaxed atmosphere, we used that space to relax on our way back when we had to wait for 6 hours for our connecting flight.

My First International Flight, year 2005

2009-06-24T08:59:00.000-07:00

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It is always exciting to fly, and it is even more exciting when that is your international flight paid by someone else. I got a very good opportunity to fly at cost of the company I was working with. It was a business trip to Muscat and I was flying from Mumbai International Airport.

I could have started writing with Mumbai airport but thought it will be more interesting to start with some international airport outside India. It was my first international flight and I was so excited to fly and in all that excitement I did not make sure that my passport was right. I did not have ECNR stamp on my passport and so was not allowed to board the flight when I was supposing to. It was quite embarrassing to go back to my hostel room as all my friends were expecting me to be flying. I somehow managed to get it done and flew on next day same time.

When I landed on Seeb International Airport, I was supposed to collect my VISA from the airport and everything was perfectly organized. I was surprised to see that I was the only one doing that on that day, so practically no queuing. I reached the baggage hall to find my bags already on the floor so just picked them up and was out of the airport in like 30-40 minutes in all.

The return was even more exciting!!!! I was supposed to reconfirm my flight to Mumbai before 48 hrs of flight. I did!! So I was dropped at airport by my colleague at night, I asked him to leave as there was no need for him to wait on me till I board the flight. I went to the Check-in desk, which had a decent queue; when my turn came I was surprised to find out that my flight was reconfirmed for Chennai instead of Mumbai. Yay!! I discussed with the Check-in Staff and said that the flight for Mumbai was fully booked and have to wait till last minute. I was so angry…but cannot fight..they might just put me in prison for unruly behaviour.

So I decided to do something else and realised that it is exactly like Indian airports, no facilities before Check-in. No Shops, No entertainment and minimum seating for estranged passengers like me. So tried to roam around a little bit and than found a seat. I just pulled out my new MP3 player and listened to some songs, I had at least two hours to pass. I was surprised that there was not even a good coffee shop around only vending machines, or maybe I was not able to spot in my disappointment.

Finally, after two hours they said I can board the flight and travel in a business class seat. So the waiting was worth it, alas I was not served with business class meal or anything else. SadL.

I had very little time on hand so could not enjoy duty free shopping except for some chocolates. I had thought of spending all the money I had earned, but everything does not work out as planned. And I had to face minimum queue at all points, but that might be because I might be the last passenger to check-in. J Some things does have benefits after all.

I don’t remember any other event worth noting. But it was very exciting first international trip!! That’s all I can say!!

Introduction

2009-06-18T13:12:00.000-07:00

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Hello all!!

I will in this blog try to write about my views on the airports I have visited or will visit in future.

It is not like that I am flying every now and than but I have visited quite a few of airports in my lifetime either for work or for pleasure and I would like to share my views on them.....

I really want to visit as many as I could visit before I take my final flight....