Sunday, December 07, 2003
e-Travel Diary 2003A - Northern India (Day 01) / 3:36 pm
>>06 Dec 2003 (Sat)
Jay's e-Travel Diary 2003A - 7D/6N New Delhi, Jaipur, Agra via Bangkok (Transit)
Whoopee!!!! Finally going on a trip more exciting & exotic!!! Hahahaha! Many relatives & friends stared at me in disbelief that some chinese here is going to India. I dun understand why....but many have a poor perspection on these '3rd-world countries'. My m2 is the adventurous one who favors historical & cultural journeys as compared to shopping & natural reserves type. After a long debate, India was chosen as the destination!
Due to the nature of the price, availability & nature of the trip, Thai Airways was chosen. SQ is rather too expensive and always fully-booked due to the limited number of seats. Arrived at Changi Airport T1 @ 1510h with my grandparents. They were rattling & advising us to be cautious...avoid this & that....As we joined some Indian tour groups, most of the travellers were Indians & Malays. Chinese are only a fraction. Oooh. One thing i hate abt Thai Airways is the loooooooooong queue coz it goes to S'pore's shopping paradise...Bangkok. The queue stretched about 2 check-in rows, conspicuously the longest queue...and its not even our flight. Its for the TG 408, which leaves 1h b4 us. My flight TG 412 is already late on schedule. Come on! What kinda of efficiency is this! Boost it manz! Hurry up! I gt a connecting flight to catch. I saw many security guards & officers trying to guide queue. Even the Business Class counter converted to Economy class and all counters had to be open to serve the growing number of passengers g-r-u-m-b-l-i-n-g at their speed. Soon, they called upon TG412 passengers to queue. Kiasu S'poreans rushed immediately.
I saw these bunch of Korean passengers running with the trolley filled with luggages....then.....unfortunately....hahahahaha.... (okok...erase tt smile)...one of their luggage fell slam to the ground...Bam!...the hatch open....all the clothes (damn messy) were scattered on the floooooor. The Korean friend then was rattling some Korean scolding her friend. She was stamping her big feet on her ground....her actions were sure dramatic. Hahahaha! We queued up for abt an hour then due to the time constraint, they had to call the passengers of the next flight TG 410 which departs 1.5h later to start lining up. It was really chaotic! Passengers of 3 different flights to the same destination are lining up in the same queue. Soon, they started 'shouting' around calling those lining up to give pirority according to the flights scheduled. It was shocking to see that there are passengers of TG 408(the earlier flight) still lining quite far behind me....They were eventually told to check-in at First class counter. So finallllllllly, after donkey dinosaur years, we got to check-in the luggage. The counter staff looked at our flight coupon in surprise. She asked," Hmm....your family is going to New Delhi via Bangkok izzit?". I said, "Yea....-_-" (kinda obvious). She replied, "Interesting.... i realized that there are also a few passengers earlier infront of you also taking the same route". Hahaha. =p
After bidding farewell to my worried grandparents (still left unconvinced & puzzled on why muz go India >_<*), we finally...yesh....enter into the transit area. Ahhhh....Everytime i always dream of this restricted zone...lotsa of things to see & explore, always ever-changing, but never have the time to see them all.-_-". To prevent from rushing from one-end to the other and tripping, which happen a few years ago....we decided to shop around near our boarding gate C13, which is rather near to the immigration counter...damn....no thrill... Sitting in the 'locked-up area' was b-o-r-i-n-g....like a cage (so what if you gt 2 TVs there)....always no seats esp such flights. So we only enter like last minute when you can directly enter after all the security checks. I realized that this flight dun hv so many children like some flights i take. Okok....good....peace? No screaming at least. Haha. =) Since i entered quite 'late'....erm....only left pathetic lian he zao bao and a TIME Magazine with a rip-off cover page...of curz gt some colorful but unreadable Thai Newspaper...but their graphics are real appealing...i took them....pics explain a thousand words dun they?
So...this is my 9th time on a Thai Air Plane....I like their Sawasdee greeting...not like some airlines...ahem....Whatever....As usual....my seat is like all the way back back back....61A....The usual scene....pple having diffculties stuffing their baggage in the compartment..blocking the narrow passageway....tsk....took abt 3 mins b4 manage to sit down in the squeeeeeezy economy seat. Haaaaaizzzz.....why? why econ-class so limited leg space....lucky only 2h flight....if its a >10h flight...OmG!!!....Luckily this is a Boeing 777-300 plane...the bigger it is, the more stable it is...esp the route btwn M'sia & Thailand...always prone to turbulence.
Ok...so at 1748h...TG412 finally move towards taxiway...come on....we are l-a-t-e. The plane shld depart @ 1735h. Time is crucial manz! The captain is a Thai...his English is erm...qt difficult to decipher...his Thai seems like sm kind of ah-kua speaking...ok...im nt critcizing.,..but i like the way Thais speak...friendly, polite, gentle. It seems like its the peak period....many planes are lining up to take-off....I saw the upcoming Terminal 3 on the way...ooh lah lah...
1808:00h - Flight TG 412 takes-off!!!! Byeeee! muackz!
1838h - Dinner time! Lets see what the S'pore CAAS whip out for us...
main course: Curry Duck rice + Veg
Appetizer: Lettuce + pomelo bits + shrimps + Lime
2 Bread (like rock); Tea/Coffee.
Side dish: Bean Kueh + coconut flakes.
Grading of food: C- (generous abit....B--)
Seriously...the food...erm....dunno why nt nice...oh yah...by the time it reached us...there was no choice xcept for this....-_-" Never mind....there's always a 2nd dinner on my next flight...but my m2 said dun xpect anything better from the Thai chefs. I wonder....
No personal entertainment system...the shared one (big-screen) was erm...boring...no movies...only short programs... Ok at least no turbulence for this ride. The scenery outside...the sun-set....crimson rays...dark blue sky....whoa! simply beautiful....I began snapping pics...bt gt lectured by my f2..."eh...stop taking pls...later no battery, india hotels socket different, then cannot charge. And also, there's better things to shoot instead of this scenery". I ignored him....juz look at this scenery...where and when can u get it? Luckily my m2 took a stroll (to prevent DVT...), otherwise she'll scold mi. Hahaha.
So b4 landing, they show a video regarding how to fill in the declaration form, how to transfer and introduction of Thailand. I got interrupted by this stewardess..."Sir, going to Bangkok?" in a strong Thai accent. I said"No....transiting". My blur f2 said "Huh? Ah...yes". Haha. Nvm....i collect different countries immigration forms...so i took it. My m2? She went down to get drinks....say muz hydrate frequently...I was thinking....come on...a 2h flight/897 miles only...the next one will double.
Soon...I look out of the window...I can see the overview of Bangkok! Since its already nighttime, its like rows of lights on a computer chipboard. Stunning! As we approach nearer...the roads started to get clearer & clearer. "Ladies & Gentlemen, flight TG412 has arrived safely at Don Muang Bangkok Int'l Airport. We'll like to thank you for travelling with Thai Airways".
1h 53min 58.17s flight. Hahaha. I went to record it.
20:02:17h (S'pore time)/19:02:17h(BKK Time) - Arrived at Bangkok.
*From now on...I shall use BKK time, which is 1h slower than Sg, or GMT+0700h
1914h - Stop at Gate 11.
Kiasu S'poreans started to crowd the aisle b4 the green light to take out safety belt announcement.Ok..this plane is late...suppose to arrive at 1855h...nvm...there is still sufficient time. Alighted TG412 at 1924h...first thing we did is to check out where's the next flight TG315 gate....ok...its at Gate 25...not far....
As its been a long time since i've been to BKK, we felt lost at the airport. The departure area isnt the same area/floor as the arrival section. It was a storey above us...but yet we couldnt find the steps/escalators to it. Weird....we walk & walk...juz plain corridors & immigration counters. Got fed up!? Argh! I saw the signs pointing straight .... so we walk straight ...but it juz gt us further & further...ended up in Terminal 2 (in fact, i dun even know where the border betwn the 2 terminals are). We ended up at Gate 71+....but where on earth is the departure zone?!!! Tsk tsk. Ask the lady @ the information booth....pointed to us a secluded...or should i say inconspicuous area. Ridiculous! bad formatting....
So...only after going up the escalator...finally...i see life...yesh...gleaming shops...people...and at least the environment seems so much more welcoming and brighter! Whoo-oo! But as you know...the prices @ airport are always exorbitant...moreover...i hv no thai bahts....so juz window-shopping.... Luv those pineapple tarts...hmm...delicious! Some things have changed....i remembered that KFC which used to serve chicken with plates & cutlery is gone as well...I think my whole family was so engrossed in looking here and there....that we din hear the announcement in the background calling for passengers of the connecting flight only till viewing the departure info screen...OmG!!!! Damn!!! We are freakin' late!!!!
All bcoz of my absent-mindedness....4gtn about the time-zone difference. Shucks! So it was about 1948h...the plane is like scheduled at 1950h...and we are still near gate 68+...and our gate is 25...Ooooooooh......speechless....the last call is flashing like mad!!!! zoooom! off we go....no choice but to start sprinting towards the gate...Nearly hit into some travellers....but it was erm....embrassing i shld say....to run around in the airport. Argh!!!! The route seems longer than ever...din realize we walked so far from gate 25. Gooosssshhhh!!!!
Finally....yes.....found and arrived at Gate 25....there was simply no one there already!!! i meant passengers. Luckily the staff were still there. I felt like being in Amazing Race....Panting at the counter...the staff asked,"To Delhi? This flight is to Delhi." They seem unconvinced that Chinese will go to India. Moreover, i was wearing winter wear already, so they muz have thought i belong to the flight opp us which is flying to Zurich. What a joke! I said "New Delhi...yes....D-e-l-h-i...This flight....TG 315 isnt it? Yes isnt it?! "I have to speak to them in fragments...otherwise they dun understand. After passing to them the air tix and checking passports...we dash to the aerobridge. The staff were about to close the door....Gosh! Well, we were the last passengers for the fated flight. Choi! Hahaha...juz joking... =x
Well, the air-stewardess were no longer standing at the door...they were doing checks already. Some were shocked. "Oooh....Sawasdee-ca" "Wheeeere isss yourrrr seeeat sir? (thats how they pronouce) i replied, " back...back...i know where is it...yah...thanx". So..for the first time....the whole aisle is empty...everyone is already sitted! And i hardly see any Chinese! TG315 was filled with Indians, Malays, Thais, Singhs & Cacausians...Oh yah...another bunch of S.Koreans. Oh yah...not to be racist...luckily im not sitting behind a singh...his turban block the view of the screen in front.-_-". No window seat this time. Were lucky this time. Its a Boeing 777-200 plane. I always have a preference in comparison to Airbus 330. Haha =p
Its a 1815 mile journey....29C in Bangkok....15C in Delhi....expected arrival time at midnight.
2008h - TG 315 moves to taxiway
2022:16h - TG 315 takes off!!! Bye BKK!
Night scenery of BKK wasnt so visible this time...probably bcoz of air pollution. Haha. Well, soon...snacks were served...erm....where is my dinner (2nd?) hahaha...i want!!!! That earlier dinner din taste nice. Fried Green Beans & beverages were served. Ok...at least this flight had better programmes...they were showing Merry Xmas Mr Bean....and a movie at least..jackie chan's The Medallion.
Dinner was served at 2138h. This time...we had a choice...hahaha....coz we are sitting not so far back.
Choice1: Vegeterian Rice (Thats what the stewardess called- nvr elaborate '-')
- Rice bryani (with potato + red bean), that prevalent 'rock' bread & 'naan' (eh...so hard...nt crispy anymore...yucks!)
Choice2: Chicken Rice (Chose this...sounds betta in name =p)
-Chicken rolled like popiah with veg + red bean + longan + pomelo fruit.
was wondering...what season is this?! Pomelo?! Why i see pomelo repeatedly?! Anyway...the food is much betta that the BKK-bound...erm...i mean the chicken rice....grade B-. The veg rice....not many pple finished it....not even indians....
Actually, they had lotsa different meals...some requested for a muslim meal (Din see whats the food in it). Ahh...this time..some of the air-stewardess are Indians..hmm...their English sounds betta. Indeed, i look like a black sheep in the herd...a Chinese wearing winter wear...in contrast to most Indians wearing long sleeves or some wearing suits (Preeeetty amazing...tot should see such sights in Business Class). Well, I was told that New Delhi's temperature will be like 5C at night....so of curz i came prepared.... One even asked politely whether i was a S.Korean. Hahahahahahaha....I laughed. "You muz hv mistaken sir, im a S'porean". "Aahh...I've heard abt S'pore...nice place...have been wanting to go there"...well...that's like the 2nd time i've heard about it throughout my journey. Well, there are quite a lot of curious stares everytime mr jay walks along the aisle.
Soon....they distribute blankets...switched off the lights & TV screen....bed time!
It was freezing in the cabin....outside even worse...-59F ..tink its about -32C...izzit? Not sure...
Flew past Myanmar, Bangladesh, borders of Tibet (ooh...i saw the plateaus and Mt Everest on the map screened in front). Din really sleep...i was thinking about the poor countries below...haiz....
The sky was pitch black....soon lights were turned on....
*New Delhi's time is GMT+0530h...again change in time zone
(S'pore - GMT+0800h, BKK - GMT+0700h)
1044:33h - TG 315 arrived safely....and PUNCTUALLY....OmG!!!!! Its amazing!!! ooooh--la---laaa......You know why? Out of 10 flights, 8 flights will most likely get delayed. Im so lucky!
You see...the haze and air pollution in India is soooo damn really bad that most or almost all international flights have to depart/arrive in the wee-hours of morning or late at night. Airport is busier at night than morning....Lolz....Haha. There was nothing to see in the surroundings.
It was a 3h 52 min 4:35s flight. Oh...thats the end of my $1058 tix price. Ok...the Indians were even more kiasu than S'poreans....the moment the flight landed...a lot of them unbuckle their seatbelt and started reaching their luggage....only to got 'lectured' by the stewardess to sit down. poor stewardess was pleading; "Please sit down...seats belt on please...the plane have not stop yet...hellooo...sit down....later..later then take baggage....there's no hurry" Hahaha....What a sight....but in the end...all her speech went into deaf ears. People were already starting to queue up when the flight was still moving in the taxiway. Lolx!
Soon...i can seeeee scenes of Air India planes. Aaaahhh...India...here i come!
2300h - Exit from Gate 3 (Small airport...cnt believe it...somemre this is their capital!)
Awwww...old airport, the fake marble-tiles are cracking, yellowing, deteriorating, their escalator was creaking...loose screws...tsk tsk...bt for the first time...the immigration counter was so damn near to the gate. The air-con seems *sniff sniff* bad...bad filtering sys i believe?! haha...there was indian music playing in the background...lotsa "!ncredible !ndia Tourism promotion posters everywhere". Kinda funny...the transitting domestic users have to exit the immigration as well and re-enter. As usual..THE QUEUE WAS SLOW & INEFFICIENT. i think the officers are in the mood of dozing off....Zzzzz...Come on! is this the attitude?! Smile for goodness sake! To exacerbate the problem, an Air Canada flight from Vancouver arrived....more passengers..longer queue....i look at their faces...haizz...some look so tired & exhausted that they seem to faint any moment. Some hyper-active Canadian kids were running around...screaming...disturbing & disrupting my beautiful indian music '0'. Oh yah...and this is the only airport...i can even hear the engines of the planes in the airport terminal! Security is damn strict...strictest i've ever come across.... Soldiers carrying rifles....dun ask me what model...im not into tt. The baggage belt was slow...queue up so long...baggage havent even start to appear....lets 4get abt these ineffiencies.
Stepping out of the zone...i was astonished, shocked, appalled to see soooooooooo many Indians crowding around the exit in rows & rows...many holding up cards, banners of different names...whoa! i simply felt like a VIP...hahahaha...lolz....hahaha...there were hundreds of eyes staring at us...there was nobody xcept us chinese strolling like some fashion show along the aisle. Hahahahaha. Want to find your name oso difficult. Might as well let them find you...tts my theory. Haha =pp. Moreover, if you want to enter the arrival zone, one muz pay 50rupee (S$1.95) admission fee...otherwise stay outside & wait -_-"
Its really surprising to see another S'pore tour group at airport as well. It was organized by the MediaCorp Station Oli 96.3FM....Ooohh....so that's the DJ...no wonder....i was wondering why that big shot guy wearing white blazers got so many friends onboard the flight earlier on. As a matter of fact...that Oli tour group gt 52 members...OmG! Ok...mine's as bad...45...that's what the tour rep stated....
>>The day ends her...yep...and its only Day one....=p
Cheers! =p
New Delhi, India
2336h (GMT+0530h)
Jay's e-Travel Diary 2003A - 7D/6N New Delhi, Jaipur, Agra via Bangkok (Transit)
Whoopee!!!! Finally going on a trip more exciting & exotic!!! Hahahaha! Many relatives & friends stared at me in disbelief that some chinese here is going to India. I dun understand why....but many have a poor perspection on these '3rd-world countries'. My m2 is the adventurous one who favors historical & cultural journeys as compared to shopping & natural reserves type. After a long debate, India was chosen as the destination!
Due to the nature of the price, availability & nature of the trip, Thai Airways was chosen. SQ is rather too expensive and always fully-booked due to the limited number of seats. Arrived at Changi Airport T1 @ 1510h with my grandparents. They were rattling & advising us to be cautious...avoid this & that....As we joined some Indian tour groups, most of the travellers were Indians & Malays. Chinese are only a fraction. Oooh. One thing i hate abt Thai Airways is the loooooooooong queue coz it goes to S'pore's shopping paradise...Bangkok. The queue stretched about 2 check-in rows, conspicuously the longest queue...and its not even our flight. Its for the TG 408, which leaves 1h b4 us. My flight TG 412 is already late on schedule. Come on! What kinda of efficiency is this! Boost it manz! Hurry up! I gt a connecting flight to catch. I saw many security guards & officers trying to guide queue. Even the Business Class counter converted to Economy class and all counters had to be open to serve the growing number of passengers g-r-u-m-b-l-i-n-g at their speed. Soon, they called upon TG412 passengers to queue. Kiasu S'poreans rushed immediately.
I saw these bunch of Korean passengers running with the trolley filled with luggages....then.....unfortunately....hahahahaha.... (okok...erase tt smile)...one of their luggage fell slam to the ground...Bam!...the hatch open....all the clothes (damn messy) were scattered on the floooooor. The Korean friend then was rattling some Korean scolding her friend. She was stamping her big feet on her ground....her actions were sure dramatic. Hahahaha! We queued up for abt an hour then due to the time constraint, they had to call the passengers of the next flight TG 410 which departs 1.5h later to start lining up. It was really chaotic! Passengers of 3 different flights to the same destination are lining up in the same queue. Soon, they started 'shouting' around calling those lining up to give pirority according to the flights scheduled. It was shocking to see that there are passengers of TG 408(the earlier flight) still lining quite far behind me....They were eventually told to check-in at First class counter. So finallllllllly, after donkey dinosaur years, we got to check-in the luggage. The counter staff looked at our flight coupon in surprise. She asked," Hmm....your family is going to New Delhi via Bangkok izzit?". I said, "Yea....-_-" (kinda obvious). She replied, "Interesting.... i realized that there are also a few passengers earlier infront of you also taking the same route". Hahaha. =p
After bidding farewell to my worried grandparents (still left unconvinced & puzzled on why muz go India >_<*), we finally...yesh....enter into the transit area. Ahhhh....Everytime i always dream of this restricted zone...lotsa of things to see & explore, always ever-changing, but never have the time to see them all.-_-". To prevent from rushing from one-end to the other and tripping, which happen a few years ago....we decided to shop around near our boarding gate C13, which is rather near to the immigration counter...damn....no thrill... Sitting in the 'locked-up area' was b-o-r-i-n-g....like a cage (so what if you gt 2 TVs there)....always no seats esp such flights. So we only enter like last minute when you can directly enter after all the security checks. I realized that this flight dun hv so many children like some flights i take. Okok....good....peace? No screaming at least. Haha. =) Since i entered quite 'late'....erm....only left pathetic lian he zao bao and a TIME Magazine with a rip-off cover page...of curz gt some colorful but unreadable Thai Newspaper...but their graphics are real appealing...i took them....pics explain a thousand words dun they?
So...this is my 9th time on a Thai Air Plane....I like their Sawasdee greeting...not like some airlines...ahem....Whatever....As usual....my seat is like all the way back back back....61A....The usual scene....pple having diffculties stuffing their baggage in the compartment..blocking the narrow passageway....tsk....took abt 3 mins b4 manage to sit down in the squeeeeeezy economy seat. Haaaaaizzzz.....why? why econ-class so limited leg space....lucky only 2h flight....if its a >10h flight...OmG!!!....Luckily this is a Boeing 777-300 plane...the bigger it is, the more stable it is...esp the route btwn M'sia & Thailand...always prone to turbulence.
Ok...so at 1748h...TG412 finally move towards taxiway...come on....we are l-a-t-e. The plane shld depart @ 1735h. Time is crucial manz! The captain is a Thai...his English is erm...qt difficult to decipher...his Thai seems like sm kind of ah-kua speaking...ok...im nt critcizing.,..but i like the way Thais speak...friendly, polite, gentle. It seems like its the peak period....many planes are lining up to take-off....I saw the upcoming Terminal 3 on the way...ooh lah lah...
1808:00h - Flight TG 412 takes-off!!!! Byeeee! muackz!
1838h - Dinner time! Lets see what the S'pore CAAS whip out for us...
main course: Curry Duck rice + Veg
Appetizer: Lettuce + pomelo bits + shrimps + Lime
2 Bread (like rock); Tea/Coffee.
Side dish: Bean Kueh + coconut flakes.
Grading of food: C- (generous abit....B--)
Seriously...the food...erm....dunno why nt nice...oh yah...by the time it reached us...there was no choice xcept for this....-_-" Never mind....there's always a 2nd dinner on my next flight...but my m2 said dun xpect anything better from the Thai chefs. I wonder....
No personal entertainment system...the shared one (big-screen) was erm...boring...no movies...only short programs... Ok at least no turbulence for this ride. The scenery outside...the sun-set....crimson rays...dark blue sky....whoa! simply beautiful....I began snapping pics...bt gt lectured by my f2..."eh...stop taking pls...later no battery, india hotels socket different, then cannot charge. And also, there's better things to shoot instead of this scenery". I ignored him....juz look at this scenery...where and when can u get it? Luckily my m2 took a stroll (to prevent DVT...), otherwise she'll scold mi. Hahaha.
So b4 landing, they show a video regarding how to fill in the declaration form, how to transfer and introduction of Thailand. I got interrupted by this stewardess..."Sir, going to Bangkok?" in a strong Thai accent. I said"No....transiting". My blur f2 said "Huh? Ah...yes". Haha. Nvm....i collect different countries immigration forms...so i took it. My m2? She went down to get drinks....say muz hydrate frequently...I was thinking....come on...a 2h flight/897 miles only...the next one will double.
Soon...I look out of the window...I can see the overview of Bangkok! Since its already nighttime, its like rows of lights on a computer chipboard. Stunning! As we approach nearer...the roads started to get clearer & clearer. "Ladies & Gentlemen, flight TG412 has arrived safely at Don Muang Bangkok Int'l Airport. We'll like to thank you for travelling with Thai Airways".
1h 53min 58.17s flight. Hahaha. I went to record it.
20:02:17h (S'pore time)/19:02:17h(BKK Time) - Arrived at Bangkok.
*From now on...I shall use BKK time, which is 1h slower than Sg, or GMT+0700h
1914h - Stop at Gate 11.
Kiasu S'poreans started to crowd the aisle b4 the green light to take out safety belt announcement.Ok..this plane is late...suppose to arrive at 1855h...nvm...there is still sufficient time. Alighted TG412 at 1924h...first thing we did is to check out where's the next flight TG315 gate....ok...its at Gate 25...not far....
As its been a long time since i've been to BKK, we felt lost at the airport. The departure area isnt the same area/floor as the arrival section. It was a storey above us...but yet we couldnt find the steps/escalators to it. Weird....we walk & walk...juz plain corridors & immigration counters. Got fed up!? Argh! I saw the signs pointing straight .... so we walk straight ...but it juz gt us further & further...ended up in Terminal 2 (in fact, i dun even know where the border betwn the 2 terminals are). We ended up at Gate 71+....but where on earth is the departure zone?!!! Tsk tsk. Ask the lady @ the information booth....pointed to us a secluded...or should i say inconspicuous area. Ridiculous! bad formatting....
So...only after going up the escalator...finally...i see life...yesh...gleaming shops...people...and at least the environment seems so much more welcoming and brighter! Whoo-oo! But as you know...the prices @ airport are always exorbitant...moreover...i hv no thai bahts....so juz window-shopping.... Luv those pineapple tarts...hmm...delicious! Some things have changed....i remembered that KFC which used to serve chicken with plates & cutlery is gone as well...I think my whole family was so engrossed in looking here and there....that we din hear the announcement in the background calling for passengers of the connecting flight only till viewing the departure info screen...OmG!!!! Damn!!! We are freakin' late!!!!
All bcoz of my absent-mindedness....4gtn about the time-zone difference. Shucks! So it was about 1948h...the plane is like scheduled at 1950h...and we are still near gate 68+...and our gate is 25...Ooooooooh......speechless....the last call is flashing like mad!!!! zoooom! off we go....no choice but to start sprinting towards the gate...Nearly hit into some travellers....but it was erm....embrassing i shld say....to run around in the airport. Argh!!!! The route seems longer than ever...din realize we walked so far from gate 25. Gooosssshhhh!!!!
Finally....yes.....found and arrived at Gate 25....there was simply no one there already!!! i meant passengers. Luckily the staff were still there. I felt like being in Amazing Race....Panting at the counter...the staff asked,"To Delhi? This flight is to Delhi." They seem unconvinced that Chinese will go to India. Moreover, i was wearing winter wear already, so they muz have thought i belong to the flight opp us which is flying to Zurich. What a joke! I said "New Delhi...yes....D-e-l-h-i...This flight....TG 315 isnt it? Yes isnt it?! "I have to speak to them in fragments...otherwise they dun understand. After passing to them the air tix and checking passports...we dash to the aerobridge. The staff were about to close the door....Gosh! Well, we were the last passengers for the fated flight. Choi! Hahaha...juz joking... =x
Well, the air-stewardess were no longer standing at the door...they were doing checks already. Some were shocked. "Oooh....Sawasdee-ca" "Wheeeere isss yourrrr seeeat sir? (thats how they pronouce) i replied, " back...back...i know where is it...yah...thanx". So..for the first time....the whole aisle is empty...everyone is already sitted! And i hardly see any Chinese! TG315 was filled with Indians, Malays, Thais, Singhs & Cacausians...Oh yah...another bunch of S.Koreans. Oh yah...not to be racist...luckily im not sitting behind a singh...his turban block the view of the screen in front.-_-". No window seat this time. Were lucky this time. Its a Boeing 777-200 plane. I always have a preference in comparison to Airbus 330. Haha =p
Its a 1815 mile journey....29C in Bangkok....15C in Delhi....expected arrival time at midnight.
2008h - TG 315 moves to taxiway
2022:16h - TG 315 takes off!!! Bye BKK!
Night scenery of BKK wasnt so visible this time...probably bcoz of air pollution. Haha. Well, soon...snacks were served...erm....where is my dinner (2nd?) hahaha...i want!!!! That earlier dinner din taste nice. Fried Green Beans & beverages were served. Ok...at least this flight had better programmes...they were showing Merry Xmas Mr Bean....and a movie at least..jackie chan's The Medallion.
Dinner was served at 2138h. This time...we had a choice...hahaha....coz we are sitting not so far back.
Choice1: Vegeterian Rice (Thats what the stewardess called- nvr elaborate '-')
- Rice bryani (with potato + red bean), that prevalent 'rock' bread & 'naan' (eh...so hard...nt crispy anymore...yucks!)
Choice2: Chicken Rice (Chose this...sounds betta in name =p)
-Chicken rolled like popiah with veg + red bean + longan + pomelo fruit.
was wondering...what season is this?! Pomelo?! Why i see pomelo repeatedly?! Anyway...the food is much betta that the BKK-bound...erm...i mean the chicken rice....grade B-. The veg rice....not many pple finished it....not even indians....
Actually, they had lotsa different meals...some requested for a muslim meal (Din see whats the food in it). Ahh...this time..some of the air-stewardess are Indians..hmm...their English sounds betta. Indeed, i look like a black sheep in the herd...a Chinese wearing winter wear...in contrast to most Indians wearing long sleeves or some wearing suits (Preeeetty amazing...tot should see such sights in Business Class). Well, I was told that New Delhi's temperature will be like 5C at night....so of curz i came prepared.... One even asked politely whether i was a S.Korean. Hahahahahahaha....I laughed. "You muz hv mistaken sir, im a S'porean". "Aahh...I've heard abt S'pore...nice place...have been wanting to go there"...well...that's like the 2nd time i've heard about it throughout my journey. Well, there are quite a lot of curious stares everytime mr jay walks along the aisle.
Soon....they distribute blankets...switched off the lights & TV screen....bed time!
It was freezing in the cabin....outside even worse...-59F ..tink its about -32C...izzit? Not sure...
Flew past Myanmar, Bangladesh, borders of Tibet (ooh...i saw the plateaus and Mt Everest on the map screened in front). Din really sleep...i was thinking about the poor countries below...haiz....
The sky was pitch black....soon lights were turned on....
*New Delhi's time is GMT+0530h...again change in time zone
(S'pore - GMT+0800h, BKK - GMT+0700h)
1044:33h - TG 315 arrived safely....and PUNCTUALLY....OmG!!!!! Its amazing!!! ooooh--la---laaa......You know why? Out of 10 flights, 8 flights will most likely get delayed. Im so lucky!
You see...the haze and air pollution in India is soooo damn really bad that most or almost all international flights have to depart/arrive in the wee-hours of morning or late at night. Airport is busier at night than morning....Lolz....Haha. There was nothing to see in the surroundings.
It was a 3h 52 min 4:35s flight. Oh...thats the end of my $1058 tix price. Ok...the Indians were even more kiasu than S'poreans....the moment the flight landed...a lot of them unbuckle their seatbelt and started reaching their luggage....only to got 'lectured' by the stewardess to sit down. poor stewardess was pleading; "Please sit down...seats belt on please...the plane have not stop yet...hellooo...sit down....later..later then take baggage....there's no hurry" Hahaha....What a sight....but in the end...all her speech went into deaf ears. People were already starting to queue up when the flight was still moving in the taxiway. Lolx!
Soon...i can seeeee scenes of Air India planes. Aaaahhh...India...here i come!
2300h - Exit from Gate 3 (Small airport...cnt believe it...somemre this is their capital!)
Awwww...old airport, the fake marble-tiles are cracking, yellowing, deteriorating, their escalator was creaking...loose screws...tsk tsk...bt for the first time...the immigration counter was so damn near to the gate. The air-con seems *sniff sniff* bad...bad filtering sys i believe?! haha...there was indian music playing in the background...lotsa "!ncredible !ndia Tourism promotion posters everywhere". Kinda funny...the transitting domestic users have to exit the immigration as well and re-enter. As usual..THE QUEUE WAS SLOW & INEFFICIENT. i think the officers are in the mood of dozing off....Zzzzz...Come on! is this the attitude?! Smile for goodness sake! To exacerbate the problem, an Air Canada flight from Vancouver arrived....more passengers..longer queue....i look at their faces...haizz...some look so tired & exhausted that they seem to faint any moment. Some hyper-active Canadian kids were running around...screaming...disturbing & disrupting my beautiful indian music '0'. Oh yah...and this is the only airport...i can even hear the engines of the planes in the airport terminal! Security is damn strict...strictest i've ever come across.... Soldiers carrying rifles....dun ask me what model...im not into tt. The baggage belt was slow...queue up so long...baggage havent even start to appear....lets 4get abt these ineffiencies.
Stepping out of the zone...i was astonished, shocked, appalled to see soooooooooo many Indians crowding around the exit in rows & rows...many holding up cards, banners of different names...whoa! i simply felt like a VIP...hahahaha...lolz....hahaha...there were hundreds of eyes staring at us...there was nobody xcept us chinese strolling like some fashion show along the aisle. Hahahahaha. Want to find your name oso difficult. Might as well let them find you...tts my theory. Haha =pp. Moreover, if you want to enter the arrival zone, one muz pay 50rupee (S$1.95) admission fee...otherwise stay outside & wait -_-"
Its really surprising to see another S'pore tour group at airport as well. It was organized by the MediaCorp Station Oli 96.3FM....Ooohh....so that's the DJ...no wonder....i was wondering why that big shot guy wearing white blazers got so many friends onboard the flight earlier on. As a matter of fact...that Oli tour group gt 52 members...OmG! Ok...mine's as bad...45...that's what the tour rep stated....
>>The day ends her...yep...and its only Day one....=p
Cheers! =p
New Delhi, India
2336h (GMT+0530h)
We know life's hard, truth is hard, lies are hard, they are all hard to accept when they have been
found out, and i'm rushing history homework on the Abyissian Crisis about Italy and Abyssia going into war and that the League Of Nations cannot stop this from happening, and beacuse they are formed by means to stop war and
peace-keep the countries together, they have thus failed to achieve that. I think i tend to hold a class for history instead of telling you about me, i'm basically a what subject-realted lover (humanities) and thus
I am more analytical and critical about things, and likes to study about dead people, haha. lol. it's history what can you expect and also geography, it amazes me. I really like it alot, so what have you? Again to find this answer
you need to enter into your own reality and reflect
it's amazing. amzing how people change the way of things, like how I used to hate outdoors in Band
felt it was a complete waste of time, i've acquired to like it more, i guess people change, their thereotical means and applications in life just goes on into a new direction, and see things in another perspective, i guess- it's
all in the mind. It really amazes me how these comes into action, from someone so pessimistic has changed his own view of things, and thus my friend is scoring much better, being more optimisitc and not think of his old way of suicidal
thoughts, which are pretty daunting. and thus we need to see things, in another light, another perspective and another new way, to enable us to open up our minds, and make more new things, the new way it is.