(28Jan21)The day has cometh and I really hate to leave my hometown yet 😞 It truly breaks my heart to be away again from my family. Let alone, the feeling is similar to Yoon Seri who can only see RJH every 2 weeks/year in Switz (whereas for me is a family matter). But life is not all glitter and pink clouds--we have to wake up and face the harsh reality. And so, I'm back in Londres. Everything felt like being back to square one. Likewise, I'm in the midst of nursing my jetlag soul with a pinch of homesickness as I write this blog. Nevertheless,let me cut off my lamentations now. I believe that this will just take time and I will get through this.
Anyway! Even if I carry a heavy heart of travelling back to this country, I had an interesting flight with a Dubai layover and a first to be in business class. 🙈💖
I am no chaebol or a flighty heiress but things just happened that way after getting my full refund from my cancelled flights. Plus, I needed extra storage for the bulk of my baggage (clothes, BinJin merch, pinoy stuff, etc). Hence, here's my experience to travel like a boss lady and a little guide for OFW's who'll be going back to the UK from Manila. **note: I couldn't share my process of LHR to MNL anymore 'cause the protocols have changed since my arrival there last December
So I flew via Emirates which is the flagship carrier of Dubai. Both the boeing 777 and 380 had its chic setup for Business Class like damnnnn at one point, I felt like an idiot traveller 🤣 My sad emotions kinda went aghast when I saw my seat--It was spacey with its reclining built-in features. There's an additional compartment on the side, 2 screens of entertainment and self-service drinks.
Apart from that, they also serve some refreshments before take-off. Havingsaid that, they even have a minibar wherein you can drink and request-all-you-can. Simply, wtffff. Too bad my seat was a bit far from that area though I got my fair share of requests on board. ;D
The culprit why I did not feel that 7hr flight from DXB to LDN. Lol.
Another interesting goodie is their luxury beauty kit--a toiletry/pamper pack by BLVGARI. Indeed, I'm seriously touching crazy gold here. It's so overwhelming that it seems very precious to use it. 😆
As for the food services, the one from Manila to Dubai served midnight snack and breakfast.
best arroz caldo that I have tasted 🤤🖤
Whereas the Dubai to London flight was a 3-course meal with its halal middle eastern taste. This was somewhat my problem before when travelling from the Middle East, it is my least type of cuisine but I'm very eager to try some! The aroma of their food just bothers me as they're fond of adding several spices. So this was the menu...
Yes, it's me being healthy with my choices 🤣 Simple roasted tomato soup and veggies.
Fish Tahta
And see how they made me eat fish! Hahaha. I mean I used to order either chicken or pork but this kingfish meal caught my palate well. It tasted like fish steak ^.^
Going back to my space, I love the fact that I don't have a seatmate on the second flight. Normally, I doze off and watch movies but then I was able to finish some sketches on my laptop while listening to music. (They have a better selection of songs compared to their list of movies and shows that time). I was very productive that I almost completed two artworks. Hahaha ;D
Moving on, we landed in LHR a little bit delayed and the queue at the Immigration was terrible. Besides that it’s the effect of Brexit, they were really asking a lot of questions per passenger. Make sure y’all have that passenger locator form ready and COVID negative swab test result. They will ask your occupation, home address and the household since you’ll be mandated to have a 10-day self isolation period. Though effective 15FEB21, passengers are now required to have hotel quarantine instead especially when you came from a ‘red listed country’. Visit Gov. UK for the latest travel advice to and from the Philippines. As for my experience in NAIA, there were just many health declaration forms to fill up and don’t forget your OEC! ^^
So here was I during my 2-hr layover in Dubai. It was as pleasant as Abu Dhabi airport where there are various duty free shops and luxuries. Well, I only strolled around it while having Arab coffee 'cause at that moment, I was tired...tired of crying perhaps? This too shall pass, self. ;")
