A BLOG BackLOG

Now Emirates have been working me like a dog of late, so keeping the blog up to date has been a slight challenge. I want to take my laptop on my layovers with me, but it can be a rather expensive exercise (usually 30 Oz Dollars for 24 hours) so I wait to come back to Dubai, hence the delay.

The last week has taken me to London and Munich which were both pretty great trips. The first was pretty interesting due to the security scare in the UK. First of all we had to divert to Birmingham then drive to London, and then on the way home we were delayed many hours due to the extensive security checks we had to go through. My phone, ipod, camera, toiletry bag and Emirates fobkey all had to be taken out and placed in my suitcase which made me feel part of the global community against terror! I spent some time with Arta and Tania from the flight, and we went to Harrod's, Hyde Park and Buckingham Palace- the first time for me to all the above!

Two London landmarks - Harrod's and the Underground
The Egyptian staircase in Harrod's, and...
...the Diana and Dodi tribute, which was a little wierd.
Moi at the Hyde Park lake/pond thingy...
My friends from the flight - Arta (French/Iranian) and Tania (Indian)
The beautifully brown Hyde Park
Pick up Liz, I KNOW you're in there!

She let Rolf Harris in but not me! What's with that?!


Then it was off to Munich, where I was able to catch up with a long time friend of mine who I hadn't seen in many years, and spend some time being a Contiki-er! Since leaving Australia, Aaron (aforementioned friend) has become a tour guide and I was able to join the group of 40 or so for the afternoon/evening! I felt like I was in my mid-twenties seeing the world again! I really loved the city and the summertime, beer-swigging, pretzel-eating, pork-inhaling atmosphere! I really hope I get this trip again soon.

At the town centre - and up the glockenspiel we head!


Stunning views of Munchen from the top of the tower.
Outside the popular-with-tourists HOFBRAUHAUS....
....where one litre beers are the order of the day!
Our trusty guide Aaron poses with some really hot guy...
And the band played on (do their wives know they're here!)

500 gram sirloin, medium-rare, thanks!

On Saturday I came back from another great layover (this is probably becoming rather monotonous now for regular readers!) - this time from Johannesburg. It was the first time I had been back to South Africa since my second big trip in 2000/01, and many will know how special a place it has always been to me. I was placed on this trip at the last minute to cover my three days of reserve, which is a LOT better than being given multiple turn-around flights!

Due to the timing of the trip (arrive in JHB at lunch time after flying through the night and leaving at lunch the next day), it doesn't leave time to do any real sightseeing, so instead I focused on the shopping, dining and drinking! Off to Sandton City (the site of my infamous eyebrow piercing of 2001) to stock up on some South African essentials (Madam and Eve, Astros, PS Bars) and then after a one hour catnap, it was off to dinner with a very good friend of mine, Miranda, and some of the other crew. (pictures below)

I got into BIG trouble with the Purser on the way over as I fell asleep during my rest period. This is not officially allowed although most pursers allow it - mine didn't. I didn't actually mean to fall asleep, it just happened due to the dark, quiet plane in the middle of the night, and having been picked up at 1am to go to work. Anyway it was the most humiliated I've ever been at work, despite the great passenger comments I got on the flight. So what better way to fix the problem than with a couple of bottles of vino! :)

The whole table and the four of us - Miranda, myself, Rob and Steph
Stephanie and Miranda, Rob and I

Looking a bit sexual after two litres of sauvignon blanc!

God Bless Suid-Afrika

I've been pulled out for a Johannesburg flight leaving at 4am tomorrow, which DEFINITELY beats 3 days of crappy reserve! It will be so amazing to go back to South Africa for the first time in over 5 years! Anyway, just thought I'd share :)

Also here is a picture I took the other night of my building - UP Tower. NOICE!

Nothing pleases like Maltesers!

On Saturday morning I arrived back in Dubai after a stunning 48 hours in one of the loveliest countries on earth - Malta! A small island off the coast of Italy in the Meditteranean, Malta is a beautiful mix of crystal blue seas, European architecture, winding alleys of restaurants and clubs, and generally very attractive people! Malta pumps at night time and takes it easy during the day, which suits me perfectly. Also the hotel we stayed in was right in the middle of the action, and I can get mega cheap rooms for myself and anyone I know, so if you want an amazing holiday, give me a call.

The crew was great which always helps. Jane was on my trip to Paris and came to Euro Disney with me, and we were stoked to be on this trip together again. On the second day we went on a chartered boat out to the nearby islands of Gozo and Comino and swam in the sea, enjoyed a seafood lunch, all the alcohol we could muster and got way too sunburnt.

On both nights we went out to dinner and to say the atmosphere was romantic would be a slight understatement. As you can see from the pictures below, the main restaurant area was down by the harbour with hundreds of small boats and lights everywhere, it was truly stunning and I can't wait to go back! (Although I know crew who have been bidding for Malta flights for over 3 years and never got it, so I count myself very lucky.)

Since I can't really choose, I'm going to put pretty much all my photos up for you to check out.

Look forward to hearing from you soon :)



The view from my hotel room...

The view from the pool..



Dinner with the crew at Pepino's at St. Julian's, and with Jane my senior


Waiting on the boat at Valetta Harbour



Cruising towards Gozo Island



Swimming while docked at the Blue Lagoon, Comino




The Blue Lagoon


Dinner at La Terrazo on the final night - isn't it amazing?

Welcome to my world!

I thought I would take you on a tour of my most favouritest part of Dubai - the Jumeirah Madinat. It's a hotel and restaurant complex down on the beach, next to the world famous Burj Al Arab 7-star hotel. They sometimes refer to it as the Beverly Hills of Dubai, it's certainly where all the money is! If these don't make you want to come to Dubai, nothing will!

Jumeirah Madinat
On the deck overlooking the beach and the Burj
The pride of Dubai
Entrance to Wild Wadi Water Park
The Madinat comes alive at night
The Burj at night, lighting up the desert!
Shopping inside the Madinat
The ever-lovely Nicole with me at dinner last night