Round The World and other travels

A frequent flyer's collection of trip diaries

This is: Tasmanian Devils (2010)

To the Middle East

I took my final breakfast in the hotel dining room rather earlier than I would have liked. Having failed to contact Avis the previous day, I didn't want to risk incurring extra charges and was therefore resigned to the prospect of returning to Malpensa as though my flight details had never been changed. I checked out, loaded up the car and set off in the direction of Milan, the rather grey conditions contrasting with the previous two days. It was a trouble-free drive, except that I exited the motorway prematurely on first seeing the word 'Malpensa',  not realising that the recommended route for the airport still lay ahead. No need to panic, though - I simply drove along and within five minutes picked up the trail again by spotting a little plane logo in a mass of local signs.

Soon enough, the shiny little Punta had been returned and I was wandering around the terminal to find a quiet corner in which to sit until check-in opened for my afternoon flight. My search proved to be successful and I was able to spend a good couple of hours or more making progress with the first section of this diary. I was impressed by the number of long-haul carriers represented on the tarmac below, with an especially strong contingent from Asia.

 

Eventually I had something to eat before checking in, going airside and re-positioning myself into the Emirates lounge, where I once more made myself busy on my laptop. With about an hour to go, I finally set off for the gate and didn't have long to wait there before boarding got underway.

(Link to flight log in side panel)

The in-transit experience at Dubai was relatively painless, with an easy passage through Security. Although I'd previously listened to first-hand accounts of DXB in the 'wee small hours', I was amazed at the teeming mass of humanity that was present in the airport. Any UK airport - even Heathrow - would be near-deserted at such an hour. I was glad to be able to make a beeline for the Emirates Business Class lounge.