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jbalonso777 · Last edited by jbalonso777 on Tue Dec 04, 2012 11:28 am; edited 1 time in total

Link to previous TR: http://airlinersindia.s4.bizhat.com/viewtopic.php?p=116139#116139

Welcome to the last and final part of this TR!
In this part, more from UAE, EK-348 DXB-CMB and the final verdict.

So here we were in the final 2 days of our holiday. Mum's friend left one day before us, as didn't extend her ticket. This was surprisingly, operated by an Airbus A343, completing 4 different aircraft for her..
But anyways, here are pictures from UAE..

The Dubai Metro..and also note the flowers below!

Abu Dhabi International...

And a graceful 77W departure!

The Rainbow Sheikh's museum..

See Jeremy Clarkson's review of this on youtube!

Planes are stalking me for sure!

What if this just Transformed? Like Bumblebee?!

Yup, definitely stalked by planes..

Yes, on that island where Metallica rocked a few months ago. On that island where Fernando Alonso, quite embarrassingly, lost the World Championship Sad

Dino! Except that its white in colour!

They have left that gap open, for Fernando Alonso! Very Happy

Spectacular, yes. But not as big as a collection as compared to Cape Town!

Dubai Fountain...

I had my last steak there, and it still remains the last one, as of today.

So that ends our holiday. Time for the final flight, EK-348 to Colombo and Singapore...
There's a few obvious things, which complete the Dubai experience, those are:
The Desert Safari...
The top of Burj Khalifa..
Shopping...
And honestly,
flights on Emirates.
Back in 2009, we were planning a trip to Dubai, on Jet Airways. I simply wasn't feeling the 'effect' that everyone feels before going to Dubai. But this time, I felt it ever since boarding flight EK-349!
The list goes on, but the EK flight really matters, true!

PRE-BOARDING STUFF
It's not that I'm lazy or anything, but there is nothing 'eventful' for me to mention throughout the journey. The only thing I noticed, was the brand new 'Hello Tomorrow' advertising everywhere! Only thing was that, despite the tickets saying 'Colombo' the check in agent asked if we where going to Singapore. Well, it happens. Let the pictures do the talking:

After the horror while entering Dubai, we didn't take any chances, so we were in early.

Duty free was full as usual, being the departure level in the airport. So a lot of stuff we bought here.

So we had to wait for nearly 45 minutes. Like I mentioned, Dubai T3 is a hopeless place for photography, so I was bored. Instead, I bought an Emirates Boeing 777-300ER model for myself!
Then, the sunshine broke in..

BOARDING
Zone wise boarding was announced about 1hr15min before departure time, but everyone crowded in. Sitting towards the front of economy, I had to be one of the last ones to board.

A6-EMR was the bird taking the flight to Singapore, and returning just under 24 hours later.

If only I had this view on the CPT flight...oh wait, I had a better view then! Very Happy

So I took my seat, and then followed me an elderly Sri Lankan couple. There was nothing to interesting here either, just a wait before departure, thats all.

ECR and EMR. Is EGR somewhere close? No, its in Seattle Smile

UNEVENTFUL, BUT STILL A BRILLIANT FINISH: EK-348 DUBAI-COLOMBO 21ST APRIL 2012
Airline: Emirates (EK/UAE)
Aircraft: A6-EMR, Boeing 777-31H
Departure time, scheduled: 0745, actual: 0756 hours
Arrival time, scheduled: 1330, actual: 1332 hours
Seat: 19A
Loads: just about 65% (Emirates!!)

Copyrighted from website, owner..

Cold towels were distributed:

Wow! I'm glad 19A was the first port side Economy seat available! Or else it would have been a massive, massive error!

As we waited for clearence, Dad called up saying loads were really low, so he managed to get 4 seats for himself to sleep! I also said that there weren't any passengers boarding. Once this was done, I watched Mission Impossible 4.

We're off then Sad

DEPARTURE
The Rolls Royce silence Sad

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFUvZkFBwhE

Oh My God! Bravo Juliet! Your'e fine now!! Very Happy

The aircraft I've Captained so many times! Razz

I hate you! Evil or Very Mad

A Dubai shot Smile

I don't care how close you are to me, I'm not flying on you in the near future. Especially on Emirates!

A feast for the eyes!

Taxiing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YwP6pL3tViY

GO AWAY!

Italia!

Taxiing onto the active: VIDEO!!!

Italia is off....VIDEO NOW!!

I didn't sit in front of the engine, but still, sounds were awesome Smile

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1SRCT_ecgo

After a short but powerful take off, it was back to Colombo then...
We quickly reached our cruising height of 35000 feet.

He stands tall...

Good bye, Dubai Sad

Blue skies..

That's the first time I've seen such a message, on any of the EK flights!

South Indian breakfast, with Pepsi! I loved the chicken!

Convenient!

What is this symbol? Anyone know? Confused

PLEASE! Let the hold catch fire! Let engine fall off! Someone have a stroke! Just divert us to Mumbai!!!

R.I.P and my condolences Sad

They didn't take it in because of them not being opened..

Oh, not bad! Very Happy

Over India....

Firmly over India! Very Happy

And descent begins..

NOO!

The island of Sri Lanka....

Approach: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9znLyN-cuWI
Landing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GR3vXwobl8

My first day light arrival in Sri Lanka Smile

That's the reason for our wait...
A bit of taxiing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7fvsS9YHbw

Dialog, that phone company...oh I'm back home Sad

This A320 was off to Delhi...

26 hours of Emirates and the Boeing 777-300 comes down to this then. A wait, which started just under 5 years ago has finally happened, just a little patience, thats all. Fantastic!

Arrivals..

Massive difference!

Entirely UL's fault! Very, very bad!

THAT FREAKING HEAT! Even Dubai wasn't this warm!

Ah, no better gift to finish this!

And, now, people, that brings me to an end with this TR. I hope you enjoyed going through the entire series, going through what I went through Smile

This surely was hectic, as I came back home that afternoon, just to fall asleep till the next day! Well, I had asked Dad to take us out on a holiday out of the continent, and on a Boeing 777, and he did both. I shall not ask for anymore. If he decides anywhere, I'll be fine with it, even is its Sunderbans in Bangladesh!

And now, the verdict.
Emirates has impressed me immensely, and probably spoilt me for future flights. The Cape Town flight showed simply why Emirates should be in the Top 5 airlines in world, not in 8th place. Will I fly this airline ever again? Definately. And just in case if its New York, I'm going on the Boeing 777-300ER!
But anyways, a holiday to Maldives or the Formula One race is Singapore is on the cards. If I go to the Maldives, I'd rather fly SriLankan Airlines, because they have day time flights on the A343 and A332. Or better, China Eastern Airlines, even if its on a Boeing 737!

On the other hand, Singapore. I won't mind going there in Emirates because in a matter of few days, Emirates is increasing capacity on the DXB-CMB-SIN route, by deploying a 2 class B77W, replacing the old 3 class B773. This will give me a chance sit in front of the GE-90 beast! But, there are 2 airlines who are rated 5 Stars my SkyTrax operate on this route: Singapore Airlines and Cathay Pacific. They don't have their best IFE product (neither seating) on this route, but even Emirates is the same story. I did a check on the fares, and its only 13000 Indian Rupees return on the Emirates and Cathay Pacific flight! Incredibly cheap! But, I'd take Cathay because its a new airline for me. But like I mentioned before, its up to Dad for taking us on a small trip like that, or one final biggie before retirement.
Future is unknown, but there will be something good, sometime or the other for sure. This concludes my first ultra long TR.

In the next TR: I'm back home, India!!!
But before that, I'm diverting away to the aviation photography section, to put all the pictures of my spotting up on the forum.
See you there!
Regards
Jbalonso777

Link to next TR: http://airlinersindia.s4.bizhat.com/viewtopic.php?t=12549
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http://www.youtube.com/c/JishnuBasu777

sumantra · Member Joined: 28 Oct 2007 Posts: 4685 Location: New Delhi

Very nice, Jishnu. I specifically liked the tirade against the 380 during course of this 5-part report Smile

You have raised our expectations of two nice trips ahead of you - we look forward to those, and many more!
Cheers, Sumantra.

me111993 · Member Joined: 04 Sep 2009 Posts: 3225 Location: MAA/AMD

Boss, firstly let me complement you for writing a fantastic set of 5 TR's, you've brilliantly covered all facets of your flights and trips!

You got EGD on your outbound flight to CPT, this is a very new 77W, and quite frankly, even with the 3-4-3 the newer 77W's on EK are fantastic!

As much as you awe about the IFE on board, do remember, from EGP onwards, they have a digital HD ICE version, with even bigger screens and a 1080pi resolution. That would just be mind-blowing.

It just goes on to say that, if you have a good hard product, everything else becomes secondary.

You'd have definitely felt the differences between EBJ and EGD, and i'm sure the 'woman' beside you on EBJ would've made your flight merrier. Razz

I did too, only that recently, I had my dad sitting beside me on EBB on DXB-LHR, so even without a properly functioning IFE, I had company, and on my way back, I had ECQ with a gorgeous Aussie girl beside me, more company. Smile

As for the A380 hatred, dude take it from me, the people who've travelled on that plane come out being nothing but awestruck, even the routine regular flyers!

Pics and video's have come out great too!

The Kualala flight is surely one you'd remember, simply because of the exotic-ness of the airline and the route you flew it on.

Finally, you'll have to share with me what on earth have you been smoking to have the power/patience to write 5 long TR's in such a short span of time! I could use some antilazy medicine here! Smile

Cheers, and looking forward to many more!
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Causal Determinism : We are hardwired to need answers. The Caveman who heard a rustle in the bushes and checked out to see what it was, lived longer than the guy, who assumed it was just a breeze.

- Greg House

Nimish · Posted: Wed Aug 15, 2012 7:42 pm Post subject:

AMAZING series of TRs - I've enjoyed them immensely! Thanks a lot for taking the time and effort to put them together.

That sign is probably the direction of Mecca/ Kaaba - devout muslims turn in that direction for their daily prayers.
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We miss you Nalini!

sumantra · Member Joined: 28 Oct 2007 Posts: 4685 Location: New Delhi

jbalonso777 · Posted: Sat Sep 01, 2012 1:09 pm Post subject: