After spending the first four days of 2025 in Norway, we had so far this year been no further abroad, the last two cruises we enjoyed being in and around our own green and pleasant land.
It was therefore with a great sense of excitement and anticipation that we awoke this morning, as this afternoon we were due to fly from Newcastle to Bangkok (via Dubai) to start another wonderful overseas adventure.
Yes! This was one of the rare times when we were not going on a cruise, but rather a land-based escorted tour with Newmarket Holidays, spending a few days in each of three amazing countries; Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. Cambodia would be our 96th country. š
Our flight was not until this afternoon, so after taking Cedric, our cat, along to the luxury cat hotel where we knew he would be in good hands for the next two weeks, we set off in the car for the half-hour ride to Newcastle Airport.
Instead of paying the extortionate airport parking fees, we were using that online facility that allows you to park on someone’s drive or garage space that would otherwise be unused. It’s a great idea, beneficial to both parties. The homeowner makes a few quid from renting their drive space, and we save money.
We found the address and parked the car on the large front drive. Then we booked an Uber taxi to take us to the airport; he arrived within five minutes.
Walking into the large glass-fronted airport terminal, we felt a fresh surge of excitement at our impending adventures. At the same time, however, it was tinged with a little anxiety; I find long-haul flights and their connections a little stressful. Trevor classes the outbound flight as part of the holiday, but I just find the thought of sitting in a tin box five miles above terra firma a little disconcerting, and I always breathe a sigh of relief when the big wheels finally touch down on the runway at your destination. š
We found the Emirates desk, where there was no queue, and were able to check our two suitcases right through to Bangkok. Going through security was a breeze, then our time was our own. We had been given a boarding time of 13:30 hours, so we had a couple of hours to enjoy a beer or two before then. š
We found a seat in the bar which afforded us an unimpeded view of the aircraft taking off and landing, and we each enjoyed a pint of Guinness and shared a bag of crisps. One of life’s most enjoyable pastimes is people-watching, and we were surreptitiously able to examine our fellow travellers, and wonder where they had come from and where they were going. No doubt some of them would be on the same flight as us, and even the same holiday.
Just before 12 noon, we spotted a Boeing 777 aircraft sporting the Emirates livery as it roared in to land, its wheels giving off the familiar puff of smoke as they made contact with the runway. This was the aeroplane that would be taking us out to Dubai. š
After enjoying another cold beer, we indulged in conversation with a pleasant Filipina lady who was on her way to Manila, visiting friends and relatives at home. Then we noticed that the departures board was asking all passengers on Emirates flight EK36 to proceed to Gate 23.
The airport was considerably busier now, so we followed the crowds along to the departure gates, and presented ourselves at number 23, where we were able to board straight away.
We found ourselves at the window seats next to a lady who was ultimately travelling to
Mumbai. The aircraft looked pretty full, but Trevor had the aisle seat which meant that we wouldn’t have to disturb anyone if we needed the loo, or just to stretch our legs.
At 14:15 hours precisely, the 777 was pushed back from the gate and started to trundle towards the runway. Then the engines gained momentum and the aeroplane took to the skies – next stop Dubai in around seven hours time.
The flight was fairly routine and uneventful, which is exactly how you want a flight to be. āŗ Around an hour after takeoff, cabin crew came around with our meal and took our drinks orders; I asked for a Bacardi and Coke and a glass of white wine with my meal. I had a sort of lamb curry which was very tasty; the food on Emirates is usually very good.
There was nothing we wanted to watch on the in-flight entertainment, so we just kept the Sky Map on display so we could watch our progress towards Dubai. I spent the time napping, reading or just doing nothing at all, as the time passed in its slow but inexorable way.
After a while, the cabin crew came around again with ice cream, and we took the chance to order another drink each. Trevor had a brandy and ginger while I just enjoyed a cold Heineken. š
Eventually, the captain’s voice came over the PA to announce that we would be starting our descent in Dubai International Airport. The “fasten seatbelts” sign pinged on, and we watched the number reduce on the altimeter on the sky map. Out of the window we could see a myriad of lights; it looked amazing. The local time was 00:30 hours and, despite the hour, the temperature was a sultry 34Ā°C.
We disembarked the 777 into a blast of desert heat and boarded one of those standing-room only shuttle buses to the airport terminal. Inside, we followed the crowds to the “connections” area of the airport, and once again proceeded through security. I don’t know why we had to go through security again when we had just come from an Emirates aircraft, but there you are.
Our onwards flight to Bangkok was not until 02:50 hours, so we had about an hour before we had to be at the boarding gate. I used the time to enjoy a cup of strong, aromatic Arabic coffee and a bag of cheese and onion crisps, as it seemed to be a long time since we’d eaten!
Despite the hour, Dubai airport was thronging with people, and the background babble of voices was punctuated at regular intervals with the echoey announcements over the Tannoy. When we heard the voice proclaim “Will all passengers for flight EK384 to Hong Kong make your way to the departure gate where the aircraft is now ready for boarding” we shouldered our rucksacks and set off. And so began the second leg of our journey.