Mixing with Malay royal in Dubai

It would have been ironic to take a photo of one of the many signs around the Dubai International airport which warned against camera use. Arab countries discourage photography in public places, as they believe it invades privacy. So being a polite Kiwi tourist, as inconspiciously as I could, I took a photo of the ceiling of the airport instead with it’s pretty palm trees and sparkling fairy lights.

 

Before arriving I was expecting to be the only white Western girl in this joint, but was relieved to see that roughly half the airport’s population were Westerners. Armed with bags and bags of duty free, they looked like they weren’t short of a dollar or two.

The duty free shops were amazing. Over the top and outlandish shops sold designer labels, rugs, jewellery, perfume and clothes. I found it mildly amusing, to find all the shops were in a pit. True! The gold-embellished airport is three stories high. The main floor is the middle storey. If you want to see the shops you take a lift or esculator down to the shops on the ground floor, walk to the other side passing all the shops, then take the lift/esculator back up again.

At this point I should tell you, I had 11 hours in this airport. I felt a bit like Tom Hanks in the film “The Terminal”. Unfortunately, jet lag caught up with me the minute I touched down in Dubai. Not a good way to begin 11 hours in an airport with a heavy backpack, a bag of duty free and a shoulder bag. I couldn’t do much but sit myself on a chair, guard my bags and rest my head on my hand to nap.

After my head cleared a little, I headed to a cafe to refuel with water and food. Within the cafe, they were short of tables, but a woman sitting by herself motioned for me to join her. “Hi, thanks so much for letting me sit here” I said nervously. She breaks the ice by asking where I’m heading to. On first appearances, she came across as a down-to-earth, educated Asian woman. By the time I had finished my panini I had found out I was conversing with a Malaysian royal!! It turned out her grandfather’s brother was the first Malay president. I felt honoured to be talking to her, but you would never know she was royal by being so down-to-earth and ’slumming it’ with normal folk. The royal encounter made my 11 hours hanging out in the airport worth it!

 

One night in Bangkok

One night in Bangkok and the world’s your oyster
The bars are temples but the pearls ain’t free
You’ll find a god in every golden cloister
And if you’re lucky then the god’s a she
I can feel an angel sliding up to me

 Ok I lie. It was technically half a night. But let me come back to that.

The flight from Auckland via Sydney on Emirates was a pleasant one. I was impressed with the Boeing 777 plane set up. Us mere economy paupers were treated to our very own entertainment screens perched on the back of the seat in front of us. Through this small touch-screen I could choose from a range of entertainment options to keep myself amused. The selection included a large range of movies, tv shows, music and games. The most interesting highlight though, was to see the pilot’s view of take-off and landing via a well-placed camera. Only downside? If I wasn’t so distracted I would have clocked up more sleep. But let’s just say I’m glad I got to check out Daniel Craig’s exit from water in James Bond: Casino Royale.

The plane finally touched down on Thai soil just after 1am. By this stage I am tired from staying up all night. Nevertheless I am excited- I’m the furtherest away from NZ than I’ve ever been! This is apparent when moving around Suvarnabhumi Airport. Pronounced “Su-Wana-Poom”, the name of the airport means “The Golden Land”. 

 

The Thai people I see and meet here are friendly, helpful and gracious. Their traditional greeting is to place two hands in a prayer formation just under their chin and nod their head. I try to do this back to them but end up looking like a dork due to having a bag of duty free in my hands. Eventually I make my way through the main entrance of the airport just outside the door. Woah. It’s hot. The humidity here is amazing, I’ve never been in a humid environment like this before and it would take me time to get used to. Feeling the need for some cool air-conditioning I catch a shuttle to my hotel: Novotel Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel.

 

Ahhhh yes. The airport hotel. This is luxury, pure bliss. And what a better way to spend one (half) night in Bangkok? The shuttle pulled up to the hotel entrance just after 2am. I am greeted by four different people before I even make it to my room. The first employee stands at entrance to open the door for you. (Cue traditional Thai greeting). The second employee stands halfway between the entrance and the reception (Cue traditional Thai greeting). Finally! I get to the reception and check in. Next, I am off to my room and I am greeted by yet another employee at the lift (Cue traditional Thai greeting).

By the time I reach my room door I am shattered and ready for a night of luxurious sleep. I open my room and suddenly the tiredness dissipates and I’m excited by the sheer beauty of my room. Before me lay a king-sized deluxe bed.

 

All this luxury is making me so relaxed, it’s time for bed. Rangs has wasted no time.

 

I set the alarm for 7:30am and fall asleep around 2:30am. The alarm proved unnecessary in the end, as I was up by 6:30am. Time for breakfast in the hotel’s restaurant.

Back at my room, I’m all packed ready to head back to the airport for my flight from Bangkok to Dubai. 

One night in Bangkok and the world was my oyster. The pearl here for me was this luxurious hotel but it ain’t free. I’m aware that Thailand has extreme poverty. I would like to come back to experience the real Thailand, greet more friendly Thai people and see some beautiful historical buildings and artefacts. But for now, my half a night in Bangkok shall be a taste and I’ll be back for a full night, and more, in the future.