Following my work trips in 2022 and 2023, I was given the opportunity to travel to India again this year. :) It was a hectic trip hopping through 3 cities - Kolkata, Bangalore, and Delhi in 3 weeks. Even though this trip was much shorter than the last 2 trips, I am still thankful for the opportunity to return again.
One week after returning from Kenya, it was time to jet off again for my work trip. Thanks hubby for dropping me off at the airport...see ya again in a month!
Flight #1: 2 hours (5.04pm - 7.12pm) from Huntsville to Dallas on American Airlines.
Hung out at the AA Flagship lounge for my 3.5 hours transit in Dallas
Flight #2: 15 hours (10.55pm - 9.45pm) from Dallas to Doha on Qatar. I usually prefer to board last but not this time. =)
This was my 6th flight on 'anti-social' Qsuite and it's amazing as always. So grateful for the opportunity to travel in one of the best business class. =)
Since we departed around 11pm US time, I decided to sleep first and requested for my meal to be served later and asked the cabin crew to help to set up my seat with the sleeping pad.
Ordered the herb-crusted tuna & seared scallop and seared chilean sea bass for my first meal, and the classic Arabic mezze (without pita bread as it was out) and Vienamese style Pho for my 2nd meal. I woke up not feeling great (probably because I had too much champagne before I went to bed...lol) so I couldn't finish my first meal.
Landed Doha at 9pm and had to take the bus to the terminal. This was my first time taking the 'business class' bus.
After getting off the 15 hour flight, I spent my 5 hour transit at the Al Mourjan Garden Business Lounge.
Had some food, did some work, and took a shower.
Flight #3: 8 hours (2.40am - 3.45pm) from Doha to Singapore on Qatar...'business class' bus again.
Glad to receive the nice Diptyque amenity pouch (instead of just a box).
Didn't sleep much on this 8 hour flight.
Ordered the Chicken Katsu with steamed rice for my 1st meal, and King crab congee for my 2nd meal.
Arrived Changi airport at 3.45pm and had a 5-hours transit before my next flight. My next flight was on a different ticket on Singapore Airlines so I had to go through immigration (super efficient), lugged all mmy bags from T1 to T3 which was quite a workout, and rechecked my bags for my next flight. Bougie part of my flight is done, back to economy for the final leg.
Wanted to go to the Sats Premier lounge but it was full so went to the other Priority Pass lounge - Marhaba lounge in T3 for a light dinner.
Flight #4: 4 hours (8.40pm - 10.15pm) from Singapore to Kolkata on Singapore Airlines. Watched 钱不够用 3 and 好好说再见 (both Singapore movies). I was 1 of the 3 non-Indians on this full flight...lol!
Finally landed at Kolkata airport at 10pm after traveling for 44 hours...phew!! Tapas, the hotel driver from JW Marriott Kolkata was already waiting for me. It was good to be back to this familiar place again after more than a year and to be welcomed by a familiar face (I met Tapas last trip).
I'm a creature of habit so it was good to be back ina (my '3rd home' again. Much shorter trip this time but still very thankful for the opportunity to return for the 3rd time. Everything felt familiar but a lil' bummed that many familiar faces have left the hotel. Nevertheless, I'm grateful that the few familiar faces in the hotel still remembers me and I was greeted with a lot of 'welcome back'. =)
13-22 Sept 2024; 1-5 Oct 2024: Weeks 1 & 3 in Kolkata
Day-in-my-life during my a work trip...
7am: Light cardio (elliptical), weights and stretching at the 2nd floor hotel gym
7.45am: Breakfast at the Executive Lounge or JW Kitchen. I prefer to go up to the lounge on the 23rd floor as it's empty in the morning. I don't always eat breakfast so I usually have something light.
8.15am: Back to the room to shower and get ready. I usually work in my pyjamas these days so these were one of the few rare times I put on my Uniqlo work outfit...lol!
9am: Depart to the office with my co-worker in the hotel van. It usually takes about 25-30 minutes to get to our office at South City Pinnacle building.
10.30am & 1.30pm: Morning and afternoon upskilling sessions
12.30pm: Lunch was either ordered in from Swiggey/Zomato, at the hotel, or team lunch with at restaurant near to the office.
4.30pm: Connectivity events with co-workers
5.00pm: Picked up from the office by the hotel shuttle
6.00pm: Tea/coffee at the hotel lounge before '2nd shift' begins
7.30pm: Dinner at the Executive Lounge...US shift begins.
8.30pm: Happy Hour with co-workers
Weekend hotel hop to Westin Kolkata and met up with ex co-worker for dinner.
So glad I had the chance to meet up and catch up with Saiyam and Saakshi this time around. I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to work with good people like them.
当一位即将离职的同事，愿意一大早六点坐四个小时的火车，然后隔天又一大早五点坐四个小时的火车回家，就纯粹为了来见我，我知道我是个非常幸运的人。虽然我们在一起工作才短短的五个月，我很感恩能和这么认真，这么努力，这么好的同事一起工作。另一位男同事也曾经和我一起工作，去年转到了另外一个团队，但每一次我到印度他都很热心的协助我。虽然已经一年多没一起工作，但他还是非常热心地帮了我很大的（快递）忙，也邀请我们到他家拜访。
22-27 Sept 2024: Week 2 in Bangalore
After wrapping up week 1 in Kolkata, it was time to hop on to Bangalore. Visited the domestic lounge in Kolkata with my Priority Pass, which was meh.
Took a short 2.5 hours flight from Kolkata to Bangalore on Air India
Arrived Bangalore airport at 6.30pm. This was my first time in Bangalore airport's new terminal and I was impressed.
The hotel driver picked me up from the airport and thankfully traffic wasn't bad on Sunday evening.
Made it to Renaissance Bengalure Race Course Hotel at 8pm. This was my 2nd time staying here.
Made it to the hotel in time for the Happy Hour/dinner at the club lounge from 5.30pm - 8.30pm.
Ready to conduct another week of training in Bangalore.
8.00am Buffet breakfast at the hotel restaurant. Notice my consistency...lol!
8.45am: Depart to the office with the pre-arranged vehicle and arrive at the office at 9.40am.
10.30am & 1.30pm: Morning & afternoon upskilling sessions
12.30pm: Ordered in lunch
3.00pm: Spoke at the Townhall
4.45pm: Leave the office and headed back to the hotel for dinner
6:00pm: Dinner at The Leela Palace on our last day in Bangalore
27 Sept - 1 Oct 2024: Week 3 in Delhi; Visiting Taj Mahal with Mom
Wrapped up another busy week at Bangalore and it was time to hop on to the next city - Delhi. It was my first time in Bangalore Airport T2 and the new terminal is beautiful.
Visited the Air India lounge thanks to the boss's Star Alliance Gold status.
Got to fly on Air India's new Airbus A350 Premium Economy for this 2.5 hours flight.
Arrived New Delhi at 10pm and met up with mom who just flew in from KL on Airasia. We had planned to arrive around the same time.
Stayed 4 nights at the JW Marriott Hotel New Delhi Aerocity.
I was able to use my Marriott Nightly Upgrade Awards for the complimentary suite upgrade.
After Kolkata last year, I am glad mom was able to join me in New Delhi this time around!
Facilities in the hotel that I didn't get a chance to use at all.
Complimentary buffet breakfast at K3 restaurant in the hotel.
Went to the Executive Lounge for dinner/happy hour. Thanks to Neha for coming all the way to my hotel to meet up! So glad to see her in person after working together for 2 years. =)
29 Sept 2024: The boss wanted to visit Taj Mahal and since mom also hasn't been there, we decided to hire a car and guide for the day to visit Taj Mahal together.
Left the hotel at 5am and started our 3.5 hours journey to Agra. We wanted to start the day earlier before it got too hot and to avoid crowds.
It started drizzling as soon as we arrived Agra but thankfully the rain stopped when we arrived Taj Mahal at 9am after a quick coffee stop at Radisson hotel in Agra.
Certainly did not expect to revisit Taj Mahal but here I am again for the 2nd time within 2 years.
As always, Taj Mahal is filled with people. This is arleady considered less crowded.
Spent 2.5 hours visiting with our guide, Subhash, who also helped us take a bunch of photos.
So glad the weather cleared up and we had beautiful blue skies for photos.
The entrance was very crowded when we left at 11am. So glad we went earlier.
Had lunch at Pinch of Spice in Agra after visiting Taj Mahal
Quick stop at a marble shop before we started our journey back to Delhi.
Japanese dinner with mom and the boss at Adrift Kaya restaurant at the hotel before sending mom off to the airport.
Time to send mom off to the airport to fly back to Malaysia. This was a short trip for mom but glad she got to visit another 7 wonders of the world on this trip!
Delhi was a short 2-day visit. Met our team members who are based out of Delhi for connectivity and upskilling sessions in the Gurgaon office.
1-5 Oct 2024: Delhi to Kolkata
After spending the weekend and 2 days meeting eam members in Delhi, it was time to return to Kolkata for our final stop on this trip. Flew Vistara for this short 2-hour flight and arrived at 6.20pm.
After 2 full weeks of teaching training sessions and 1.5 weeks of 'chaperoning' the Partner around India, it was time to wrap up our 3-week whirlwind trip hopping around India. Gave some small appreciation farewell gifts for the hotel staffs for the warm hospitality throughout my stay.
That's a wrap for my 3rd India work trip! I am incredibly thankful for the opportunity to return for the 3rd time. Even though all 3 trips had been for work, it's the people and their warm hospitality that brings me back time and again. People come and go, but I am happy to see all the familiar faces who made this place feel like home. There's an Indian saying, "Atithi Devo Bhava", which means "The Guest is God". While I certainly do not expect to be treated like one, I have always felt genuinely welcomed by co-workers in each ity and the JW Marriott Kolkata hotel staffs. The warmth and generosity I have experienced are unmatched, making every stay a memorable one. I am not sure if or when I'll have the opportunity to return, but I truly hope our paths will cross again. Until then, Shukriya, India, for another fulfilling and memorable trip!
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