After wrapping up my 3-weeks work trip in India, I took a detour home to Malaysia to visit the family before returning to the US. Thankful to be able to travel home again for the 3rd time in 2024 after my last home trip in Apr/May 2024.
5-6 Oct 2024 (Sat-Sun): Kolkata - Singapore - Penang
Departed the hotel at 7.30pm and made it to the airport at 8.25pm. Thanks Bipul for helping with my heavy luggages and Zia for the ride to the airport. The city was lit up in preparation for Durga Puja celebrations. Thankfully, no hiccups at the airport this time around.
Quick stop at the lounge in Kolkata airport before catching my 11.30pm flight.
4 hours red-eye flight from Kolkata - Singapore on SIA Airbus A350-900 that comes with the nicer version of business class on this route.
Had Singapore Sling, smoked turkey wrapped asparagus, braised sea bass in garlic ginger sauce. Not a good idea eating at 2am coz I got only 2 hours of sleep before arriving Singpaore at 6.20am.
Went to the Silverkris lounge for my 3.5 hours transit in Changi. Plenty of time to enjoy all the asian food and Singapore Laksa.
Short 1.5 hours flight from Singapore to Penang at 9.45am. =)
6-13 Oct 2024 (Sun-Sun): 1 week in Penang
Arrived Penang at 11am with my many luggages...lol! Thanks big bro and SIL for picking me up from the airport.
Being home means spending quality time with the family even though this was a short trip. I asked the family not to let grannies know that I was going back so it was fun to surprise them when I visited. Grandma and granduant are in their 90s and 80s. I am thankful they are healthy and doing very well for their age. They are one of the main reasons why I try to travel home and spent more time at home when I'm back.
Got a haircut and also asked grandaunt to help seam my safari shirt. :)
Of course gotta load up on all the food before I leave.
13-14 Oct 2024 (Sun-Mon): Penang - Singapore - Doha - Dallas - Huntsville
Coincidentally, our dear friends had their baby when I was back, so I was able to visit them at the hospital. After a short week at home, it was time to say goodbye and begin my long journey. Thanks to big bro, SIL, and mom for dropping me off at the airport.
I was able to use the Krisflyer Elite Silver counter which had no line, and got lucky the staff didn't say anything about my luggage which were overweight by 5kg (supposed to be 35kg as I was traveling economy). Went to the Plaza Premium Lounge in Penang airport with my Priority Pass.
Flight #1: 1.5 hours from Penang to Singapore at 12pm on Singapore Airlines. See you Penang!
Arrived Changi at 1.40pm with 5 hours to spare before my next flight. My next flight was on a separate ticket so I had to go through immigration, pick up my bags, and re-check in. Found a quiet spot to repack (consolidate) my bags coz the luggage allowance for my next flight is much higher and I didn't wanna lug another carry-on around. Had to lug all my bags from T2 to T1 so it was another round of airport workout. Found out that the shorter/better way to go from T2 to T1 is to take the skytrain from T2-T3, T3-T1...and a bonus is seeing the Jewel waterfall from the train. The Qatar check in counter wasn't opened yet so I waited for about 30 min before I could check in.
Did not know that Qatar had its own lounge in Changi airport T1 so I was glad to be able to check it out this time. I had about 2 hours before my flight, which was just enough to enjoy a good meal, champagne, Singapore Sling, and get a shower.
Ala carte meals in teh lounge. Enjoyed my last bit of Asian food before leaving Asia. The server tried recommending the steak but I told him I wanted Asian food...lol!
Flight #2: 8 hours from Singapore - Doha on Qatar Qsuite at 6.45pm. Slept only about 3 hours and spent the rest of the time editing Kenya videos.
Had scallop, seared tuna with organic herbs, avocado and chili, Lobster with signature shrimp paste fried rice and braised chicken, gourmet ice cream, and steamed bao buns with roasted duck.
Back in Doha airport again for a 3.5 hours transit. Took another shower to refresh before my next long flight, and had some salmon sushi as I wasn't too hungry.
Flight #3: 16.5 hours from Doha - Dallas on Qatar Qsuite. My final bougie flight on this trip so definitely enjoying it to the fullest.
Lucky that they served caviar on this flight so of course I've gotta try it. It was my first time trying caviar so I had no idea the 'right' way of enjoying it. Had the Pan seared black angus beef filet and gourmet ice cream after departure, then slept for a good 10 hours before waking up to edit videos. Had Cauliflower soup and Prawn sorpotel with basmati rice before arrival.
Landed in Dallas at 9.17am, got off the plane at 9.40am, and was through immigration by 9.45am...super efficient Global Entry. Spent the next 7 hours working in the AA Flagship lounge right after getting off the 16 hours flight, and took flight #4...1.5 hours from Dallas to Huntsville on AA.
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