Friday, A Short Flight and a Quiet Room

Please click the photo above to play the daily videoThe day began where the previous one had left off — one more ward round, one more morning clinic, the last outstanding threads of the week gathered up and tied off before I could allow myself to think about being anywhere else. Handover done properly, patient sorted, nothing left dangling for whoever picked up after me. There's a particular relief in leaving things tidy behind you, the sort that lets you actually enjoy the leaving.

From there, straight to the airport, driving myself rather than being driven, which always changes the character of a departure slightly — less ceremony, more errand. Lunch was had at the lounge, unhurried in the way airport lounges manage to feel even when the rest of the terminal is anything but, a small pocket of calm before the business of flying.

The flight itself was smooth, no complaints, the kind of short hop that barely gives you time to settle before it's asking you to prepare for landing. Midflight, satay appeared, which felt like a small and unexpected kindness — proper satay, not the sort of apologetic snack one braces for on a domestic route. I wasn't expecting much and got rather more than that, which is always the better way round.

Checked into the Renai Hotel on arrival, into a square suite that had the particular tidiness of a room built more for function than flourish — nothing wrong with that, especially after a day already full enough of its own texture. There's something quietly appealing about a hotel room with clean lines and no pretensions, a blank enough canvas that you can simply exist in it without it asking anything of you.

I'd thought, briefly, about heading out — Kota Bharu has its own particular evening rhythm, and there's always some pull towards seeing a place rather than just passing through it. But the day had been long enough in its own right, ward round to clinic to drive to flight to check-in, and the idea of putting on real shoes again lost out fairly quickly to the idea of not. Ordered in instead, ate without ceremony, and let the evening close itself down at its own pace.

No regrets about staying in. Some trips are made for exploring, and some are simply made for getting somewhere, doing what needs doing, and getting some proper rest in between. This one, at least tonight, was firmly the latter. Early night, then — tomorrow will ask its own questions, and I'd rather meet them having actually slept than having merely wandered a strange city on principle.

For now, square suite, quiet room, and the particular contentment of a day that went exactly as long as it needed to and no longer

A Quick Stop

It took about 15 minutes before the counter could issue a boarding pass for me. The problem? My first name was too long. Hopefully that was not a bad omen. It was soon sorted out when the supervisor arrived to verify things. Boarding pass issued, and off I went to the terminal floor. The shops were just about to be opened then. It was just after 6 in the morning local time after all. Around 2 back home.

A quick phone call to Anita. She had just arrived at Cameron Highlands - a trip planned for the boys, plus her mother. She was about to check in there. They got lost a couple of times, but managed to sort the directions out in the end. The children were behaving themselves I hope.

I was skipping breakfast since I had one earlier on the plane. I'll probably take another nap on the Trans-Atlantic flight. I'll give Anita a ring again before I board. Hopefully, there won't be much issue at the immigrations. I really could do with a nice shower now.

More on my Atlanta trip here.

First Leg Done

Just arrived at Terminal 4 at Heathrow, got myself organise just to find out that the counter for my connecting flight was yet to be opened. Cold outside. Minus 3 degrees, but was not exposed to the elements inside the terminal. The flight in was comfortable, although the turbulence and air pocket woke me up a couple of times. Managed to catch a couple of movies and around 4-5 hours of sleep.

Certainly A380 lived up to the comfort level, but I would blog about that a bit later. Time to get something to drink, wait for the counter to open. Retrieve my boarding pass, and then wait for the next leg of my journey. I'll probably browse for a book or two while waiting. Will blog later.

More on my Atlanta trip here.

Checked In

So, I arrived early, checked in and off I went to sit at the lounge. The flight was just before midnight and it was just after ten now. Anita prepared a heavy dinner for me earlier, so I wasn't exactly hungry. I had a cup of hot chocolate, settled into the seat and enjoyed the free internet.

I managed to check in my luggage straight to Atlanta but upon arrival at Heathrow, I had to get another boarding pass before the next flight. Praying that there won't be any delay hopefully as I was sure in would be right tired then. I wasn't planning to get much sleep for the flight into Heathrow. I would leave that for the Trans-Atlantic leg.

Maybe, I would force myself to watch a movie or two. After all, it would be my first experience onboard an A380. I got the upper deck seat, and requested for an aisle one rather than a window. In was a night flight. I'll go for the window one for the return leg when it would be during sunlight.

The lounge was recently renovated, but I did not see any changes since the latest time I've been in. Food was OK, but being full, I didn't have much. Maybe I have something light after the take off. I didn't recognise anybody else on the flight so far, so I reckon most of the other Malaysian delegates did the sensible thing and took the flight via Seoul. I liked to be difference. So, London, here I come. Even if it was only for a few hours.

More on my Atlanta trip here.