Business Class Promotion Course

I have just graduated from a week of training to prepare me for life in the Business Class cabin. I had a really good group and we had so much fun training together. I hope I get to fly with some of them for real!
A few of my coursemates with one of our trainers. L-R Mohamed (Egypt), Ashwini (India), Ilian (Bulgaria), Our trainer Ujala (Ireland), Lavina (India) and me.
Me trying to look like a professional on the Dessert, Cheese, Fruit and Beverage service trolley.

Ashwini and Neeta (India) practise on the dessert trolly while Mohamed, Svitlana (Russia) and our other trainer Wolfram (Germany) pretend to be passengers.
Everyone on the bus to our graduation ceremony.
Being presented with my certificate.
Business Class Promotion Courses 18 & 19 of 2008.

Me with the Aviation College sign after graduation.

March 08 Roster (Updated 12/03)

My roster for March:

02MAR DUBAI - PERTH (ARR 03MAR)
04MAR PERTH - DUBAI
06MAR DUBAI - DAMASCUS (SYRIA) -DUBAI
09MAR DUBAI - MUMBAI - DUBAI
11MAR DUBAI - LONDON HEATHROW - DUBAI
12MAR LONDON HEATHROW - DUBAI (ARR 13MAR)
15MAR DUBAI - BEIJING
16MAR BEIJING - DUBAI (ARR 17MAR)
20MAR DUBAI - LONDON HEATHROW
21MAR LONDON HEATHROW - DUBAI (ARR 22MAR)
25MAR DUBAI - MAURITIUS / MAURITIUS - DUBAI (ARR 26MAR)
28MAR LEAVE
29MAR LEAVE
30MAR LEAVE
31MAR LEAVE

Doha Day Trip

I checked rosters and found that Justine and I both had the same day off so decided it was time we started to discover some of the other cities in the Middle East. Our first day trip was Doha and after booking our standby tickets for 210 Dirhams (around £29 or $63 Australian) we were on our way. When we got to check-in the agent asked us our destination. When we said Doha she just started laughing. "There's nothing there" she said. "Do you not want to go to Muscat instead?". Justine looked at me funny but I said "No. We planned on Doha so that's where we'll go" (I so hoped that it would be a good day!). It turned out to be fantastic. :-) We just laughed and had fun all day. I can't wait for our next day trip!
Justine on the travellator at Dubai airport.
It was great to see that other airlines deal with the same problems we do.
We travelled on Qatar Airways to Doha. It's nice to fly on another airline for a change.
Doha city viewed from the other end of the Corniche.
Justine outside the restaurant on the seafront where we stopped for a drink (She wasn't saluting, it's just very bright!).

At one point walking round the city I decided that left would be the best way to turn. It wasn't. We ended up in the middle of a building site!
Having Italian for lunch in the City Centre mall.
We asked a taxi driver to drop us off at the market and he stopped here!
We did find the Souk eventually though.
Me trying not to look too much like a tourist.

The shopkeepers were so friendly!
Justine enjoying our afternoon stop for Moroccan tea and cake.
Qatar Riyals look so much nicer than UAE Dirhams.
A view of the market as we were leaving at dusk.
Justine having a Whiskey and Coke and getting slightly tipsy on the flight back to Dubai.

Seoul Searching

As I have my promotion course this month the crew scheduling department have decided to give me a whole month of Business Class flying. My first flight was to South Korea and I had a fantastic crew too. On the night of our arrival into Seoul we discovered Korean BBQ. The food looked a little dodgy but once we started eating we all agreed that it tasted great. After that we headed back to the hotel to get some well deserved sleep. The next morning it was up bright and early to start discovering the massive city that is South Korea's capital. We decided to take the bus tour which first involved catching the subway train to the bus station. After we'd negotiated our way round the maze of different coloured lines we finally arrived at City Hall station and the tour could begin! It took us to all the big sights including the South Korea National Museum, a traditional Korean village and Seoul Tower. We also managed to grab a quick lunch on the way too. After a few hours it was time to find our way back to the hotel and rest before the long flight home.
I took this photo as we were flying somewhere over Siberia. The view was amazing but it's times like this that you really hope you don't have to land anywhere quickly!
A busy night on the Seoul streets.
Korean BBQ being cooked at our table.
The view from my window in the morning.

On the platform to catch the train to City Hall.
The trains are very busy but also clean and quiet.
Karen (Malta) and Jessica (Australia) on the train.
The Seoul Tower is on the top of a big hill in the middle of the city.
The city is massive! It just goes on as far as you can see.

Jessica, Me and Karen at the entrance of the traditional Korean village.
One of the many palaces in Seoul.
The guards outside the palace.
I wouldn't mess with these guys!
We were lucky enough to see the Changing of the Guard ceremony while at the palace.