East Africa

So an unexpected trip now switches gear to travelling on Emirates Airlines. I chose Emirates not only because it was cheaper than British Airways, but the loyalty programme enhances reasons to do so. That, and the overall expectations of Emirates in itself is something that is worth looking forward to.

Their website has become exceptionally detailed with information of interest to anyone choosing to fly them, or considering their services. It is of particular interest to know that the website can be a little tricky to navigate, however, over time it seems to work well with the information they wish to provide EXCEPT for their booking system online which tends to get tedious should you wish to "change your search criteria". Unlike British Airways and Kenya Airways websites with fare information, Emirates seems restrictive.

Stay tuned - tomorrow's flight experience to Dubai and Dar es Salaam will be posted after arrival. :)

Emirates Logo courtesy of www.emirates.com

The Oft Talked About - My Views of Nando

Sooo... I have heard about this place from so many. From Dubai, to London, Tanzania (pause for this one please), South Africa, and Canada! The raved reviews were just that - good food, great chicken. And it lived up its expectations.

Six of us went for a much anticipated, and delayed, iftar at Nando's today (West Harrow). The ambiance was so beautiful and earthy, it felt like you were whisked away to a North African country. Their menu leaves your mouth watering... er no.. dripping.. at a rate of a faulty faucet.

Everything there, or almost, is chicken of course, but they are known for their sauces that seem to have a kick if you opt for the most spiciest of them all. Overall, I'd rate it a 4 out of 5, which is pretty good in my books!

Like I mentioned before, the atompshere was pleasant - earthen pots decked out around the restaurant, carefully placed. Miniature 'alcoves' making you feel like you belong, and chairs and tables that depict hand crafted elegance sporting a rough look, while the floors seemed they were made out of red clay, layed out to withstand the shuffle of the packed dining halls.

Must visit!

Hold On To Your Seat

I forgot to mention something of utmost importance as well during a flight.

My seat was the last row, window. Usually, that seat/row is almost always empty as passengers prefer leaving the aircraft sooner. Not this time, it turns out someone else had the same brain as I did.

So here I am, sitting next to a real gentleman, BUT, a seat hogger for sure! As polite as he was, the chap didn't leave me with much room to make it as comfortable as it could have been. His right arm overtook my entire left armrest, and then some. His elbow wasn't too far from poking my arms which made me push away more towards the window. Any more nudging, and I'd be hanging on the side of a B747 with the engine thrust, jet stream, and wind pushing me in a horizontal direction as my mouth bubbles open like a pregnant frog.

So I settle down to watch a decent movie, but his underside of the arm kept pushing all sorts of buttons that was related to my screen - ugh! But here's the annoying part.

The last three rows were divided 2-4-2, and we both were on the right side of the '2' seat section. His wife was opposite on the aisle in the 4 section, with THREE, yes THREE empty seats next to her.

Go figure!

UK Immigration

Ok so the flight lands on time, a very smooth landing, but what happens next wasn't so smooth after all.

The immigration control at Heathrow Terminal 4 leaves a lot to be desired. The gentleman I got was a brain dead (rear ended) who probably couldn't tell what hit him. While I had come to visit my relatives for the occasion of Eid, my intent to visit my mother was also apparent with my extended stay since she could not make it to London in November, but in December. So it would have been prudent of me to stay for 2 months as opposed to flying back and forth and spending an extra $600.00 for a flight.

Anyway, so he asks me why I am here, and if I had any money. Sure I did, I told him - $2.00 in my wallet. Then he aks how will I support myself if I had no job - but I told him I had my business for over 4 years, and our family had enough to sustain me, at least my father did. What's it to him? After much questioning, as if I was a damn terrorist, he says I was not allowed to enter the UK again for a 'considerable amount of time'.

He sounded like he was the father of all immigration rules, laws, and constituitions. Who the hell are you to tell me when to visit my relatives & family? And what if I was well off and didn't need to work for the rest of my life? Would that be an automatic bar to the United Kingdom?

British Airways

Another trip to one of my favorite cities: London! This time, I had a choice of taking Air Canada versus British Airways. AC was cheaper by over $100.00, but inflight service is of importance to me so I chose the non stop JFK-LHR on BA. Based on my last flight on AC, I doubt I'd be flying them again anytime soon.

The check-in, security, and boarding went very smooth. While the aircraft was a tad bit outdated (B747), the interior was pleasant and clean. Every seat had their own inflight system, which is of course pretty much standard these days.

Their IFE was much more advanced and had some of the latest movies around - uncomparable to AC.

The food - while the Muslim meal was a tad bit bland, it was interesting. A brunch menu consisted of baked fish with spinach - but the side dish of rice pilaf was BLAH (and overcooked). Again, comparing it to my previous trip in June - it was ahead of the game.

The flight crew were very helpful, polite, courteous. It was overall, a pleasant trip, and one I would always consider taking with British Airways.