Back from Swiss/Istanbul trip into Ramadan.

Hi guys, sorry for not updating the blog frequent enough. Someone has complained already.. hee.

We touched down from Swiss/Istanbul to Doha on 3 Sep 1am. Had 3 hrs of sleep and zoomed straight to work at 3 Sep 6am. siong hor.. My wife said that I have to avoid this type of arrangement at all cost in future.. hee. no choice lah - the peak season is right before the start of Ramadan (1 Sep). Everyone (Arabs) is rushing back to go through Ramadan with their families. As such, air tickets are much cheaper right after the start of Ramadan.

Turkish Airlines

Talking about flying back, my advice to you is to avoid Turkish Airlines at all cost if possible. It is not very good. why?
1. did not get their manifest right when departing from Doha to Istanbul. As the flight came from Bahrain before that, some passengers departed the flight which remain unaccounted for to Doha airport crew. as a result, the flight is not allowed to depart on time. Everyone has to surrender their air ticket stubs for the crew to match and find out who is missing!

By the time we departed, the flight has to make a pre-arranged technical stopover in Bahrain again. We reached Istanbul just in time for our connecting flight to Zurich. We made it, but our luggages did not!

So, we have to make a report in Zurich. First time in my life tho. Going to make a claim on the travel insurance now.. btw, the luggages arrived the next day (1st one) and the following day (2nd one). Luckily we stayed in Zurich for 2 nights. If not, the luggages will be trying to catch up with us..

2. no individual inflight entertainment. ok.. still can bear with it. but no movie shown throughout 3 out of 4 flights - only some ads i think. Luckily, they redeemed themselves on the last flight with the latest installment of Indiana Jones.

3. bad service from the stewardesses..
Stewardess : "Chicken or Pasta?"
Karen : "What is in the Pasta? Cream sauce or Tomato?"
Stewardess : "I dun know. Chicken or Pasta?"
Karen : $%@&^&%$#&*%^*&^#$...

ha, no lah. my wife did not curse her. Just have to answer Chicken or Pasta..

4. Somehow, flights get delayed and made longer..On the last flight to Doha, the flight has to circle round Doha airport due to high traffic in Doha airport.. delayed for 1 hr. can see that some passengers were quite anxious for the landing.. When the plane finally landed, a number of passengers cheered and clapped hands..

Switzerland and Istanbul trip

Of course, one has requested for the photos of the swiss trip. My wife is arranging and selecting them now.. During the trip, I thought of a few ways to highlight our trip experience to you guys. of course, there will be the photos. But, I thought of a few themes which i will be rolling out one at a time. so, keep watch ok?

Ramadan has started

Well, I am not sure about Singapore side. But Ramadan has started here - targeted from 1 Sep till 30 Sep. The dates are never fixed in advance. Over here, it is based on the sightings of the moon. So, the end of Ramadan is targeted on 30 Sep so far. During Ramadan, there are a few lifestyle changes:
1. No food and water will be sold in all outlets (except hotels) from sunrise (abt 3am plus) to sunset (abt 5.50pm). So, we have to settle our own bf and lunches at home. My wife has been doing a good job in these preparations.. Thanks Dear..
2. Most of the services opened in the am, but close in the pm (right after 1pm). Quite boring tho. However, they will open again in the eve (about 7pm after break fast till as late as 12am or 1am for some).
You will see the crowds and traffic in the evenings. Most people who are fasting, will probably choose to sleep in the pm..
3. All are not just bad. Work hrs are changed also - for me, it is now 9am till 2pm. for my wife, it is 8am till 2pm. The reduction in hrs allowed people who fast to come to work later as most of their activities are done in the evening. at times, way into the early ams.
4. At the end of Ramadan, there will be a 3-5 days eid holidays. Good to go for another short trip..

So, if you have a choice, will you want to go through Ramadan here? : )
cheers.