Flying with Emirates

Flying with Emirates

Sydney via Bangkok

I had never flown with Emirates but I had heard great things about this airline. We were booked to fly with Emirates and I was curious to see how we’d go travelling with a 7 month baby.

I was apprehensive after checking out the dimensions of the bassinet online. Jaeminkins was 75cm long already but only 8kg so I was thinking the length was going to be a tight fit.

We also have bassinets on board all of our aircraft, measuring approximately 29.5 inches (74.93 cm) long by 13 inches (33.02 cm) wide by 6.5 inches (16.51 cm) deep. There is a weight limit of 11 kgs. In the First Class suites a custom bassinet is fitted that measures 25 inches (63.5 cm) long and 11 inches (28 cm) wide.- Emirates website.

The first leg of the trip, leaving Sydney in the evening at 645pm, there was one stop in Bangkok which we stayed on the flight for and then onwards to Dubai. In total it was a 17 hour flight.

Before takeoff, I was given a seatbelt extension which was to be used for the baby, as Jaeminkins was strapped to me by the Ergo carrier there was no need. The flight attendants also gave us a rat puppet, baby food and a baby pack which included wipes, rattle, and cream. How great is that? For this leg of the trip, I found the staff friendly and accommodating. The flight time was great as it was inline with Jaeminkins' bedtime of 7pm so he had no problems drifting off.

One tip I was given was to take some glu-tak and a muslin. We used the glu-tak to stick on the wall and drape the muslin over the bassinet. This was the best idea ever (thanks Damon!) as there all those lights on the planes and even in sleep mode there are exit lights which was too bright still.

The other tip was to breastfeed whilst taking off to ease the pressure in the ears of the baby. I did this for this for the takeoff and then for all subsequent landing and take off, there was no need as Jaeminkins showed any discomfort.

I shouldn’t worried too much about Jaeminkins not fitting as he slotted in just fine and looking over at the other babies, you saw feet hanging out from the top, a very funny sight.

Only crap thing with the bassinet was once it was up, you couldn’t take out your entertainment system. Probably a good thing as we needed our sleep. Another downer was that we were hemmed in by a South African that had broken his foot. Good times.

James slept for most of the first leg even with the slight turbulence. But once we were close to landing in Bangkok we had to remove Jaeminkins from the bassinet and hence disturb from his deep sleep. Not ideal but it had to be done. At the changeover in Bangkok to Dubai, it was chaos with new staff boarding and cleaning staff frantically trying to clean with us passengers in the way.

Bangkok to Dubai

Now it seemed with new staff, new rules were in place. After taking off, I was rocking Jaeminkins back to sleep and it wasn’t helping that there were 2 other babies beside us that were howling. Even as all the other parents asked for bassinets and I was standing nearby there rocking Jaeminkins, the staff had their blinkers on and walked straight past without offering to put up our bassinet. As I was watching, the staff placed the bassinet into position for the family beside us and then was asking the mother to test it out and to put all her weight into it to make sure she was happy with it. That was something new.

It was only when we buzzed them did they come to our aid and put up the bassinet. I had just managed to place a sleeping Jaeminkins into the bassinet before the seatbelt sign came on and an announcement about some slight turbulence and the staff came to me and asked me to remove Jaeminkins from the bassinet. Now that was the first time I had heard this and I stared daggers at the flight hostess as I complied. I was immensely confused as we were never told this for the first part of our flight.

The seatbelt sign was then on for 2 HOURS and there was no signs of shaky turbulence what so ever. I was not only having to hold a sleeping baby in my lap but also needing to go to the toilet at the same time.

Once we arrived into Dubai in the early hours of 6am, I was looking forward to getting to our hotel and finally being on the ground.

Dubai via Larnaca

Now that I was slightly more prepared with flying with a baby, I thought that it would get easier. We had another early start of 5am and Jaeminkins was asleep in the ergro carrier so that was easy for the first part. The staff for this flight was amazing, they happily amused Jaeminkins, he got his photo taken and as it was a day time flight, he amused himself playing in the bassinet, in the chair or on the floor.

With this plane A330, the bassinet was up higher so we had space and another bonus could use our entertainment system.

Larnaca, Cyprus to Malta

We luckily had the same cabin staff and time flew past.

Palermo via Rome

We had the drama of finding out that our bags weren’t on the same ticket so they wouldn’t get checked through to Sydney and there was nothing we/or the Emirates staff could do. So our option was to as soon as we got to Rome, we had to go through the motions of baggage claim and then getting to the departures terminal to check into the Emirates counter for our connecting flight. It was a tight time frame as we had 1.5hrs to do this.

To add to the stress, our plane was late in boarding and we had to catch a bus to the plane which added more time. Our seats were near the back of the plane so that meant that we needed to wait til the majority of the people got off the plane before we could get off.

Hubby was then adding to my stress running through all these different scenarios if we were to miss our connecting and so I told him to stop as I could see myself stacking it and landing on my tummy and in the process hurt Jaeminkins.

As soon as we got to Rome, it was a race to get to the check-in counter for our next flight. We had to split up so hubby went to get the luggage including oversized luggage of the car seat and travel bag for baby whereas I had to figure out where I needed to go. We were in Terminal 2 collecting bags and our departure tickets were saying that we needed to get to Terminal C. Talk about terminal confusion.

So I went looking for Terminal 3 so I assumed that it was same as Terminal C. Walking from one building, following the signs to T3 and I thought it was great that it also gave you an estimated time of a minute to get to but it seemed to be longer. I then had to catch a lift up to the departures floor and then got into a panic when I looked around to find the Emirates counter was closed. Had to tell myself to breathe and looked out for the departure board and then read that the check-in counter was 278. Turning around and taking a look, it was right in front of me so I headed straight over.

I was hoping that they would look at me and the fact that I was carrying Jaeminkins to hopefully get us on the flight. The Emirates staff asked me where my husband was and if our luggage had come out, had to say a white lie and as this was happening, hubby managed to grab all our luggage, haul it over cobblestone and was on the phone to me trying to figure out where we were.

I could hear the desperation in his voice as I was trying to explain where I was and looking up, I see him charging past with the trolley and even yelling that I was to his right wasn’t enough to get his attention.

Rome via Dubai

Hubby was very happy about making this flight and I was happy not to listen to all the ‘what if’ scenarios. As we were late in taking off, the captain promised an early landing which then meant for us a longer transit in Dubai.

I was feeling quite delirious at this point and was elated to get a stroller at Dubai airport so I didn’t have to carry Jaeminkins. Having an unsettled baby required us to pace up and down and it was particularly busy at 10am. Managed to kip of 20minutes on the lounges and it did help make me feel more human but still exhausted and not looking forward to the next leg.

Dubai to Sydney

Now this leg of the trip was just horrible. It was a very long flight and Jaeminkins was very unsettled. Jaeminkins cried an awful lot and would only settle if we had him in the ergo carrier jiggling him around. Will took the first 2 hours and I got myself a break and then it was my turn.

Great plane especially as I could tune out for 2 hours and finally get to see a flick. The plane had the bassinet higher so that meant we could move around easily enough and put up our tv screens.

The flight staff was not so friendly or helpful. As the seatbelt sign had been taken off and Jaeminkins was restless, we put him on the floor to play only to be told by a flight attendant that this was not allowed. So another inconsistency yet again. We were sitting in the middle of the plane, no where near the aisles and it not allowed to put him on the floor?

 

Another couple with 2 kids disregarded the flight attendant and allowed their kids top sit and move around on the floor. As we were on the Airbus 380 and seated at the front there was a lot of room to move around and let Jaeminkins play. He loved the plastic cups, headsets and reading the duty free catalogue. Haha.

Halfway through the trip was when it got tough for me, it was another 6 hours to go and I thought that it was never going to end. Think the tip for next time is to stopover at Dubai and chill for a couple of days and then face the 14 hour flight home.

Or perhaps it was good that we straight home so Jaeminkins would be back in familiar territory. Who knows but I was definitely glad to be home.

Luckily the flying bit of our holiday was over but don’t get me started on the driving through Sicily. I will just say motion sickness, scary corners and misadventures with the Tom Tom, after all that it’s smooth sailing. Well at least we were all talking to each other.

But I’m curious to know what are other people’s experiences with Emirates. Did you have similar, better, horrible experiences? Would love to hear your views.

Heading to Dubai, Malta and Sicily!!

After a weekend away at the mountains whilst chatting to Pepe's parents about their up and coming 3 month trip, we've decided to join them on the first leg of their trip.

I'm soooo excited. We're off to Dubai for a few nights, then Malta and then Sicily for 11days. Jaeminkins is going to be a well travelled baby by the end of this year.

I've heard so much about the architecture and the phenomenal amount of construction that has been occurring in Dubai so the civil engineering side of me is shouting yipee to be able to see it with my own eyes. I know, I'm a nerd. You should see me when we go on roadtrips and I point out culverts and talk about drainage to Pepe, think he just amuses me by nodding his head.

Don't know much on Malta, other than it's a small island but looking forward to discovering it. From Malta we're catching the ferry over to Pozallo, Sicily which is only a short 90min trip.

I'm excited about Sicilian food and wine. I've been reading up on cheeses, pasta, artichokes, open air markets, wild game, olive oil and of course desserts.

I've heard sicilian desserts are superlative. Can't wait to get into cannoli. The crunchy crust with yum creamy ricotta and sugar filling. I've heard that the ricotta there is made from sheep's milk so tastes a little different.

Can't wait for gelato either. Apparently, it is possible that ice cream was invented in Sicily during Roman times, when a relay of runners would bring snow down from Mount Etna to be flavoured and served to wealthy patricians.

The only thing I'm dreading is the packing and deciding what to take as I have to factor in Jaeminkin's needs too. So many questions running through my mind at the moment.

Do I take the pram or don't I? As we only have limited boot space in the car, I'm thinking of buying those bare minimal lightweight strollers over there, but are these easily available and cheap to buy?

Do I buy nappies, wipes, baby food on the go whilst travelling? Is the baby food any good? Or do I stock up on a few items from here? Decisions, decisions. Anyone been to these countries with a baby and can give me a heads up?

Port Stephens part two.

The next day, we decided to go for a walk down near Stockton Beach to build up an appetite after a hot breakfast of bacon and eggs. At the start of the walk Dad decides to pick a prickly pear from a cactus plant and also decides to squeeze it. Of course, it bursts and he's covered in red fruit pulp from his face, hands and shirt.

Whilst this is happening, Pepe and Jaeminkins are a long way away so I have to deal with having another big kid on my hands as he complains about how his hands have invisible splinters. Do you think he's learnt his lesson about touching things he doesn't know anything about it? Hmmm, I doubt it.

We ended our walk at Birubi Point surfclub and joined in with posing as lifeguards. Hahaha. I especially liked how Jaeminkin's small head poked over the lift out. The beach was closed due to blue bottles but that didn't stop people heading into the water.

The girls jumped into the pool after our long walk and I checked out my underwater housing which I hadn't been able to use since I received it last Christmas. I so miss diving, will have to get back into that again.

My sis cracked me up with her poses looked she was having a water birth=P (sorry sis). Pepe was busy cooking up a feast of roast chicken, potato, carrots and brussels. He even made the stuffing for the chicken.

After our delicious meal, it was definitely time for a walk once again.

There was a few ants at the place and mum was scared about them biting Jaeminkins so I gave her the option of surface spray or areoguard. She then proceeded to spray the place with aeroguard choking myself and Jaeminkins. She is perhaps too liberal with the spray but not good for everyone else in the room.

Said adieu to my folks and sis and it then became only three left at the house. Spent some time with Jaeminkins and watched the sunset before settling down for a light prawn salad for dinner.

I definitely recommend checking out the lookout at Birubi Point, its amazing. Its a little steep at times but completely paved so wearing thongs aren't too bad. Such a gorgeous location, I'll definitely be coming back there again.

Our getaways was a great exercise of realising how much stuff Jaeminkin's needs. More than likely we need to learn to reduce our luggage, as there was no space at all in our car, unless your an oomp loompa.

Getaway to Port Stephens

For Jaeminkin's first trip away, we decided to head north.

As it was a last minute idea, we found a lot of specials on stayz and looked at perhaps staying at Anna Bay, Fingal Bay or up near Nelson Bay.

We decided to be positioned not in the heart of Nelson Bay and pay that extra for linen so we decided to stay at Beach house 3 overseeing One Mile Beach with a heated pool and spa.

I think the heated pool pictures sold it for me. But how devine does the view look from the pool?? 

The drive up wasn't too bad as we had timed it so Jaeminkins would be napping at the time. After getting the keys from the real estate office, we headed straight to the house. A couple of things that got us was the steep driveway and then figuring out how to open the gate to drive through. But after all that....

The view from the house was incredible as its the first thing you see. Then as you turn around there's a great living area, outdoor deck area and a decked out kitchen. I was happy about that as its all about cooking and eating good food when we go away.

Since we were starving, we headed down  to Nelson Bay. Away from the hub of the harbour cafes at the end of the pathway at the end of the wharf, we followed the locals and found an amazing fish and chips shop  'Bubs', which also had a fish co-op next door.

I don't what it was but it was the best fish, calamari rings and chips I've ever had. So delicious!

Before my parents and sis arrived, we managed a big shop up for food and bits and bobs. Only had 10 minutes to spare before upacking all the shopping when I get a phonecall about the latest debacle. Dad had assumed he was at the right address, knocks on the door with his keys and yells out that he has arrived. Unfortunately, it wasn't the right place and frightens some poor old lady. Classic!

So without too many more mishaps they finally get to where we were. As the view of the beach was too stunning, I wanted to go down and check it out. Pepe, forever the realist thought it wouldn't be possible. But after a few prods, we got moving and managed to walk along One Mile Beach admiring the view and being a little silly too.  

After our short walk we headed back to the carpark and spotted a wild koala in the tree.

Heading back to the house to chill out and cook dinner is when the chaos reigns supreme again.

I thought it would be nice to have a couple of drinks and admire the view which the majority of us do except for one. Mum decides she will start dinner and the first thing she puts on is the rice. With no rice cooker in sight, it's rice in the saucepan with water at 6pm when we're suppose to eat at 8pm. So you wonder a short time later, what the burning smell was and why there was enough rice to feed an army??

The kitchen is buzzing with so many people trying to prep food and cook that its getting too much to handle. I pretty much give up and take my drink and chill out on the balcony and resign myself to the fact that people don't change. I did manage to squeeze in and bake Neil Perry's Lime Syrup Cake for Pepe's birthday. Such a moist cake and not that sweet. Will post recipe soon.

Passport ordeal

Renewing a passport is no big deal right but creating a new passport for a baby??!!!

Let's say it wasn't too bad going online and typing all the details on and then printing the forms off. It was the passport photo that was creating the havoc. The instructions are

• show the baby or child awake, looking straight at the camera with mouth closed and no pacifier.
• show both edges of the face clearly (no toys, blankets, chair backs or other people visible) and no hair across the eyes.

Hmm that was the hard bit, not only was Jaeminkins was feeling extra chatty on the day of his passport photo was being taken, he was also extra fidgety. So with a yellow muslin draped behind him in the pram, wearing a bib as he was being quite dribbly, this set the scene for his passport photo.

The post office employee had a hard time trying to get a photo that he was happy with. After about 5 tries, he prints the one that he thinks will be approved. So what do you think about the photo?? I don't even think it looks like my child.

Now putting in application forms, I can't believe how picky the post office staff are. One of the signatures was in blue ink and not black ink and I was told that the application could be rejected on that basis. I was going to blame Pepe for that one as he was the one that signed in blue ink.

The signature of the witness on the application and the back of the photo didn't quite match so it could also get rejected on that basis. And the baby photo, it could get rejected as it didn't quite comply with the instructions but 'c'mon it's a baby' and I have no control over his facial features.

So my ordeal was to either to outsource the photo as it may not get approved but then in that case it may get rejected as the post office didn't do it. So I decided to risk it and go with the photo taken by the post office staff.

I was advised by friends what they went through to get a child's passports and it is at times an ordeal and chuckled at their stories but I thought I'd wait it out and see what happens.

Two weeks later, I was rewarded with new passports for myself and Jaeminkins. Let's say that Pepe chuckled a lot after checking out Jaeminkin's photo. Interesting to know that a child's passport only lasts 5 years. Its a tragic photo but too funny not to share.