January – The month before Chinese New Year, I was sent to Riyadh, KSA for the 2nd time of my life for handling the delivery for a new project for one of our customers in the Middle East. My trip got extended and nearly I have to miss CNY celebration for the first time because of travelling. In the end, I still made it back to M’sia in one piece, after going through a harrowing taxi experience. This is the first time I experienced winter in Riyadh, didn’t know it could be this cold in the middle of the desert.
February – This time I was sent to Taipei to handle the delivery of one of our customers in Taiwan. It is still quite cold there, though not as cold as Riyadh. Previously I had been there back in July 2009, October 2010, November 2010, and this was my 4th time back there. Apart from the nice things like nice people, nice food, nice customers, nice partners, there’s nothing much to complain about Taiwan.
March – This is the first time I went to National Capital Region, India, and the shortest trip ever. We reached Gurgaon by night time the first day, and we left India in approximately 24 hours. And this is the first time I experienced AAX Premium Seats, as the New Delhi route has just been categorized as AAX route. Anyway, I just got news today that Air Asia is going to cancel the route to New Delhi, which I don’t know why as the flight to India is always quite full, should be one of the more popular routes for them.
April – This time I went to Taipei again to handle the training of our customer there. It is not that cold anymore by April. As usual, I stayed nearby the customer site, and there is no problem to find food, no matter where we stay in Taipei. The customers and our partners took good care of me. I wish we can have such customers in all the countries.
May – This month marked the 3rd time my car tyre had to be changed due to punctured or damaged tyres. I was sent to Bengaluru for meeting with prospective partners, knowing that the traffic could be crazy over there, I opt for a hotel which is really near to the customer place. Basically I walked to his office every morning, just like 500 metres away from the hotel. And weather has been so kind and everything went smoothly. Though it means I have to eat pizza everyday.
June – Went to Jakarta again for doing a short presentation and product update meeting. Traffic is very ‘macet’ as well, spent like 3 hours in the car from airport to the customer place. And this time we stayed in a different hotel in Pencenongan area, which is really nice one. The bathroom has a huge window overlooking the city.
July – I took a couple of days leave and went to Bangkok for a relaxing holiday and shopping spree. Next time when I’m going there again, I gonna bring a huge luggage bag.
August – This is the month of Ramadan. I was sent again to Riyadh, KSA in the middle of Ramadan. Fasting is strictly observed over here in Riyadh. Usually we fast together too during the day, and eat only at night. Because almost, no place serve food during the day, and even we need to drink water in secret. And it is also one of the hottest month in Riyadh this time round, so… it ain’t nice place to be at this time of year.
September - This is the first time I went to Iraq. We could see post-war situation over there. People there are generally friendly, though I wish I could speak their language too. Went to the bazaar, nothing much to buy except really cheap stuff, whole suit for man cost only USD 80, and lots of people selling gold there. Had to transit at Istanbul, so I took some time to get off the Airport and visit Aya Sofia.
October – This time we went to Riyadh again. It is getting colder now as it is approaching winter. We took Saudi Airlines this time.
November – Took Emirates to Riyadh again.
December – Took Qatar Air again to Riyadh..
So far my Qatar Airways has most miles, followed by Saudi Airlines, then Emirates and Etihad are tied, then China Airlines, and finally Singapore airlines.
I wonder if I should spread the miles across different card or just concentrate on cumulating it on single airline.
