3 days, 10,000 miles later, +8 hours GMT

Looking happy at departure hall in Dubai, leaving for London

Thursday, 4th Dec 2008, 8:15 pm...

Time to leave my family and friends to join my other half for a new adventure in England. we landed at Dubai ariport 8 hours later, 4.30 a.m Dubai time. Did'nt have much time, but to change Zeidan and ready to catch the next connecting flight.

Just when we're ready to take off, the aeroplane came to a halt..Technical diffculties..we watied for update from the captain , feeling anxious and miserable for we've been dreading in our seat for mroe than 3 hours.. everytime announcement break the air, my hear stopped..Then the final annoucement , the UNthinkable, we had to disembark the plane at 7a.m.and hopped on a no-seat bus, argh!!kids are restless, infact they were still sleeping when we moved them. And the weather was cold!

Friday, 5th Dec , Story of our life

At the arrival terminal, we waited with patiently but somehow it really tested mine..There were no food or drink offered, and we're stranded like some fugitive..kids are feeling agitated coz from my watch they haven't eaten a proper meal for more than 12 hours..Finally, a representative told us to aboutt he situation, there were 2 options..1) To fly with emirate at 4.p.m. same day or 2) Fly with RBA at 2.a.m. As much was I wanted to see my other half, i chose to fly with RBA considering that they are few Bruneains on board with us..OUr saviuor of course these two ladies, they've been very concern about us especially the kids. They are like our guardian angel who look after our well-being..

Heart-warming Saadatena Abdullah n her kind niece Nurul, who make everything possible

At the arrival terminal for 3hours

Can feel their excitment after a long morning at the airport..

Inside a bus heading to Flora Creek Apartment in Dubai

The hotel provided us rooms and food.It's a blessing at least to have place for them to rest and clean up..We also didn't miss a chance to go to the mall of Emirates, and it was spectacular..hundreds boutiques, 2 department stroe and ski dubai all under one roof.. although excited it didn't stop my mind thinking about the agony of being stranded and scared about what to come.

A glimpse of Burj Al Arab

Inside the Mall of Emirates, too tired and weary

Delicious meal for dinner before take off

Our dinner fillet Mignon

Living room

After dinner, a bus picked us at 11.30 pm to the airport..the next road block is to get us all seats on RBA, our very own national carrier who didnt bother to booked us any seats. My GOD!!Have they forgotten about their responsibilities..Only few of us had thier seats available,we tried to push hard and negotiate but they only have seat for the two ladies, myself n kids but not my sis-inlaw and other 7 Bruneians.I can't leave her and knowing this I burst into tears and start questioning god..Why does this all happen to us, i asked for more strength to succumb this..The nice ladies however, sacrifice their seats to join us and fly with emirates witht rest of BRuneains and we have one hour before the next flight..

Saturday, 6th Dec 1.300a.m. Dubai

We hopped on to another bus in the cold and windy morning to the Emirates terminal. The adrenaline just keep on pumping, the staff forgotten to bring along paper document to acknowledge our transfers from RBA to emirates..We still started to feel agitated and depressed..Poor Zeidan tucked on Mummy's arm for a long 3 hours not knwoing what's goin on..Nuryn has been a superstart for being abnle to cope with all this, but it;s still unfair to them not to my kids my precious..Their sleep deprived, restless, tired, jet lag etc...and all Ican tell her is we're going to see Ayah very soon..She looked as if she can't wait much longer but she's really a star..

warm n cosy in Mummy's arm

At the Emirates terminal, for another hour

As soon as we get our names checked in, we rushed to the passport checkpoint and to my despair Nuryn does'nt have her boarding pass. Without hesitation Nurul rushed back to the check in counter and dash back again to get Nuryn's boarding pass...We have at least 15 minutes before take off, and it's a long run inside the terminal..Everyone ran hysterically, panting without breath afraid that we'll miss the flight..We reach the point in less than 6-7 minutes and its 10 minutes to take off!!It turned out that check point is still pact with other passengers, which is a great relief..

back to back entertainment, all aired at the same time

Nuryn is not camera friendly lately

Saturday, 6th Dec, 3.45a.m. Dubai

We took off behind schedule, but what the heck we're all on board and going to London at last
Nuryn is just so glorious, seeing her Ayah.

At 7.50 a.m we touch down at Heathrow Airport London..

Upon arrival the Unthinkable thing happened again, what a jinx I might say..We lost ALL our luggage..5 bags, 2 boxes and a stroller..And we're the only passengers who experience this. At this point I couldn't bear at any more, tears streamed down my face and left the area to see my better half..The person that I've been longing to see..The most precious item in our lugga is Zeidan n Nuryn like ppwder..In London, we stayed at my cousin's place for the night.

Sunday, 7th Dec, 3.a.m.

Kids had their good sleep after the whole catasthrope, Nuryn had 12 hours sleep and woke up at 3.a.m. followed by Zeidan an hour later.Through out our journey, we're blessed and thankful that we arrived safely..and extra thankful for not having to carry our luggae.

The journey took three taxis and 2 trains, starting from airport to Cousin's house, then taxi again to Kingston Station..We catch 11.15 a.m. train to reach Leeds Station whick took 2hour 15 minutes before interchange to Bradford, which took another 10 minutes.

IN the train going to Foster Square, Bradford

4.30 p.m. we reached the place our home for the next 6 month..Miracle happen..we receive a text from delivery express saying that our luggage will be arriving in hour time..Alhamdullillah, our pain and burden just subsided when receiving this message..

Finally, it;s a blessing in disguise for my husband..not having to carry all these all the way from London..

After what had happen, it really wasn't a great start for me and the kids, but I believe that things happen for a reason...only HE knows..